THE HOT STORY

Qatar backs 'just transition' for workers

Qatar is committed to a 'just transition' for workers by aligning labour policies with environmental sustainability. At the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said the country is investing in green skills and modern training systems to prepare workers, especially migrants, for a changing economy. The Ministry has integrated a just transition into labour market policies, focusing on upskilling and retraining workers for green jobs. Dr al-Marri emphasised the importance of safe labour mobility and updating legal frameworks to protect workers' rights in the evolving job market.

Gulf Times

The Peninsula

WORKFORCE

Oman's space ambitions set to generate thousands of jobs

Oman's national space plans are set to generate thousands of job opportunities for Omanis, according to Andy Grey, chief executive of Exotopic, a company which supports entrepreneurs in creating new businesses and services in science and technology. Grey highlighted the importance of specialised skills in areas such as satellite design, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. He noted that the space sector encompasses a wide range of roles, from engineering to data analysis. Grey said: "Oman's space programme can open up jobs galore." The country is making steady progress with initiatives including the Oman Space Accelerator.

Oman Observer

TECHNOLOGY

Qatar set to leap into agentic AI retail

Qatar is poised to advance directly into agentic artificial intelligence-driven retail, according to Dr Mohamed Althaf, global director of LuLu Group. He noted that Qatar's unique digital infrastructure and high-income economy enable it to bypass traditional e-commerce stages, and emphasised the importance of prioritising agentic payment gateways and building trust infrastructure. LuLu plans to implement agentic AI in back-end processes before customer-facing applications, aiming to maintain a "Human-in-the-Loop" framework to ensure human oversight in operations.

Gulf Times

Apple acquires Israeli startup Q.ai

Apple has acquired Israel-based artificial intelligence startup Q.ai, which develops technology for reading facial movements and understanding silent communication. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but the deal is thought to be worth around $2bn.

CNBC

LEGAL

Saudi Arabia cracks down on corruption

Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has announced the arrest of several individuals involved in corruption cases. Among those detained was a non-Saudi projects director at a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, who allegedly received SR2.175m ($575,000) in bribes. A Health Affairs employee was also arrested for accepting SR500,000 to facilitate project awards worth SR384.3 m. Nazaha said that it will continue to pursue corruption offenders: "All offenders will be held accountable without leniency."

Saudi Gazette

TAX

Jordan's government offers tax exemptions on municipal fees

The Ministry of Local Administration in Jordan has announced tax discounts and exemptions for citizens and businesses until the end of March. The initiative includes a 20% discount on building and land tax, education tax, and sewage fees, contingent on settling all outstanding payments. Additionally, a full exemption from accrued fines is available if payments are made by the deadline. The ministry aims to alleviate financial burdens and enhance municipal revenues.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

German transport union strikes for better hours

Cities and municipalities throughout Germany will face public transport disruptions today after the Ver.di labour union called on workers to strike for shorter working hours and higher bonuses. “Public transport employees are under a lot of stress due to extremely unfavourable working hours, shift work, and constant time pressure,” Christine Behle, the union's deputy chair, said. “We urgently need improvements here in order to stop the high turnover rate and once again find reliable skilled workers for public transport.”

Luxembourg Times

Investigation into WhatsApp privacy claims by US authorities

US law enforcement is probing allegations from former Meta Platforms contractors suggesting that company personnel have gained access to WhatsApp messages, contradicting the company's assertions that the service hosts private and encrypted communications. The claims, which highlight alleged “unfettered” access to chats, are being investigated by special agents from the US Department of Commerce, and echo similar allegations raised in a 2024 whistleblower complaint to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The ongoing inquiry has not been publicly disclosed until now.

Bloomberg

AI job losses 'are hitting hardest in the UK'

The UK is losing more jobs than it is creating because of artificial intelligence, and at a faster rate than international peers, according to research by Morgan Stanley. UK companies reported that AI led to 8% net job losses over the past 12 months, the study found. This was the highest level in a group that included German, American, Japanese and Australian companies, and twice the international average. British firms reported an average 11.5% productivity increase due to the adoption of AI; almost half experienced even greater boosts.

Bloomberg

The Guardian

Korea moves to stamp out wage theft

Korean labour officials are intensifying efforts against employers who withhold wages, labelling it a “grave social crime” affecting vulnerable migrant workers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor reported 1,350 investigations in 2025, with 14 serious cases leading to arrests. One notable case involved a pig farm owner accused of withholding 260m won ($180,000) from 62 foreign workers. Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon said: "We will move quickly to protect [migrant workers] through the substitute wage payment system and hold employers criminally liable." The government is also revising rules to protect noncitizen victims from deportation.

The Korea Times

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