Oracle is cutting thousands of jobs as part of a broader organizational change, a move that comes as the company faces significant challenges in the market. As of May 2025, Oracle employed approximately 162,000 people, and this decision marks a notable shift in its workforce strategy.

The layoffs are expected to affect employees globally across various departments, including Oracle Health, Sales, Cloud, Customer Success, and NetSuite. This restructuring is part of Oracle’s response to market panic regarding competitive risks posed by generative artificial intelligence models.

Oracle’s stock price has seen a steep decline, down 25% this year, raising concerns among investors about the company’s financial health. In light of these challenges, Oracle is planning to raise $50 billion in debt and equity to fund its AI investments, indicating a significant pivot towards enhancing its technological capabilities.

In a notification email sent to affected employees, Oracle stated, “After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change.” Another message informed employees, “Today is your last working day,” highlighting the abrupt nature of the layoffs.

Since rebranding from Facebook to Meta, the company has invested a staggering $80 billion in the metaverse, making it the single largest investor in the VR industry. Despite the shutdown of Horizon Worlds, Meta’s VR hardware line will continue to operate, indicating that the company remains committed to its broader vision of virtual reality.

In the context of VR training, Walmart has been utilizing VR-based training for its contact center agents since 2021. A recent survey revealed that the average annual turnover rate for contact center employees has reached 60% in 2023. In response, Walmart implemented VR training programs that significantly reduced total training time for associates from eight hours to just 15 minutes. Furthermore, employee satisfaction scores at Walmart rose by 30% following the introduction of VR training, with associates scoring 10-15% higher on post-training assessments.

Industry experts, such as Marty Resnick, predict that by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in the metaverse for various activities, including work, shopping, education, and entertainment. Additionally, he forecasts that 30% of organizations worldwide will have products and services ready for the metaverse by the same year. Resnick emphasizes the importance of product managers taking the time to learn and prepare for the metaverse to remain competitive.

Despite the challenges faced by Horizon Worlds, Meta’s commitment to developing a robust roadmap for future VR headsets tailored to different audience segments suggests that the company is not abandoning its metaverse ambitions. The metaverse as a customer-facing service channel, however, has yet to materialize in any meaningful way, raising questions about the long-term viability of certain investments in the sector.

As the metaverse landscape evolves, observers are keen to see how Meta’s shift in strategy will impact its position within the VR industry and whether other companies will follow suit. The closure of Horizon Worlds may signal a broader trend of companies reassessing their investments in virtual reality as they navigate the complexities of user engagement and technology adoption.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific features and functionalities that the new mobile app will offer, as well as how it will differentiate itself from the existing VR platform. As Meta continues to explore the future of the metaverse, the industry watches closely to see how these changes will shape the virtual reality landscape in the coming years.

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The Pag-IBIG Fund’s Loyalty Card Plus program has surpassed ₱1 billion in discounts granted to its members, marking a substantial achievement in its efforts to provide financial benefits. This milestone highlights the program’s effectiveness in helping members maximize their savings, especially during challenging economic times.

Launched in 2014, the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card was designed to offer members access to discounts and special offers from partner merchants. As of now, the program has expanded to include 507 partner establishments nationwide, reflecting its growing popularity and reach.

In addition to the impressive discount figures, the program has recorded a total of 30,660,983 discounted transactions, further demonstrating its impact on the financial well-being of its users. Jose Ramon Aliling, a representative of the Pag-IBIG Fund, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Especially at a time of global uncertainty, when every peso counts, this program helps our members make the most of their hard-earned income.”

On the investment front, Peter Hill recently acquired 382 shares of Paragon Banking Group’s stock on March 11, 2026, at an average cost of GBX 784 per share, totaling £2,994.88. This acquisition comes as Paragon Banking Group maintains a market capitalization of £1.47 billion and reported an earnings per share (EPS) of GBX 91.20 for the quarter ending January 16, 2026.

The juxtaposition of these financial activities underscores the interconnectedness of individual investments and broader economic initiatives like the Pag-IBIG Fund’s Loyalty Card Plus program. As the program continues to thrive, it not only benefits members but also reflects a growing trend in financial services aimed at enhancing consumer savings.

Looking ahead, the Pag-IBIG Fund is expected to continue expanding its offerings and partnerships, further increasing the value provided to its members. However, details remain unconfirmed regarding any new initiatives or changes to the existing program.

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“I always got to a point where I guess a lot of people do in their career, do you keep going for what reason? What else do I want to achieve?” These words from Gareth Bale encapsulate his thoughts on retirement after a distinguished football career.

Bale, who moved to Real Madrid in 2013 for a then-record transfer fee, has had a significant impact on both club and international football. With 111 appearances and 41 goals for the Wales national team, he played a crucial role in helping Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and the last 16 of Euro 2020.

His crowning achievement came when he scored the decisive goal against Ukraine, qualifying Wales for their first World Cup in 64 years. After a career that included 19 major honours, Bale announced his retirement from professional football in January 2023.

Reflecting on his post-retirement life, Bale stated, “I always said when I retired, I wanted one, two, three years just to decompress, enjoy the kids and then try and find a few paths I want to do.” This sentiment highlights his desire to take a step back and enjoy family life after years of intense competition.

In addition to his football career, Bale has ventured into business, owning Elevens Bar and Par 59 in Cardiff, and investing in Penderyn Whisky and TGL, an indoor golf league. His net worth is estimated at £120 million, showcasing his success beyond the pitch.

Bale’s time at Real Madrid was marked by a six-year, £150 million contract, during which he won 16 major honours. His contributions to the club and the sport have left a lasting legacy.

Recently, Bale expressed his thoughts on potential managerial candidates for clubs, stating, “I think he would do great,” referring to Carlo Ancelotti as a suitable choice for Manchester United.

As Bale navigates this new chapter in his life, he acknowledges the time he has spent planning for retirement. “I understand it’s a long time retired, I’ve been planning it since I was about 26 or 27,” he remarked, indicating a thoughtful approach to his future endeavors.

While Bale’s next steps remain to be fully outlined, his past achievements and current interests suggest he will continue to make an impact in various fields.

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