The American Express Times
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Russia pummels Kyiv in latest deadly attack
Russian forces carried out widespread missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on September 28 and 29, including a deadly strike on Kyiv’s National Academy of Sciences and hits on multiple cities causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The escalation highlights the increasing threat posed by faster Russian drones and raises urgent calls from Ukrainian leaders…
★ Featured Stories
Driving the change agenda
Selangor’s Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has launched Rancangan Selangor 2 (RS-2), a strategic plan for 2026-2030 aimed at closing economic and infrastructural gaps…
Houses for Selangorians
Selangor has introduced the Smart Sewa rental scheme, allowing eligible residents to rent state-provided housing and earn rebates toward future home down payments to improve…
Selangor’s Great Leap Towards 2030 for Suitable Growth and Quality of Life for All
Selangor has launched a strategic plan targeting balanced economic growth, improved quality of life, and sustainability with measurable goals to be achieved by 2030. The…
EcoWorld's Evolving Township Success in Selangor
EcoWorld is progressing with multiple township projects in Selangor, including the expansion of Eco Majestic's commercial hub and the opening of the RM200 million Eco…
★ All Stories
Big Malls, Bigger Ambitions
Selangor has reinforced its position as Malaysia’s top retail hub, boasting the highest number of shopping complexes in the country and hosting the nation’s largest…
Water as an Economic Driver
Air Selangor has enhanced water security in Selangor by reducing water losses, lowering pipeline bursts, and developing innovative reclaimed water systems to support the state’s…
MOE to engage S'poreans on PSLE, DSA and school choice: David Neo
Singapore’s Ministry of Education announced plans to deepen public engagement on key issues in the transition from primary to secondary school, focusing on the Primary…
A decade of turning ideas into growth
Selangor hosted the 10th Selangor International Business Summit from October 14 to 17, featuring new initiatives and targeting RM8 billion in transaction opportunities amid over…
Sowing the Seeds of Food Security
The Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) has introduced its SEED2030 roadmap to strengthen food security by expanding food reserves, supporting affordable local produce through the…
Bus, train fares to rise by up to 13 cents for adults due to higher energy prices
Starting December 26, Singapore will increase adult bus and train fares by 12 to 13 cents, marking a 7% overall hike mainly due to rising…
About 60,000 more households will qualify for public transport vouchers
The Ministry of Transport will raise the public transport fare by 7% starting December 26, while expanding eligibility for transport vouchers to about 40% of…
Unhealthy air quality across Singapore for first time in two weeks
Singapore experienced unhealthy air quality across all regions on the evening of September 29, with the central area reaching a PSI of 145 amid ongoing…
Taipei resists Xi bid to win over Trump on WWII narrative
Taipei is challenging Beijing's efforts to rewrite the World War II historical narrative after a summit where Chinese and American leaders praised their wartime alliance,…
Trump denies offering to sell US weapons to Xi
President Donald Trump denied claims by U.S. ambassador David Perdue that he offered to sell American weapons to Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi’s recent…
Support Fuels Success at Sukma
Selangor set a new record at the 2026 Malaysia Games by winning 101 gold medals and hosting events across all nine districts, while also capturing…
More S'pore youth arrested for offences in 2025, largely due to rise in cheating cases
Youth arrests in Singapore rose by nearly 19% in 2025, reaching 3,177 cases largely due to a 37% increase in cheating-related offenses involving scam activities.…
Singapore supports 71% of human rights recommendations by UN member states
Singapore accepted 243 out of 342 human rights recommendations from the UN’s Universal Periodic Review, marking an increased acceptance rate of 71% compared to previous…
Sexual crimes among top offences committed by youth aged 10 to under 21
Sexual offences among youth aged 10 to under 16 in Singapore increased slightly in 2025, with sexual penetration of minors becoming the most common charge…
Workers in China demand a proper break as national holidays approach
Workers in China are protesting mandatory weekend work adjacent to the upcoming National Day holiday, sparking widespread online debate over labor conditions and compensation. This…
Indonesian police question trio over fake notes used at RWS casino
Indonesian authorities are investigating three men linked to the use of 34 counterfeit Singapore $10,000 banknotes at Resorts World Sentosa casino in June. The case…
‘Not talked about much’ at Trump-Xi summit – where does Taiwan stand?
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington saw limited direct discussion of Taiwan with U.S. President Donald Trump, reflecting a cautious approach amid ongoing tensions.…
China’s Golden Week travel surge masks cautious consumer spending
China's 2026 National Day holiday has been extended to 13 days, prompting many citizens to plan longer and more distant trips, including increased outbound travel…
Unconfirmed Pahang 'piranha' sightings spark public alarm
Two fish resembling red-bellied piranhas were caught near Klau Dam in Pahang, Malaysia, prompting authorities to investigate their identity using genetic analysis due to the…
Three Youths Killed in Crash During Virginia High-Speed Chase
Three teenagers died and a fourth was critically injured after a stolen car they were riding in crashed during a high-speed police chase in Alexandria,…
Chinese FM Wang tells Japan ex-minister bilateral ties need to be normalised
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi met with former Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing to urge Japan to correct statements by Prime Minister Sanae…
Calls for India poll chief to quit over claims of fixing voter list
Opposition parties in India have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following allegations of widespread voter list manipulation and internal objections within…
NATO allies backing Europe defence shift, says Pentagon policy chief
The Pentagon is reviewing the US military presence in Europe with support from NATO allies to promote greater European self-reliance in defense through a strategy…
Farm breaks ground after four-year delay, with aim to produce Japanese-grade eggs
Construction of Singapore’s fourth egg farm, DoMo Farm, began after a four-year delay, with full operations expected by 2028 to produce over 500 million Japanese-grade…
Brunei's Crown Prince calls on PM Wong during Singapore visit
Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah visited Singapore and met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss strengthening bilateral ties during the 12th Singapore-Brunei Young…
Thailand's new warning system under scrutiny after Bangkok floods
Heavy rainfall in late September caused severe flooding across all 50 districts of Bangkok, prompting criticism of the government's emergency response and water management practices.…
US, Iran talk separately with mediators in bid to end war
US and Iranian officials held separate mediated talks on September 28 to revive negotiations aimed at ending their seven-month conflict, focusing on Iran’s revised seven-day…
Over 2,000 requests for extension to clear non-BCRS stock
The National Environment Agency has received over 2,000 extension requests from small retailers and non-profits seeking more time to sell beverage containers without the required…
More assistance dogs to be allowed in eateries
Starting November 1, Singapore will allow individuals with physical or hearing disabilities to bring their assistance dogs into licensed food establishments, extending access beyond guide…
Criminal trial proceedings against Hyflux founder conclude
Hyflux founder Olivia Lum’s criminal trial over allegations of withholding key financial risks linked to the Tuaspring project concluded on September 29, with the defense…
S’pore gets its first advanced chip substrate plant to meet AI demand
Singapore has opened its first advanced chip substrate manufacturing plant, the Advanced Substrate Technologies facility, to produce Flip Chip Ball Grid Array substrates critical for…
After Mistrial, D.C. Council Members Weigh Options on Trayon White
D.C. Council member Trayon White Sr. retains his seat after a federal bribery mistrial, with the council currently opting not to pursue his expulsion pending…
Vietnam Airlines jet braked twice before botched take-off in Munich
A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 experienced unexpected brake activations during takeoff at Munich Airport, causing a delayed liftoff and tail strike after overrunning the runway.…
Nvidia debuts ‘sandbox’ to stop AI going rogue
Nvidia introduced a new containment system that restricts autonomous AI agents to operate only within set boundaries, preventing them from accessing unauthorized files and networks.…
Don Don Donki, RedMart to join major supermarkets in displaying unit prices
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission and the Consumers Association of Singapore are expanding their unit pricing pilot to include more retailers like Don Don Donki…
Eight receive Inspiring Teacher of English Award
Eight English teachers were honored at the Inspiring Teacher of English Award ceremony for their outstanding teaching and leadership in promoting English language learning across…
Drug arrests at checkpoints surge by over 50% in 2025
Singapore authorities reported a 53% increase in drug-related arrests at border checkpoints in 2025, with 975 seizures linked to traffickers’ new concealment tactics and intensified…