‘Warwick Mill is an important landmark in Middleton and serves as a striking visual reminder of the area’s rich history’

Middleton’s historic Warwick Mill is to be bought by the council.

The Grade-II listed building, built in 1907, is an eyesore in the town and has sat empty for a decade. A number of schemes to breathe new life into the site have been mooted in recent years, but have never come to fruition.

With the mill deteriorating further, town hall bosses have made the decision to buy the land in order to push through redevelopment. It is understood the site would be transformed into housing, complimenting the impending regeneration of the town.

Middleton is set to become the centre of a huge redevelopment project, driven by the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). Responses from a recent consultation that will shape the MDC’s vision for the area’s future galvanised the council’s decision on the historic site.

The Warwick Mill announcement was made at an event at Middleton Arena to bring the community together and update them on the ‘our town, our future’ engagement exercise and the formation of the MDC. The site purchase includes the London House building next door to Warwick Mill, which Rochdale council leader Neil Emmottt said would be demolished before Christmas.

The town hall boss also announced £750,000 of the government’s Pride in Place funding will go towards the maintenance and repair of the mill itself, which is rapidly deteriorating.

Coun Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Warwick Mill is an important landmark in Middleton and serves as a striking visual reminder of the area’s rich history as a major player in the global cotton trade. It also represents a huge regeneration opportunity and a chance to really revitalise this key part of the town centre.

“Middleton’s MDC will be based on cooperative values, with the community, businesses, voluntary sector, council and GMCA all working together to bring about positive changes. The desire to bring Warwick Mill back into use came through very clearly in the engagement exercise and we’ve responded to this.

“We’re keen to honour Middleton’s proud heritage as we continue to forge a new and exciting future for this special place.”

The event in Middleton Arena, which was attended by Steve Coogan, Rose Marley and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig gave residents an insight into what people had said they wanted to see in Middleton, and, crucially, what the next steps will be.

Rose Marley, co-chair of Middleton Co-operative Mayoral Development Corporation, said: “More than 2,000 people gave their time to Our Town, Our Future – the biggest conversation Middleton has ever had about its own future. What came back was clear: people want to see regeneration done with Middleton, not to Middleton.

“That’s what this event was about. Middleton people, Middleton businesses, Rochdale Borough Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, all pulling in the same direction. Co-operation at every level, from local government to the family who filled in a survey on their phone.

“The Middleton Co-operative Mayoral Development Corporation will help to carry that mandate forward: into the town’s housing, transport, green spaces and public buildings – Warwick Mill among them – and into every decision still to be made. This is co-operation in its truest sense, and it’s how Middleton’s future should be built.”

A feasibility study to determine future uses for the building is ongoing and the community will be consulted on final plans for the building.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

The event will be situated in Lower Gardens and will run alongside other festive events

A proposal has been unveiled to stage an annual winter wonderland event in Bournemouth over the next five years. Plans reveal that the Christmas winter wonderland is set to feature a host of festive attractions, including a walkthrough Christmas tree display, a Christmas tree maze, Wonderland Tipis, an Alpine Chalet, a Christmas train, games stalls, and a variety of Christmas rides.

The event will be situated in Bournemouth Lower Gardens and will run alongside the existing Christmas market and other seasonal events in Bournemouth Square and Pier Approach, bolstering the town centre’s winter tourism and leisure offering.

Documents indicate that the festive event has been running on an annual basis and will remain a key draw for both local residents and visitors.

A design and access statement confirms that the ice rink will operate with nine skating sessions per day, seven days a week, across an anticipated eight-week period, excluding Christmas Day.

In a pre-application enquiry submitted to BCP Council, the principle of such temporary Christmas installations, including an ice rink, was considered “well established” and garnered support from relevant policies on leisure, tourism, and town-centre activities.

According to the documents, the council indicated that should satisfactory supporting information be provided, the subsequent planning application would likely receive officer backing.

Additionally, the council noted that as the proposal constitutes a temporary development, it would be exempt from the statutory BNG requirement, provided all relevant criteria are satisfied.

Last year, Bournemouth Christmas Events lodged a planning application in June 2025 with BCP Council for a temporary Christmas event, which would feature an ice rink, alpine chalet and games stall.

Initially, the decision on the proposals was set to be made by officers, however, following the felling of a cherry tree — which triggered a ‘strange quirk’ in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation — the proposal was referred to committee with a recommendation to refuse.

BCP’s eastern planning committee opted to refer the application back to officers, affording the applicant additional time to address outstanding issues relating to BNG.

BCP Council had not reached a formal decision on the application before it was withdrawn on January 7 this year, following the conclusion of the event.

The event is anticipated to run from mid-November through to the beginning of January, with precise dates subject to approval.

The plans are currently out for consultation until October 2.

Oil prices climbed for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, rising more than $1 in early trade after Iran launched fresh attacks on U.S. military assets in the Gulf, as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continued to spread across the region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they attacked two U.S. destroyers and what they described as a U.S. base in Jordan’s Al Azraq using ballistic missiles. The attacks were carried out in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian oil tankers.

Crude oil price on September 9

Brent crude futures gained $1.57, or 1.6%, to $99.49 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.60, or 1.72%, to $94.63 a barrel. Brent has risen by a quarter since early August as hopes of a permanent resolution to the six-month-old war have weakened and fighting has intensified again.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue targeting Iranian oil tankers in response to attempted attacks on U.S. warships. “Iran continues to try to hit U.S. naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they’re going to lose tankers,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Colombia.

U.S. Central Command said on Tuesday that its forces had destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers on September 8 following attempted missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship over the previous two days.

Jordan’s air-defence systems intercepted 18 of the 20 ballistic missiles launched from Iranian territory, while the other two fell in unpopulated areas, according to the country’s state news agency, which cited the military. No casualties were reported.

Where are prices headed?

Goldman Sachs has warned that oil prices could reach as high as $120 a barrel if attacks on shipping in the Middle East intensify, with the renewed hostilities raising concerns about disruptions to crude supplies.Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs, said in an interview with Bloomberg that recent developments indicated that the risk of wider and more severe shipping disruptions had become an important concern.

Struyven said Goldman Sachs sees “meaningful upside to crude oil prices”, while also suggesting that investors should bet on higher natural gas and refined product prices. He said the supply shocks in gas and fuels are larger than those in the crude market.

The duration of the disruption will be critical for the oil market. JPMorgan estimates that every additional month of disruption could add around $7 to $8 a barrel to Brent prices. If the disruption lasts three months, the bank expects average monthly Brent prices to reach around $114 a barrel.

Citi has raised its average Brent crude price forecast for the third quarter to $86 a barrel from $80, pointing to a longer-than-expected timeline for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

ANZ analysts have also increased their short-term Brent forecast to $95 a barrel and warned that prices could rise further if the Middle East conflict escalates. They said a prolonged standoff involving calibrated military action by the U.S. and Iran appeared to be the most likely scenario, potentially delaying the return of full Middle East supply.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Thai economy in July grew with support from global technology and AI cycle, calm from Middle East conflict, and government stimulus. Exports, tourism, consumption, manufacturing, and government spending showed positive trends. Key issues to watch are technology cycle sustainability, geopolitical conflicts, tourism recovery, government measures, and El Niño impact.

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Summary

• The Thai economy in July expanded from the previous month, supported by the ongoing global technology and artificial intelligence (AI) cycle, the easing of disruptions from the Middle East conflict, and government stimulus measures.

  o Merchandise exports continued to expand, driven primarily by electronics products. Meanwhile, private investment softened following strong growth in the previous period.

  o Tourism receipts and foreign tourist arrivals increased, mainly supported by the gradual recovery in flight capacity, particularly on long-haul routes.

  o Private consumption increased, driven by higher spending on services, supported by government measures and improved domestic tourism activity during the extended holiday period.

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  o Manufacturing and service activities improved, in line with higher merchandise exports and tourism activity.

  o Government expenditure expanded, driven by higher disbursements by both the central government and state-owned enterprises.

• Headline inflation declined, mainly due to lower energy prices, while core inflation increased slightly, reflecting the gradual pass-through of higher costs to consumer prices.
• Key issues to monitor: (1) the sustainability of the global technology and artificial intelligence cycle, (2) developments in geopolitical conflicts and international trade protectionist policies, (3) the recovery of the tourism sector, (4) the impact of government measures, and (5) El Niño developments.

Source : https://www.bot.or.th/en/news-and-media/news/news-20260831.html

The trucking business in the Philippines remains one of the most profitable opportunities in the logistics and transportation industry. As e-commerce, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and retail sectors continue to expand, the demand for reliable cargo transportation services also grows. Every day, thousands of businesses require trucks to deliver raw materials, finished products, equipment, groceries, appliances, and construction supplies across the country.

If you’re looking for a business with long-term earning potential, starting a trucking business could be a smart investment. While it requires substantial capital compared to smaller businesses, it also offers consistent demand, recurring clients, and expansion opportunities.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about starting a trucking business in the Philippines—from the required permits and startup costs to choosing the right trucks, finding clients, and maximizing profits.

Why Start a Trucking Business in the Philippines?

The Philippine logistics industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Online shopping platforms, infrastructure projects, supermarkets, factories, and import-export businesses all rely heavily on trucking services.

Here are several reasons why many entrepreneurs invest in trucking:

• Growing demand from e-commerce businesses
• Increasing infrastructure projects nationwide
• Expansion of manufacturing and industrial zones
• Steady need for cargo delivery services
• Opportunities for long-term contracts with companies
• Scalable business model by adding more trucks over time

Unlike seasonal businesses, freight transportation is needed throughout the year, making trucking one of the more stable industries in the country.

Types of Trucking Businesses

Before investing, decide which trucking niche best fits your budget and market.

1. General Cargo Transport

This is the most common trucking business. It involves transporting boxes, consumer goods, appliances, furniture, and packaged products.

2. Construction Hauling

Construction companies require dump trucks and heavy-duty vehicles to transport sand, gravel, cement, steel, and equipment.

3. Refrigerated Trucking

Refrigerated vans are used for transporting meat, seafood, vegetables, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals.

4. Container Trucking

Container trucks move imported and exported goods between ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.

5. Fuel and Chemical Transport

This specialized niche requires additional permits and safety compliance but generally offers higher income.

How Much Capital Do You Need?

The startup capital depends on whether you purchase brand-new or second-hand trucks.

Startup Expense	Estimated Cost (PHP)
Used Light Truck	₱700,000 – ₱1,500,000
Brand-New Light Truck	₱1,700,000 – ₱3,200,000
Heavy-Duty Truck / Tractor Head	₱3,500,000 – ₱8,500,000+
Business Registration & Permits	₱10,000 – ₱50,000
Commercial Vehicle Insurance	₱40,000 – ₱150,000 per year
Initial Maintenance Fund	₱100,000 – ₱300,000
Fuel Budget (Initial Working Capital)	₱100,000 – ₱500,000+
Driver & Helper Salaries (1 Month)	₱40,000 – ₱80,000
Office Equipment & Operations	₱30,000 – ₱150,000

Many entrepreneurs start with a single truck before gradually expanding their fleet using business profits.

Business Registration Requirements

Operating legally is essential to attract corporate clients and avoid penalties.

You may need the following:

• DTI Registration (for sole proprietorship)
• SEC Registration (for corporations)
• BIR Registration
• Mayor’s Permit
• Barangay Clearance
• Vehicle Registration (LTO)
• Commercial Vehicle Insurance
• Other permits depending on cargo type

Corporate clients usually prefer dealing with registered trucking companies because they can issue official receipts and invoices.

Choosing the Right Truck

Your truck is your primary business asset. Choosing the wrong vehicle can increase maintenance costs and reduce profitability.

Consider the following factors:

• Payload capacity
• Fuel efficiency
• Availability of spare parts
• Maintenance costs
• Brand reputation
• Warranty coverage
• Resale value

Many successful trucking companies prioritize reliability over appearance. A dependable truck that minimizes downtime often generates better returns than a newer model with higher financing costs.

Finding Your First Clients

One of the biggest challenges is securing consistent customers.

Potential clients include:

• Manufacturing companies
• Construction contractors
• Retail chains
• Importers and exporters
• Wholesalers
• Hardware suppliers
• Agricultural businesses
• Furniture companies
• Food distributors
• E-commerce warehouses

Networking is extremely important in the trucking industry. Building relationships with warehouse managers, logistics supervisors, purchasing officers, and freight brokers can lead to long-term contracts.

Operating Costs to Consider

Your profit doesn’t only depend on the amount charged per trip.

You must carefully monitor expenses such as:

• Fuel
• Driver salaries
• Helper wages
• Vehicle maintenance
• Tires
• Insurance
• Registration renewal
• Tolls
• Parking fees
• Unexpected repairs

Preventive maintenance can significantly reduce expensive breakdowns and minimize downtime.

How Much Can a Trucking Business Earn?

Income varies depending on:

• Distance traveled
• Truck size
• Cargo type
• Fuel prices
• Number of completed trips
• Contract agreements

Businesses with long-term corporate contracts generally enjoy more stable revenue than those relying solely on one-time bookings.

Many successful operators increase profitability by maximizing truck utilization and minimizing empty return trips.

Technology Can Improve Efficiency

Modern trucking businesses increasingly rely on technology to reduce costs and improve customer service.

Useful tools include:

• GPS fleet tracking
• Fuel monitoring systems
• Vehicle maintenance software
• Accounting software
• Electronic proof of delivery (ePOD)
• Inventory management integration
• Cloud-based dispatch systems

These technologies provide real-time visibility and help improve operational efficiency while reducing unnecessary expenses.

Common Challenges

Like any business, trucking also comes with risks.

• Rising fuel prices
• Traffic congestion
• Driver shortages
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Accidents
• Weather disruptions
• Increasing maintenance costs
• Competition from larger logistics companies

Maintaining an emergency fund and regularly servicing your vehicles can help your business remain resilient during unexpected situations.

Tips for Long-Term Success

Many trucking businesses fail not because of a lack of customers, but because of poor financial management.

To build a sustainable business:

• Focus on excellent customer service.
• Deliver shipments on time.
• Maintain accurate financial records.
• Invest in preventive maintenance.
• Train drivers regularly.
• Purchase comprehensive insurance.
• Build relationships with repeat clients.
• Expand your fleet gradually.
• Monitor fuel consumption closely.
• Adopt modern logistics technology.

Consistency, reliability, and professionalism are often more important than having the largest fleet.

Should You Buy or Finance a Truck?

Many first-time entrepreneurs wonder whether it’s better to purchase a truck outright or finance it through a loan. Buying in cash eliminates monthly loan payments and interest expenses, but it requires significant capital. Financing, on the other hand, allows you to preserve cash for operations such as fuel, maintenance, and payroll.

Before taking out a commercial vehicle loan, prepare a realistic cash flow projection. Consider monthly amortization, insurance premiums, preventive maintenance, and possible periods when the truck may not be generating income. A financed truck can be a worthwhile investment if your projected revenue comfortably exceeds your operating costs and loan obligations.

Growing Your Trucking Company

Once your first truck consistently generates income, you can begin expanding your operations. Growth should be gradual and supported by stable contracts rather than speculation.

Ways to expand include:

• Add additional trucks to your fleet.
• Offer warehousing and storage services.
• Provide last-mile delivery solutions.
• Invest in specialized vehicles such as refrigerated or tanker trucks.
• Partner with freight forwarders and logistics companies.
• Expand service coverage to neighboring provinces and regions.

Diversifying your services can reduce dependence on a single market segment and create multiple revenue streams.

The trucking business in the Philippines offers tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs willing to invest in quality equipment, excellent customer service, and efficient operations. Although startup costs are relatively high, the industry’s continuous demand makes it an attractive long-term business venture.

Success depends on more than simply owning trucks. It requires proper financial planning, legal compliance, disciplined maintenance, dependable drivers, and strong relationships with clients. By starting with a solid business plan and focusing on operational excellence, you can build a trucking company that grows steadily and serves the country’s expanding logistics needs for many years to come.

BERLIN — Caitlin Clark fans took to social media Monday night and Tuesday to accuse the Fever star‘s Team USA teammates of failing to feed her the ball during a lopsided 105-64 win over the Czech Republic, reigniting a debate over the point guard’s role within the roster during the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

The win clinched a knockout-stage spot for Team USA, extending the squad’s perfect record through group play at this year’s tournament in Germany. Clark finished the game with nine points, one rebound and seven assists, though six of her teammates outscored her individually. The result followed a considerably more difficult performance two days earlier in a narrow 55-52 win over Italy, in which Clark scored just one point.

A sports account on X shared a clip from the Czech Republic game that quickly circulated among Clark’s fan base, captioned “TEAM USA DOESN’T PASS TO CAITLIN CLARK AGAIN… DESPITE HER FEEDING EVERYONE!” The accompanying voiceover in the video argued that teammates Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers were repeatedly positioned to limit Clark’s ability to control the offense as point guard.

“So Team USA won today, but it was another game where they just wouldn’t pass to Caitlin,” the voiceover said. “So what they do is put Breanna Stewart; she’s dribbling up the court. They put her in with Caitlin Clark and then don’t let Caitlin Clark run the point guard.” The video’s creator added, “Honestly, anytime Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart were on the court, Caitlin Clark wasn’t going to get the ball,” and characterized the pattern as spanning “three straight games.”

The clip highlighted several sequences in which Clark distributed the ball to multiple teammates, including Bueckers, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston in the corner for a three-pointer, and a full-court pass to Stewart, with each recipient converting a field goal. The video’s narrator argued Clark “could have about 15 assists in the game” had more of her passes been finished, and suggested the pattern reflected a deliberate effort to limit her offensive involvement rather than simple game flow.

Other fans echoed similar sentiments in response to the Czech Republic performance. One user described the pattern as “sabotage,” writing, “We are back to nobody passing the ball to Caitlin. And Caitlin passing the ball to everyone else. CC sabotage in full effect by her teammates.” Another frustrated commenter wrote, “They’ll rather turn the ball over than passing it to Caitlin Clark. This is so funny.”

Not all reaction to Clark’s tournament role has framed it as teammates deliberately excluding her. Retired WNBA star Tina Charles pushed back on narratives isolating Clark specifically, suggesting the offensive struggles reflected a broader team issue rather than a targeted effort against any single player.

“It was a team USA issue yesterday, it’s not fair to isolate Caitlin Clark’s game only,” Charles wrote on social media following the Italy game.

Beyond the passing debate, some fans have also pointed to head coach Kara Lawson’s substitution patterns as a contributing factor, criticizing the limited minutes Clark has received relative to other members of the roster throughout the tournament. Clark was notably left out of Team USA’s starting lineup entirely for the tournament’s opening matches, a decision that had already drawn criticism from fans on social media before the passing controversy emerged. One fan reacting to that earlier lineup decision wrote, “The reigning MVP and the team’s best player doesn’t start? Only in the women’s game would this ever happen. CC and Paige should be starting.”

Despite the criticism directed at how she has been used within the offense, Clark’s individual tournament performance has included standout moments. In Team USA’s opening group-stage game, a 94-61 win over China, Clark recorded a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists without committing a single turnover, becoming the first player in Women’s World Cup history to reach at least 10 assists without a turnover in a game, and the first Team USA player to record 10 or more assists in a World Cup contest since Dawn Staley in 1998. FIBA subsequently named her Player of the Game for that performance.

The Italy game presented a considerably rougher outing for both Clark individually and Team USA as a whole. The Americans shot just 29% from the field and made only one of 12 three-point attempts, logging 11 assists against 14 turnovers in what became their lowest-scoring game in Team USA World Cup history since 1971. A contested no-call on a drive by Clark late in that game, in which she appeared to be blocked by Italian center Olbis Andre without a whistle, further fueled debate among fans over whether officiating had also played a role in her uneven tournament performance.

Despite the criticism, the majority of fan reaction following the Czech Republic win leaned in Clark’s defense rather than critical of her play, according to accounts of the social media response, with many pointing to her continued strong assist numbers as evidence her playmaking remains a significant asset to the team even during stretches when her own scoring has lagged.

With group play now complete, Team USA is scheduled to face the winner of a qualifying matchup between Japan and Hungary in the tournament’s quarterfinal round. As the Americans continue pursuing a gold medal, the ongoing debate over Clark’s role within the offense, and whether teammates are adequately involving her in the flow of the game, appears likely to remain a central storyline for fans following the team’s title run through the remainder of the tournament.