Forced-Labour Trade Rules: Malaysia says it has a two-year runway to tighten laws blocking imports of goods made with forced labour under its US trade deal, including stopping forced-labour components from entering Malaysian supply chains. High-Income Milestone Push: Malaysia’s HR minister says the country is one step from World Bank high-income status, citing rising GNI per capita and GDP—plus a call for trusted institutions to fund upskilling. People-First Leadership: India’s CII-IWN highlights the need for more women in leadership, noting Tamil Nadu’s strong manufacturing female workforce but gaps in R&D and digital leadership. Workplace Standards Under Pressure: A viral India case sparked debate after an employee’s pay was deducted for emergency leave, raising questions about “notice” expectations during real-life crises. HR in Education: Illinois considers flipping student mental health screening defaults via a federal bill that would require parent opt-in for sensitive screenings. Talent Pipeline: UNC Health Nash brought middle and high school students into perioperative careers, including HR, through a hands-on “Behind the Red Line” junior program. HR Leadership Moves: Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City appointed Rowena Rocha as director of human resources. Pay and Skills Demand: An ADP analysis finds construction job-changers are seeing the biggest pay growth, reinforcing the value of specialized trades. Extreme Heat Dress Codes: UK HR guidance urges employers to relax dress codes in extreme temperatures as a health-and-safety obligation, not just a comfort perk.