Minimum-wage squeeze: A new report says the federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 for 17 years, leaving today’s wage floor “officially a poverty wage” as prices rise. Leave protections for outsourced workers: Singapore’s MOM will raise minimum annual leave for resident outsourced Progressive Wage Model workers from 7 to 10 days starting in 2029, aiming to stop leave resets when contracts change. Pay and promotion pressure in government: Malaysia’s PM ordered a review of civil service promotion delays that can reportedly take up to eight years, even after salary adjustments. College value debate: USA TODAY’s “The Excerpt” tackles whether a degree is still worth the cost, citing new research on long-term payoff and how it varies by major. Skills-first schooling: Fort Pierce, Florida is set to open a tuition-free tech charter school that pairs academics with industry certifications for middle and high school students. Workforce investment signals: Rajasthan approved incentives for 10 industrial units worth ₹1,117 crore, targeting 2,300+ jobs; Turkey will fund manufacturing employment support with 187.5 billion lira through 2028. Career pathways in education: India’s CAG and ICSSR launched a 2026 research competition (₹1 crore prize pool) focused on public finance, governance, and skilling/employment. Workplace fairness in court: The EEOC sued an Ohio toy manufacturer alleging it denied pregnancy-related accommodations and fired a worker, alleging violations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and ADA.