Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Malaysia

Australia Sends Strong Message Ahead of Historic BARMM Vote—But the Real Test Comes on Election Day

MANILA, Philippines — Australia has reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, inclusive and credible election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), just days before the region holds its first regular parliamentary elections. The Australian Embassy in Manila said a senior embassy team visited Cotabato City from September 1 to 3 to assess preparations and meet election and security officials, civil society organizations and election-monitoring groups ahead of the September

September 5, 2026

Sport

US OPEN INFLUENCER CONTROVERSY ERUPTS: Players Say Tennis Etiquette Is Being Pushed Too Far

NEW YORK — The 2026 US Open has found itself at the center of an unexpected controversy, and this time the debate isn't about a shocking upset or a championship favorite. It is about influencers, smartphones, ring lights and whether the pursuit of viral content is beginning to clash with the traditions of professional tennis. The issue erupted after spectators filming and posing during Naomi Osaka's first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova created enough noise and distraction for the chai

September 5, 2026

Lifestyle

Sarangani and GenSan Court Investors as Tourism and Retirement Opportunities Take Center Stage

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A new investment pitch is taking shape in southern Mindanao as Sarangani province and General Santos City seek to attract more businesses into tourism, retirement facilities and other development opportunities. The push reflects an effort to position the two areas not simply as destinations for short-term visitors, but as places where investors can build tourism-related businesses and facilities that could serve a growing market for longer stays and retirement

September 5, 2026

Asia

Nepal Flood Horror: Hundreds Feared Trapped Inside Hydropower Tunnels—Then Rescuers Heard Something From Below

KATHMANDU — A rescue operation deep beneath Nepal's flood-ravaged Himalayan valleys has delivered a rare breakthrough after two hydropower workers were pulled alive from a debris-filled tunnel, nine days after catastrophic flooding swept through the region. The rescue, confirmed on Friday, Sept. 4, has renewed hopes for hundreds of other workers who may still be trapped inside underground facilities after the Aug. 26 disaster. The two men — 30-year-old mechanical foreman Sanjay Shah and 45-yea

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Senators Want More Money for the Ombudsman—But the Bigger Fight May Be Over What Happens to the Flood Control Cases

MANILA, Philippines — Senators are moving to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman’s 2027 budget, saying the country’s anti-graft watchdog needs greater resources as it handles a growing workload, including investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. The Senate Committee on Finance approved at the committee level a ₱7.232-billion proposed budget for the Ombudsman for 2027, clearing the way for further deliberation in the Senate plenary. But the figure remains well be

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Consunjis Face a New Semirara Test: Will Decades of Experience Be Enough—Or Will the Government Demand More?

MANILA, Philippines — The Consunji family may have the strongest operational advantage in the battle for the Semirara coal contract—but experience alone may not be enough to secure the country’s biggest coal-producing area. The Marcos administration is weighing whether the government should demand a larger share of the financial benefits from the next contract covering the Semirara coal mine in Antique, potentially raising the stakes for longtime operator Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC).

September 5, 2026

Philippines

DPWH Rethinks Flood Control Strategy as Cebu and Other Cities Face a Bigger Question: Will the New Master Plans Finally Work?

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving toward a more integrated and science-driven approach to flood control, as the government reassesses how the country should manage increasingly severe flooding. Instead of treating flooding as a collection of isolated problems requiring individual drainage projects, flood-control planning is increasingly being framed around major river basins, interconnected waterways, upstream runoff and climate risks. The shift is particularly signi

September 5, 2026

Business

New Condo Owners May Get Their Keys Up to 2 Months Earlier as Singapore Introduces New Virtual Inspection System

SINGAPORE — September 5, 2026 — Buying a new condominium can involve years of waiting, but Singapore’s latest construction-tech initiative could shave up to two months off the final wait for some homeowners to move in. A new Whole-of-Government Virtual Inspection (WOG VI) process allows project teams to submit 360-degree virtual scans of construction sites for regulatory checks instead of relying solely on conventional physical inspections. According to Singapore’s Building and Construction Au

September 5, 2026

Philippines

11,000+ Flood-Hit Workers Deployed for Emergency Cleanup Across NCR and Ilocos

MANILA, Philippines — More than 11,000 workers affected by recent torrential rains and flooding are being given emergency employment as government agencies step up efforts to clear debris, unclog waterways and help battered communities recover. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said 11,196 workers in the National Capital Region and Ilocos Region were mobilized under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. The deployment covers 1,418 worke

September 5, 2026

Business

Record 201 Million-Dollar HDB Flats Sold in August — What Changed After Singapore Removed the 15-Month Wait-Out Rule?

SINGAPORE — September 5, 2026 — Singapore’s million-dollar HDB resale market has crossed a psychological milestone. A record 201 Housing and Development Board flats changed hands for at least S$1 million in August, the first time the monthly tally has exceeded 200. The figure was up from 187 million-dollar transactions in July and surpassed the previous record of 188 set in June. Million-dollar flats accounted for about 8% of all HDB resale transactions in August. The surge comes just weeks a

September 5, 2026