Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Politics

India’s New “Sher” Rifle Marks a Major Defence Shift — But There’s a Catch

India has reached a significant milestone in its push to reduce dependence on imported military equipment: the first AK-203 “Sher” assault rifle made entirely with Indian-sourced components and input materials has been produced and test-fired at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The achievement is being promoted as a major step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) defence drive. But there is an important distinction: while the

September 3, 2026

Business

Hongkong Land Eyes $1 Billion Tokyo Property Deals — But One Problem Could Stop the Japan Expansion

Hongkong Land is setting its sights on Japan’s booming commercial property market, exploring potential deals worth more than US$1 billion as its parent company, Jardine Matheson, accelerates a broader transformation into a more investment-focused group. The Hong Kong-based property giant is looking at major mixed-use developments in prime Tokyo locations, with potential targets combining premium offices, retail and hospitality space, according to people familiar with the discussions. The talks

September 3, 2026

Business

Five Japanese Oil Distributors Admit Diesel Price Cartel — But Prosecutors Say the Secret Meetings May Go Back More Than a Decade

TOKYO — Five major Japanese oil distributors have admitted the charges against them in a diesel price-fixing case, but prosecutors say the conduct uncovered in court may be part of a much longer pattern of industry coordination stretching back more than a decade. At their first hearing at the Tokyo District Court on Thursday, September 3, East Japan Usami, ENEOS Wing, Enex Fleet, Kitaseki and Kyoei Sekiyu all acknowledged the charges accusing them of violating Japan’s Antimonopoly Act by coordi

September 3, 2026

Uncategorized

Trump’s Harvard Battle Could Give Hong Kong a Rare Opportunity in Global Education

A growing political fight between the Trump administration and Harvard University is creating uncertainty for international students — and Hong Kong may be one of the places positioned to benefit. The latest controversy erupted after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized Harvard during a government-linked family road-trip video. His daughter, who was considering universities including Harvard, said she might welcome the opportunity to study in a more liberal environment. Duffy res

September 3, 2026

Japan

79-Year-Old Tokyo Taxi Driver Gets Suspended Sentence After Fatal Hit-and-Run — But What He Did Next Sparked Outrage

TOKYO — A 79-year-old former taxi driver has been sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years, after a 2024 hit-and-run in Tokyo that ultimately led to the death of a 49-year-old company employee. The Tokyo District Court handed down the sentence Thursday to Kiyotaka Zanami, who was 77 when the incident occurred. Prosecutors had sought a three-year-and-six-month prison term. According to the court ruling, Zanami was driving a taxi in Toshima Ward at around 2 a.m. on January 13

September 3, 2026

Uncategorized

IOI Properties Moves Closer to S$2.5 Billion Asia Square Tower 2 Deal After Call Option Exercise

A major Singapore property deal has taken a decisive step forward after IOI Properties Group exercised its call option to acquire Asia Square Tower 2 from CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT). CICT said on September 2 that all conditions under the put-and-call option agreement had been satisfied and that the purchaser had exercised the call option. The move means the sale process has advanced toward completion, which is expected in mid-September 2026. The buyer is IOI Marina View Pte

September 3, 2026

Politics

14 Serbians Targeted by Spyware as Elections Loom — Then Investigators Found Pegasus on an Activist’s iPhone

BELGRADE — Serbia is facing a growing digital surveillance controversy after at least 14 members of civil society, including student activists and opposition figures, were targeted with sophisticated spyware, according to digital rights investigators. The SHARE Foundation said the cases represent the largest documented wave of advanced spyware targeting in Serbia to date. The revelations have intensified concerns about digital surveillance and political freedoms as the country moves toward anot

September 3, 2026

Uncategorized

China Launches Record Academic Misconduct Crackdown After ‘Student Geng’ Exposes Research Problems

China has escalated its fight against academic misconduct after a viral whistleblower’s allegations against prominent researchers triggered a wave of university investigations — culminating in what the country’s top basic-research funding agency describes as its largest public disclosure of misconduct cases to date. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) published details on August 28 covering 31 cases involving more than 40 researchers at universities and hospitals across the

September 3, 2026

Asia

Gloria Steinem Dies at 92 — But One More Chapter of the Feminist Icon’s Story Has Yet to Be Published

NEW YORK — Gloria Steinem, the journalist, organizer and activist who became one of the most recognizable figures in the modern women’s rights movement, has died at the age of 92 — ending a public life that stretched across more than six decades of political battles, cultural upheaval and changing ideas about women’s place in society. Steinem died peacefully at her New York City home on September 2, surrounded by people close to her, according to an announcement from her foundation. The organiz

September 3, 2026

Politics

Putin Says Ukraine Peace Deal Is Possible — But His Next Warning Could Complicate Everything

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia — After more than four years of war, Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that a peace agreement with Ukraine may still be possible — a rare note of optimism from the Kremlin as fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to intensify. Speaking Thursday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Far East, the Russian president said there was a chance of reaching an agreement to end the war and pointed to the willingness of countries including the United States

September 3, 2026