An independent cleaning worker told Viory reporters, “They have to fulfil the union and labour agreements and mainly respect the work being done, but well, we already did our part, it has to be respected, and they have to give us our place.” The protest disrupted the city’s normal routines, with more than a dozen trucks unloading waste onto sidewalks, fires prompting a response from firefighters, and demonstrators damaging government property. Local medical teams treated several people at the scene, though no serious injuries were reported.

Residents described the event as alarming. Juan Castillo, a neighbour: “There is a message for the government to adjust to their petitions, to reach a common agreement and avoid all these kinds of jokes, it is ugly.” The protest reflects broader tensions in Mexico over labour rights and union representation, highlighting how workers’ demands can escalate into public demonstrations when official channels stall.

The meeting lasted about three hours, according to the aides present, and was spent preparing for the budget meeting later that morning. In Takaichi’s own words, the meeting caused her staff “inconvenience” but was necessary to rework drafts of answers to lawmakers’ questions. 

Clarifying the circumstances behind the meeting, Takaichi added that her fax machine at home had malfunctioned, prompting her to stay at the prime minister’s residence and review the briefing materials there.

While 3 a.m. meetings are far from common, they are especially cautionary for people in Japan, where there have been several high-profile cases of deaths linked to overwork and unforgiving working conditions . 

It is so apparent that the Japanese have even coined specific terms for it: karoshi , meaning death from overwork, and karojisatsu , or suicide due to overwork and cruel working conditions.

A government survey in 2016 showed that 20 percent of the Japanese workforce is at risk of death from overwork. 

Of the companies surveyed, 22.7 percent reported employees clocking 80 hours of overtime each month. A fifth of employees averaged 49 or more hours each week, or nearly 10 hours across five working days.

What’s more daunting is the fact that Japan is not the only country in Asia notorious for its harsh working conditions. 

In China, the government is working to put a stop to the “996” culture, an illegal labour practice where employees have to work 72 hours a week, or from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. 

Takaichi’s unusual meeting also drew the ire of a former Japanese premier, Yoshishiko Noda.

“It’s fine for her to work, but she should not be getting other people involved,” he said. “Everyone is in bed at that time of day. It’s a very sad attitude for the top leader of the country to show.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has assured that Trinidad and Tobago has no agreement with the United States or any nation for a military attack on Venezuela. Speaking after talks with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, Persad-Bissessar said no local facilities such as Teteron Barracks or Staubles Bay have been pledged for foreign use. She stressed that bases would only be offered if Venezuela attacks Guyana, citing Caricom solidarity.

Ex-finance chief warns of record $15B budget deficit

Colm Imbert, PNM deputy leader and former finance minister, warned that the upcoming 2025-2026 budget could carry a record $15 billion deficit , calling it “disastrous” for the economy. Speaking after a party meeting in San Fernando, Imbert said such a shortfall would push debt levels dangerously high, far beyond the sustainable 2-3% of GDP range. He noted the figure reportedly excludes billions in promised wage hikes and back pay, which could raise the gap further. “Hopefully it’s not true,” he said. 

Foreign minister says T&T is neutral in US-Venezuela standoff

Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has assured citizens that Trinidad and Tobago will remain neutral amid growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, saying there is “absolutely no need for any concern, panic, worry, trepidation.” Speaking on CNC3, Sobers said TT has taken no side in the dispute and has not discussed allowing US forces to use local bases. While acknowledging the presence of a US naval fleet in nearby waters, he said its deployment has not created insecurity and defended TT’s non-interventionist approach.

Workers’ union takes gov’t to court over URP Firings

The Banking, Insurance and General Workers’ Union ( BIGWU ) has filed 160 trade disputes over the dismissal of 400 Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) workers and plans to take the government to court, accusing Minister Khadijah Ameen and her ministry of breaching the Retrenchment and Severance Benefit Act. Union president Don Devenish said BIGWU will seek damages for defamation and the manner of dismissal, not reinstatement. He argued that the government failed to follow proper retrenchment procedures under Section 25 of the Act. The September 10 terminations affected workers across 12 regional offices and were described by Ameen as part of a restructuring effort to eliminate corruption and “ghost gangs.” BIGWU says severance pay must still be provided under the law.

Fishermen group calls for referendum on T&T’s US Alignment amid Venezuela tensions

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) is urging a national referendum to decide Trinidad and Tobago’s geopolitical alignment following a deadly U.S. military strike that killed 11 alleged Venezuelan gang members in Caribbean waters. Corporate Secretary Gary Aboud warned citizens, especially fishermen, to stay off the seas, saying tensions with Venezuela have made the situation “very dangerous.” Aboud criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support of the U.S. strike, calling it “reckless irresponsibility” that could put lives at risk. 

With youth unemployment reaching crisis levels exceeding 50% in some countries many young Africans take on these underpaid roles simply to survive. The lack of better economic alternatives has made the continent a convenient source of cheap remote labour.

Many of these workers are fully aware they’re being underpaid, but with few other options, they accept roles that offer no job security, no benefits, and no long-term prospects. Their labour powers the digital systems that millions of people rely on every day yet they themselves remain invisible and undercompensated.

Some companies go even further in their exploitation. In what are meant to be job interviews, young applicants are sometimes asked to complete real assignments or tasks—only to receive no feedback, no payment, and no offer. After contributing meaningful work, many are simply ignored or sent a generic rejection email.

Even among Africa’s growing class of digital content creators, inequality is evident . While producing high-quality content that gains global reach, many are excluded from earning opportunities available to creators in Europe or North America. Companies often cite “technical limitations” or claim that payment systems don’t work in Africa.

Some African governments have begun to take action. In Kenya, a high-profile lawsuit revealed the poor treatment of workers by an outsourcing firm serving a major international platform. The case drew international attention and marked a significant challenge to unfair labour practices.

Ghana and Nigeria are also taking steps. Both countries are drafting policies aimed at regulating digital labour and protecting the rights of remote workers and freelancers.

Africa’s youth population is its greatest asset. With more than 250 million young people, the continent has the potential to drive the world’s next wave of growth and innovation. But this potential is being stifled by a lack of opportunity .

Every year, between 10 and 12 million young Africans enter the job market, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are created. This leaves the majority either unemployed or forced into the informal economy often in low-paying, insecure jobs with little room for advancement.

A recent Afrobarometer study , conducted across 34 African countries, found that unemployment was consistently identified as the most pressing issue by citizens. Young people, particularly those aged 18 to 35, overwhelmingly cited joblessness as the top challenge their governments must urgently address.

To fully benefit from its youthful population, Africa must find ways to expand access to fair and sustainable economic opportunities. While remote digital work offers a potential pathway for employment, concerns around compensation, job security, and equitable treatment continue to surface.

Indonesia and Japan have reinforced their partnership in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, marked by the financial close of the 80-megawatt Muara Labuh Geothermal Power Plant in West Sumatra, which is set to begin construction and target commercial operations by early 2027. This was formalised during a signing ceremony in Jakarta on May 5, 2025, between Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who serves as Japan’s special envoy to AZEC.

Chinese labour in Indonesia

As Indonesia and China mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, concerns over the growing presence of Chinese foreign workers (TKA) in Indonesia have surfaced as a major point of contention, according to experts at a seminar hosted by the Paramadina Public Policy Institute (PPPI) and the Indonesian Sinology Forum (FSI) in Jakarta on May 5. Academics and policy analysts stressed that the issue reflects broader global anxieties, also seen in regions like Africa and Latin America.

GDP growth slowest in more than three years

Indonesia's economy grew by 4.87% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, marking its weakest pace since Q3 2021 and slightly below analysts’ expectations of 4.91%, according to official data released on May 5. The slowdown, down from 5.02% in the previous quarter, reflects mounting economic pressures, including sluggish global trade, weaker domestic demand, and tighter fiscal conditions. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP contracted by 0.98%. Despite Ramadan and Eid festivities in March, household spending—accounting for over half of GDP—rose only 4.89%, the slowest in five quarters. President Prabowo Subianto’s goal to boost growth to 8% over his term faces increasing headwinds, including potential U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty.

Worldcoin Crypto Project

Indonesia has suspended the Worldcoin project, an iris-scanning cryptocurrency initiative co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, amid growing concerns over personal data use. The move follows public complaints about suspicious activity, with authorities citing the need to investigate potential privacy violations. Worldcoin , launched in 2023, uses biometric scans to create a "World ID" that verifies human identity for digital transactions. While the company claims the data is encrypted and secure, similar concerns have led to scrutiny in countries like Hong Kong, Kenya, Spain, and Portugal.

100 boarding schools for low-income students

President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed plans to launch a national “people’s school” program with a boarding system aimed at supporting children from Indonesia’s lowest-income groups. In a cabinet meeting on May 5, 2025, he stated that at least 100 boarding schools will be built across various regions, with the initial rollout expected in July. The program , designed by the Ministers of Social Affairs and Education, seeks to improve educational equity and provide opportunities for children in economic deciles one and two.

The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has threatened to extend the current teachers' strike if the government of Guyana disregards their concerns. The strike began on February 5 and involved hundreds of teachers, GTU representatives, parents, and civil society members, local media Kaieteur News reports. GTU President Mark Lyte told Kaieteur News that the teachers are demonstrating their frustration through protest and industrial action, with similar protests occurring in other regions. “When the ministry is ready to engage in collective bargaining, we are ready but our problem is that we have not seen any movement with regards to the financial matter,” He is quoted by Kaieteur News.

Development of an electronic medical system

Guyana's Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, has announced that the development of Guyana's electronic medical health record system is set to begin in 2024. The 1 billion Guyanese dollars ($4.785 million) allocation will be used to upgrade software in various areas of the Ministry of Health. The Minister told reporters that a consultant from USAID has been working with the ministry to determine the best software for the system. According to the Guyana Chronicle , the government plans to establish a new department for digital health in 2024.

Global trade crisis causes a reduction in transit

The Guyana World Trade Center reported a 36% reduction in total transit due to a global trade crisis, attributed to Houthi attacks and a drought in the Panama Canal. Guyana World Trade Center CEO Komal Samaroo told reporters that the crisis has led to a global decline in goods trade by 2 trillion compared to 2022. According to the Guyana National Communications Network , he stated that for Guyana to reach its full economic potential and develop its productive sector, it needs to open up to foreign markets given its small population, wealth of resources, and competitive energy pricing in the future.

Pathology lab commissioned

Guyana has commissioned a 474 million Guyanese dollars ($2.268 million) modern pathology lab to improve cancer research and early diagnosis, Guyana Chronicle reports. Guyana President Irfaan Ali speaking at the commissioning ceremony on World Cancer Day said that Guyana officials have emphasized infrastructure, investments, and modernisation in healthcare services to close gaps in affordability and systemic access to cancer treatment. He added that Guyana is building a healthcare system that provides world-class services both locally and regionally.

Vehicle weight limits

The Guyanese government is reviewing vehicle weight restriction laws to address damage caused by overloaded heavy vehicles in the country, Guyana National Communications Network reports. Juan Edghill, the Minister of Public Works for Guyana, brought attention to the persistent problem of axle loads over permitted limits, resulting in harm to pavement and road infrastructure in the South American nation. He disclosed that a firm is presently examining weight restriction rules to address this problem, and stiffer penalties for infractions are being considered.