Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

PBBM’s Honorary Doctor of Laws Sparks Backlash: ‘Wrong Message’ to Future Lawyers?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s receipt of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has triggered criticism from a Kabataan party-list lawmaker, who questioned whether the prestigious recognition is consistent with the principles of accountability and the rule of law. Marcos received the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, PLM’s highest honorary degree, during the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine Int

August 29, 2026

Business

300+ Patients Were Secretly Filmed at Taiwan Cosmetic Clinics — But Investigators Fear the Victim Count Could Go Much Higher

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A hidden-camera scandal involving Taiwanese cosmetic clinic chain Dr. Shine has escalated dramatically, with prosecutors indicting nine people over the alleged secret filming of more than 300 patients — including four minors — inside treatment and consultation areas where clients could be partially or fully exposed. The New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said concealed surveillance cameras were allegedly installed across eight Dr. Shine branches in Taipei and New Taipei Ci

August 29, 2026

Thailand

Massive Khlong Thom Center Fire Leaves 11 Injured as Bangkok Landmark Partially Collapses

BANGKOK — A massive overnight fire tore through Bangkok’s well-known Khlong Thom Center, injuring at least 11 people and severely damaging parts of the popular electronics and tools shopping complex before firefighters finally brought the blaze under control early Saturday. The fire broke out at approximately 8:42 p.m. on Friday, August 28, inside Khlong Thom Center on Worachak Road in Bangkok’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. Initial reports indicated that flames began in a ground-floor shop a

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Six People Found Clinging to Safety as Motorbanca Turns Half-Submerged Off Malapascua

DAANBANTAYAN, Cebu — Six people were rescued after a motorbanca was found half-submerged in the waters off Malapascua Island in northern Cebu, prompting a response from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The rescue took place on Friday, with Coast Guard personnel successfully bringing all six individuals to safety, according to initial reports from Cebu Daily News. No fatalities were reported in the incident. Authorities have yet to publicly disclose further details about what caused the motorb

August 29, 2026

Politics

They Kept Tiananmen’s Memory Alive for Decades — Now One Hong Kong Court Decision Could Cost Them 10 Years

HONG KONG — Three veteran figures behind Hong Kong’s once-massive annual Tiananmen Square vigils are awaiting their punishment after appearing before the High Court for mitigation arguments in one of the city’s most closely watched national-security prosecutions. Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China — appeared in court Friday, Aug. 28, following their convictions for inciting su

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Paulo Avelino Says Goodbye to Showbiz—Then Fans Discover the Hilarious Reason Behind His ‘Hiatus’

MANILA, Philippines — Did Paulo Avelino just say goodbye to showbiz? Fans were briefly left stunned after the popular Filipino actor appeared to announce that he was stepping away from movies, teleseryes, endorsements, and everything else connected to his entertainment career beginning October 31. But before supporters could fully process the shocking announcement, Paulo revealed the real reason behind his supposed showbiz hiatus—and it was anything but dramatic. In a playful post shared on s

August 29, 2026

Politics

Taiwan Clears Nuclear Referendum for Nov. 28 — But Two Other Explosive Ballot Questions Were Blocked

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s voters are heading back to the polls for another high-stakes decision on nuclear power, after election authorities approved a nationwide referendum that could challenge one of the island’s most consequential energy policies. But two other controversial proposals — one calling for judicial caning and another seeking to redirect traffic-fine revenue — will not make it onto the ballot. Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) announced that the referendum seeking to abolish th

August 29, 2026

Asia

BANGKOK BAR SHAVES 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN’S HEAD OVER ฿60,000 BILL — THEN THE MANAGER ADMITS IT WENT TOO FAR

BANGKOK — A dispute over an unpaid bar bill in Bangkok has erupted into a major social media controversy after an 18-year-old woman was allegedly made to have her head shaved as part of an agreement to settle a bill of nearly 60,000 baht (about US$1,800). The incident reportedly occurred at a host bar in Bangkok’s Pinklao area and came to public attention after Thai social activist Chalida Phalamat, known as “Ton Aor Pen Nueng,” shared details of the case online. According to reports from Thai

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Olongapo Battles Another Wave of Flooding and Erosion—But the Rains May Not Be the Only Threat

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Olongapo City is once again battling widespread flooding and soil erosion as relentless rains associated with the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continue to pound parts of Luzon, disrupting traffic, forcing residents to evacuate and raising fears of further landslides. The latest flooding, reported on Friday, August 28, came after weeks of persistent heavy rainfall that had already placed several communities in Olongapo under pressure. According to a report by the

August 29, 2026

Business

OpenAI Moves to End AI Deal With Elon Musk’s Cursor — November Shutdown Looms

OpenAI is preparing to cut off its AI models from Cursor, the coding platform now owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, in a move that exposes growing tensions inside the increasingly competitive AI industry. OpenAI said it has notified SpaceX that it intends to wind down its contract supplying OpenAI models to Cursor, with a proposed shutdown date of November 12, 2026. The company said it is giving SpaceX the maximum notice allowed under their contract so developers using Cursor have as much time as p

August 29, 2026