Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Haze Blankets Occidental Mindoro as Smoke From Indonesia Fires Reaches the Philippines—Here’s Who Needs to Be Extra Careful

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Residents in several parts of Occidental Mindoro are being urged to limit outdoor activities after thick haze was observed across portions of the province on Tuesday, September 1. The local advisory comes as Philippine environmental authorities monitor haze affecting parts of the country, with smoke possibly linked to ongoing forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. According to the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Information Office, the haze may be assoc

September 1, 2026

Business

Fuel Prices Drop by Nearly ₱4/L as September Begins — But the Relief Could Be Short-Lived as Oil Jumps Again

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino motorists are getting a much-needed break at the start of the “Ber” months, with oil companies slashing diesel and kerosene prices by nearly ₱4 per liter beginning Tuesday, September 1. But the celebration at the pump may have to be tempered. While diesel, gasoline and kerosene prices are moving lower this week, fresh tensions in the Middle East have already pushed international crude prices higher again — raising the possibility that this week’s unusually large

September 1, 2026

Business

₱75 MORE FOR EVERY RESORT VISIT? UP STUDY REVEALS WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO MT. MAKILING’S WATER SUPPLY

LAGUNA, Philippines — Would resort-goers be willing to pay a little more to help protect the water resources beneath Mt. Makiling? A study by researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) suggests the answer is largely yes—with visitors indicating an estimated willingness to pay ₱75 per resort visit for improved groundwater conservation. But there is an important catch: the ₱75 is not an existing environmental fee, nor is it currently being collected from resort visitors.

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Trial Day 20 Turns to AFP Witnesses — But One ₱15-Million Question Could Reshape the DepEd Fund Case

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial entered its 20th day and ninth week on Tuesday, September 1, with prosecutors shifting the spotlight to two military officers whose certifications became part of the paper trail surrounding the Department of Education’s controversial confidential funds. Retired Col. Manaros Boransing II is expected to be presented first by the House prosecution panel before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, followed by Col. Magtango

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Taal Volcano Activity Eases—But One Detail in the Latest PHIVOLCS Report Is Drawing Attention

BATANGAS, Philippines — Taal Volcano recorded a noticeable drop in seismic activity over the past 24 hours, but state volcanologists continue to closely monitor the volcano amid its ongoing low-level unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported six volcanic earthquakes and one volcanic tremor lasting 420 minutes in its latest 24-hour monitoring period ending September 1, 2026. While the latest figures represent a decline from the elevated seismic activity

September 1, 2026

Politics

China Warns of ‘Consequences’ Over Taiwan’s Pacific Summit Role — But Palau’s Response Could Set a Bigger Precedent

KOROR, Palau — A gathering meant to showcase Pacific unity has quickly become the latest flashpoint in the widening diplomatic struggle between China and Taiwan, after Beijing warned of unspecified “consequences” over Taiwan’s high-profile presence at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau. China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, Qian Bo, said Beijing had “serious concerns” after Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the forum’s opening ceremony on August 31. Aske

September 1, 2026

Business

Tesla Faces New Legal Pressure in Australia as Judge Considers Access to Its Secret Engineering Systems

SYDNEY — Tesla is facing another major legal hurdle in Australia after a Federal Court judge suggested that an independent expert could be given access to the company’s internal engineering systems as part of a class-action lawsuit involving thousands of Tesla owners. The proposal by Federal Court Judge Tom Thawley could change the way the long-running case handles the discovery of technical evidence, potentially allowing an independent expert to examine Tesla’s engineering platforms directly r

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Pilandok Won’t Hit the Philippines—But PAGASA Warns of Another Weather Threat

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Pilandok is not expected to directly affect the Philippines, but Filipinos are not entirely in the clear as the weather system continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or Habagat, bringing potentially heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas to several parts of the country. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Pilandok was estimated at 1,050 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon as

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Abra’s Tineg-Malanas River Swells and Floods Low-Lying Areas — But the Bigger Threat May Be What the Next Rains Bring

DOLORES, Abra — Residents in flood-prone parts of Abra are being urged to remain alert after the Tineg-Malanas River swelled under days of monsoon rain, inundating low-lying areas and pushing the province’s major river system closer to potentially dangerous levels. The river continued rising in Dolores on Monday, Aug. 31, as persistent rains from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, soaked Northern Luzon. According to the Abra River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, the entire stretch o

September 1, 2026

Philippines

RANDOM DRUG TESTS HIT ILOILO TAXI DRIVERS—AND AUTHORITIES AREN’T STOPPING THERE

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Authorities have intensified efforts to keep public transportation drug-free as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted random drug testing among taxi drivers in Iloilo City. The latest operation targeted drivers of Jhelord Taxi, which operates 154 taxi units and has about 160 drivers. Company management coordinated with PDEA and LTO for the surprise screening, with approximately 50 to 60 drivers randomly selected

September 1, 2026