Student Protests & Jobs: India’s youth-led “Cockroach” protests over alleged NEET-UG and education failures escalated into a jobs-and-future crisis, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning after weeks of demonstrations and police crackdown, while government talks continue on whether more demands will be met. Hiring & Workforce: State Bank of India is recruiting 1,930 Circle Based Officers to expand its branch workforce and customer service push, signaling continued investment in a “digital first” talent pipeline. Labour & Workplace Safety: Singapore’s Labour Department urged employers to set contingency work arrangements during tropical cyclone and extreme rain conditions, including reporting, early release, and remote work options. Trade Pressure on Employment: New US tariffs (10%–12.5%) are expected to weigh on Asia-Pacific economies, with knock-on risks to exports, investment and job creation. Japan Labour Crunch: Japan’s economic white paper flags imported inflation and persistent labour shortages—especially in SMEs and non-manufacturing—plus chronic gaps in construction and nursing roles. Global HR/Policy: Japan plans tougher permanent residency requirements, raising income and pension-benefit thresholds, which could reshape long-term workforce planning for foreign talent. Antitrust & Platform Work: China fined Trip.com 5.18 billion yuan for abusing market dominance, a reminder that platform power can squeeze partners and reshape hiring needs across travel services. Skills & AI Training: China’s vocational schools are seeing rising demand for AI upskilling as workers fear job displacement and seek faster pathways into desk-based tech roles. Industrial Jobs Growth: India’s electronics manufacturing milestone—Rs 13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26 and nearly 25 lakh jobs—highlights how policy incentives are translating into employment. Regional Diplomacy (Work Context): ASEAN and China are pushing to finalize a South China Sea code of conduct by year-end, though legal and coverage disagreements remain a hurdle.