Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Business

Nebius Unleashes $4.5 Billion AI Funding Bet—But the Real Number Could Be Even Bigger

Amsterdam-based AI cloud company Nebius Group is making another massive push into the artificial intelligence infrastructure race, announcing plans to raise $4.5 billion through a private offering of convertible senior notes as it races to expand data centers, computing capacity and its full-stack AI cloud platform. The proposed financing, announced Wednesday, August 19, 2026, comes as demand for AI computing continues to surge and companies scramble to secure scarce GPU and data-center capacit

August 19, 2026

Thailand

Your Matte Foundation May Not Be the Problem—This Thai Makeup Artist Says the Real Fix Starts Before You Apply It

Matte foundation has a reputation for being unforgiving: apply too much and it can look heavy, skip skin preparation and it may cling to dry patches, while too much powder can leave the complexion looking flat. But according to NARS Thailand makeup artist Suphachat “Tee” Thawisin, achieving a polished matte finish is less about piling on more product and more about how the base is prepared, applied and finished. Manila Bulletin recently featured Thawisin’s seven tips for achieving better-lookin

August 19, 2026

Business

Hyundai Cars Are Getting More Expensive in September — But the Bigger Question Is How Much You’ll Pay

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI — Hyundai cars are set to become more expensive in India once again, with Hyundai Motor India announcing a price increase of up to 1% across its vehicle portfolio from September 2026. The automaker said the exact increase will vary depending on the model and variant, meaning the maximum 1% increase will not necessarily apply uniformly across every Hyundai vehicle. The latest move comes as automakers continue to face pressure from higher input and commodity costs, as well as co

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Vendor Arrest Outside Iloilo Terminal Market Sparks Outcry—But What Happened Before the Handcuffs?

ILOILO CITY — A fresh dispute over the treatment of ambulant vendors, or bolanteros, has erupted in Iloilo City after a vendor was arrested outside the Iloilo Terminal Market, prompting a consumer group to question the city government’s enforcement of market regulations. The arrest, reported on August 19, came as authorities continued their campaign to regulate vending activities around the redeveloped Iloilo Terminal Market, popularly known as the “Super Market.” The incident has reignited a

August 19, 2026

Philippines

ACEN RES Just Pulled Off a Rare 1-2-3 Stevie Sweep—But the Numbers Behind It Are Even Bigger

MANILA, Philippines — ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES) has extended its winning run at the prestigious Stevie International Business Awards to four consecutive years, taking home Gold, Silver and Bronze in the 2026 edition. The Ayala Group’s retail electricity arm secured the three awards for campaigns centered on data-driven marketing, omnichannel customer engagement and business-to-business brand experience—highlighting how renewable energy companies are increasingly competing not o

August 19, 2026

Asia

Analog Devices Just Raised Its Forecast as AI Chip Demand Surges—But the Bigger Signal Is Coming Next

August 19, 2026 — The artificial intelligence boom is spreading beyond the headline-making GPU giants, and Analog Devices is emerging as another beneficiary as data centers and industrial systems demand more sophisticated power-management and semiconductor components. The semiconductor maker on Wednesday delivered better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results and issued a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter forecast, signaling that the surge in AI infrastructure investment is creating dem

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

Liza Soberano Is Coming Home—But Her ‘Forgotten Island’ Return Has a Bigger Surprise Waiting

MANILA, Philippines — Liza Soberano is coming home. The Filipina actress is set to return to the Philippines with Grammy-winning singer and actress H.E.R. for a special Manila homecoming celebrating DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated Filipino-inspired film “Forgotten Island.” The two stars are scheduled to meet Filipino fans on August 25 at 7 p.m., as part of promotional activities for the animated feature, according to a Manila Bulletin report published Wednesday. The Manila visit come

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Cardinal Tagle Issues a Wake-Up Call to Parents After Zamboanga School Shooting—“AI Has No Heart”

MANILA, Philippines — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is urging Filipino parents and grandparents to look beyond screens and strengthen the human connection children need, as the country reels from another deadly school shooting involving minors. Speaking during Mass at the Parish Church of the Holy Sacrifice at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Wednesday, August 19, Tagle called on families to help children develop compassion, conscience and a sense of humanity. His message came just o

August 19, 2026

Business

PDIC Opens 68 Properties Across Luzon for E-Bidding—Palawan Buyers Could Be Watching This Closely

MANILA, Philippines — Property hunters, investors and aspiring landowners may soon have another opportunity to acquire real estate through a government-backed online auction as the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) prepares to put 68 properties across 15 Luzon provinces and cities up for electronic public bidding—including assets in Palawan. The auction is scheduled for September 16 and 17, 2026, with interested buyers required to submit their bids through the official PDIC Assets

August 19, 2026

Politics

Japan Finally Pushes Back Against Trump as US Sanctions ICC Chief — But the Next Move Could Put Tokyo in a Tough Spot

TOKYO — Japan has issued an unusually pointed rebuke of its closest security ally after the United States sanctioned International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, calling Washington’s latest measures against the Japanese judge “very unfortunate.” The diplomatic clash erupted after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Akane and ICC senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, escalating Washington’s campaign against the Hague-based court. Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirm

August 19, 2026