Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Singapore

Singapore’s Economy Gets a Major Upgrade — But a New Risk Is Emerging

Private-sector economists have dramatically upgraded their outlook for Singapore’s economy, raising the 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5% from 3.5% as artificial-intelligence demand, exports and manufacturing continue to outperform expectations. The latest forecast comes from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Survey of Professional Forecasters, released on September 2, with 21 economists and analysts participating. AI boom pushes Singapore growth higher The upgrade follows surprisingl

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Cebu City Suspends Face-to-Face Classes as Haze Pushes AQI Past 200 — But the Smoke May Not Be Gone Yet

CEBU CITY — Cebu City has suspended face-to-face classes as worsening haze from forest fires in Indonesia pushed air pollution across Metro Cebu into levels considered dangerous to public health, turning what initially appeared to be a hazy morning into a wider health and education concern. The suspension covers in-person classes at all levels in public and private schools in Cebu City as authorities move to reduce students’ exposure to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter. The d

September 2, 2026

Business

JOLLIBEE TAKES ITS GLOBAL EMPIRE TO HONG KONG: Why the Filipino Fast-Food Giant Just Ditched Its U.S. Listing Plan

MANILA, Philippines — Jollibee Foods Corp. is taking a major step toward transforming its overseas restaurant business into a separately listed global company, with Hong Kong now emerging as the preferred destination for the planned stock-market debut. The Philippine fast-food giant announced on September 1 that it is moving forward with plans to separate its international operations from its Philippine business and is now considering The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited as the listing venue

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Says the Philippines Had a Flood-Control Plan for Decades—So Why Was It Never Carried Out?

MANILA, Philippines — As millions of Filipinos count the cost of another devastating stretch of floods, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a striking admission: the Philippines has had flood-control plans for decades, but many were never fully carried out. Now, as communities across Luzon recover from weeks of relentless rain, damaged infrastructure and widespread flooding, the government says it is finally moving to put long-delayed plans into action. But there is a complication. The De

September 2, 2026

China

Nepal Flood Horror Deepens: Bodies Wash More Than 100 Kilometers Downriver as Death Toll Hits 1,127

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s catastrophic August 26 flash floods have entered an even more devastating phase, with bodies continuing to be recovered far downstream from the disaster zone as rescuers race to locate thousands still missing. Nepal Police said Wednesday that 1,127 people had died, while 4,858 remained missing in connection with the disaster. At least 45 bodies were recovered in Rasuwa, where the flooding began, while hundreds more were found in districts farther downstream, including

September 2, 2026

Business

SM Megamall Just Changed The Edsa Commute— But Is This The Future Of Metro Manila’s Malls?

For millions of Filipinos who rely on EDSA every day, a few hundred meters of walking can mean battling heat, rain, crowds and congested footbridges. That is precisely the problem SM Megamall’s new EDSA Busway Concourse is designed to address. Opened to the public in April 2026, the elevated, covered connection links SM Megamall Building A directly with the Ortigas station of the EDSA Bus Carousel. Instead of forcing commuters to navigate a lengthy and congested route across EDSA, the new walk

September 2, 2026

Uncategorized

China’s Pension Reserve Is Going Global: Offshore Investments More Than Double to US$86 Billion

BEIJING — China’s national pension reserve is taking a much bigger step into overseas markets, with offshore investments more than doubling in just three years as the country’s largest strategic pension fund searches for stronger returns beyond its domestic market. The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) held 580.02 billion yuan, or about US$86 billion, in offshore investment assets at the end of 2025, according to its latest annual report. That was up from about 282 billion yuan in 2022 and r

September 2, 2026

Business

SONNY DOMINGUEZ MAKES A MAJOR BOARDROOM RETURN: Ex-Finance Chief Named Megaworld’s Lead Independent Director — What His New Role Could Mean

Former Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” G. Dominguez is taking on a major new corporate role, joining the board of property giant Megaworld Corp. as its lead independent director. Megaworld confirmed the appointment effective September 1, 2026, bringing the veteran government official and corporate executive back into the spotlight at a time when the property developer is expanding its township, hospitality and recurring-income businesses. The appointment was also disclosed to the Philippine S

September 2, 2026

Business

Jollibee, UPLB Bring Agri-Tech to Filipino Farmers as ₱1-Billion Farm Program Enters Its Next Phase

MANILA, Philippines — Jollibee is making a deeper bet on where some of its food begins: the farm. Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has joined forces with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in a new partnership designed to bring agricultural research, technology and more specialized training closer to Filipino smallholder farmers. But this is more than another corporate social responsibility agreement. The partnership could help answer one of Philippine agriculture's persistent

September 2, 2026

Entertainment

Tatler Reinvents Its Style Power List: “Asia’s Most Stylish” Becomes “Tatler Most Stylish” for 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Tatler is giving one of its best-known fashion franchises a major makeover. For 2026, “Asia’s Most Stylish” has been rebranded as “Tatler Most Stylish,” marking a shift away from conventional best-dressed lists and toward a broader definition of style built around identity, cultural heritage, personal conviction and self-expression. The change is more than a new name. Tatler says the refreshed platform is intended to position Asian style as a force that shapes global fash

September 2, 2026