Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Business

Iran Issues New War Warning as US Talks Stall — What Happens Next Could Shake the Gulf

TEHRAN — Iran is signaling a major shift in its military strategy, warning that it could move from a largely defensive posture to a “fully offensive” one if diplomatic efforts with the United States fail — raising fresh fears that the conflict could widen across the Gulf and further disrupt the vital Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was prepared to take what it described as “timely and precise” military action to challenge the U.S. naval blockade if negotiati

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Bataan Floodwaters Rise as 8,000 Residents Seek Shelter—Now a State of Calamity Is on the Table

BATAAN, Philippines — Bataan is moving closer to a province-wide state of calamity declaration after days of persistent Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) rains triggered flooding in several areas and forced thousands of residents to seek shelter. Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Emergency Council has recommended placing the province under a state of calamity. The recommendation was expected to be discussed by the Sangguniang Pa

August 20, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Just Changed Its Arrival Card—7 New Languages and One New Feature Could Make Your Entry Much Easier

Singapore is making its arrival process easier for international travellers with a major update to the SG Arrival Card (SGAC), introducing a refreshed interface, seven additional language options and a new passport-scan autofill feature. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that the enhanced SG Arrival Card will be available from August 26, 2026, through the official SGAC e-Service and the MyICA mobile application. The changes are designed to make submitting arrival informat

August 20, 2026

Politics

Trump Nagbanta na BOBOMBAHIN ang Oman—Iran Deal sa Strait of Hormuz ang Ugat ng Tensiyon

WASHINGTON — Muling uminit ang tensiyon sa Middle East matapos magbanta si US President Donald Trump na magsasagawa ng military action laban sa Oman kung, ayon sa kanya, hahadlangan ng Gulf state ang pagsisikap na wakasan ang digmaan at magkaroon ng kasunduan sa Iran. Sa isang panayam kay Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst noong Agosto 17, sinabi ni Trump na “if Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the s— out of them,” ayon sa mga ulat ng Reuters, Associated Press at iba pang international news org

August 20, 2026

Asia

Higit 100 Patay sa Gumuho Umagang Minahan sa Central African Republic—Pero Mas Marami Pa ang Pinangangambahang Nakatabunan

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC — Higit 100 katao ang nasawi matapos gumuho ang isang artisanal gold mine sa western Central African Republic, malapit sa hangganan ng Cameroon, habang nagpapatuloy ang search-and-rescue operations para sa mga posibleng nakaligtas at mga minerong nananatiling nakabaon sa ilalim ng lupa. Naganap ang insidente noong Agosto 18, 2026, sa mining site sa Zamboye village, Nana-Mambéré prefecture, humigit-kumulang 50 kilometro mula sa bayan ng Baboua at malapit sa Cameroon bord

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Poverty Sentiment Surges in the Philippines: 1.1 Million More Families Say They’re Poor—What’s Driving the Change?

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipino families are saying they are struggling to make ends meet, with both self-rated poverty and hunger rising sharply in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research. The survey found that 39% of Filipino families considered themselves poor in July, up from 35% in March. That four-percentage-point increase translates to roughly 1.1 million additional families identifying themselves as poor. OCTA estimates that about 1

August 20, 2026

Philippines

28 Witnesses Ready to Testify vs. Romualdez—Will the Flood Control Probe Finally Break Open?

The Office of the Ombudsman says its investigation involving former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is far from resting on a handful of controversial witnesses. The anti-graft agency said it has 28 witnesses prepared to provide direct and material information on transactions under investigation in cases involving Romualdez, a disclosure that comes as questions continue to swirl around the recantation of former Zaldy Co aide Orly Guteza. The development was reported by Bombo Radyo

August 20, 2026

Business

CK Hutchison Takes Panama to Arbitration Over Canal Ports — And the Bill Could Top US$1.5 Billion

HONG KONG — The dispute between Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison and Panama over two strategically important ports near the Panama Canal has entered a new legal phase, with the company seeking more than US$1.5 billion in damages through international arbitration. CK Hutchison said Thursday that it had initiated arbitration proceedings against Panama, alleging that actions by the Panamanian state violated an investment-protection treaty and ultimately resulted in the destruction of its invest

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Kanlaon Volcano Erupts Another Ash Plume—But PHIVOLCS’ Latest Warning Has Authorities Watching Closely

NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano released another ash emission early Thursday, August 20, sending a grayish plume approximately 200 meters above the summit crater as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the ash emission occurred at around 5:24 a.m. and was observed by the Nature's View Observation Station in Sitio Old Fabrica, La Castellana. The plume later crept downslope toward the east. The latest a

August 20, 2026

Uncategorized

₱500 MILLION DEMAND, ₱8.1 MILLION RANSOM — THEN THE POLICE FOUND HER: 7 KIDNAPPERS GET RECLUSION PERPETUA

MANILA, Philippines — A Quezon City court has sentenced seven people to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole for the kidnapping-for-ransom of a 78-year-old woman in September 2025, bringing a major case that unfolded across Metro Manila and Batangas to a dramatic legal conclusion. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 225 found the seven accused guilty as principals in the kidnapping case. Each was also ordered to pay the victim civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary da

August 20, 2026