Jobs & Skills: Punjab’s She Thread programme has helped 1,150 rural women secure textile-sector jobs, with training and stipends continuing as the state targets 2,500 participants by June. Factory Unrest: Wage protests have forced hundreds of garment factories in Bangladesh to close, disrupting production across a sector that employs four million people; workers are seeking a higher minimum wage. Investment: India’s Trident reported a near-doubling of quarterly profit and approved a ₹4,650 crore expansion, including a new yarn plant. Bangladesh and South Korea plan a joint public-private task force to identify investment and trade opportunities after concluding CEPA talks. Sustainability: A Quebec company is working to divert textile waste from landfill, while the EU is advancing common rules for textile reuse and remanufacturing. Policy: India extended its cotton import-duty exemption through December 31 to ease costs for textile manufacturers. Technology: Textile machinery and materials makers are preparing new equipment and treatments for industry showcases, including innovations in spinning and durable water- and oil-repellency.