Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Baby Rescued in a Bucket as Habagat Floods Rise in Cavite—Then a Sinkhole Deepens in Tarlac

MANILA, Philippines — As relentless rains from the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, battered parts of Luzon, a dramatic rescue in Cavite captured the urgency of the unfolding weather crisis: a young child was brought to safety using a bucket after floodwaters rose too quickly for rescuers to bring in a boat. The rescue happened in Barangay Niog, Bacoor, Cavite, where residents along First Street in Sto. Niño, Purok III were forced to evacuate as floodwaters rapidly climbed. Accordin

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Baha Na Naman? Speaker Dy Nagbabala: Hindi Lang Flood Control ang Sagot—May Mahalagang Dapat Iligtas sa Sierra Madre

MANILA, Philippines — Habang muling kinakaharap ng ilang bahagi ng bansa ang banta ng matinding pag-ulan at pagbaha, iginiit ni House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III na hindi sapat ang pagtatayo lamang ng mga flood-control project upang maprotektahan ang mga komunidad. Ayon kay Dy, kailangang sabayan ng pangangalaga sa mga kagubatan, watershed at iba pang natural ecosystem ang mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura—at kabilang sa pinakamahalagang dapat bantayan ang Sierra Madre Mountain Range, ang

August 30, 2026

Philippines

₱11.49M Penalty After Deadly Pampanga Building Collapse—But the Violations Found Raise Even Bigger Questions

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — The contractor and owner linked to the devastating collapse of a nine-story building in Angeles City are facing ₱11.49 million in unpaid workers’ benefits and occupational safety and health fines, after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) upheld their liability in a resolution issued this month. The decision comes months after the tragedy that claimed at least 30 lives, turning the construction disaster into one of the country's most serious workplace tragedie

August 29, 2026

Philippines

The Storm Hasn’t Arrived Yet—But LGUs Are Being Told to Act Now Before It’s Too Late

MANILA, Philippines — The most important decisions during a disaster may be the ones made before the first warning siren sounds. As the Philippines continues to experience the effects of the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, and remains vulnerable to tropical cyclones, local government units (LGUs) are being urged to strengthen preparations before heavy rains, flooding, landslides, and powerful storms put communities in danger. The message is increasingly clear: disaster response should not begin

August 29, 2026

Asia

Iran’s Economy Is Buckling Under War and Sanctions — But the Strait of Hormuz Could Be the Next Global Shock

DUBAI — Iran is facing intensifying economic pressure as its prolonged conflict with the United States and a fresh wave of sanctions squeeze trade, fuel inflation and raise fears of further instability at home. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the scale of the economic damage, with recent reports indicating that foreign trade has contracted sharply while inflation has surged. The worsening financial situation comes as Washington expands its campaign to isolate Tehran economi

August 29, 2026

Singapore

Massive Fire Sweeps Through Seletar Greenery

SINGAPORE — A vegetation fire spanning an area roughly the size of four football fields broke out near Seletar Link and Seletar South Link on Saturday, Aug 29, prompting a firefighting operation involving water jets and an unmanned firefighting machine. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at about 11.05am. The blaze involved vegetation measuring approximately 150m by 200m, affecting about three hectares of greenery. Firefighters brought the flames under con

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Rolls Out Job Fairs, Health Drives and Government Help Desks for Civil Service Month 2026

ILOILO, Philippines — Looking for a job, government assistance or free health-related services? September could bring a series of opportunities for Ilonggos as the Iloilo Provincial Government rolls out a month-long lineup of activities for the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. The celebration goes beyond activities for government workers, with programs designed to reach the wider public—including job fairs, health and wellness campaigns, animal health services and government assistan

August 29, 2026

Thailand

One Phone Call, B11 Million Gone: How a PhD Medical Student Fell Into a Sophisticated Scam

BANGKOK, Thailand — A PhD medical student in Thailand has reportedly lost nearly 11 million baht after falling victim to a sophisticated call-centre scam in which fraudsters allegedly impersonated a mobile phone company employee and a police officer. The case, reported by the Bangkok Post, highlights how modern scam networks can exploit fear, authority and psychological pressure to convince even highly educated victims to hand over enormous sums of money. According to reports, the scammers all

August 29, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Zoo Keeper Recovering After Tapir Bite — What Happened During a Routine Shift?

SINGAPORE — A Singapore Zoo animal keeper is recovering in hospital after being bitten by an adult Malayan tapir during routine end-of-day activities, in an incident that has prompted Mandai Wildlife Group to review its operating procedures. The incident occurred on the evening of Aug 26, when the keeper was guiding the tapir back to its off-exhibit den, according to statements reported by AsiaOne and The Straits Times. Another keeper who was inside the exhibit stepped in to assist, and the ani

August 29, 2026

Singapore

Macao’s Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai Begins First Official Singapore Visit, Eyeing Stronger ASEAN Ties

SINGAPORE — Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has begun his first official visit to Singapore since taking office, kicking off a wider Southeast Asian tour that signals Macao’s push to deepen economic, tourism and investment links across the region. Sam is in Singapore from Aug 29 to 31 at the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, according to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the three-day visit, he is scheduled to call on Wong and attend meetings hosted by Deputy Prime Min

August 29, 2026