News•Feb 17, 2026
Quince Appoints First Head of Brand Strategy and Narrative
Quince hired Dakota Kate Isaacs as its first head of brand strategy and narrative, tasking her with global positioning and storytelling to deepen consumer connections. The San Francisco‑based DTC retailer has doubled sales to over $700 million, yet still battles a dupe‑maker reputation. Recent collaborations with A$AP Rocky and stylist Erin Walsh aim to rebrand Quince as a trusted standalone destination. Isaacs brings eight years of experience from Deciem, where she led North American expansion and communications.
By The Business of Fashion (BoF)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Employee Upset by "Retaliatory" Communication Wasn't Forced to Quit
The Fair Work Commission ruled that the Transport Accident Commission’s decision to restart a performance‑management process was not retaliatory, finding the employee was not forced to quit. The commission emphasized that the employer’s aim was a “positive and productive” relationship...
By HR Daily (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Razorpay Becomes India Payments Partner for Replit’s Global AI Platform
Razorpay and Replit have partnered to embed Razorpay’s payments stack into Replit’s AI development platform for Indian users. The integration, currently in beta, lets Indian developers pay for Replit subscriptions in INR using UPI and cards, and enables AI‑built products...
By Entrackr
News•Feb 17, 2026
Draft IT Rules 2026: Relief on Meal Vouchers, Higher Tax on Company Cars?
The Indian government’s draft Income‑Tax Rules for 2026 propose raising the tax‑free limit on meal vouchers and subsidised office meals from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per meal, potentially allowing employees to claim up to Rs 1.05 lakh annually as a tax‑free benefit. At...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 17, 2026
China AI Startup Moonshot Targets $10 Billion Valuation
Moonshot, the Chinese AI startup behind the Kimi chatbot, is launching a new financing round that targets a $10 billion valuation. The company previously secured $500 million at a $4.3 billion valuation, and its existing backers—Alibaba, Tencent and 5Y Capital—have already committed more...
By Bloomberg – Technology
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Gold Squeeze: Agility, Trust and Craft Keep Small Studios Afloat
Gold prices have surged to just under $5,000 an ounce, squeezing margins for independent jewellery studios. Designers like The Cut Jewellery are leveraging agility, offering lower‑karat options and bespoke services to preserve profitability. Consumers continue to view fine jewellery as...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 17, 2026
IRM Group Appoints Richa Ahuja Sharma as Head-HR & Administration
Ahmedabad‑based IRM Group has named Richa Ahuja Sharma as head of HR & administration to steer its expanding non‑pharma portfolio, which spans agriculture, animal health, pharma engineering, facilities management and aviation support. Sharma will oversee human‑resource and administrative functions across...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 17, 2026
HEYTEA Opens First Canadian Lab in Toronto
HEYTEA opened its first Canadian HEYTEA Lab on Level 1 of Toronto’s CF Eaton Centre, marking the brand’s experimental flagship debut in Canada and its second Lab in North America after New York. The 1,800‑sq‑ft store showcases research‑driven tea concepts, limited‑edition drinks...
By Retail Insider Canada
News•Feb 17, 2026
Paras Health Appoints Balkishan Sharma as CHRO
Paras Health has appointed Balkishan Sharma as chief human resources and business transformation officer, a move that underscores the network’s drive toward operational excellence and growth. Sharma returns after a six‑year stint with the group and brings more than 18...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 17, 2026
How Red Teaming Reduces Breach Risk?
Red Teaming, also known as adversary simulation, pits authorized security experts against an organization’s defenses to expose real‑world attack gaps. By mimicking the full cyber kill chain—from OSINT‑driven reconnaissance to covert data exfiltration—teams reveal weaknesses that traditional scans miss. The...
By Security Boulevard
News•Feb 17, 2026
Online Labor Demand Increased in January
The Conference Board‑Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Index rose to 100.4 in January 2026, a modest 0.4 % gain from December’s revised 100.0 reading. The increase follows a 5.6 % decline between November and December and leaves the index 15.4 % lower than a...
By The Conference Board – News/Indicators (LEI, Consumer Confidence)
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) Improved in January
The Conference Board Employment Trends Index rose to 105.06 in January 2026, up from 104.51 in December, indicating a modest acceleration in payroll growth. Unemployment insurance claims continued to fall and the share of involuntary part‑time workers slipped to 17.6%,...
By The Conference Board – News/Indicators (LEI, Consumer Confidence)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Beauty Briefing: Why Every Beauty Brand Is Collaborating with a Soda
Beauty brands are increasingly partnering with soda companies, leveraging the drinks' cultural cachet to launch limited‑edition collections and co‑branded experiences. The trend reflects a broader shift toward experiential marketing aimed at younger, social‑media‑savvy consumers. At the same time, Rare Beauty...
By Glossy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Report: America’s $38 Trillion Debt Demands Bipartisan Action
A new report from the Committee for Economic Development warns that the United States’ national debt has surpassed $38 trillion, matching the size of the economy and rising rapidly. The report urges Congress to create a bipartisan fiscal commission to devise...
By The Conference Board – News/Indicators (LEI, Consumer Confidence)
News•Feb 17, 2026
RONA Foundation Opens Applications for $1M Build From the Heart Campaign
RONA Foundation has launched its 2026 Build from the Heart campaign, allocating $1 million to support construction and renovation projects for vulnerable Canadians. Applications are open from February 16 to March 13, and seven nonprofit organizations will be selected to receive grants. The...
By Retail Insider Canada
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Dream Palace of the West
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb warns that the West’s last chance to shape a cooperative world order hinges on listening to the global South. He argues that Western sanctions on Russia and confrontational policies toward China alienate billions, eroding the West’s moral...
By Foreign Affairs
News•Feb 17, 2026
Europe’s Next War
Europe faces heightened risk of a broader NATO‑Russia confrontation as the Ukraine war drags on. Over the past four years, NATO allies have poured hundreds of billions of dollars in military, economic, and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, while European nations...
By Foreign Affairs
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Diversification Mirage Inside Today’s Indexes
Indexes are increasingly dominated by a handful of AI‑focused mega‑cap firms, turning passive funds into de‑facto concentrated bets. Peter Corey of Pave warns that investors often mistake broad ETF holdings for true diversification, while underlying exposure remains clustered around the...
By InvestmentNews – ETFs
News•Feb 17, 2026
Edtech Startup Beep Raises $850K in Pre-Series A Round
Edtech startup Beep announced an $850,000 pre‑Series A round, bringing its total funding to $1.5 million. The round was led by Knowhere Ventures, Pacific Global Solutions, and LeadAngels FLV, with participation from angel investors. Beep plans to scale its user base...
By Entrackr
News•Feb 17, 2026
Walmart’s Sam’s Club Cracks China Market Formula Even as Foreign Retailers Shut Shop
Walmart‑owned Sam’s Club is expanding in China by deepening localisation, offering China‑specific products such as ginseng, copper‑gourd ornaments, and right‑sized private‑label packs. The chain opened ten new stores in 2025, bringing its footprint to 63 locations and shifting focus to...
By South China Morning Post — Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Vietnam's Airports, Money Controls Said to Deter Tech Investors
Vietnam’s startup funding has slowed as investors cite cross‑border frictions, notably congested airports and strict capital controls. The newly opened Long Thanh International Airport is intended to ease Ho Chi Minh City’s traffic but has yet to deliver full relief....
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
JICA Mulls Resuming ODA Loans to Pakistan After Decadelong Hiatus
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is weighing a restart of official development assistance (ODA) loans to Pakistan after a ten‑year hiatus. The move reflects improving macro‑economic indicators, including steadier growth and reduced fiscal stress. JICA’s decision will be coordinated with...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
FDIS: Consumer Discretionary Dashboard For February
The February Consumer Discretionary Dashboard shows the sector’s services segment trading about 14% below its 11‑year average, while autos and components remain the most overpriced subsector. Fidelity’s FDIS ETF and SPDR’s XLY deliver comparable long‑term Sharpe ratios, but FDIS offers...
By Seeking Alpha – ETFs & Funds
News•Feb 17, 2026
Real vs Technical Inflation: Which Should Guide Monetary Policy in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics rebased its Consumer Price Index to a 2024 base year, pulling headline inflation down from 24.48% in January 2025 to 15.15% by December 2025. Critics argue the technical decline masks persistent real inflation, with food prices still...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
What’s Driving Malbon Golf’s Vietnam Strategy?
Malbon Golf opened its first standalone store in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the brand’s debut in Vietnam. Rather than chasing rapid scale, the Los Angeles‑based label partnered with The Kho Group to ensure regional continuity and cultural fit. The...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 17, 2026
What Nigeria’s Economy Optimises for — Without Admitting It
Nigeria’s economy is structured to reward navigating bureaucratic friction rather than boosting productivity, efficiency, or innovation. World Bank data shows firms spend over 40% more time on regulations than the regional average, creating a thriving informal ecosystem of brokers, fixers...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Uganda’s Ports Crippled by Encroachment and Neglect
Uganda’s eight lake ports, managed by state‑owned Uganda Railways Corporation, are crippled by illegal land encroachments, military occupations, and climate‑related water level shifts. Key facilities such as Port Bell and Lambu Port face stalled redevelopment despite an African Development Bank...
By The East African
News•Feb 17, 2026
How One of Africa’s Fastest Growing AI Platforms Was Built Out of Ethiopia
Ethiopian‑born startup Gebeya has launched Dala, an AI‑powered no‑code app builder, and amassed 85,000 users within four months. The platform boasts an 8% paying‑customer rate, far above the typical 3% conversion for AI products, thanks to mobile‑first design and local...
By Techpoint Africa
News•Feb 17, 2026
How AI, Automation and Services Drive Synnex’s Value Vision
Australian IT distributor Synnex has opened a $150 million, AI‑enabled logistics centre in Melbourne, marking a shift from traditional distribution to a platform‑focused model. The new facility incorporates advanced automation, improving speed, safety and scalability while supporting a broader suite of...
By ARN (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
India's Textile and Apparel Exports Down by 3.75% in January, Outlook Improves Now with India US Interim Deal
India's textile and apparel exports fell 3.75% in January 2026, dropping to $3.27 billion from $3.40 billion a year earlier, primarily due to U.S. tariffs that remained until February 7. Cotton yarn, fabrics and handloom products declined over 4%, while carpet and jute...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Football Australia Reprises Iconic ‘Til It’s Done’ for New CommBank Matildas Campaign via Ogilvy
Football Australia, in partnership with Ogilvy, has launched a new campaign featuring the iconic "Til it’s Done" slogan to rally support for the CommBank Matildas ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The film pairs the unofficial national anthem...
By Campaign Brief
News•Feb 17, 2026
Why Most Workplace Training Doesn't Shift Problematic Behaviour
Most employers treat sexual‑harassment training as a compliance checkbox rather than a cultural transformation tool. Felicity Menzies of Culture Plus Consulting warns that such programs often trigger defensiveness, especially among men, and can actually reduce the likelihood of recognizing and...
By HR Daily (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Nike Ropes In Next-Gen Trail Runners With Interactive Experience
Nike has unveiled All Conditions World, a WebGL‑based interactive platform that brings its All Conditions Gear (ACG) line to life. The digital world showcases real trail routes curated by elite athletes such as Cesare Maestri and Nienke Brinkman, complete with...
By B&T (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
The “Valley of Death” Isn’t a Funding Problem — It’s a Risk Design Problem
Deep‑tech startups often stumble not because the science is weak but because the risk profile between a working prototype and a scalable business is mis‑designed. Traditional venture capital timelines of five to seven years clash with the ten‑plus‑year gestation required...
By e27
News•Feb 17, 2026
Hourglass Launches DTC Channel In Australia & New Zealand
Hourglass has launched its first direct‑to‑consumer website, hourglasscosmetics.com.au, targeting Australia and New Zealand. The rollout includes free standard shipping for the first month, a 10% welcome discount, and complimentary gifts for orders over $120 and $150. The DTC channel runs alongside...
By B&T (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
This Company Has Built a Backpack-Style System for Robotics Data Collection
Lumos, a robotics startup founded in September 2024, unveiled FastUMI Pro, a backpack‑mounted universal manipulation interface designed to accelerate embodied AI data collection. The company aims to deploy 10,000 units across six real‑world environments by 2026, targeting one million hours...
By KrASIA
News•Feb 17, 2026
Stocks to Buy in 2026 for Long Term: IGL, Siemens Energy Among 5 Stocks that Could Give 10-40% Return
Brokerage houses have highlighted five Indian equities that could deliver 10‑40% returns by 2026. Motilal Oswal sees Indraprastha Gas (IGL) rising 41% to ₹235 and Siemens Energy up 31% to ₹3,600. Citi maintains a Buy on Lupin with a 15% upside,...
By The Economic Times – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Advertising Leader Jane Callister Joins Impala Talent
Jane Callister, a 30‑year advertising veteran, has joined Impala Talent as a senior recruitment partner. Her career spans top agencies such as Publicis UK, JWT, DDB, TBWA, and M&C Saatchi, giving her deep operational insight. Callister will apply this expertise...
By Campaign Brief
News•Feb 17, 2026
Countdown to SBS Media Sustainability Challenge with $500k Free Advertising Inventory up for Grabs – Applications Close 5pm AEDT, March...
The 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge invites brands and agencies to compete for $500,000 in free advertising inventory. Applications close at 5 pm AEDT on March 6, and entrants must submit a 30‑second TV script plus a 500‑word rationale. The competition focuses...
By Campaign Brief
News•Feb 17, 2026
Retail Expansion Drives Record Earnings for Baby Bunting
Baby Bunting posted record half‑year sales of $271.4 million, a 4.9% increase year‑on‑year, driven by a mix of new large‑format stores, small‑format openings, and six "store of the future" refurbishments. Online sales climbed to 24.8% of total revenue, up 18%, reflecting...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 17, 2026
Drive’s Latest Campaign Shows Car-Buying As Easy As Ordering From Drive-Thru
Drive has launched a multi‑million‑dollar "Drive‑thru" campaign during Nine’s broadcast of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, positioning car buying as simple as ordering food at a drive‑thru. Created by the Not Bad Pretty Good studio, the ads use a relatable...
By B&T (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Bajaj Broking Makes Investing Simple for Indians with ‘Seedhi Simple Investing’ Campaign
Bajaj Broking rolled out the "Seedhi Simple Investing" campaign during the T20 World Cup, positioning its platform as an easy‑to‑use solution for Indian investors. The ads use everyday confusion—like unclear washroom signs or lift buttons—to illustrate how the Bajaj app...
By Campaign Brief Asia
News•Feb 17, 2026
Stop Loving Your Product and Start Hating the Problem
The article argues that founders who fall in love with their product become blind to market signals and risk costly sunk‑cost fallacies. It contrasts the "Solution Developer" with the "Problem Solver," insisting that true entrepreneurial fuel is an obsessive focus...
By e27
News•Feb 17, 2026
US Dollar Positioning Hits Record Underweight in Bank of America Survey
Bank of America’s FX sentiment survey shows net US dollar exposure at a record underweight, the most negative level since the survey began in January 2012. Short positions have surged to extreme levels, surpassing the lows recorded in April 2023....
By ForexLive — Feed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Beforepay Celebrates The Year Of The Fire Horse With Fortune Cookie Activation
Beforepay is inserting branded fortune cookies into Melbourne restaurants to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse. Each cookie carries a supportive message and a QR code that directs diners to a dedicated landing page...
By B&T (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Market Quote of the Day by Sir John Templeton | “The Time of Maximum Pessimism Is the Best Time to...
Sir John Templeton’s adage that the best buying opportunities arise at peak pessimism is highlighted as a timeless investing principle. The article notes that widespread fear compresses valuations, allowing strong companies to be bought at discounts, while emphasizing the need...
By The Economic Times – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Ogilvy Malaysia + Scentify Launch Xiaohongshu CNY Drama ‘Fabric Scented, Fortune Granted’
Ogilvy Malaysia partnered with home fragrance brand Scentify to launch a Chinese New Year drama series on Xiaohongshu called “Fabric Scented, Fortune Granted.” The episodic social drama promotes Scentify’s new Golden Breeze scent as the “lucky scent of the year,”...
By Campaign Brief Asia
News•Feb 17, 2026
ITC Infotech Opens APAC HQ, Digital and AI Hub in Melbourne
ITC Infotech opened its Asia‑Pacific headquarters and digital‑AI hub in Melbourne, the fourth such centre globally. The hub targets sectors including consumer‑packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, banking and especially agriculture, aligning with Victoria’s $20 billion agri‑economy. ITC plans to hire about 150...
By ARN (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
A RM11 Billion Takeover Battle Is Testing Malay Economic Clout. Malaysia PM Anwar Now Holds All the Cards
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also finance minister, controls the state‑owned stakes that own nearly half of IJM Corporation, putting him at the centre of Sunway Group’s RM11 billion (S$3.5 billion) takeover bid. The offer, seen as hostile, combines RM1 billion in cash with...
By The Business Times (Singapore) – Companies & Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
BOJ Likely to Raise Rates 25bp April, Former Board Member Says. Gradual Move Toward 1.25%
Former Bank of Japan board member Seiji Adachi says the central bank is most likely to raise rates in April rather than March, waiting for clearer wage and inflation data. The BOJ’s December hike to 0.75% marked the first move...
By ForexLive — Feed