THE HOT STORY

Shanghai subsidises maternity insurance

Shanghai has introduced a policy to support working mothers by covering 50% of the social insurance fees for female employees who give birth. The initiative aims to alleviate costs for employers and promote gender equality in the workplace. The policy applies to all female employees who have given birth since January 1, providing financial relief for six months post-birth. Lin Xiaojie, a human resources professional, noted that while these policies are beneficial, they must be balanced with paternity leave to ensure fairness. Wang Shuangchen, a mother, emphasised the need for equal leave for fathers to combat workplace discrimination against women.

Chinadaily US Edition

LEGAL

Workers say Korea's top security firm delayed wages

The Seoul Gwanak District Office of Employment and Labor is investigating Yoo Joon-sang, president of the Korea Information Technology Research Institute (Kitri) - widely regarded as one of Korea's leading cybersecurity training organisations - about delayed wage payments and failure to provide severance to a former employee. It is claimed that Kitri delayed salaries for 11 employees multiple times and owes over 100m won in severance. A Kitri spokesperson acknowledged the difficulties, saying: "As a nonprofit research institute focused on education, it is difficult for us to generate profit on our own." The investigation will also examine tax refund mishandling.

Korea Joongang Daily

Malaysia's Najib given legal lifeline in house arrest bid

Malaysia's Federal Court has allowed former prime minister Najib Razak to pursue a claim for house arrest. Najib, 72, is serving a six-year sentence in prison for corruption linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. He argues that a royal order from former king Sultan Abdullah permits him to serve his sentence at home.

South China Morning Post

TECHNOLOGY

Australian judge criticises lawyers for AI errors

Justice James Elliott of the Supreme Court in Melbourne has condemned lawyers for submitting misleading documents generated by artificial intelligence in a murder case. The defence, representing a 16-year-old boy found not guilty due to mental impairment, failed to verify AI-generated content, which included fictitious case citations and erroneous quotes. Both the defence and prosecution admitted to not properly checking the submissions, leading to significant inaccuracies.

Daily Mail

ECONOMY

Global growth slows amid tariff strain

Despite early resilience to US tariff hikes, global economies are now showing signs of strain. Countries including Ireland and the UK saw significant slowdowns in Q2, following inventory boosts in Q1. “The full impact of recent tariff measures is still unfolding,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director General. Trade volumes dropped in April and May after surging in Q1, and though the WTO raised its 2025 forecast to 0.9%, it warned of prolonged weakness in US import demand. The Bank of Thailand echoed these concerns, predicting broader slowdowns from ongoing US trade policy effects.

Wall Street Journal

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Parents' workplace chemical exposure could influence child's autism

Parental exposure to workplace chemicals before a child's birth may increase autism severity and cognitive issues, according to a study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. Researchers analysed data from over 500 families, linking exposure to 16 chemicals, including plastics and ethylene oxide, to various autism symptoms. Lead investigator Erin McCanlies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: "Our findings suggest that parental exposure to certain workplace chemicals . . . may influence not just autism likelihood, but also severity." The study calls for further research to clarify these associations.

U.S. News

INTERNATIONAL

Air Canada and flight attendants’ union reach deal to end strike

A tentative agreement has been reached to end the strike by Air Canada's 10,000 flight attendants. Air Canada CEO Mike Rousseau had told Reuters that he was "amazed" by the decision of the Canadian Union of Public Employees to defy an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which declared the union's work stoppage unlawful. He called on striking flight attendants to return to work, saying the action was "illegal." But the flight attendants' union had said the strike would continue until the carrier negotiated on wages and unpaid work. Rousseau had said that while Air Canada was "open to listen and have a conversation," he supported the airline's offer for a 38% total compensation increase over four years. "That's a good offer from our perspective," he said. "And it addresses many of the issues that we talk about, if not all the issues."

Reuters

Ibiza housing crunch as rents soar

Ibiza received 3.28 million tourists in 2024 - more than three-quarters (76%) of whom were from outside Spain - and the island's resident population reached a record 161,485, including nearly 1,000 people who resorted to living in makeshift settlements. The problems on the famed party island are indicative of a broader issue in Spain, where a lack of affordable housing in cities and popular coastal destinations has precipitated protests to demand rent controls and denounce overtourism. "As long as tourists keep coming, there'll be people willing to live in precarious conditions to be employed," said Jonathan Ariza, 25, a mechanic and construction worker from Colombia.

U.S. News

Chinese syndicates wreak havoc on gold mining

Chinese syndicates are transforming illegal gold mining across Indonesia, Ghana, and French Guiana, according to a Washington Post investigation. These syndicates operate without permits, using heavy machinery and toxic chemicals, leading to significant environmental damage. Local traders, like Heru Hairuddin, expressed their concern over the disappearance of gold, saying: "We only know it doesn't stay here." The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warns that organised crime is deeply embedded in gold supply chains, posing a serious global threat. Chinese authorities have been accused of complicity in these operations, with little action taken against illegal mining activities.

Washingtonpost.com

Taliban registers 1,800 for Qatar jobs

The Taliban has registered 1,800 unemployed Afghans expelled from neighbouring countries for job opportunities in Qatar. The initiative aims to reduce unemployment in Afghanistan. A Labour Ministry spokesman confirmed the registration on Wednesday. The Taliban is also in discussions to send workers to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia.

Washingtonpost.com

OTHER

Boston's Asian food scene explodes

Boston's culinary landscape is undergoing a transformation, with chefs embracing their cultural roots to create authentic Asian dishes. Laurence Louie, who opened Rubato in 2023, reflects this trend by reimagining his mother's Cantonese bakery into a Hong Kong-style café, serving traditional staples alongside innovative dishes. Peter Nguyen, now at Lê Madeline, has revitalized the menu of the former Pho Linh, showcasing his culinary skills with creations like a tamarind-dressed lobster roll. The movement is not just about food; it’s about reclaiming creative agency, as Ashley Lujares of Mango Tao makes clear: “We’re just tired of cooking other people's food.”

Boston Globe

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