Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

DOT Moves to Cut Music Licensing Costs for Accredited Tourism Businesses

MANILA, Philippines — Hotels, restaurants, resorts and other tourism establishments could soon get some relief from music licensing costs after the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced a partnership aimed at securing discounted music-use rates for DOT-accredited tourism businesses. The initiative is designed to help tourism enterprises legally use music in their establishments while reducing operating costs and supporting the country's wider creative and tourism industries. The DOT announced

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Philippines

PNP Personnel Set for 5% Pay Hike in 2027—But the Bigger Boost May Be What Comes With It

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are set to receive another 5% increase in base pay in 2027, a move expected to improve police morale as the government expands funding not only for salaries but also for personnel welfare, additional manpower, healthcare and operational capabilities. The salary adjustment is part of the second tranche of the compensation increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) under Executive Order No. 107, which takes effect on Janua

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Asia

India’s Food Safety Crackdown Is Getting Bigger — And What Inspectors Found Has Alarmed Millions

MUMBAI, India — A sweeping food safety crackdown in India is putting restaurants, street vendors, major food chains and grocery delivery businesses under intense scrutiny after inspectors uncovered serious hygiene and food safety violations across Maharashtra. The aggressive campaign, led by Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has transformed food safety into one of India's biggest public health conversations, with surprise inspections and viral images exposing

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Philippines

DMCI Spends ₱168.3 Million Rehabilitating Former Palawan Nickel Mine—More Work Still Ahead

QUEZON, Palawan — DMCI Mining Corp. has spent ₱168.3 million rehabilitating its former Berong nickel mine in Palawan, exceeding its original rehabilitation budget as the company pushes to restore the mined-out area before eventually turning the site over to the government. The rehabilitation spending covers work carried out from June 2022 through August 2026, according to the company. The amount is about 53% higher than the original ₱110-million budget announced for the six-year rehabilitation

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Entertainment

BLACKPINK’s Lisa Is Heading Back to Singapore Cinemas — But Fans Only Have Three Days to See Her Most Personal Story Yet

SINGAPORE — BLACKPINK’s Lisa is preparing to give fans a rare look behind the superstar image as her first feature-length solo documentary, Always Lalisa, heads to Singapore cinemas this October. The documentary will screen on Oct 12, Oct 14 and Oct 17 at selected Golden Village locations, including Cineleisure and Century Square, as well as across Shaw Theatres outlets. Selected Shaw screenings will also be available in IMAX, with ticket prices starting from S$22, according to CNA Lifestyle.

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Philippines

PH Debt Bill Explodes: Nearly All of July’s Debt Payments Went to Interest—Here’s What It Means for Filipinos

The Philippine government faced another sharp increase in debt-servicing costs in July, with interest payments consuming almost the entire amount spent on servicing the national debt during the month. According to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the national government spent ₱139.99 billion on debt service in July 2026, up 29.55 percent from ₱108.06 billion during the same month last year. The overwhelming bulk went toward interest. Interest payments reached ₱137.18 bil

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Philippines

Itogon Warns Travelers: Daytime Trips Urged as Landslide Risk Rises

ITOGON, Benguet — Residents and motorists in Itogon are being urged to exercise extreme caution on mountain roads as prolonged rains continue to increase the risk of landslides across the municipality. The Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is advising travelers to prefer daytime trips, when visibility is better and road conditions can be more easily monitored. The warning comes as saturated slopes across Benguet remain vulnerable to soil movement, rockfall

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Sport

Wallabies Hit by Huge Carter Gordon Injury Blow — Can Australia’s No. 10 Crisis Get Any Worse Before South Africa?

Gordon suffered the injury during Australia’s dramatic 28-28 draw against Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday, September 6, according to reports carried by Reuters and Channel News Asia. The 25-year-old playmaker went down late in the match after attacking the line and was unable to continue. The injury is a significant blow for new Wallabies coach Les Kiss, who had been searching for consistency at flyhalf — one of Australia’s most unsettled positions in recent years. Carter Gordon Set to Miss

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Philippines

Zamboanga Tightens Senior Pension Verification Amid Fraud Concerns

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Zamboanga City is moving to tighten the verification of beneficiaries under its social pension program after authorities raised concerns over fraudulent claims, prompting Mayor Khymer Olaso to demand stricter checks before public funds are released. The move is aimed at ensuring that government assistance reaches qualified senior citizens rather than individuals who are ineligible or improperly included in the beneficiary database, according to the Philippine News

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Sport

US Open’s 2 A.M. Problem Sparks Player Revolt—But Who Is Really Paying the Price?

NEW YORK — The U.S. Open is famous for its electric night sessions, packed stands and marathon matches under the lights. But this year, the tournament’s trademark late-night drama is increasingly becoming a source of frustration—with players, fans and critics questioning whether the spectacle has gone too far. The 2026 tournament recorded three finishes after 2 a.m. during its first six days, while two other matches also ended after 1 a.m., according to Associated Press coverage. The unusually

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