South Korea will soon no longer be one of the few countries where Google Maps doesn’t work properly, after its security-conscious government reversed a two-decade stance to approve the export of high-precision map data to overseas servers.

The approval was made “on the condition that strict security requirements are met,” the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

Those conditions include blurring military and other sensitive security-related facilities, as well as restricting longitude and latitude coordinates for South Korean territory on products such as Google Maps and Google Earth, it said.

The decision is expected to hurt Naver and Kakao – local internet giants which currently dominate the country’s market for digital map services. But it will appease Washington, which has urged Seoul to tackle what it says is discrimination against U.S. tech companies.

“We welcome today’s decision and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with local officials to bring a fully functioning Google Maps to Korea,” Google vice president Cris Turner said in a statement.

South Korea, still technically at war with North Korea, had shot down Google’s previous bids in 2007 and 2016 to be allowed to export the data, citing the risks that information about sensitive military and security facilities could be exposed.

The data in question is 1:5000 scale data, where 1 centimetre on a map represents 50 metres in actual distance. Google has argued it needs to export the data to provide real-time navigation information worldwide. This includes people researching South Korean destinations from overseas.

The conditions stipulate that Google must process map data on locally based servers and is only allowed to export data related to navigation and direction services that have been pre-approved by the government.

The South Korean government also reserves the right to request revisions to maps, and Google must set up a security incident prevention framework to respond to emergency issues.

Choi Jin-mu, a geography professor at Kyung Hee University, said the decision raised serious questions about market control and national security.

“Google can now come in, slash usage fees, and take the market. If Naver and Kakao are weakened or pushed out and Google later raises prices, that becomes a monopoly. Then, even companies that rely on map services — logistics firms, for example — become dependent, and in the long run, even government GIS (geographic information) systems could end up dependent on Google or Apple. That’s the biggest concern.”

Naver’s stock ended 2.3 per cent down after the decision on Friday, though Kakao gained 1.5 per cent.

AMCHAM chairman James Kim welcomed the decision, saying it “sends a positive signal about Korea’s commitment to innovation, open markets, and ensuring a level playing field for global companies operating in Korea.”

Parkin, the largest provider of paid public parking facilities in Dubai, announced on Wednesday that it has submitted a request this month to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for adjustments to its parking tariff and seasonal card structure.

If approved, the move would increase the weighted-average public parking tariff.

In a press release on the Dubai Financial Market, where it is publicly traded, the company stated that in mid‑February 2026 it formally submitted a request to the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) seeking several adjustments.

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If approved, these changes would raise the weighted average public parking fees. The submission includes revisions to the seasonal card structure and pricing, aimed at minimising current price discrepancies and aligning with the dynamic pricing system introduced earlier this year.

The company added that the proposals are designed to maintain the current discount framework, ensuring long-term fairness for customers, Parkin, and the RTA.

Q4 earnings soar

The Dubai-listed company also reported a sharp rise in fourth-quarter earnings, with revenues reaching Dhs389.4 million in the final three months of 2025, up 47 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

Earnings before financing costs, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to Dhs232.9m, maintaining a strong margin of 60 per cent, reflecting growth in line with revenue expansion. Net profit climbed 53 per cent year-on-year to Dhs183.6m, according to a WAM report.

For the full year ended December 31, 2025, revenues climbed to Dhs1.326 billion, marking a 43 per cent increase compared to 2024, while annual net profit reached Dhs625.5 million, representing a 48 per cent year-on-year rise.

Expansion strategy and seasonal cards drive performance

Eng Mohamed Abdullah Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said the company’s disciplined approach to enforcement and steady expansion of its parking network were key contributors to its strong performance.

“We concluded 2025 with strong performance in the final quarter, converting disciplined enforcement into higher earnings. As in previous periods, we continued to expand our operational footprint by adding public parking spaces and developer-owned parking to our portfolio, supported by Dubai’s position as a global destination for living, working, and investment. Seasonal card sales reached record levels as customers recognised the relative value offered by this product. Total transactions remained broadly stable compared to the same period last year, while utilisation declined as expected, reflecting the higher proportion of seasonal card users and the addition of new parking spaces,” he said.

He added: “We benefited from the implementation of flexible tariffs earlier in the year. On the enforcement front, we continued deploying our technology-enabled smart inspection fleet, supported by data-driven field inspector deployment to enhance compliance across the network.”

By the end of Q4, Parkin’s total parking portfolio had expanded to approximately 229,000 spaces, an 11 per cent increase compared to a year earlier. The number of permits and seasonal subscriptions rose sharply to 89,300 cards, up 140 per cent year-on-year, highlighting growing demand for long-term parking options.

Variable tariff system and implementation timeline

Dubai parking rates were adjusted on April 4, 2025, to a new variable tariff system based on peak and off-peak hours. The goal was to improve availability, ease congestion, and ensure fairer, more accessible parking in high-demand areas.

“It’s all about creating a better, more efficient parking experience for you and everyone across the city,” the company said.

The rollout took place in stages for a smooth transition:

• February 17, 2025: Event-specific tariffs took effect
• April 4, 2025: Full implementation of premium parking and peak-hour pricing

Air India Express has rolled out a limited-period “payday sale” offering discounted fares across its domestic India and international network, including key UAE–India routes, as carriers compete for price-sensitive expatriate and leisure traffic ahead of the summer travel cycle.

The sale, open for bookings from February 24 to March 1, 2026 (23:59 IST), covers travel between March 3 and October 8, 2026, across all booking channels, including the airline’s website and mobile app.

According to the airline’s published fare sheet, select promotional routes include Sharjah–Surat from Dh323 (Lite) and Dh355 (Value), alongside other Gulf and Asia sectors such as Muscat–Mumbai, Bahrain–Kozhikode, Doha–Kochi, Kuwait–Bengaluru and Dammam–Delhi.

Fares advertised under the promotion are all-inclusive of base fare, taxes and airport charges, but exclude convenience fees and ancillary services. The airline said zero convenience fees will apply on net banking transactions, flex fares and concessionary bookings (students, senior citizens and armed forces) made via its official digital platforms.

The promotion is structured as a limited-inventory offer available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats may not be available on all dates or flights, and once allocated inventory is exhausted, regular fares will apply.

Air India Express also confirmed that NeuCoins loyalty rewards will be credited only upon completion of travel and only when NeuPass member details entered at booking match the airline’s records and government-issued identification. Rewards are issued to the member travelling on the PNR, not to the individual making the booking.

The airline stated that bookings under the offer are non-refundable after payment, with cancellations subject to applicable fees as outlined on its website. The carrier reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the promotion without prior notice.

The sale comes as Gulf–India corridors remain among the busiest in the region, with airlines leveraging tactical fare campaigns to stimulate forward bookings across expatriate-heavy sectors linking the UAE with tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities.

Paramount Skydance emerged as the winner in a months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, after streaming giant Netflix on Thursday refused to raise its bid for the storied Hollywood studio.

“We’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid,” Netflix said in a statement.

Netflix confirmed to Reuters that it was walking away from bidding for Warner Bros Discovery. The Warner Bros board still has to terminate the Netflix deal and adopt Paramount Skydance’s offer.

“Once our board votes to adopt the Paramount merger agreement, it will create tremendous value for our shareholders,” Warner CEO David Zaslav said in a statement. “We are excited about the potential of a combined Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery and can’t wait to get started working together telling the stories that move the world.”

Paramount maintained its dogged pursuit of Warner Bros, launching a hostile campaign to wrest the prize from Netflix. It managed to lure Warner Bros back to the bargaining table last week, with the potential of an increased cash offer for the company.

Earlier in the day, Warner Bros said Paramount’s revised $31-a-share offer was superior to Netflix’s bid of $27.75 per share for Warner Bros’ streaming and studio assets.

A Netflix adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had recommended the streaming service should bow out of the bidding because the deal no longer made economic sense. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos hinted that the streaming giant would not substantially raise its offer in a February 20 interview with Fox News’ Liz Claman, where he emphasized that Netflix has been “very disciplined buyers.”

The adviser said Netflix was bidding against a billionaire who signaled a willingness to pay a price for Warner Bros that Netflix viewed as irrational.

“There’s no point in playing chicken with someone who won’t turn the wheel,” said the source, referring to billionaire Larry Ellison, co-founder, executive chairman and chief technology officer of Oracle and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison.

Netflix shares jumped more than 10 per cent after it declined to raise its offer.

Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros would unite two major Hollywood studios, two streaming platforms (HBO Max and Paramount+) and two news operations (CNN and CBS).

The Ellisons have ties to President Donald Trump. Still, the bid is likely to face antitrust scrutiny in Washington, foreign countries and US states including California.

“Approval from federal regulators seems likely given the political environment; however, we think it is very likely that some state regulators – most notably, California Attorney General Rob Bonta – could attempt to challenge the deal. We think there is potential for European regulators to have a say as well,” TD Cowen analysts said in a note.

Bonta, a Democrat, said late on Thursday that this is not a done deal. “These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny — the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and we intend to be vigorous in our review,” he added.

States have the power to sue to block deals, though the DOJ has the most resources to do so.

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Richard Blumenthal have worried approval of the deal could be tainted by political favoritism.

In its revised bid, Paramount raised the termination fee it would pay should the deal fail to gain regulatory approval to $7bn from $5.8bn. It also agreed to cover the $2.8bn fee Warner Bros would owe Netflix for walking away from the merger agreement.

The Ellison Trust is committing $45.7bn in equity, up from $43.6bn previously, backed by Larry Ellison, who also agreed to provide additional funds needed to satisfy Paramount’s bank solvency requirements, the firm said.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citi and Apollo are providing $57.5bn in debt financing, increased from an earlier $54bn commitment.

Activist investor Ancora Holdings, which owns a small stake in Warner Bros and had stepped up pressure on the HBO owner to engage more with Paramount, welcomed the latest offer.

“Netflix’s decision to not raise its offer of $27.75, less likely net debt adjustments, has paved the way for shareholders to receive meaningfully more cash and a truly viable path to government approvals,” Ancora said in a statement. “This is a win-win for shareholders and the industry.”

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has commenced the rollout of a series of rapid traffic interventions across eight strategic locations in the emirate, forming part of a broader 2026 mobility enhancement plan encompassing more than 45 traffic improvement initiatives.

The programme is designed to enhance road network efficiency, streamline traffic flow and elevate safety standards in response to sustained urban expansion, population growth and increasing vehicle density across Dubai.

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According to an RTA media statement, the targeted works span critical corridors, including Emirates Road from Sharjah towards Wadi Al Amardi Street; Umm Amara Street connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street; Jebel Ali–Lehbab Street; the vicinity between Sama Al Jaddaf and Al Jaddaf Waterfront near Al Jaddaf Metro Station; Al Na’ayat Street in Al Barsha 1; the area surrounding Al Maktoum School in Al Satwa; the intersection of Al Ittihad Street and Al Quds Street; and Sheikh Rashid Street near Grand Hyatt Dubai towards Bur Dubai.

Measurable gains in traffic efficiency

Upon completion, the projects are expected to deliver measurable performance improvements across the targeted zones. The RTA projects a reduction in congestion levels and journey times ranging between 15 per cent and 30 per cent.

These improvements are anticipated to strengthen operational efficiency across key transport corridors, enhance daily mobility for residents and visitors, and support economic activity by reducing delays in high-traffic districts.

Infrastructure upgrades and safety enhancements

The scope of works includes widening selected roads from single to dual lanes, converting roundabouts into signalised intersections, and constructing new links to improve connectivity between arterial routes and adjacent residential and commercial communities. At-grade junction enhancements also form part of the package.

In addition, the authority is introducing supplementary parking facilities at schools and high-demand locations, alongside a comprehensive suite of traffic safety upgrades aimed at improving road user protection and ensuring smoother vehicular movement.

Data-driven planning framework

The RTA applies a structured, data-led methodology in executing traffic improvement initiatives. Continuous monitoring of network performance, detailed traffic studies and advanced data analytics are deployed to identify congestion hotspots and prioritise interventions.

Real-time monitoring through traffic control centres enables early detection of bottlenecks, while field inspection teams conduct on-site evaluations to recommend targeted engineering solutions. This integrated approach is designed to ensure sustained improvements in peak-hour traffic flow and long-term network resilience.