Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Business

Yen Crashes Past ¥160 Again as Dollar Surges — Is Japan About to Strike Back?

TOKYO — The Japanese yen has weakened beyond the closely watched ¥160-per-US-dollar level again, putting Japan’s currency authorities back in the spotlight as investors weigh competing signals from the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve. The yen traded around ¥159.99 per dollar on Tuesday after briefly breaking through ¥160 for the third consecutive session, according to Reuters reporting carried by Channel NewsAsia. The move comes despite growing expectations that the Bank of Japan could

September 1, 2026

Uncategorized

Hong Kong Tycoons Pledge ¥30 Million for Nepal-Tibet Flood Relief as Death Toll Tops 1,000

Two major Hong Kong business groups have pledged a combined 30 million yuan (about US$4.4 million) for relief efforts after catastrophic floods and landslides devastated communities along the Nepal-Tibet border. Li Ka-shing's family-backed businesses and foundation, together with Henderson Land Development and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, each pledged 15 million yuan (about US$2.2 million) for disaster relief, according to the South China Morning Post. The donations come as rescue teams contin

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Bohol Disappears Behind Thick Haze as Indonesia Fires Send Smoke Toward PH — But When Will the Skies Finally Clear?

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Familiar island and mountain views vanished behind a gray curtain Tuesday as thick haze spread across parts of Bohol, prompting authorities to warn residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks while environmental officials track smoke believed to have traveled hundreds of kilometers from massive fires in Indonesia. Residents of Tagbilaran City and surrounding municipalities woke on September 1 to unusually hazy skies. From several vantage points, Pangla

September 1, 2026

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Hong Kong School Starts New Term Without Principal After Head Was Fired Over Singapore Swearing Incident

HONG KONG — A secondary school in Hong Kong has begun the new academic year without a permanent principal after its former head was dismissed over a viral confrontation with security guards during a student trip to Singapore. San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun has already selected a candidate to replace former principal Lee Cheuk-hing, but the appointment remains subject to background checks by Hong Kong's Education Bureau. In the meantime, the school's deputy principal is

September 1, 2026

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China’s Big Three Airlines Bet on International Travel as Losses Deepen

China’s three largest state-owned airlines are turning increasingly toward international travel demand for relief after reporting combined first-half losses of about 8.2 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion). Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines all reported deeper losses in the first six months of 2026, even as their revenues grew by roughly 10%. The results highlight the difficult balancing act facing China’s aviation industry: airlines need more passengers and revenue, but s

September 1, 2026

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China Overhauls Defence Mobilisation Law, Bringing AI, Drones and Civilian Technology Into Focus

BEIJING — China has significantly expanded its legal framework for national defence mobilisation, with a revised law placing new emphasis on advanced technology and the ability to rapidly convert economic and social resources into defence capabilities. The revised National Defence Mobilisation Law, approved by China’s top legislature on August 28, is the first major update since the law was enacted in 2010. It will take effect on October 1, 2026. The change comes as modern conflicts increasing

September 1, 2026

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Typhoon Saudel ‘Comes Back to Life’ Over South China Sea as Eastern and Southern China Brace for More Severe Rain

China is facing another round of dangerous weather as Typhoon Saudel has unexpectedly re-intensified over the South China Sea after already making landfall in eastern China last week. Parts of eastern and southern China are preparing for heavy to torrential rain, flooding, landslides and mudslides over the next several days, while authorities are closely watching the storm’s unusual second development. The storm’s revival is particularly unusual because Saudel had already crossed mainland Chin

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Speaker Dy’s “Bagong Kongreso” Promise: Can the House Really Win Back Filipinos’ Trust?

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is doubling down on his call to build a “Bagong Kongreso”, urging lawmakers and House employees to work together to restore public confidence in the institution. Speaking during a surprise birthday gathering organized by House leaders, officials and employees on Tuesday, September 1, Dy said the effort to rebuild Congress has only begun and that the House must remain committed to doing what is right. “Mahaba pa ang laban natin. Nakaka

September 1, 2026

South Korea

JEJU OFFICER ADMITS CLOSING MISSING PERSON CASES TO AVOID EXTRA WORK

Jeju Police Officer Admits Faking Missing-Person Case Closures to Avoid Extra Work—25 More Cases Under Review JEJU, South Korea — A South Korean police officer has admitted to falsely closing missing-person cases because he wanted to avoid the additional workload of keeping them open, authorities said Tuesday. The revelation has intensified scrutiny of police procedures on Jeju Island after two missing people whose cases were allegedly mishandled were later found dead. The officer, identified

September 1, 2026

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Xi Calls for “Universal Security” as Putin, Modi Gather at SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to make regional security a central priority and create what he described as an environment of “universal security,” as leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gathered in Bishkek for the bloc’s summit. Xi made the remarks on Tuesday, September 1, at the 26th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, held in Kyrgyzstan’s capital. The

September 1, 2026