Human Times

APAC Edition

19th February 2026

THE HOT STORY

Nepal is 'addicted' to the trade in its own people

Migrant worker groups say the government in Nepal has become "addicted" to the remittances sent back by workers overseas to keep the country's economy going. Rather than developing local industry, the government promotes "foreign employment," said Nilambar Badal of the National Network for Safe Migration (NNSM). "They are expecting people to go out and send the money back so that they can run the country. We are a remittance-dependent economy," he added. Former labour minister Sarita Giri went further, saying the government is at the heart of a "rotten and corrupt" system "exploiting migrant workers and their families."

France 24

LEGAL

Philippines needs whistleblower protection law to beat corruption, UN says

Whistleblowers in the Philippines face significant risks due to the absence of protective laws, a top United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) official has said. The lack of support leaves them vulnerable to retaliation, perpetuating corruption and impunity. Kirbee Tibayan, UNODC country representative, highlighted the need for a national Whistleblower Protection Act and reforms to the Bank Secrecy Act. She said: "Whistleblowers provide most corruption intel, but they're not adequately protected." Additionally, she called for a broader Freedom of Information Act to enhance transparency and inter-agency cooperation in combating corruption.

Gulfnews.com

WORKFORCE

Hong Kong workers hit by halt in facade repairs

Labour groups are raising alarms over rising unemployment in Hong Kong's construction sector due to new scaffold net regulations. Since the removal of scaffolding nets in December, in response to the deadly blaze at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court, around 700 workers have faced joblessness, with only a few projects resuming. As of mid-February, only 19 private buildings and six public housing projects have reinstalled nets under a new mechanism requiring stringent fire safety checks.

South China Morning Post

STRATEGY

Adani Group to invest $100bn in AI-ready data centres

The Adani Group has announced plans to invest $100bn by 2035 to establish green-powered, AI-ready data centres in India. The investment aims to position India as a key player in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, with the potential to "catalyse" an additional $150bn in related investments across various sectors. Following the announcement, Adani Enterprises Ltd. saw its shares increase by 3.1%.

Bloomberg

TECHNOLOGY

Digital tools could help workers with dementia stay employed longer

Research from University of Bath professor James Fletcher in the UK suggests that digital tools can help people with dementia remain in the workforce longer and more productively. He suggests that many older adults are tech-literate and already rely on digital devices as a “second brain,” using tools that reduce cognitive load, support comprehension, assist with word-finding challenges, and simplify multistep tasks. Fletcher argues that workplace adoption of accessible technologies, personalized AI systems, and formal HR support structures - such as regular check-ins and disability action plans - could reduce stigma and encourage disclosure, enabling employees with dementia to extend their careers. With dementia diagnoses expected to rise as the population ages, Fletcher suggests that organizations and workers alike should proactively adopt cognitive-support technologies to prepare for longer working lives.

The Wall Street Journal

Apple sets March 4th launch event for new Macs and devices

Apple has announced a product launch event on March 4th, where it is expected to unveil several new devices, including updated MacBook Pro models. The company has invited media to in-person events in New York, Shanghai and London, suggesting a smaller-scale showcase rather than a traditional keynote at its California headquarters. Apple is preparing a range of new releases for the first half of 2026, including refreshed MacBook Air models, a lower-cost MacBook, new iPads and an updated mid-tier iPhone 17e.

Bloomberg

Forbes

ECONOMY

China recalibrates CPI to boost economy

China has recalibrated its consumer price index (CPI) for the first time in five years, shifting focus from food and housing to services and new consumption goods. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a reduction in food prices to 17.2% and housing to 22.1%. In contrast, transport and communications now account for 14.3%, while education and healthcare have increased to 11.4% and 8.9%, respectively. Lynn Song, chief economist at ING, noted that this shift could lead to a 0.9% CPI rise this year, reflecting changing consumer habits and aiming to combat deflationary pressures.

South China Morning Post

INTERNATIONAL

Data leak at Abu Dhabi finance summit exposes politicians and business leaders

Passports and other identity documents belonging to hundreds of attendees of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), Abu Dhabi’s flagship investment conference, have been exposed online. Scans of more than 700 such items, some belonging to prominent politicians and business leaders, were discovered on an unprotected cloud storage server associated with the state-sponsored event, which hosted more than 35,000 people in December. ADFW, in a statement to Reuters, said: "a vulnerability in a third-party vendor-managed storage environment relating to a limited subset of ADFW 2025 attendees . . . The environment was secured immediately upon identification, and our initial review indicates that access activity was limited to the researcher who identified the issue."

Financial Times

Middle East Eye

Reuters

Questions about Mexican security improvements after mine tragedy

In late January, ten employees of a Canadian-owned silver and gold mine in Mexico were abducted. Five bodies have been located and five are awaiting identification. The incident has raised concerns about security measures promised by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has faced criticism for her handling of cartel violence. "What these kinds of episodes do is demolish the federal government's narrative," said security analyst David Saucedo, who noted the ongoing conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Despite increased military presence, local residents remain fearful, with many having fled their homes. The mine's owner, Vizsla Silver Corp., has paused operations due to security issues. The search for the missing workers continues amid a backdrop of escalating violence and fear in the region.

The Baltimore Sun

Los Angeles Times

Trump revokes US scientific finding behind climate change rules

The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced the repeal of the “endangerment finding,” a scientific determination made in 2009 during Barack Obama’s administration, which empowered the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases. The rule classified carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. The endangerment finding underpinned regulations that set emissions standards for cars and light trucks, power plants, and oil and gas industry facilities. “This is about as big as it gets,” President Donald Trump said at the White House with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Obama said in a social media post that the Trump administration’s action makes the US “less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change - all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.”

OTHER

Singapore introduces aviation fuel levy

Singapore will impose a new levy on flights to fund sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), affecting tickets sold after April 1 for flights departing after October 1. The tax ranges from 1 Singapore dollar (about 75 cents) for short-haul economy flights to 41.60 Singapore dollars (about $32) for premium long-haul flights. Daniel Ng, chief sustainability officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said: "This levy allows all aviation users to contribute to sustainability at a manageable cost." The initiative supports the region's growing SAF production, which aims to reduce aviation emissions significantly.

The Globe and Mail

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