Author: WWC NEWSDESK

South Korea

South Korea Tightens Vape Rules, but Nicotine-Imitation Products Create a New Regulatory Gap

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has tightened its rules on electronic cigarettes, bringing natural and synthetic nicotine products under the country's tobacco-control framework. But regulators now face a new problem: products marketed as nicotine-free or using nicotine-like chemicals can fall outside the main tobacco law, even as testing has found actual nicotine in some products sold under “nicotine-free” labels. The emerging loophole is raising concerns about consumer protection, youth acce

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Entertainment

Robert Pattinson Takes on One of TV’s Most Controversial Figures—But Chris Hansen Isn’t Happy About It

VENICE, Italy — Robert Pattinson is stepping into the shoes of one of American television’s most recognizable and controversial figures in “Primetime,” a dark psychological thriller inspired by the rise of To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2026, where Pattinson’s performance drew strong attention and the movie received an extended standing ovation. Directed by Lance Oppenheim and written by Ajon Singh, “Primetime” explores the

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Singapore

Nine Singaporeans Are Still Missing After Nepal’s Catastrophic Flood — Now DNA Teams Are Searching for Answers

KATHMANDU — More than a week after catastrophic floods tore through Nepal's northern border region and swept destruction hundreds of kilometres downstream, the disaster has entered another agonising phase: identifying the dead while thousands of families continue searching for the missing. Among those waiting for answers are the families of nine Singaporeans who remain unaccounted for. Singapore police forensic specialists are now working alongside Nepali authorities and international teams, u

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Business

Power Outages Set in Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal This Week — Is Your Area on Meralco’s List?

MANILA, Philippines — Residents in parts of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal are being advised to prepare for scheduled power interruptions this week as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) carries out maintenance, facility upgrades and line works. The interruptions, scheduled between September 9 and September 12, will affect selected communities in Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan, several areas in Cavite, and parts of Antipolo City in Rizal. Meralco said planned outages are necessary to allow cre

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South Korea

Lee Jae Myung’s Inclusive Cabinet Faces a Credibility Test as Two Nominees Draw Fire

SEOUL, South Korea — President Lee Jae Myung's attempt to broaden his Cabinet is facing an unexpected credibility test, with two high-profile nominees becoming the focus of controversies that threaten to overshadow the political message behind his latest reshuffle. Lee announced a major Cabinet reshuffle on August 30, replacing six ministers as his administration entered its second year. The changes affected key portfolios including finance, justice, national defense, land and housing, gender e

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South Korea

South Korea Bill Could Let Parents Choose Mother’s Surname When Baby Is Born

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea could be moving toward a significant change in one of its most deeply rooted family traditions, after ruling-party lawmakers introduced legislation that would give parents more flexibility in deciding whether their child takes the mother's surname. The proposed amendment would allow married couples to make that decision when registering the child's birth, rather than requiring them to settle the issue at the time they register their marriage. The bill, introduc

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Asia

Nepal’s Devastating Floods Revive a Forgotten Question: Could an Abandoned Mountain Airport Have Saved Lives?

KATHMANDU, Nepal — A forgotten mountain airstrip in the Himalayas has suddenly become part of a much bigger debate after devastating floods and landslides battered northern Nepal, exposing the enormous challenges of reaching isolated communities during a disaster. The focus is Langtang Airport, a small airstrip in Rasuwa that has been out of operation for years but remains on Nepal’s official aviation records. The latest floods have prompted aviation officials and veteran pilots to ask a diffi

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Asia

Bangladesh Measles Death Toll Nears 1,000 Children — And the Outbreak Is Still Spreading

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is nearing a devastating milestone as the death toll from its massive measles outbreak climbs toward 1,000 children, with hospitals struggling to cope and hundreds of new suspected cases still being reported every day. The latest figures from Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) showed that 991 people — overwhelmingly children — had died from confirmed measles and measles-like symptoms since March 15, after four more children died within a 24

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Politics

Taiwan and Europe Push Deeper Tech Alliance as Semiconductor Supply Chains Shift

TAIPEI — Taiwan is stepping up efforts to deepen its technology and semiconductor partnership with Europe as governments on both sides look for more secure, diversified and resilient supply chains in an increasingly competitive global technology landscape. Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu called for stronger cooperation with European partners during a welcome reception for officials participating in the European Values Important Partnership (EVIP) program, emphasizing the growing link

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Asia

Scientists Spot a Giant 10-Sided Pattern Over Saturn—But What Created It Has Them Stumped

WASHINGTON — Saturn has stunned astronomers once again, this time with a gigantic 10-sided atmospheric wave swirling around its south pole—a newly identified phenomenon that could challenge what scientists thought they knew about the gas giant’s bizarre weather. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured detailed observations of the feature, known as a decagon, revealing an enormous geometric pattern embedded in one of Saturn’s powerful jet streams. Unlike a physical object, the structure is ma

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