Jobs & Hiring Signals: U.S. job openings stayed resilient at 7.6 million in May, but hiring stayed soft as gross hiring slipped and layoffs rose—an uneven picture for workers watching the labor market. Middle East Labor Policy: Saudi Arabia extended the work-permit status correction deadline for some expats to end-2026, urging employers and workers to regularize before enforcement kicks in. Jordan Jobs Push: The World Bank approved a $700m loan for Jordan to turn macro stability into private investment, finance access, and more jobs, with a green and digital transition focus. SME & Investment Leadership: IFC appointed Imad N. Fakhoury as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia, with a mandate to mobilize private capital and support job creation across 21 countries. Turkey Economy & Work: Turkey’s manufacturing contracted in June as Middle East-linked disruption hit demand and supply; employment was scaled back. Business Climate in the Region: Spain’s manufacturing shrank in June for the first time in three months, with employment falling and firms cutting purchasing amid Iran-war cost pressures. Defense-Tech & Employment Angle: Anduril-linked investors backed an Israeli underground-warfare startup, highlighting continued hiring demand in defense engineering niches. Geopolitics & Hiring Mood: Iran’s refusal to meet U.S. envoys in Qatar kept markets cautious and added uncertainty around shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.