Emiratisation drive expanded, UK inflation deepens, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on July 12 trending news

EXPANSION OF EMIRATISATION: Emiratisation drive in the private sector will be significantly expanded, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The updated strategy will now cover businesses and other facilities with 20 to 49 employees and will concentrate on 14 distinct core economic activities. Businesses must employ at least one Emirati person in 2024 and another in 2025, according to the new rules. These include information and communication, financial and insurance activities, real estate activities, professional, scientific, and technical activities, as well as administrative and support services. The programme also covers the fields of education, health, and social work, as well as the arts, entertainment, mining, and quarrying. Manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, activities related to lodging and hospitality services, transportation, and storage are among the other industries targeted by this effort. The decision is intended to hasten the Emiratisation process and is anticipated to open up new employment prospects in the private sector in the near future. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

UK'S INFLATION CRISIS DEEPENS: The UK's cost-of-living crisis shows no signs of abating anytime soon, as a recent report from Grant Thornton UK and Retail Economics indicates. With nearly a year left to endure, the average household is projected to be 2,300 pounds worse off by the time inflation finally eases. This financial squeeze, impacting two in five families, has eroded their ability to manage rising food and energy expenses. As pandemic savings dwindle, households find themselves locked in a war of attrition. Consequently, consumers are resorting to recessionary measures, cutting back on non-essential shopping and dining out, causing significant challenges for businesses in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. The impact is already evident, with store closures and insolvency announcements, such as Boots and Le Pain Quotidien, foreshadowing the troubled road ahead. (Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

TIME IS RIPE FOR INDIA TO USHER IN THE CHANGES: Indian cricket team is in a transition phase. The Men in Blue begin their new chapter with the two-Test series against West Indies where the Gen-X stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be eager to showcase their talents. Even among the pacers the absence of experienced Jasprit Bumrah, who is yet to recover from injury, and Mohammed Shami, who has been rested for the series, will give the likes of Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini a chance to shoulder the responsibility. While the focus is on the newbies, Rohit Sharma and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane will be under the microscope as well, but the time is ripe for India to usher in the changes. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS VIDYA BALAN SHUNS EYE-CANDY ROLES: She can never look at women as inconsequential in real life, and Vidya Balan applies that philosophy towards her work too. In an interview with Gulf News, Balan spoke about how she has shunned eye-candy roles for a quick buck and a shot at fame. In Bollywood, even the biggest actresses’ are often featured in male-led blockbusters with ill-defined roles but Balan prefers to buck that disturbing trend. “I can never do a damsel-in-distress women roles,” she declared and we are impressed with her solid stand. We need more like her in the entertainment industry. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)