Washington: Microsoft is set to pause hiring in its U.S. consulting business as part of broader cost-reduction efforts, according to an internal memo reported by CNBC. The move aligns with the company's strategy to manage expenses while prioritizing investments in artificial intelligence (AI).

The tech giant plans to allocate approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to expand data centers aimed at training AI models and deploying AI-driven and cloud-based applications. As part of the cost-cutting measures, the consulting division will temporarily suspend hiring new staff and back-filling roles, consulting executive Derek Danois reportedly informed employees.

The memo also urged employees to avoid travel expenses for internal meetings, favoring remote sessions instead. Additionally, the division plans to slash marketing and non-billable external resource expenditures by 35%, aligning with policies set by the Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions organization, which employs around 60,000 people.

Microsoft has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

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Chandigarh, Jan 23 (PTI): Punjab Police personnel deployed in the security of Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal have been withdrawn, the state police chief said on Thursday.

"Time to time, we get reports of threats to chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal and we share them with the concerned agencies.

"Following the directions of the Delhi police and the Election Commission today, we withdrew the component of the Punjab police in the security of Kejriwal ji," Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav told reporters in Patiala.

"We showed our concerns to them. We will remain in touch with them. We will share our inputs with the Delhi police," he said.

The development comes ahead of the elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly on February 5. The poll results are set to be declared on February 8.