Category: Business

“If I’m unhappy with work you have done, you will hear from me within 48 hours,” French Gates told Bloomberg Business‘s Leaders with Francine Lacqua podcast this week. “I’m not going to tell you right away, because I need time to think it through.”

“If I’m angry about something [I do this] to calm down,” she added. “That’s on me.”

This practice, she explained, is less about withholding criticism and more about delivering it with honesty, integrity, and grace. The flip side of the 48-hour clock is just as deliberate. If the window closes without any feedback, that means employees are in the clear. 

“If they pass the 48-hour mark, they can be confident that the job they did was a good job,” she said. “You’re not going to get to your performance review and have a surprise.”

This is a practice the billionaire philanthropist has been honing for decades. She cochaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private charitable organization, from 2000 until she stepped down in 2024, about three years after the couple’s divorce. 

Today, French Gates runs her own organization, Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company she founded in 2015 to advance opportunities for women and families in the U.S. As part of her divorce settlement from the Microsoft founder, French Gates received $12.5 billion to direct toward philanthropic work through Pivotal. She committed an additional $1 billion each year through 2026 to advance women’s power globally.

Melinda French Gates’ approach to leadership and how it compares to other executives

Bloomberg’s Lacqua framed French Gates’ approach to feedback as her “leadership superpower,” one that requires emotional discipline and candor. 

“Being clear is kind,” French Gates responded, “because I’m giving them feedback so they can actually grow and become better.”

French Gates also described her 48-hour feedback mantra as maintaining personal integrity while keeping the other person’s dignity intact: “gracious, thoughtful, before you go into it.”

Her philosophy conflicts with some of the more aggressive feedback cultures from other executives. Ray Dalio, for example, built his firm’s culture around what he calls “radical transparency,” a system in which employees at every level are expected to deliver unfiltered, real-time criticism, and nearly every meeting is recorded for post-mortem analysis.

“If you start to realize, intellectually, that being really truthful with each other is something that is to be treasured,” Dalio told Business Insider. “It’ll build trust.” 

“There’s a lot of trust that’s going on,” added Dalio, who founded Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund firm. He even recalled to Business Insider a time in which a junior staffer sent him an email grading his performance in a meeting as a “D-” for being disorganized.

So while Dalio prefers immediacy and unvarnished feedback, French Gates opts for more reflection time and a respectful tone.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella takes a slightly different approach. When he took the helm of Microsoft, he pushed to transform a “know-it-all” culture into a “learn-it-all” culture—one grounded in humility, curiosity, and psychological safety. It’s a mantra inspired by American psychologist Carol Dweck, who is best known for her research on motivation and mindset.

“If you take two people, one of them is a learn-it-all and the other one is a know-it-all, the learn-it-all will always trump the know-it-all in the long run, even if they start with less innate capability,” Nadella told Bloomberg in a 2016 interview.

Still, French Gates is clear she doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. 

“I don’t mind conflict,” she told Bloomberg. “I learned to do it in a way for me that maintained my integrity.” 

At the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, GAC INTERNATIONAL launched its GAC CARE service brand, unveiled the AION V 500KM, and introduced the “Thailand Action 2.0” strategy to enhance localization and ecosystem development.

BANGKOK, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On March 23, the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show officially opened. Centered on “service upgrading”, GAC INTERNATIONAL launched GAC CARE – its first overseas service brand – at the show, fully unveiled its upgrade “Thailand Action 2.0” strategy, and debuted the new AION V 500KM variant. These milestones – from service system enhancement and localized strategy upgrading to product renewal – marking GAC’s entry into a leading phase in the Thai market.

As a key pillar of GAC’s global strategy, the Thai market continues to show srong growth potential. Under the guidance of “ONE GAC 2.0” and “Thailand Action 1.0”, GAC has achieved a critical leap from product introduction to ecosystem deployment. In 2025, GAC sold 15,301 units in Thailand, representing a 305% year-on-year increase, securing its position among the top tier of new energy vehicle (NEV) brands. Building on this foundation, officially announced the comprehensive launch of the “Thailand Action 2.0” strategic upgrade at the Bangkok International Motor Show.

Fully unveiling “Thailand Action 2.0”, GAC’s localization development is shifting from “putting down roots” to “taking the lead”. By leveraging systemic capabilities across product layout, channel & mobility ecosystem, energy ecosystem and manufacturing & industrial chain, GAC is building a long-term competitive advantage. Through multi-dimensional collaboration, GAC is evolving into an ecosystem builder covering products, services, energy and manufacturing, upholding its commitment “In Thailand, For Thailand” and delivering care to users through superior products and comprehensive services.

While advancing its localization strategy, Wang Haoyong, General Manager of GAC INTERNATIONAL Thailand Sales Company, announced on-site the launch of GAC’s first overseas service brand — GAC CARE. He stated, “In Thailand, for Thailand. What GAC brings is not just advanced vehicles, but a complete, reliable, and heartfelt mobility ecosystem. Centered on users’ full-lifecycle needs, GAC CARE is built on Four Core Pillars: customer centric, advanced assurance, rapid responsiveness and exclusive experience.

The all-new AION V 500km variant brought by GAC became the highlight of the booth, attracting numerous visitors to experience and inquire.

Going forward, GAC will continue to take Thailand as a critical hub, stay user-centric, deepen localization, advance the NEV industry ecosystem, and achieve long-term win-win development with local society.

Source : GAC’s First Overseas Service Brand Launches at Bangkok Motor Show, Thailand Action 2.0 Commences

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Taylor Swift dominated the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday night, collecting seven trophies including Artist of the Year while sharing the Dolby Theatre stage and front-row moments with fiancé Travis Kelce and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu in one of the evening’s most memorable crossovers.

The 13th annual ceremony, broadcast live on FOX, celebrated the year’s most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio platforms. Swift, who led with nine nominations, extended her record as the show’s most decorated artist with her 41st career win. She attended with Kelce, marking the couple’s first joint awards show appearance, and received several honors from Liu, the figure skater who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Swift kicked off her winning streak by accepting Pop Album of the Year for “The Life of a Showgirl,” presented by British singer RAYE. The upbeat record, which Swift described as reflecting a sense of happiness and freedom, earned praise for its confident pop sound. In her speech, she thanked Kelce directly from the stage. “This album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life, because of my fiancé, who’s here tonight,” she said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The night escalated when Liu, fresh from her Olympic triumph in Milan, took the stage to present Swift with a bundle of additional awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and others. Liu handed over what became Swift’s seventh trophy of the evening, bringing the total to a dominant sweep. The moment blended pop stardom with Olympic athleticism, as the two American icons shared warm onstage interaction. Swift gushed about Liu’s skating performance, calling it inspiring.

Liu, who had previously appeared with fellow U.S. figure skaters Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito in a video promoting Team USA as the “Blade Angels,” sat near Swift and Kelce during the show. Social media buzzed with photos of the Olympic champion positioned right behind the couple, creating a dream seating arrangement that fans dubbed iconic.

Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, made a stylish entrance captured on video by iHeartRadio as he walked the Dolby Theatre hallways before joining Swift inside. The pair posed together on the red carpet and inside the venue, drawing massive attention as they made their awards show debut as a couple. Kelce supported Swift throughout, including standing ovations for other performers.

Swift’s wins extended to Song of the Year and Pop Song of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” along with Best Music Video and other pop-centric categories. Her “The Life of a Showgirl” also claimed Pop Album of the Year honors. The victories underscored Swift’s continued dominance in radio airplay and streaming metrics that determine many iHeartRadio awards.

In her Artist of the Year acceptance, Swift reflected on her journey. “I didn’t think I was an artist when I first started,” she told the audience, crediting fans and collaborators for her growth. The speech mixed humility with gratitude, a hallmark of her public appearances.

The ceremony featured high-energy performances and special honors. Ludacris hosted and received the Landmark Award, while Miley Cyrus accepted the Innovator Award. John Mellencamp earned the Icon Award. A standout musical moment saw TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue unite for a classic hits medley.

Other winners included Alex Warren as Breakthrough Artist of the Year and for his song “Ordinary.” Linkin Park claimed Rock Artist and Rock Song honors. The event balanced established stars like Swift with emerging talents, reflecting iHeartRadio’s broad listener base.

Swift’s seafoam green velvet corset and matching miniskirt by Wiederhoeft, accented with pink beads, drew fashion praise and tied into the “showgirl” theme of her winning album. Kelce complemented the glamorous evening in sharp attire as the couple navigated the star-studded night.

The crossover with Alysa Liu added a unique layer. Liu, representing the fresh excitement of Olympic success, bridged sports and entertainment. Her presentation duties and proximity to Swift and Kelce fueled social media trends, with fans posting side-by-side photos of the trio and celebrating American achievement across disciplines.

Backstage moments captured Swift, Kelce and Liu interacting warmly, further amplifying the feel-good energy. Videos circulated showing the group’s easy rapport, with Liu praising Swift’s music and Swift reciprocating admiration for Liu’s athletic feats.

The iHeartRadio Music Awards base many categories on airplay, streaming and listener data from iHeartMedia stations and the app. Swift’s repeated success highlights her unmatched ability to connect with audiences through consistent radio hits and cultural impact.

For Kelce, the appearance offered a rare glimpse into his support role amid NFL offseason. The couple’s relationship, which began in 2023, has drawn sustained public interest, and their first awards show outing satisfied fans eager for joint red-carpet moments.

Liu’s involvement extended the night’s theme of inspiration. As a two-time U.S. national champion and now Olympic gold medalist, her presence alongside Swift symbolized excellence in performance arts and sports. The 2026 Winter Olympics connection, where Swift had promoted the skaters, came full circle.

Industry observers noted Swift’s seven wins push her further ahead in iHeartRadio history. Her ability to dominate major categories while releasing personal, upbeat music amid a high-profile relationship demonstrates sustained relevance in a crowded pop landscape.

The Dolby Theatre, familiar from Oscar nights, provided a fitting glamorous backdrop. Production featured sleek staging, genre-spanning performances and seamless award presentations. FOX’s broadcast and iHeartRadio’s digital coverage reached millions.

Red carpet fashion leaned bold and celebratory. Swift’s showgirl-inspired look stood out, while other attendees mixed high glam with personal statements. Social platforms lit up with reactions to the Swift-Kelce-Liu interactions, performances and surprise wins.

As the evening concluded, Swift’s sweep and the high-profile attendee mix reaffirmed the awards’ role in highlighting both commercial dominance and cultural moments. The night blended music celebration with feel-good crossovers that transcended typical award show fare.

For Swift, the wins add to an already historic career. She thanked fans repeatedly, emphasizing the role of listener support in iHeartRadio’s fan-driven elements. Kelce’s presence added a personal touch, with Swift’s onstage shoutout highlighting their partnership.

Liu emerged as an unexpected star of the night, her Olympic glow shining in the entertainment spotlight. Her poised presentation and stylish appearance earned praise, positioning her as a rising figure comfortable in diverse arenas.

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will be remembered for Taylor Swift’s record-extending haul, the debut joint appearance by Swift and Travis Kelce, and the memorable collaboration with Alysa Liu. From chart-topping anthems to Olympic inspiration, the evening captured music’s power to unite and uplift.

As replays and clips circulate, conversations turn to Swift’s next era and the lasting image of three American talents sharing the spotlight. The Dolby Theatre glowed long after the final award, with fans already anticipating what’s next from these stars in music, sports and beyond.

What is irrefutable is women voters are increasingly the determining factor across States

With the Election Commission of India announcing Assembly election schedules for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on March 16, a significant number of commentators, pundits and analysts have already started harping about how the welfare measures (especially the women-specific ones) could influence voter sentiment.

At businessline, however, we want our readers to know just how much can a qualifying woman or household from each of these States “earn” per month from a possible combination of the direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes active in their States.

State-wise

In West Bengal, a combination of luck and choice can net you up to ₹4,200 per month. Under the Kanyashree Prakalpa (K-3) girls pursuing post-graduation in science and technology are given ₹2,500 per month while Lakshmir Bhandar currently gives ₹1,700 per month to women belonging to the SC/ST communities. Given that the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme is a non-competing scheme, in the sense that all permanent residents of West Bengal aged 25–60 years and not a government employee or pensioner, can avail the benefits irrespective of other DBT schemes, and there is no upper age-limit for availing K-3, a woman aged above 25 pursuing a PG degree, from the SC/ST community, can receive ₹4,200 per month.

In Tamil Nadu, a household can net a maximum of ₹2,000 monthly through the combination of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) and Pudhumai Penn Thittam. However, the qualifying conditions are extremely stringent. Apart from several income related categories, the woman must be aged more than 21 years and be recognised as the head of family in the ration card to avail the ₹1,000 DBT provided under KMUT, presently. To get the other ₹1,000 under Padhumai Penn Thittam the claimant must also have a girl or transgender child who is currently pursuing UG/ITI/Diploma/other courses recognised by the Tamil Nadu government and has previously also studied in a Tamil-medium institution from Class VI to Class XII.

Kerala’s Social Security Pension schemes, which incidentally were also some of the earliest such schemes offered in the country, provides for a maximum of ₹1,600 per month. However, the qualifying conditions are quite dismal as women need to be either widows, divorcees, or never-married by the age of 50 with their annual incomes below ₹1 lakh.

In Assam, a potential ₹3,750 monthly payout via the Orunodoi Scheme and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni is possible. However, this maximum is only receivable for 10 months in a year, and only to PG and B.Ed. students where ₹2,500 is paid under the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni, which can be supplemented by ₹1,250 per month from the Orunodoi Scheme by those who also qualify under the various income criteria of the Orunodoi Scheme.

The DBT welfare debate

These schemes provide a steady financial cushion, improving household stability and enabling access to education and basic needs. They also empower women economically, often positioning them as key financial decision-makers within families. However, concerns about fiscal sustainability and whether such schemes create long-term economic mobility or feed short-term dependency, remain.

Women voters, the decisive factor

What is irrefutable though is that the women voters are increasingly the determining factor across these states. Voter data from the last Assembly elections in these states, show that in Kerala, approximately 89 per cent of constituencies have half of their polled votes from women, followed by Tamil Nadu at 66 per cent, West Bengal at 61 per cent, and Assam at 48 per cent. In absolute terms, this translates to 125 constituencies in Kerala, 155 in Tamil Nadu, 180 in West Bengal, and 60 in Assam where women could swing outcomes. As elections approach, the various DBT schemes are not just welfare tools but strategic instruments in shaping electoral outcomes.

Published on March 18, 2026

The global risk from a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz goes far beyond oil prices. A new policy brief by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, titled The Cost of Closing the Strait of Hormuz: Energy Bottlenecks and Global Food Security, warns that blocking the narrow waterway could trigger a supply chain cascade that pushes up fertilizer costs, disrupts agriculture, and ultimately drives food prices higher across the world.

The report says the biggest threat from a Hormuz disruption is not energy alone, but the chain reaction it creates across chemicals, fertilizers, and food production — sectors that depend heavily on Gulf oil and natural gas exports.

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade and about one-quarter of liquefied natural gas shipments. Any shutdown immediately tightens global energy supply, but the study notes that the real damage comes from what happens next in industrial supply chains.

From energy shock to food inflation

Natural gas from Gulf countries is a key raw material for producing ammonia and urea, the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers in the world. When gas supply is disrupted, fertilizer production becomes expensive or slows down, increasing costs for farmers.

Higher fertilizer prices then push up the cost of growing crops such as wheat, cereals, vegetables, and oilseeds. The report describes this as a bottleneck effect, where shortages in one critical input spread through the economy and magnify the final impact on consumers.

MUST READ: ‘$150 oil could trigger global recession’: BlackRock’s Larry Fink warns amid Iran war

Model simulations in the study show that a full closure of the strait could raise global energy prices by over 5% and food prices by nearly 3%, even without accounting for panic buying or financial speculation. In real markets, the impact could be larger because commodity prices often react sharply during geopolitical crises.

Fertilizer and chemicals are the hidden risk

The Gulf region is not only a major oil exporter but also a key supplier of petrochemicals, methanol, and fertilizer inputs used worldwide. Countries such as Qatar and Iran are among the largest exporters of urea, while Gulf petrochemical complexes produce feedstock used in plastics, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals.

Because these industries rely heavily on natural gas, a disruption in energy supply quickly spreads to manufacturing and agriculture. The report notes that many of these products cannot be replaced easily in the short term, making global supply chains highly vulnerable.

Developing countries face the biggest impact

The study finds that the economic damage would be uneven. Energy-importing developing countries in South Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East would face the steepest rise in food prices because they depend on imported fuel, imported fertilizer, and have limited domestic alternatives.

In the short-run scenario, countries such as India and Pakistan show much larger welfare losses than advanced economies, while the impact on the United States is relatively small.

Researchers say this makes a Hormuz disruption not just an energy crisis, but a food security crisis for poorer nations.

Iran’s oil lifeline intact: Tehran earns hundreds of millions more as war lifts prices

Supply chains cannot adjust quickly

The report also highlights that supply chains take time to adapt. Refineries cannot quickly switch crude sources, fertilizer buyers often work on yearly contracts, and alternative shipping routes are limited.

As a result, the first few months after any closure would see the sharpest price spikes, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals and agriculture. Even if trade flows adjust later, the damage to food production could last for an entire crop season.

The study concludes that global dependence on Gulf energy and petrochemical supply has grown over decades, making the world more vulnerable to chokepoint disruptions. Without diversification of energy and fertilizer supply, a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could quickly turn into a global inflation and food security shock.

Welfare loss

If the Strait of Hormuz is fully closed in the short run, the biggest economic impact falls on energy-importing developing countries, not rich economies. Zambia faces the highest loss at about -5.49%, followed by Sri Lanka (-3.47%), Syria (-2.86%), Congo (-2.38%), Taiwan (-2.31%), and Guinea (-2.18%). India is also significantly affected with a welfare decline of around -1.78%, while South Korea, Greece, and Turkey also see notable losses. The data suggests that countries dependent on imported fuel, fertilizers, and food face the sharpest economic damage if supply chains through Hormuz are disrupted.