Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest bank by assets, posted a four per cent rise in full-year net profit on Monday, underpinned by record lending growth as borrowing demand strengthened across domestic and international markets. The lender said net profit reached 24 billion dirhams for the year, surpassing market expectations of about 22.8 billion dirhams based on analyst estimates tracked by LSEG. The performance was driven by what the […]
South Africa’s vast grasslands have become the testing ground for what is being described as a global first in community-led carbon markets, as farmers and pastoral groups begin to earn tradable carbon credits through regenerative land management verified under a new international standard. The initiative centres on Verra’s recently approved methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, which allows greenhouse gas reductions and soil carbon gains from grazing […]
Traffic across key commercial corridors in Dubai has slowed markedly as Gulfood 2026 opens its doors, prompting authorities to issue travel advisories and urging commuters to plan additional time for journeys near major exhibition hubs. The scale of the food and beverage show, running from January 26 to 30, has brought an exceptional influx of visitors, exhibitors and logistics traffic into the city during a working week […]
US lawmakers have called on the Federal Trade Commission to take an expansive and rigorous look at the proposed roughly $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, urging scrutiny of its potential impact on workers, studios and competition across the video-game sector. Leaders of the Congressional Labor Caucus and a broader group of House Democrats warned that […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai GivTrade has rolled out a major regional brand campaign in collaboration with Spain’s top professional league, LaLiga, designed to amplify its visibility across the Middle East and North Africa during key league fixtures featuring marquee clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. The marketing drive places GivTrade prominently on broadcast screens and digital channels during match coverage, giving the trading […]
Mubadala Investment Company has sold its minority holding in Arcadia Consumer Healthcare, completing its exit from the United States-based consumer health and wellness platform alongside the company’s acquisition by funds managed by Bansk Group. The transaction marks a change in ownership for Arcadia and reflects shifting investment strategies across the global consumer health sector, where private equity interest has intensified amid consolidation and portfolio reshaping. Arcadia, headquartered […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Ras Abu Fontas Power, the company behind one of Qatar’s key power and water infrastructure projects, has secured a financing agreement worth about $990 million with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, strengthening the long-term funding base for the Facility E power and desalination project south of Doha. The JBIC funding represents part of a larger co-financing package totalling approximately $2.97 billion, assembled […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The United Arab Emirates’ hospitality sector has posted a substantial rise in hotel revenues in 2025, with total takings reaching around AED 44.4 billion for the period from January to November, marking an 8.8 per cent uplift compared with the same span a year earlier, driven by stronger average daily rates and robust demand across key markets. This performance underscores the UAE’s ongoing […]
India’s largest information technology services firms together reported a net reduction of close to 3,000 employees in the third quarter of the 2025–26 financial year, underscoring a structural shift in hiring as companies rebalance workforces around artificial intelligence, cloud platforms and higher-value digital engineering.
Quarterly disclosures showed that headcount at several bellwether firms edged lower despite stable deal pipelines. The combined net decline, modest by historical standards, contrasted sharply with the aggressive campus hiring and broad-based workforce expansion that defined the sector for more than a decade. Executives and analysts pointed to a “barbell” pattern in demand, with strong hiring at the high end for niche digital and AI skills and limited intake, or attrition-led pruning, in legacy application maintenance and commoditised services.
At Tata Consultancy Services, the country’s largest IT services exporter by revenue, total employee strength slipped during the quarter as voluntary attrition stayed elevated in certain service lines and fresh hiring remained selective. Infosys also reported a marginal fall in headcount, reflecting a focus on utilisation, internal redeployment and productivity improvements rather than large-scale lateral recruitment. Wipro and HCLTech posted similar trends, with management teams emphasising skill transformation over volume growth.
The net reduction came even as revenue growth stabilised sequentially for most firms, helped by cost optimisation deals, vendor consolidation and demand for cloud migration. Industry executives said the hiring slowdown was not a signal of weakening fundamentals but a recalibration after years of overcapacity built during the post-pandemic surge in digital spending.
What is different this cycle, analysts argue, is the depth of the technology shift reshaping delivery models. Generative AI tools, low-code platforms and automation frameworks are beginning to decouple revenue growth from headcount expansion. Routine coding, testing and support tasks are increasingly automated, reducing the need for large teams, while boosting productivity per employee.
This dynamic has produced the barbell model now widely discussed in boardrooms. On one end, firms are competing fiercely for specialists in data engineering, AI model deployment, cybersecurity, semiconductor design services and advanced cloud architecture. On the other, demand for entry-level roles tied to traditional application development and infrastructure support has softened, leading to fewer campus offers and limited backfilling of exits.
Management commentary during earnings calls reinforced this shift. Several chief executives highlighted large internal reskilling programmes, with tens of thousands of employees undergoing training in AI, machine learning and cloud-native technologies. The emphasis has moved from hiring for scale to building depth in targeted capabilities that command higher billing rates and longer-term client commitments.
Client behaviour has also played a role. Enterprises in North America and Europe, which account for the bulk of export revenues, continue to scrutinise technology budgets amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Discretionary projects have faced delays, while spending has been redirected toward efficiency-led initiatives where automation is central. This has compressed demand for traditional staff-augmentation models that once absorbed large numbers of engineers.
Despite the headline job losses, the sector remains a major employer, with total headcount across the top firms still running into the millions. Analysts caution against interpreting the quarterly decline as a broad-based contraction. Instead, they see a transition phase in which workforce pyramids are being reshaped to align with evolving client needs and delivery economics.
Wage dynamics reflect the same adjustment. Salary hikes have been measured, variable pay has been linked more closely to utilisation and skill relevance, and onsite deployments have been rationalised. At the same time, niche talent continues to command premiums, widening pay dispersion within firms.
Revolut has shelved plans to buy a United States bank and is instead pursuing a fresh regulatory pathway as it recalibrates its long-delayed push into the world’s largest retail finance market. The London-based digital banking group has begun laying the groundwork for an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national banking licence, according to people familiar with the company’s strategy, marking […]
Vertiv has unveiled an artificial intelligence-based predictive maintenance service designed to help data centre operators manage the growing operational strain created by high-density computing and AI-driven workloads. The service, branded Vertiv Next Predict, is positioned as a response to the rising complexity of power and cooling infrastructure as operators race to support advanced computing environments. The company said the new platform uses machine learning models, real-time sensor […]
A sprawling winter storm stretching across the southern and eastern United States has crippled highways, shuttered schools and sent air travel into disarray, as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall and a destructive ice belt cutting from east Texas through the Carolinas. The U. S. National Weather Service said a wide swathe of the country faced hazardous conditions, with snow totals measured in tens of centimetres in parts […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has moved to reinforce its ambitions as a regional hub for medical tourism by convening a specialised forum examining the legal and regulatory foundations that underpin the sector, with a focus on aligning local legislation with international best practice while safeguarding patient rights and encouraging sustainable investment. Hosted virtually by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the forum brought together legal […]
Jewellery manufacturers, designers and traders from across three continents are set to converge in Sharjah as the Jewels of Emirates Show 2026 opens on 28 January at the Expo Centre Sharjah, positioning the emirate as a key meeting point for the regional and global jewellery trade at the start of the year. Organisers say the four-day exhibition will feature about 180 exhibitors representing the Middle East, Asia […]
Microsoft has unveiled WinApp CLI, an open-source command-line tool released in public preview, aimed at simplifying how developers build and package applications for Windows. The tool brings together tasks that are typically spread across multiple utilities, allowing teams to initialise projects, manage software development kits, configure app manifests, handle certificates and generate MSIX packages from a single workflow. The launch reflects a broader push by Microsoft to […]
By Nitya Chakraborty With the final list of eligible candidates announced on January 21 just three weeks before the crucial elections on February 12 in Bangladesh, the campaign has started in full swing. The trends so far give all the elements of a total polarization between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami each heading […]
The article Jamaat-e-Islami Forges Ahead Bridging Gap With Dominant BNP Before Bangladesh Polls appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Walmart and Unity have rolled out a new immersive commerce software-development kit that allows game creators to embed real-world shopping experiences directly within Unity-built titles and apps, marking a shift in how physical retail intersects with interactive entertainment. The free SDK empowers developers to integrate Walmart’s commerce systems, catalogue and checkout functionality into gameplay without forcing players to exit the virtual environment, unlocking fresh monetisation routes for […]
Dogecoin extended losses on Tuesday as liquidation pressure rippled through the meme-coin segment, reinforcing a market tone defined by selling into rallies rather than chasing rebounds. The token fell about 2% on the day, underperforming parts of the broader crypto complex as traders trimmed exposure amid persistent resistance overhead and thinning liquidity during intraday bounces. Price action showed repeated failures near a well-watched resistance band between $0.126 […]
At HUAWEI CONNECT 2025, Jason Li, President of Global Marketing & Solutions from Huawei’s Electric Power Digitalization Business Unit, gave a statement.
“In the power industry, there are three key trends on the distribution side. Firstly, a massive amount of new energy will be integrated into the grid. Taking China as an example, by 2030, the installed capacity of distributed PV will reach approximately 1,000 GW. Secondly, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow rapidly, with around 110 million EVs and approximately 55 million charging piles projected by 2030. This poses significant challenges for power distribution. Thirdly, digitalization is accelerating. AI has gone from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a ‘must-have.’ Power systems cannot achieve effective protection, automation, or digitization without high-quality data and reliable communication. In medium-voltage grids, we rely on private wireless networks to achieve reliable backhaul and support endpoint control. I believe 450 MHz is the optimal solution. As the lowest band within 3GPP standards, it offers wide coverage, supports vast amounts of connections, and provides highly reliable network performance, all at a low cost. Moreover, it benefits from a mature ecosystem. This makes it perhaps the best solution for power companies undergoing digital transformation.”
At Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Huawei will showcase more success stories in private wireless networks and 450 MHz applications, along with innovative solutions for intelligent power distribution, substations, and power plant inspections. To explore successful digital transformation in the power sector, visit the Huawei booth at stand 1H50, Fira Gran Via Hall 1. For more information, please visit https://e.huawei.com/en/industries/grid.
Hashtag: #Huawei #intelligentdistribution #electric #grid #powersystem #powerwireless
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2026 – 22 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) held the 2024/25 Caring Company Scheme Recognition Ceremony today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mr. Chris SUN Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended as the Guest of Honour. This year, a total of 3,500 caring companies and organisations were recognised.
For the first time, HKCSS released the major findings from the Caring Business Achievements Overview, providing an in-depth look at corporate trends in addressing social issues such as population ageing, workforce challenges, and climate change across four key pillars: Partnership, Social, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability.
Mr. Chris SUN Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, congratulated the businesses and organizations recognized by the Caring Company Scheme. He emphasized that building a compassionate society requires collaboration with the business community, which plays a vital role alongside government and non-governmental efforts. By prioritizing employee welfare, employers not only uplift families but also drive growth, attract talent, and foster mutual benefits. Mr. SUN called upon the business sector to engage more proactively in this initiative, fostering a collective commitment to building a more caring society for all.
24 Years of Deep-Rooted Partnership: 28% of Collaborations Last 10 Years or More
The Caring Company Scheme has been running for 24 years. The Revd Canon the Hon. Peter Douglas KOON, SBS, JP, Chairman of HKCSS, stated in his speech: “The Scheme underwent a significant revamp recently to localise international sustainability frameworks. Through our inaugural data analysis, we can observe the business sector’s overall performance in tackling challenges like population ageing and climate change. We hope these trends will guide companies to transform a culture of care into concrete business decisions.”
Data indicates that business-social partnerships have built a solid foundation. Over 70% of companies have maintained partnerships with community partners for three years or more, while 28% have sustained collaborations for over a decade, reflecting a commitment to long-term stability in cross-sectoral collaboration.
New Frontier in the Workplace: Support for Working Caregivers Emerges as a Key Focus
Corporate performance in supporting caregivers has become a focal point. Data reveals that over 80% of companiess have popularised flexible work arrangements, and 104 companies received special “Caregiver-Friendly” commendations for their outstanding support measures this year.
Hon Grace CHAN Man-yee, Chief Executive of HKCSS, observed several innovative cases: “Some companies have implemented eight weeks of fully paid adoption leave, five days of leave for only-child caregivers, and even ‘Grandchild Leave’. Others provide patient companion service. Supporting caregivers does not necessarily require massive financial investment; as long as it starts from the employees’ needs, the possibilities for caring business are endless.”
Five Key Recommendations: From “Ad Hoc Actions” to “Policy Integration”
While companies excel in charitable donations and active participation, there is room for improvement in environmental data tracking (currently at approximately 30%) and workplace diversity. Consequently, HKCSS proposes five key recommendations:
In 2024/25, the Caring Company Scheme received over 4,300 applications. Ultimately, 3,500 companies and organisations were recognised the Caring Company and Caring Organisation logos, comprising large corporations (42%), SMEs (51%), and organisations (7%). HKCSS emphasised that the data release aims to establish a long-term mechanism to guide the business sector in finding room for improvement and addressing future social challenges through collaboration.
Hashtag: #TheHongKongCouncilofSocialService #HKCSS #theCaringCompanyScheme #Caregiver-Friendly
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
A shift towards paperless aviation credentials gathered pace as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation rolled out an Electronic Personnel Licence for commercial pilots, marking a structural change in how flight crew qualifications are issued, verified and carried. The initiative covers Airline Transport Pilot Licence holders and is designed to replace physical documents with a secure digital alternative accessible through the eGCA mobile application.
Officials said the Electronic Personnel Licence, or EPL, allows pilots to store and display their credentials on smartphones and tablets, reducing reliance on printed licences that can be lost, damaged or delayed during renewals. The digital licence is issued directly by the aviation regulator after validation of training records, medical certification and flight experience already housed within the eGCA system, which has been the central portal for licensing and examinations for several years.
The move aligns civil aviation oversight with global trends in digital identity management, particularly as airlines and regulators seek faster verification processes. Under the new system, the EPL carries a dynamically generated QR code that can be scanned by airlines, airport authorities and foreign regulators to confirm authenticity in real time. DGCA officials indicated that the licence is tamper-resistant and protected by multi-layer authentication linked to the pilot’s registered credentials.
Paper licences give way to secure digital credentials is how the regulator internally describes the transition, emphasising both operational efficiency and security gains. According to people familiar with the rollout, the digital format also shortens turnaround time for licence issuance and endorsements, which previously depended on manual checks and physical dispatch.
Pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot Licence are the first group covered, reflecting the operational importance of captains and senior first officers in commercial aviation. DGCA plans to extend the framework to other categories, including Commercial Pilot Licence holders, aircraft maintenance engineers and cabin crew, once the system stabilises and feedback from initial users is assessed.
Airline operators have welcomed the development, noting that licence verification is a routine but critical compliance task. Flight operations departments often need to validate licences at short notice for roster changes, wet leases or overseas operations. A digital licence accessible through an official app reduces administrative friction and supports faster decision-making, particularly for international deployments where foreign authorities seek immediate confirmation of credentials.
The launch comes amid sustained growth in domestic and international air traffic, with fleet expansion and accelerated pilot hiring placing additional pressure on regulatory processes. Training organisations and airlines have repeatedly flagged delays in licence endorsements as a bottleneck, especially during aircraft type transitions. By integrating the EPL with existing digital records, the regulator aims to address those concerns without compromising oversight.
Security has been positioned as a central feature rather than an add-on. The EPL is designed to function both online and offline, allowing pilots to present credentials even in low-connectivity environments, while ensuring that any verification attempt flags expired or suspended privileges. DGCA officials said this feature was essential for remote airfields and international operations where network access may be inconsistent.
The initiative also responds to a broader push by governments and regulators to adopt digital public infrastructure. Within civil aviation, several jurisdictions have begun experimenting with electronic licences and medical certificates, though adoption has been uneven. Industry experts note that interoperability and trust between regulators remain key challenges, as foreign authorities must be confident in the issuing system’s integrity.
From a compliance perspective, the electronic licence does not alter the underlying regulatory requirements. Pilots must continue to meet medical, proficiency and recency standards, and enforcement actions remain unchanged. The EPL is a format change rather than a relaxation of rules, a point DGCA officials have stressed to avoid misinterpretation within the industry.
Training academies and pilot associations have sought clarity on transitional arrangements, particularly for pilots flying internationally. DGCA has indicated that the physical licence will remain valid during a defined transition period, allowing operators and foreign regulators time to familiarise themselves with the digital format. Guidance notes circulated to airlines outline verification procedures and recommend carrying both digital and physical copies during the initial phase.
Google has expanded its Workspace analytics by integrating detailed Google Meet usage metrics directly into the Gemini reports dashboard, giving organisations a consolidated, AI-driven view of how meetings shape productivity and collaboration. The rollout, confirmed for early 2026, allows administrators and managers to examine meeting duration, participation patterns, frequency, and engagement signals alongside broader Workspace data, marking a notable step in Google’s effort to embed artificial intelligence […]
Founded in the Lviv region in 2020, EcoEnergySol unites specialists and partner companies connected to renewable energy projects and solar generation initiatives. The organization focuses on strengthening the role of clean energy in Ukraine through educational outreach, information initiatives, and the promotion of environmentally responsible solutions. Its long-term mission supports broader national priorities such as energy security, gradual decarbonization, and the expansion of local renewable generation capacity. Within EcoEnergySol, […]
In an era where luxury travel is no longer just about lavish surroundings, renowned service, or even selecting the perfect paintings for home decor to bring that elegance indoors, the integration of cutting-edge tech is reshaping how affluent globetrotting geeks experience this world. From artificial intelligence (AI) shaping bespoke services to augmented reality (AR), creating stunning previews, innovation is driving unprecedented levels of personalization, convenience, and engagement […]
