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Middle East Edition
18th December 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

UAE firms urged to ensure workers' safety amid weather warnings

The UAE has advised private sector companies to implement safety measures due to unstable weather expected on December 18 and 19. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) emphasised the need to protect workers, especially those outdoors, from adverse conditions. Employers must assess risks and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts continued unstable weather, including rain, lightning, and hail. Authorities have warned residents to avoid hazardous areas and follow safety guidelines.
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WORKFORCE

Saudi Cabinet cancels some expat worker fees

Saudi Arabia's Cabinet, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has eliminated fees on expatriate labour in industrial facilities. The decision, recommended by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, aims to bolster the industrial sector and support Saudi Vision 2030's goals. Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said the move will enhance global competitiveness and reduce operating costs for factories. The industrial sector has already seen significant growth, with the number of facilities increasing from 8,822 to over 12,000 since 2019, and non-oil exports rising by 16%.
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LEGAL

Family wins Dh200,000 compensation following worker's death

An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a company to pay Dh200,000 in compensation to the family of an employee who died due to the company's negligence. The ruling highlights employers' legal obligations to ensure workplace safety. The deceased's family claimed the company failed to meet safety standards, leading to the tragic incident. The court confirmed the company's liability after a previous criminal conviction, which included a Dh30,000 fine. The judges noted the family's financial and emotional suffering, as the deceased was their primary breadwinner. The court dismissed additional claims for compensation.
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CORPORATE

Lafarge risks heavy sentence in trial for financing terrorism in Syria

France 24 reports that the prosecution is to present its closing case in the trial of the French cement manufacturer Lafarge. Eight former Lafarge executives are suspected of having paid jihadist groups in Syria, including the Islamic State Group, to keep the company's activity in the country running despite the ongoing civil war.
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LEADERSHIP

BP replaces CEO after less than two years in the role

BP chief executive Murray Auchincloss is being replaced after less than two years in the role. The oil and gas company has appointed Woodside Energy boss Meg O’Neill as his successor. O'Neill will be BP’s first female chief executive, and the first woman to head any of the world’s top five oil companies. Her appointment also marks the first time that BP has made an external hire to the top job at the company.
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CYBERSECURITY

Pornhub hack exposes users' viewing habits

Hackers from the ShinyHunters group have accessed the personal information of 200m Pornhub premium users. The stolen data includes viewing habits, email addresses, and activity types. Pornhub confirmed that the breach originated from Mixpanel, a data analytics provider, and said that no passwords or payment details were compromised. 
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INTERNATIONAL

US government launches ‘Tech Force’ to hire AI talent

The US government has launched an early career hiring and talent development program to bring more technology and artificial intelligence employees to the public sector. The “US Tech Force” initiative is designed to address a technical and early career talent gap across the government, said Scott Kupor, the director of the Office of Personnel Management. Participants will commit to a two-year employment program working with teams that report directly to agency leaders in “collaboration with leading technology companies,” including Amazon Web Services, Apple, Google Public Sector, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, Palantir, Salesforce and others, according to an official government website. “If you’re thinking about, long term, a career in technology, there is no bigger and more complex set of problems than we face in the federal government,” Kupor said.

Louvre workers vote to extend strike

Employees at the Louvre have voted to extend their strike, which has already disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum. The strike, which was launched due to chronic understaffing and recent management decisions, followed a recent jewels heist that highlighted security issues. Union officials said that proposed measures from the Culture Ministry, including cancelling a funding cut and increasing staff compensation, are insufficient. Louvre President Laurence des Cars has admitted to an "institutional failure" in the wake of the heist 

Petrobras strike disrupts operations amid pension disputes

A strike at Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras has entered its third day, affecting 24 oil platforms and eight refineries due to disputes regarding pension fund deficits and employee compensation. Despite the strike, Petrobras claims that overall production has not been impacted, because the company has implemented contingency measures to maintain operations. The union reported that additional facilities, including transport units and biodiesel plants, have also been affected by the action.

Grand Theft Auto game creator 'sacked us for trying to unionise'

Former employees at Rockstar North, the firm behind Grand Theft Auto, have told the BBC that a "devastating" mass sacking took place allegedly because they tried to unionise. More than 30 staff were dismissed in October for what the company called "gross misconduct." Rockstar North, one of the UK's largest game developers, said it was incorrect to suggest the dismissals were linked to union membership or activities, and said it acted after staff discussed confidential information, including specific game features from upcoming titles, in a public forum. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) called the sackings a "ruthless act of union-busting."
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OTHER

France's role in advancing Saudi cinema

Saudi Arabia's film industry is rapidly developing, and Gaetan Bruel, president of the French National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image, has noted the potential for collaboration with France. Bruel said: "Saudi Arabia has, in just a few years, put in place everything it needs to become a major film country." He highlighted the importance of training and independent filmmaking, emphasising that France's expertise could greatly benefit Saudi talent. Bruel expressed optimism about future co-productions, saying that the partnership could lead to ambitious projects and deeper cultural ties between the two nations.
 
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