Bus Services: LTA will boost starting pay for new bus captains by S$450 a month and add S$2,000 sign-on bonuses from Jan 1, 2027, with operators also making a one-time adjustment for current captains to help retention. Regional Security: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Shangri-La Dialogue to argue the Indo-Pacific is the world’s most “consequential” region, pushing for more burden-sharing among allies. Diplomacy Flashpoint: China sharply criticised Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr’s remarks at Shangri-La in Singapore, escalating a fresh war of words over territorial disputes and China’s aid claims. Local Culture & Lifestyle: Pop star Dua Lipa picked Singapore’s Maxwell Food Centre as one of her favourite places to eat worldwide. Singapore-linked Crime Case: A corporate service provider tied to the S$3 billion money laundering case admitted conspiring to lie to IRAS about tax information. Global Trade: The US proposed new forced-labour import tariffs affecting 60 economies, with Singapore listed among those facing at least a 10% levy. Sports & Entertainment: Thai rapper MILLI announced her first solo Asia tour, including a Singapore stop on Sep 5.