THE HOT STORY

Uttar Pradesh raises workers' wages

The government of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, has increased minimum wages for all worker categories, effective retrospectively from April 1. The decision follows protests by factory workers in Noida demanding better wages and conditions. Many manufacturing units in Noida remained closed on Tuesday as protests persisted in some ⁠places. The wage hike will increase the pay of unskilled workers in Noida to roughly $147 per month from the current monthly pay of ‌about $121, ⁠government sources said.

The Times of India

Livemint.com

Reuters

RISK

Xi says world order is ‘crumbling Into disarray’

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday in Beijing that the international order is "crumbling into disarray." Bloomberg notes that Xi used a Chinese phrase indicating not only chaos but also moral decay. Spain is one of China’s closest friends in Europe. “Both China and Spain are nations of principle and integrity,” Xi said, adding that the two sides should “enhance communication, consolidate mutual trust, and cooperate closely to resist any regression toward the law of the jungle.”

Bloomberg

WORKPLACE

Hyundai Motor revolutionises the factory floor in its Singapore hub

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) is transforming manufacturing with autonomous robots and AI. Launched in 2023, the centre integrates robotics into production systems, enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing lead times by over 50%. Hyundai reported 68% logistics automation and 67% manufacturing automation, significantly surpassing traditional facilities. The company said: "These gains translate into enhanced productivity, improved operational stability and greater responsiveness to production changes." HMGICS employs over 200 robots, including Boston Dynamics' Spot, to support human workers by handling repetitive tasks while optimising operations and reducing waste.

Business Times SG

TECHNOLOGY

Alibaba backs next-generation AI with $290m ‘world model’ investment

Alibaba has led a $290m investment in Chinese start-up ShengShu to develop a new type of artificial intelligence (AI) focused on “world models” which aim to simulate real-world environments beyond the limitations of traditional text-based large language models. The funding will support the advancement of AI systems that integrate video, audio and physical data, with applications in robotics and autonomous technologies. The move reflects a broader industry shift towards AI capable of understanding and interacting with the physical world, as competition intensifies in areas such as AI video generation and embodied intelligence. Alibaba has been expanding its presence in this space through multiple investments and product launches, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation AI development.

CNBC

South China Morning Post

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

New T-shirt addresses dressing challenges faced by people with disabilities

The OneTee is a new T-shirt designed to assist people with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore to dress independently. Launched in 2025, it features magnetic collar snaps, wide armholes, and side zippers for comfort. Jerome Lau, managing director of Splash Productions, said: "The idea for OneTee came when PWDs talked about their experiences with everyday tasks." The shirt, retailing at S$68, aims to promote inclusivity in fashion. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua has noted the importance of inclusive hiring, highlighting that the employment rate of PWDs has increased from 28.2% in 2019 to 32.7% in 2023.

Straits Times

TAX

India overhauls income tax after 60 years

India has introduced significant changes to its Income Tax Act for the first time in over 60 years. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the new rules aim to reduce errors and compliance costs. The act has been streamlined from 819 sections and 47 chapters to 536 sections and 23 chapters. The new rules clarify income assessment for non-resident Indians (NRIs) and simplify terminology, renaming ‘assessment year’ and ‘financial year’ to ‘tax year’. The minister said: "We want taxpayers to feel comfortable interacting with officials."

Khaleej Times Online

ECONOMY

Japan wholesale inflation rises as BOJ flags stagflation risks

Japan’s wholesale inflation accelerated to 2.6% year-on-year in March, driven by higher energy and raw material costs, increasing pressure on the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to consider raising interest rates as early as April. The rise reflects broad-based price increases, with import prices surging 7.9% amid higher oil costs linked to the Iran conflict. BOJ Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said the central bank remains vigilant to stagflation risks, warning that prolonged geopolitical tensions could both lift inflation and weigh on economic growth, although he stressed Japan is not currently in stagflation.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

White House study says DEI hurts productivity

A White House study argues that race-based hiring policies have reduced productivity in industries that adopted them. Using minority representation in management as a proxy for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) adoption, the authors say productivity in those industries was 2.7% lower by 2023 and estimate a 0.34% hit to U.S. output. “There is nothing inherently less productive about minority workers or minority managers,” the study says. “The issue is rapidly promoting unqualified workers in order to meet racial quotas set forth by DEI.” The report observes that the “previously virtually unknown” position of chief diversity officer became the “fastest-growing C-suite executive position.” However, some aspects of the study could raise questions about its conclusions, the Wall Street Journal notes.

Wall Street Journal

Former Lafarge chief sentenced to six years for financing terrorism

Former Lafarge CEO Bruno Lafont has been sentenced to six years in prison for paying €5.6m to Islamic State (IS) and other terror groups in return for allowing the company’s workers continued access to its Syrian plant. Lafarge, which is now part of the Swiss conglomerate Holcim, paid the money via its subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS). Seven other employees were also found guilty on terrorism charges. "These payments took the form of a genuine commercial partnership ‌with the Islamic State," said presiding Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez. "This method of financing terrorist organisations, and primarily IS, was essential in enabling the terrorist organisation to gain control of Syria's natural resources, allowing it to finance terrorist acts within the region and those planned abroad, particularly in Europe."

OTHER

BYD partners with KFC China to launch rapid EV charging drive-thrus

BYD has announced a partnership with KFC China to roll out “nine-minute” drive-thru stations that allow electric vehicle users to charge their cars while ordering food, leveraging its fast-charging Blade battery technology. The initiative includes a smart in-car ordering system and route-based location services, aiming to improve convenience and address charging inefficiencies, with rollout starting on select BYD models. The collaboration comes as BYD faces slowing sales and profit pressure in China’s EV market, while partnering with KFC - operator of nearly 13,000 outlets - offers access to a vast network as the company continues expanding its charging infrastructure toward a target of 20,000 stations.

CNBC

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