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Middle East Edition
25th February 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Workplace equality exists nowhere, World Bank says

The World Bank has said that full workplace equality does not exist anywhere in the world, and only "less than 5% of women worldwide" live in economies with near full legal economic equality. Even in instances when workplace equality laws are passed by lawmakers they are truly enforced in only about half of all cases, the World Bank said in a report on women, business and the law. “Even in economies that have modernised their laws, women still face constraints that shape the work they can do, the businesses they can start, and the safety they need to pursue opportunities,” said Dr Indermit Gill, the bank’s chief economist.
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TECHNOLOGY

Saudi Arabia is first Arab nation to join Global AI Partnership

Saudi Arabia has officially joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), becoming the first Arab nation to do so. Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, president of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, made the announcement at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He noted that the partnership aims to enhance AI risk monitoring in the Middle East and align regional priorities with international standards. Saudi Arabia ranks third globally in contributions to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development AI Policy Observatory, having submitted over 60 policies to support international governance.
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CYBERSECURITY

Middle East cyber threats surge

UAE enterprises are increasingly adopting identity-centric security and Zero Trust models to combat rising cyber threats, which have surged nearly 40% year on year. Deep Chanda, chief officer at Ampcus Cyber, said: "Cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem . . . It is about whether a nation keeps running." With average incident costs reaching $7.29m, organisations are prioritising resilience. The launch of the CISO Intelligence Council in Dubai aims to enhance collaboration among cybersecurity leaders, addressing emerging threats and compliance challenges. Chanda emphasised that resilience is defined by "uptime, service continuity, and trust."
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HIRING

Etihad Airways to hire up to 3,000 employees yearly over next five years

Etihad Airways has hired over 3,200 new employees and promoted around 2,200 in the past year. The airline plans to recruit up to 3,000 staff annually over the next five years, investing Dh80bn ($21.8bn) in aircraft and product development. Chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said: "We're going to keep that range from 2,500 to 3,000 people hired per year." The workforce will reflect 152 nationalities, with a focus on developing UAE national talent.
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WORKFORCE

Workers in Jordan's tourism sector up 6.7% in 2025

Data from Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed a 6.7% increase in employment within Jordan's tourism sector from 2024 to 2025. The workforce grew from 56,321 to 60,068, adding 3,747 jobs. Tourist restaurants and hotels dominate employment, accounting for 40% and 38% respectively. Males make up the majority of the workforce, with 51,562 men compared to 8,506 women. Additionally, tourism revenue rose by 7.6% in 2025, reaching $7.790bn, driven by a 15.3% increase in tourist numbers, particularly from European and Asian visitors, according to the Central Bank of Jordan.
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ECONOMY

New venture to transform Motor City

Avenew Development has partnered with Kora Properties to create a new commercial district in Motor City, near the Dubai Autodrome. The joint venture aims to deliver a self-sustaining business and lifestyle destination, featuring six Grade A office buildings, a hospital, and a retail mall. Rasha Hassan, managing partner of Avenew, said: "This partnership represents an important step in Avenew's growth." Nilesh Ved, Chairman of Appcorp Holding, noted: "We are committed to building high-quality assets that serve businesses." The project aligns with Dubai's vision for sustainable urban development.
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INTERNATIONAL

Alberta to hold referendum on new restrictions for immigrants

The Canadian province of Alberta is to hold a referendum on restricting immigration and reducing newcomers’ access to public services. “The fact is, Alberta taxpayers can no longer be asked to continue to subsidise the entire country through equalisation and federal transfers, permit the federal government to flood our borders with new arrivals and then give free access to our most-generous-in-the-country social programs to anyone who moves here,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a televised address aired on Thursday. She blamed what she called the “disastrous open-border immigration policies” of former prime minister Justin Trudeau for straining the province’s health care, education and social services programs. 

Glovo's Italian food delivery unit ordered to 'regularise' 40,000 workers

The Italian business of Spanish food delivery service Glovo, which is currently under court administration, has been ordered by a judge in Milan to "regularise" 40,000 delivery workers. Milan prosecutors earlier this month placed Glovo's Italian arm, Foodinho, under judicial supervision and its chief executive under investigation for alleged exploitation of workers. "It's important that the Milan prosecutors and the court have delivered a clear message: workers' rights are not an optional . . . you can't put people on the road without safeguards," said Giulia Druetta, a Turin-based lawyer who has represented the delivery workers. Glovo is controlled by Germany's Delivery Hero.

Louvre director resigns after heist

Louvre director Laurence des Cars has resigned in the wake of October's high-profile theft of historic jewels from the museum. She submitted her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who said the institution needed "calm and a strong new impetus" to carry out major security and modernisation projects. In the last year, the museum has also seen multiple staff walkouts and a wildcat strike over poor working conditions, mass tourism and understaffing.

Overhaul of Argentina labour law advances in Congress

Argentina's lower house of Congress has approved a bill which grants employers greater flexibility in matters of hiring, firing, severance and collective bargaining. President Javier Milei believes the changes to the country's half-century-old labour code are crucial to his efforts to attract foreign investment, increase productivity and boost job creation. Unions say the law will weaken worker protections.
 
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