Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Entertainment

RED BULL HIT BY LAST-MINUTE F1 SHOCK: Isack Hadjar Set to Miss Dutch GP—And Guess Who Could Replace Him?

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — Red Bull Racing is facing a dramatic driver shake-up ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar reportedly set to miss the Formula 1 race after suffering a wrist injury during training. Multiple reports, including Reuters, Sky Sports and The Race, say the 21-year-old Frenchman is unlikely to be fit enough to compete at Zandvoort this weekend. Reports from Dutch media indicate the injury happened during a gym session over Formula 1's summer break. Red Bull, h

August 19, 2026

Asia

South Korea Sends 400 MT of Rice to Habagat-Hit Philippines—Here’s Where the Aid Is Going

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — South Korea has delivered 400 metric tons of rice to the Philippines as the country continues to deal with the impact of the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, which has disrupted livelihoods and placed additional pressure on families in affected communities. The assistance was formally received during a ceremony hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Legazpi City, Albay, on August 14, 2026, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). T

August 19, 2026

Business

Alphabet’s $3.9 Billion Australian Bond Deal Signals the Next Phase of the AI Spending Race

Alphabet has tapped Australia’s bond market for the first time, raising A$5.5 billion (about US$3.9 billion) as the Google parent accelerates funding for its massive artificial intelligence build-out. Alphabet has raised A$5.5 billion, equivalent to roughly US$3.89 billion, through its inaugural Australian-dollar bond sale, according to a term sheet reviewed by Reuters and reported by Channel NewsAsia. The landmark transaction comes as Alphabet and other technology giants ramp up borrowing to

August 19, 2026

Philippines

DSWD Deploys Quick Response Team in Occidental Mindoro as Habagat Flooding Worsens—What Happens Next?

SAN JOSE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) in Occidental Mindoro as heavy rains and flooding linked to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continue to affect parts of the province. The move signals a stepped-up government response as authorities assess communities affected by persistent rains, particularly areas vulnerable to flooding and coastal hazards. The DSWD MIMAROPA QRT met with officials of the Occiden

August 19, 2026

Asia

9 Dead, 6 Injured in Kolkata Hotel Fire — Then Rescuers Discovered What Was Trapping Guests Inside

KOLKATA, INDIA — A pre-dawn fire tore through a cramped five-story building housing several hotels in central Kolkata on Wednesday, killing at least nine people, including a four-year-old child, and injuring six others, authorities said. The blaze erupted at around 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 19 along Mirza Ghalib Street, an area known for budget hotels and accommodation frequented by visitors to the city. The building was reportedly close to the West Bengal Fire Department headquarters. The fire proved

August 19, 2026

Business

Singapore COE Premiums Surge, Open Category Hits S$135,000 — Now All Eyes Turn to the Next Bidding Round

SINGAPORE — Car buyers are facing another expensive round of Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding after premiums closed mostly higher on Wednesday (Aug. 19), with Category A rebounding sharply and the Open Category reaching S$135,000. The latest results delivered a fresh warning for motorists hoping that COE prices would finally cool. Category A, covering smaller cars and qualifying electric vehicles, climbed S$4,611 to S$128,501, up from S$123,890 in the previous exercise. The increase ma

August 19, 2026

Philippines

ILOILO ALIGNS WITH MARCOS’ SONA: These Local Programs Could Change the Province’s Future — But Will They Deliver?

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo is positioning its existing development programs to match the national priorities outlined by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), with education, skills training, healthcare, food security and human-capital development taking center stage. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province already has programs corresponding to virtually every major area highlighted in the President’s SONA, describing the alignment as an

August 19, 2026

Business

200 Davao Steel Workers Seek Help After Plant Raid—But the Bigger Problem May Just Be Starting

DAVAO CITY — The fallout from the controversial raid on Davao Mighty Steel Corporation is now hitting the workers hardest, with around 200 employees turning to the Davao City government for assistance after the plant was shut down. The workers went to Davao City Hall on August 17 to raise concerns over the closure of their workplace, unpaid wages and the loss of their source of income, according to the Philippine Information Agency. They were received by Davao City First District Councilor Pam

August 19, 2026

Business

ROMBLON GOES SMART: DOST Brings E-Trikes, Solar Charging, Clean Water and AI Technology to the Island Province — Here’s What’s Next

ROMBLON — Romblon is stepping up its push to become a smarter and more sustainable island province as local officials and communities work with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to bring science, technology and innovation closer to residents. The initiative forms part of DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), a nationwide effort designed to help local governments use technology, innovation and data-driven solutions to improve public services, strengthen local eco

August 19, 2026

Asia

A Routine Ship Inspection Turned Into a Massive Drug Bust—Then Officers Found 2.6 Tons of Meth

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities have seized 2.6 tons of liquid methamphetamine from a Tanzanian-flagged vessel in one of the country's largest recent narcotics busts, arresting 10 crew members in an operation that authorities say was triggered by intelligence about a suspected drug shipment from Malaysia. The joint operation involving Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Customs authorities and the Riau Islands Regional Police intercepted the vessel on Aug. 17 after receivin

August 19, 2026