Author: WWC NEWSDESK

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Taiwan Is Ramping Up Its Defenses as China’s Pressure Intensifies—Here’s What It’s Buying

TAIPEI — Taiwan is accelerating efforts to strengthen its military capabilities as Chinese military activity around the island intensifies, with the Ministry of National Defense laying out a wide-ranging plan to redirect resources toward weapons, air defense, drones, communications and combat readiness. The ministry said it is reviewing how defense funds are being used and postponing non-urgent projects so available resources can be directed toward the military's most pressing requirements. The

September 1, 2026

Philippines

San Roque Dam to Open 2 Gates as Water Hits 283.68 MASL — But What Happens Next Along the Agno River?

PANGASINAN, Philippines — San Roque Dam is set to open two gates Wednesday morning, September 2, in a controlled release aimed at bringing down its rapidly rising reservoir level, putting communities along the Agno River on heightened watch as rains continue to affect Northern Luzon. The San Roque Power Corporation announced that two gates of the massive reservoir in San Manuel, Pangasinan will be opened beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, releasing an estimated 300 cubic meters of water per second

September 1, 2026

Business

Jollibee Makes a Major Listing U-Turn—Why Hong Kong Could Beat the U.S. for Its Global Business

MANILA, Philippines — Jollibee Foods Corp. is shifting course on one of its biggest corporate moves, with the Philippine fast-food giant now planning to list its international business in Hong Kong instead of the United States. The company said Tuesday that it is progressing with the separation of its international operations under Jollibee Foods Corporation International (JFCI), which is being prepared for a planned spin-off and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). The move marks a

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Agana Bridge Tragedy Deepens: Missing Passenger Found Dead in Pangasinan — But the Search for 3 Others Is Far From Over

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — What began as a desperate search for four people swept into the raging Tarlac River has taken a heartbreaking turn. One of the four passengers reported missing after a vehicle plunged into the river during the collapse of the Agana Bridge in Tarlac City has been found dead in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, authorities confirmed — leaving three people still unaccounted for days after the disaster. The victim was identified by the Tarlac City government as James Patrick Tab

September 1, 2026

Philippines

DepEd Sets Nationwide School Safety Drill on Sept. 3—But This Time, There’s a Major Change

MANILA, Philippines — Students and teachers nationwide are set to take part in a simultaneous school safety drill on September 3, 2026, as the Department of Education (DepEd) moves to strengthen preparedness for possible active-attack incidents while placing greater emphasis on the psychological well-being of learners. The nationwide drill, which was originally scheduled for August 25, has been rescheduled to Thursday, September 3, at exactly 9 a.m. DepEd has directed public and private element

September 1, 2026

Philippines

₱748K Shabu Seized Inside Upscale Cagayan de Oro Subdivision — But the Bigger Question Is Where the Supply Came From

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — An anti-drug operation inside one of Cagayan de Oro City’s established residential communities ended with two people under arrest and roughly ₱748,000 worth of suspected shabu in police custody—raising fresh questions about how illegal drugs continue to circulate across the city. The operation was carried out at around 5:42 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, inside Villa Ernesto Subdivision in Barangay Gusa, according to an Inquirer Mindanao report. Police said

September 1, 2026

Entertainment

Samar’s Rare Rafflesia Is Fighting for Survival—And the Threat May Be Closer Than Anyone Thinks

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A rare flower found only in Samar is once again at the center of an intensified conservation campaign as environmental officials work with local communities to protect its remaining forest habitat. The focus is the Samar rafflesia (Rafflesia manillana), an endangered species whose survival is closely tied to the forests of Basey, Samar. The Protected Area Management Office of the Samar Island Natural Park (PAMO-SINP), together with the local government of Basey, ha

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sandiganbayan Clears 19 in ‘Garlic Cartel’ Graft Case — But 3 Accused Remain Beyond the Court’s Reach

MANILA, Philippines — More than a decade after soaring garlic prices triggered investigations into an alleged scheme to control imports and manipulate the market, the Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Bureau of Plant Industry officials and private traders charged with graft in the controversial “garlic cartel” case. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ruled on September 1, 2026 that prosecutors failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, effectively clearing 19 defendants wh

September 1, 2026

Malaysia

Tinio Calls Out P4.56-B Secret Funds in Marcos Office Budget: “Why the Different Standard?”

MANILA, Philippines — A fresh budget controversy is emerging in Congress after ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio questioned why billions of pesos in confidential and intelligence funds remain in the proposed 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP), even as lawmakers continue to scrutinize similar funds involving other government offices. The issue surfaced on Tuesday, September 1, after the House Committee on Appropriations voted 37-5 to end further questioning on the OP's prop

September 1, 2026

Philippines

20,000 Kilos of Fish Found Dead in Laguna de Bay—But What Triggered the Sudden Mass Fish Kill?

JALA-JALA, RIZAL — More than 20,000 kilograms of tilapia and bighead carp have died in the latest fish kill reported in Laguna de Bay, raising fresh concerns over the lake’s water quality and the livelihood of fish cage operators. The incident affected more than 30 fish cages covering over seven hectares in Jala-jala, Rizal, according to fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya). Initial losses were estimated at around P700,000. Local fishers and fish

September 1, 2026