THE HOT STORY

China introduces cash vouchers for newly-weds

Authorities in Ningbo, an eastern Chinese city, are offering marriage consumption vouchers worth 1,000 yuan ($141) to couples who register their marriage between October 28th and December 31st. The vouchers, limited in quantity and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, can be used for wedding-related expenses such as photography, ceremonies, hotel stays, and retail purchases. The initiative is part of a broader effort across China to address declining marriage rates. Similar voucher schemes have been introduced in cities including Hangzhou and Pinghu. China saw a 20% drop in marriages last year, the steepest fall on record, driven largely by concerns over childcare and education costs.

Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

Google boss: 'No company immune' if AI bubble bursts

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has told the BBC that every company would be affected if the AI bubble were to burst. Pichai said the growth of artificial intelligence investment had been an "extraordinary moment", but there was some "irrationality" in the current AI boom. Asked whether Google would be immune to the impact of the AI bubble bursting, Pichai said the Alphabet-owned tech giant could weather that potential storm, but also warned: "I think no company is going to be immune, including us." Pichai said Google's unique model of owning its own "full stack" of technologies - from semiconductors to YouTube data, to models and frontier science - meant it was in a better position than others to ride out any AI market turbulence.

BBC News

ECONOMY

Thailand's economy faces 'chronic slow growth'

Thailand is facing a prolonged period of "chronic slow growth," with GDP growth at only 2%, according to Dr Somkiat Tangkitvanich, President of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). He warned that if current trends continue, Vietnam's GDP per capita could surpass Thailand's by 2073. The TDRI suggests creating "Good Jobs" that offer fair pay and career progression as a solution. Dr Somkiat proposed a new production model focusing on high-value agriculture, upgraded tourism, modern services, and a thriving film industry to enhance competitiveness and economic stability.

The Nation

WORKFORCE

Korea posts its second-slowest wage job growth in Q2

Korea's wage job growth reached its second-lowest level in Q2 2025, with only 111,000 new positions added, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The construction sector lost 141,000 jobs, marking seven consecutive quarters of decline. Although the health and social welfare sector added 134,000 positions, the overall trend remains concerning. A ministry official noted: "Although there has been some recovery in the health and social welfare sector, the employment contraction seen in the first quarter continued." Youth employment suffered significantly, with 135,000 jobs lost among workers in their 20s.

The Korea Times

STRATEGY

Grant Thornton mulls future of India unit

Grant Thornton International is exploring strategic options for its Indian subsidiary, Grant Thornton Bharat, including selling a minority stake or merging with the firm’s U.S. or European operations. Vishesh Chandiok, chief executive of Grant Thornton Bharat, said the company may either join Grant Thornton’s global private-equity–backed platform or raise PE funding independently. Interest has already been shown by firms including New Mountain Capital and Cinven. Grant Thornton Bharat is seeking a valuation above $2bn for any merger or stake sale and expects to remain the largest shareholder in any merged entity.

Bloomberg

SUSTAINABILITY

Thailand Talent Summit unites researchers

Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) is organising "Thailand Talent Summit 2025: Fostering Thailand's Future; Advancing Innovation and National Impact." The event, which will take place from December 11-13 at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya, Chonburi Province, will bring together over 2,000 Thai researchers including early-career researchers, mid-career researchers, and senior researchers from across the country to exchange knowledge, build academic collaboration networks, and present research and innovations that will drive sustainable national development.

Bangkok Post

INTERNATIONAL

Portugal's government seeks dialogue with unions

Portugal's minority centre-right government has said it is open to discussions with unions ahead of a planned general strike on December 11. Minister for Cabinet Affairs Antonio Leitao Amaro said: "It is hard to understand why some want to halt the country . . . when the government is showing its real, true and concrete openness to dialogue." The looming strike, which is supported by the UGT and CGTP unions, opposes proposed labour law reforms that would ease dismissals and increase outsourcing. Unions argue these changes threaten workers' rights, while the government is seeking to boost productivity. UGT leader Mario Mourao has said that the strike could be called off if the government presented a new reform plan which takes into account union proposals.

Reuters

Straits Times

Saudi salary premiums for foreign recruits reduced

Several recruiters have told Reuters that private sector employers in Saudi Arabia are reducing the generous salary premiums that once attracted top foreign talent to sectors including construction and manufacturing as Riyadh mounts a drive to cut costs and reorders economic priorities. Saudi private sector salaries are now comparable to the UAE's. "The pace of development has slowed and this has led to a slowdown in recruitment. Now employers are negotiating salaries more than before, when there was a shortage, and companies have implemented cost-conscious measures," said Hasan Babat, CEO of Dubai-based Tuscan Middle East, a recruitment consultancy.

Reuters

Straits Times

Kela director apologises over worker comments

Lasse Lehtonen, the Director General of the Social Insurance Institution (Kela), the government agency that provides basic economic security for everyone living in Finland, has apologised for comments that offended staff. In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Lehtonen suggested that it is a job seekers' market, and Kela has "no particular need to retain its staff until the very last minute." During an ensuing board meeting, he acknowledged that his remarks about the job market and staff retention were inappropriate. "My comments have not shown the respect that the professionals working at Kela deserve, and for that I apologise," a statement from Lehtonen read. He noted that the agency will continue to discuss the matter with its employees.

YLE Uutiset

Kenya's digital transformation emboldens predators

Kenya's digital economy is thriving, but a new report by Equality Now highlights a troubling rise in online sexual exploitation. The report, titled “Not Just Online: Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Across Digital and Physical Realities in Kenya,” reveals that existing laws, such as the Sexual Offences Act (2006) and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018), are inadequate against modern threats. The report calls for urgent reforms to improve cross-border cooperation and enhance evidence preservation to protect survivors.

Zawya EN

OTHER

Asbestos sand closes 70+ schools

Over 70 schools in Australia and New Zealand were closed for cleaning after asbestos was found in play sand products used by children. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued recalls on products from Educational Colours, Kmart, and Target after detecting tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. “We have found that use of this product is widespread across ACT public schools,” said local officials. While no airborne asbestos was confirmed, potential risks prompted urgent closures and safety measures. In New Zealand, at least five schools closed and over 120 others reported possible exposure concerns.

U.S. News

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