Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Zero Balance Billing, No Co-Payment: What Filipino Patients Need to Know Before Checking Into a Hospital

For many Filipino families, one of the biggest fears that comes with hospitalization is not only the illness—but the hospital bill waiting at the end. That is why the government's Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) and No Co-Payment Policy are drawing renewed attention after PhilHealth and St. Luke's Medical Center–Global City signed an agreement to expand no-co-payment access to eligible patients in private hospitals. But there is an important distinction: “zero balance” does not mean every hospital

August 26, 2026

Entertainment

All Blacks Hit by Another Injury Blow as Anton Segner Is Ruled Out—Can New Zealand’s Depth Survive the Rest of the Tour?

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The All Blacks’ demanding tour of South Africa has claimed another casualty, with loose forward Anton Segner ruled out for the remainder of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour after undergoing surgery on his ankle. Segner, 25, had initially been expected to feature against the Springboks in the opening Test at Ellis Park but was withdrawn shortly before kickoff after suffering significant swelling in his ankle. The condition was initially assessed as acute inflammatory ar

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Eyes Tougher Rules for Confidential Funds as Billions Face Renewed Scrutiny

The Commission on Audit (COA) is moving to revisit the rules governing the use and auditing of confidential and intelligence funds, amid growing concerns over how billions of pesos in public money are being released, spent and accounted for. The issue dates back to August 2023, when then-COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba told lawmakers that the agency was open to updating the nearly decade-old Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which sets the rules for the entitlement, release, utilization, reporting and

August 26, 2026

Asia

Japan’s Inflation Pressure Is Spreading—And the Bank of Japan May Be Forced to Act Sooner Than Expected

TOKYO, Japan — Inflation is no longer just showing up on Japanese consumers’ shopping receipts. It is increasingly building inside the country’s corporate economy—and the latest figures suggest the pressure is spreading. Japan’s corporate services inflation accelerated to 3.6% in July from a year earlier, up from a revised 3.4% in June, according to Bank of Japan data. The Services Producer Price Index measures the prices companies charge other companies for services, making it an important sig

August 26, 2026

Business

Canada Hits Back With US$20 Billion in Tariffs—Is the US-Canada Trade War About to Get Worse?

OTTAWA — Canada is hitting back hard after trade talks with the United States collapsed, announcing retaliatory tariffs on roughly US$20 billion worth of American goods in a dramatic escalation of a trade dispute between two of the world's closest economic partners. The Canadian countermeasures, scheduled to take effect on September 8, will apply duties ranging from 15% to 50% on more than 700 U.S.-made products, according to reports by Channel News Asia, Reuters and other international news or

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Western Visayas Rape Cases Drop 56% as Focus Crimes Fall Nearly 23% — But PRO-6 Says the Region Cannot Relax Yet

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Reported rape cases in Western Visayas have fallen by more than half over a three-month period, while the region’s most closely monitored crimes dropped by nearly 23 percent — one of the clearest signs yet that the region’s crime numbers are moving downward. But Western Visayas’ top police official is warning that the improving statistics are not a signal for authorities or communities to lower their guard. Data from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed that 3

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Seeks ₱2.2 Billion to Bring Back Pre-Audit System Amid Government Project Concerns

The Commission on Audit (COA) is seeking an estimated ₱2.2 billion in additional funding and more personnel to revive its pre-audit system for government projects, as lawmakers push for stronger safeguards against alleged irregularities, including the discovery of purported “ghost” infrastructure projects. COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said during the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget that the commission currently does not have enough perso

August 26, 2026

Business

U.S. Plans Mass Visa Revocation for Up to 200,000 Asylum Seekers — Here’s Who Could Be Affected

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the U.S. business and tourism visas of as many as 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, a move that could become the largest mass visa revocation in American history. The planned action targets B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who entered the United States as temporary visitors and subsequently filed asylum claims. The State Departm

August 26, 2026

Philippines

M4GG Mayors Renew Push for Good Governance, Transparency as Accountability Takes Center Stage

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 local chief executives under the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) have renewed their commitment to transparent, accountable and people-centered leadership, putting responsible management of public funds and stronger citizen participation at the center of their governance agenda. The commitment was reaffirmed during the M4GG 3rd Anniversary Good Governance Summit and General Assembly held on August 22, 2026, at the Diamond Hotel Manila. The gathering brought

August 26, 2026

Entertainment

Zoom Beats Q2 Expectations—but Its Next-Quarter Forecast Raises a New Warning

SAN JOSE, California — Zoom Communications delivered better-than-expected second-quarter results, but investors quickly shifted their attention to what comes next after the company issued a third-quarter profit forecast below Wall Street expectations. The video-conferencing company forecast adjusted third-quarter earnings of $1.46 to $1.48 per share, below the $1.50 average analyst estimate, according to LSEG data. Its shares fell 3.8% in extended trading after the outlook was released. The wa

August 26, 2026