Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Asia

Scientists Found Bacteria in a Polluted River That Can Capture ‘Forever Chemicals’—But There’s a Catch

TOKYO, Japan — A discovery beneath the surface of a polluted Japanese river is offering fresh hope in the global fight against toxic “forever chemicals”—but scientists say the road from a promising laboratory finding to a real-world cleanup solution is still a long one. Researchers led by Kobe University have identified naturally occurring bacteria in contaminated river sediments that can reduce levels of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of highly persistent chemicals

August 28, 2026

Sport

Les Kiss Has a Bigger Wallabies Plan—And It Could Change Who Starts at the 2027 World Cup

Australia's Wallabies are no longer simply searching for a best starting XV. Head coach Les Kiss has set a much bigger target: build enough depth to field two Test-quality teams before Australia hosts the 2027 Rugby World Cup. That ambition is shaping the Wallabies' preparations for their two-Test series against Argentina, with Kiss making significant changes to the forward pack while keeping the backline that helped Australia crush Japan 56-17 earlier this month. The message from the new coa

August 28, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Designer Turns Hawker Stall Eggshell Waste Into Stylish Homeware — But It Takes 40 Eggs To Make Just One

What if the eggshells left behind after your favourite hawker meal could become a designer home accessory? That is exactly what Singapore-based designer Eden Loh is exploring, transforming discarded eggshells from a local carrot cake stall into planters, decorative plates, trays and other homeware products. Loh, who is behind Singapore design studio ODD M., collects the eggshell waste from Carrot Cubes at Rong Yuan Coffeeshop along Upper Serangoon Crescent and processes it into a composite mat

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Honors Japan’s Outgoing Envoy—But What He Helped Build Between Manila and Tokyo Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has conferred one of the Philippines’ highest diplomatic honors on outgoing Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, recognizing his role in deepening ties between Manila and Tokyo at a time when cooperation between the two longtime partners continues to expand. During Endo’s farewell call at Malacañang Palace, Marcos awarded him the Order of Sikatuna, Grand Cross with Distinction, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen Philippines-Japan rela

August 28, 2026

Asia

NEPAL-TIBET FLOODS: Death Toll Nears 400 as 1,400 Remain Missing — Now Authorities Fear Another Deluge

KATHMANDU — Nepal and China's Tibet region are facing a race against time after a catastrophic flash flood tore through Himalayan communities, leaving nearly 400 people dead and more than 1,400 missing, while authorities warn that newly formed lakes could unleash another wave of flooding. The disaster struck on August 26 along the mountainous Nepal-China border after a massive collapse of ice and rock sent an enormous torrent of water, mud and debris through river valleys. By Friday, authoriti

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Caught in the Crossfire? Why the Philippines Could Be Drawn Into a US-China Showdown

MANILA, Philippines — As the rivalry between the United States and China deepens across the Indo-Pacific, a troubling question is becoming harder for the Philippines to ignore: Could the country become caught in the crossfire of a conflict it did not start? The warning comes as tensions continue to build around two of Asia’s most dangerous flashpoints—the South China Sea and Taiwan—with the Philippines sitting at a strategically critical location between them. For lawmakers and security observ

August 28, 2026

Politics

PENTAGON’S AI BLACKLIST BACKFIRES: Judge Rules Anthropic Punishment Was Unlawful — What Happens Next Could Reshape U.S. Military AI

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s escalating battle with artificial intelligence company Anthropic has suffered a major legal setback after a U.S. federal judge ruled that the government’s decision to blacklist the company was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin ruled on August 27 that the Pentagon’s designation of Anthropic as a national-security “supply chain risk” amounted to unlawful retaliation and violated the company’s constitutional protections. The ruling represents a major victory fo

August 28, 2026

Asia

A New Himalayan Disaster May Be Brewing: China Warns a Rising Lake Could Unleash Another Flood

A new danger is emerging in the Himalayas after a catastrophic flood devastated communities along the Nepal-Tibet border, with Chinese authorities warning that a rapidly growing lake formed by mud, rock and debris could trigger another major flood if its natural barrier fails. China's water authorities have raised alarms over a so-called barrier lake formed after the massive landslide and debris flow blocked a river system near the Nepal-China border. The warning comes as rescuers continue sear

August 28, 2026

Politics

Trump Eyes a Stake in Venezuela’s Oil Fields—But What Washington Wants Next Could Change the Energy Map

WASHINGTON/CARACAS — The Trump administration is reportedly moving toward a potentially far-reaching agreement with Venezuela that could give the United States an ownership stake in some of the South American country’s major oil fields, a development that could dramatically reshape Venezuela’s energy industry and Washington’s influence over its oil resources. According to a report by Axios cited by Reuters and Channel NewsAsia, U.S. officials are discussing a deal with Venezuela’s interim gover

August 28, 2026

Business

PNB Holdings Profit Jumps 85% as P56-B Property Giant Nears PSE Debut

MANILA, Philippines — PNB Holdings Corp., the real estate arm of Lucio Tan-led LT Group, is heading toward its Philippine Stock Exchange debut with a much stronger balance sheet and a sharp jump in first-half earnings. The company reported ₱209.9 million in net income for the first six months of 2026, an 85.3% increase from the same period a year earlier, as stronger property revenues and tighter operating discipline boosted profitability. Revenue also climbed 26% to ₱634.3 million, up from ₱5

August 27, 2026