Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Business

Thailand’s Car Industry Just Staged a Surprising July Comeback — But There’s a Bigger Story Behind the Numbers

Thailand’s automotive industry delivered a notable rebound in July, with vehicle production rising 6.12% year-on-year to 117,383 units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The July increase marks a sharp turnaround from June, when Thai vehicle production fell 7.55% year-on-year. The latest figures suggest that Thailand’s auto sector is regaining momentum — but the recovery comes as manufacturers continue to face intense competition, shifting export demand and the rapid expansi

August 25, 2026

Business

Singapore Wants to Host a Powerful New Global Tribunal — But What Happens If Its Bid Succeeds?

SINGAPORE — Singapore is stepping forward with an ambitious bid to host a proposed international tribunal that could reshape how investment disputes between foreign companies and governments are resolved. Law Minister Edwin Tong announced on Tuesday (Aug 25) that Singapore will put forward its bid to host the proposed Multilateral Investment Tribunal (MIT), an institution currently being negotiated under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). If Singapore's bid su

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Wants to Redesign the Historic Siete Pecados to Fix Capitol Traffic — But One Big Decision Still Stands in the Way

ILOILO CITY — One of the most recognizable road features outside the Iloilo Provincial Capitol could be heading for its biggest transformation in nearly seven decades as provincial officials consider a sweeping redesign aimed at reducing traffic conflicts and creating a safer, more pedestrian-friendly civic district. The proposal centers on the Siete Pecados traffic islands along Bonifacio Drive, a landmark road configuration dating to the late 1950s. Landscape architect and urban designer Paul

August 25, 2026

Business

Singapore Backs Major Overhaul of Global Investor Dispute Rules — But What Happens When Governments Face Investors?

Singapore is backing efforts to strengthen the international system for resolving disputes between foreign investors and governments, as countries work to make investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) more transparent, consistent and credible. The issue has gained renewed attention as the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) advances a broad reform programme aimed at addressing longstanding concerns over investor-State arbitration. Under ISDS, foreign investors can,

August 25, 2026

Business

Marcos Pushes Filipino-Made E-Jeeps and E-Trikes as PH Targets Homegrown EV Industry

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is stepping up the government’s push to develop a homegrown electric vehicle industry, with Filipino-made electric tricycles expected to come first and locally produced electric jeepneys potentially following. During a visit to MD Juan Enterprises Inc. in Caloocan City on August 25, 2026, Marcos said the government would support the company’s efforts to develop fully Filipino-made electric vehicles. The 60-year-old company is known for manufacturing machine-presse

August 25, 2026

Business

Customer Pays $650 for $6.50 Lor Mee — Then the Hawker Does Something That Restored His Faith in Singapore

A simple lor mee order at a Telok Blangah-area coffee shop turned into an unexpected lesson in honesty after a customer accidentally paid $650 instead of $6.50 for his meal — and did not realise the mistake until weeks later. The customer, identified on Facebook as Aud Chang, said he had mistakenly entered the wrong payment amount before leaving the stall. He only discovered the error about a month later, after returning from an overseas trip. The hawker, meanwhile, had already noticed the unu

August 25, 2026

Business

Canada Prepares New Tariff Retaliation as Trump Escalates Trade War With 50% Auto Threat

Canada is preparing to unveil its latest response to President Donald Trump’s escalating tariffs on Canadian goods, as the once-close U.S.-Canada relationship slides deeper into a damaging trade confrontation. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is expected to announce additional measures on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after weeks of trade negotiations with Washington collapsed and the United States imposed new 50% tariffs on selected Canadian imports. The latest U.S. duties affect roughly US$20 bil

August 25, 2026

Business

Iloilo Just Trained 263 Frontline Animal-Health Workers — But the Real Test Will Come When the Next Outbreak Begins

ILOILO, Philippines — Iloilo is quietly building a new line of defense against animal diseases — and the people at the center of it are not all veterinarians. The Iloilo Provincial Government has trained 263 barangay vaccinators in 2026, creating a wider community-based animal-health network designed to bring vaccination, disease detection and basic veterinary assistance closer to farms and households across the province. The initiative could prove increasingly important as Iloilo confronts re

August 25, 2026

Philippines

DENR Lifts Binaliw Landfill CDO—But Cebu City Still Can’t Dump Garbage There Yet

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City's long-running garbage crisis has taken a major turn after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) fully lifted the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the Binaliw sanitary landfill. But there is a catch: Cebu City still cannot immediately send its garbage trucks back to Binaliw. City officials said the lifting of the environmental order only clears one major hurdle. Before the city can resume paying for waste disposal at the facility, it

August 25, 2026

Business

Takashimaya’s 2026 Mid-Autumn Fair Is Now Open — 61 Brands, Viral Mooncake Flavours and One Date You Shouldn’t Miss

SINGAPORE — Mooncake season has officially arrived in Singapore, and Takashimaya is turning its Orchard Road flagship into one of the city’s biggest destinations for Mid-Autumn treats. The Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festive Celebration 2026 is now underway at Takashimaya Square, Basement 2, bringing together 61 local and international brands selling mooncakes, artisanal confectioneries, festive gifts and tea selections. The event runs from 20 August through 25 September 2026, giving shoppers more

August 25, 2026