Japan Workplace Safety: Two Aeon Mall Kumamoto employees who had evacuated after a 7.1 quake were ordered back inside to move cash to a safe, and later died in an explosion; the operator Habita apologised and admitted the instruction was inappropriate. India Jobs & Skills: India’s youth discontent stays in focus after protests tied to exam leaks and Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, with critics pointing to weak education-to-jobs pathways and a rigid labour market. AI & Hiring Debate: A new report argues the “AI is killing jobs” narrative can’t be proven yet, noting TCS’s recent hiring rebound after earlier cuts and warning that earnings headlines are being used to fit competing stories. India Economy Watch: HSBC PMI shows India’s manufacturing growth slowing to near a five-year low, with softer demand and cautious hiring. Asia Markets: Asia hedge funds posted widespread July losses amid the tech selloff and AI-spending doubts, with major chip names hit hard. Cross-border Social Security: Sri Lankan workers temporarily employed in India can keep contributing to Sri Lanka’s EPF while being exempt from India EPF under a proposed social security agreement. Japan Immigration Rules: Japan proposes tougher permanent residency requirements, including income above the household average and pension-related benchmarks. Pacific Security & Jobs: RIMPAC wrapped after more than a month, with 30 nations training—while the US signals renewed Pacific engagement via a Solomon Islands port plan aimed at thousands of jobs. India Investment Policy: India’s Taxation and Other Laws bill proposes changes to attract global capital, including easing rules for foreign fund managers and extending manufacturing tax benefits for contract electronics suppliers.