Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Business

RAZON’S ICTSI BREAKS THE P2-TRILLION BARRIER — NOW THE PSE IS ASKING: HOW MUCH HIGHER CAN IT GO?

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has officially cemented its place in Philippine stock-market history after becoming the first domestic listed company to reach a ₱2-trillion market capitalization, prompting the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to hold a special recognition ceremony for the port operator. The PSE celebrated ICTSI’s milestone on September 1, highlighting what exchange officials described as an extraordinary acc

September 2, 2026

Singapore

SINGAPORE’S “HIDDEN ADULTS” ARE GROWING: Social Workers Are Going Online to Reach People Who Have Disappeared From Everyday Life — But Why Are So Many Pulling Away?

SINGAPORE — A growing number of adults in Singapore are retreating from work, relationships and everyday social life, with some remaining largely confined to their homes or bedrooms for months — and in some cases, years. Social service agencies say they are encountering more people who have become increasingly disconnected from society, prompting social workers to change the way they reach out. Instead of waiting for isolated adults to walk into a service centre, some social workers are now en

September 2, 2026

Politics

South Korea’s Lee Pushes for US–North Korea Dialogue as Trump’s Outreach Creates a New Opening

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is urging efforts to create the conditions for renewed dialogue between the United States and North Korea, arguing that even a small diplomatic opening could help move the Korean Peninsula away from decades of confrontation. Lee made the appeal on Sept. 2, 2026, as Seoul seeks to capitalize on signs that US President Donald Trump may be interested in reopening direct engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But there is a major obstacle: Pyongyang h

September 2, 2026

Singapore

Singapore and Thailand Map Out Bigger ASEAN Agenda as Wong and Anutin Put AI, Food Security and Connectivity at the Centre

Singapore and Thailand are preparing to work more closely on the next phase of ASEAN cooperation, with their leaders agreeing to develop a multi-year agenda linking their consecutive ASEAN chairmanships in 2027 and 2028. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reached the agreement during their first Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok on Sept. 2, 2026. The meeting also revived the leaders’ retreat after an 11-year hiatus, with the previous

September 2, 2026

Business

Fei Zhu Lok Lok to Close All Singapore Outlets on Sept 13 as Phyllis Seah Says F&B Industry Is “Really, Really Tough”

Singapore’s lok lok scene is losing one of its better-known homegrown names. Fei Zhu Lok Lok, founded by local influencer and entrepreneur Phyllis Seah and her childhood friend Goh Jue Ying, has announced that it will close its remaining outlets on Sept. 13, 2026. The announcement came on Sept. 1, with the business saying it was making the decision “with a heavy heart” after years of serving Malaysian-style lok lok in Singapore. But Seah's follow-up message revealed the bigger story behind th

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Two Filipino Seafarers Killed in Saudi Tanker Attack as Strait of Hormuz Becomes Deadlier Flashpoint

MANILA — Two Filipino seafarers have been killed aboard a Saudi oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, turning another attack on commercial shipping into a deadly reminder of how rapidly one of the world's most important energy corridors is becoming a frontline in the widening Middle East conflict. Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri confirmed Wednesday, September 2, that its Saudi-flagged tanker SIDR was involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on the night

September 2, 2026

Politics

Taiwan Signals a Bigger Defence Push as Lai Says Record Spending Is About Protecting Peace

Taiwan is sending a sharper message about its security strategy, with President Lai Ching-te saying the island's record defence spending is intended to demonstrate its determination to protect itself and preserve peace across the Taiwan Strait. Speaking on Sept. 2, 2026, during Taiwan's Armed Forces Day events, Lai said stronger military preparedness and deterrence are essential to national security and regional stability. The remarks come after Taiwan's government proposed a 2027 defence budg

September 2, 2026

Business

Mexico Reopens Japan Steel Dumping Fight After Imports Surge 35-Fold — The 2024 Decision Behind It Is Back in Focus

MEXICO CITY — Mexico has reopened a potentially consequential trade battle with Japan over steel, launching an anti-dumping investigation after authorities found preliminary evidence that imports of Japanese steel plate surged dramatically while entering the Mexican market at prices substantially below those charged by domestic producers. Mexico’s Economy Ministry formally opened the investigation in a resolution published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on September 2, following a compl

September 2, 2026

Singapore

Singapore’s New Childcare Leave Scheme Will Take Months to Roll Out as Employers Brace for Staffing Pressure

SINGAPORE — Singapore parents expecting up to 12 days of childcare leave under the government’s latest family-support push will have to wait a little longer, with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah warning that the expanded scheme will take “at least several months” to implement. The delay is not a reversal of the policy announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally on August 23. Instead, the government must first amend legislation, overhaul administrat

September 2, 2026

Singapore

Two Singapore Men to Face Charges After Allegedly Driving Against Traffic While Under Influence of Etomidate

Two separate incidents involving cars travelling against the flow of traffic have put Singapore's crackdown on drug-impaired driving back in the spotlight. Two men, aged 20 and 35, are due to appear in court on September 3, 2026, after police said they were allegedly involved in separate cases of dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs. Health Sciences Authority (HSA) testing later detected etomidate in both men's blood samples. Neither incident resulted in reported injuries, but

September 2, 2026