Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Philippines Habagat Crisis: Death Toll Rises to 39 as Floods and Landslides Leave Millions Affected

MANILA — The death toll from the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng and the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, has climbed to 39, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), as authorities continue dealing with widespread flooding, landslides and damage across the Philippines.  The latest OCD report, based on data as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, shows that Benguet has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 15, with all 15 attributed to landslides. Ten deaths w

September 2, 2026

Business

Ayala Land Just Made a Major Move—And Jaime Urquijo Is at the Center of It

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land Inc. is making a major leadership move that will bring its Metro Manila and regional estates businesses under a single organization, with Jaime Z. Urquijo set to take charge of the expanded group beginning January 1, 2027. Urquijo, who currently heads Ayala Land’s Urban Estates business, will become head of the newly integrated AyalaLand Estates Group, placing the next-generation Ayala executive at the center of the property giant’s nationwide estate development

September 2, 2026

Usa

Teen Charged With Murder After Allegedly Livestreaming San Diego Mosque Shooting

SAN DIEGO — A 17-year-old North Carolina girl has been charged with three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy in connection with the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, after prosecutors alleged that she helped the attackers livestream the violence and distribute their writings. Sarah Lindsey Santiago was arrested in North Carolina last week and indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 31. Prosecutors are accusing her of aiding and abetting the murders, even though she was not

September 2, 2026

Philippines

PILANDOK DECELERATES, THE ATMOSPHERE ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO SHIFTS DRAMATICALLY,WITH THE HABAGAT,OR SOUTHWEST MONSOON,CONTINUING TO EXERT ITS INFLUENCE OVER THE REGIONS OF LUZON AND VISAYAS

MANILA, Philippines — September 2, 2026. Tropical Storm Pilandok (international name: Krovanh) is moving away from the Philippine landmass, but the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous seas across parts of the country. PAGASA reported Wednesday that Pilandok was over the Philippine Sea, far east-northeast of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is currently rais

September 2, 2026

Business

Cebu’s MSMEs Have the Products and the Buyers—But Business Leaders Say One Missing Link Is Holding Them Back

CEBU CITY — Filipino entrepreneurs may already have the products customers want. The bigger problem, Cebu business leaders say, is getting those products through the doors of supermarkets, major corporations, government procurement programs and eventually overseas markets. That challenge took center stage as business groups called for a shift from simply showcasing micro, small and medium enterprises at trade fairs to actively connecting them with buyers, corporate supply chains and export oppo

September 2, 2026

Business

DTI Chief Cristina Roque’s Manila Golf Move Raises Eyebrows—But the Real Question Is Who Owns the Share

MANILA, Philippines — Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque is reportedly seeking access to the exclusive Manila Golf and Country Club through a corporate share held by the government’s National Development Company (NDC), a move that is now drawing attention among club members. According to an InsiderPH report published September 2, 2026, an internal notice at Manila Golf identified Roque as the NDC nominee who would use the government corporation’s corporate access to the prestigi

September 2, 2026

Business

San Miguel, Aboitiz Lead Meralco’s 600-MW Power Race at ₱5.36/kWh — But the Deal Isn’t Won Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Two San Miguel Global Power companies and an AboitizPower-controlled generator have moved to the front of the race for one of Meralco’s biggest long-term electricity supply contracts, after submitting the three lowest offers for a combined 600 megawatts of baseload power. But despite the headline-grabbing prices, the contest is not officially over. Mariveles Power Generation Corp. (MPGC) submitted the lowest total levelized cost of electricity at ₱5.3573 per kilowatt-hour

September 2, 2026

Indonesia

TO SECURE THE NATUNA SEA, INDONESIA NEEDS MORE THAN NEW SHIPS

Indonesia is expanding its maritime fleet, but the battle for the North Natuna Sea will increasingly depend on something less visible than ships: real-time surveillance, intelligence, enforcement capacity and regional cooperation. Indonesia is adding new patrol vessels to strengthen its presence in the North Natuna Sea, one of Southeast Asia’s most strategically sensitive maritime areas. But there is a problem. A bigger fleet does not automatically create better maritime security. The latest

September 2, 2026

Politics

Carney Fires Back at Trump as US-Canada Trade War Escalates: “Stop Trying to Be Tough”

OTTAWA — The already bitter trade dispute between the United States and Canada has erupted into another war of words, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney telling the Trump administration to “stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough” and return to serious negotiations.  Carney's comments came after trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa collapsed on Aug. 21, with both sides still sharply divided over tariffs, automobiles, cultural protections and Canada's

September 2, 2026

Uncategorized

Xi Jinping Lands in Egypt as Iran War Tests Middle East Alliances and China’s Growing Influence

CAIRO — Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Egypt for his first state visit to the country in a decade, stepping into a Middle East reshaped by the ongoing Iran war, disrupted trade routes and growing questions over the region’s long-term security partnerships. Xi was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Sept. 1. The visit comes as Egypt seeks to maintain strong relations with Washington while simultaneously expanding its strategic and economic partnership wit

September 2, 2026