Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Politics

Prosecutors Trust Senator-Judges to Be Fair in Sara Duterte Trial—But the Next Evidence Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel said it remains confident that the senator-judges presiding over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will decide the case fairly and without political bias. House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the prosecutors expect the senator-judges to follow the rules of the impeachment court and respect the legal process. The prosecution emphasized that the case should ultimately be decided on the basis o

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

WHO Gives Congo 3 Months to Stop Its Deadliest Ebola Outbreak — But the Virus Is Already Spreading Beyond Control

The World Health Organization says there is still a narrow window to bring the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak under control within three months — but health officials warn the virus remains far from contained. The warning comes as the outbreak has become the deadliest Ebola epidemic in the DRC’s history, with at least 2,325 deaths and 4,945 confirmed cases reported by August 2026. The toll has already surpassed the country’s previous major Ebola outbreak of 201

August 18, 2026

Asia

Southeast Asia’s Borders Are Quiet—But These Flashpoints Could Explode Next

Southeast Asia may appear relatively stable on the surface, but beneath that calm are a series of unresolved territorial and maritime disputes that continue to test the region’s diplomacy—and raise the risk of sudden military confrontations. A recent analysis by The Diplomat highlights how Southeast Asia’s territorial disputes extend far beyond the internationally prominent South China Sea. Several long-running land and maritime claims remain unsettled, creating potential flashpoints that could

August 18, 2026

Asia

ABBA Fever Sweeps the Philippines as Björn Again Brings Back the Hits—But What Happened When ‘Dancing Queen’ Started?

MANILA, Philippines — ABBA nostalgia came roaring back to life in the Philippines as Australian tribute act Björn Again brought its internationally acclaimed “The ABBA Forever Tour” to Cebu and Manila this August. The group first performed at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on August 7, before heading to The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque for two Manila shows on August 8 and 9. The Philippine leg was part of Björn Again’s continuing global run celebrating the music of Swedish pop lege

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

11,800 Iloilo Health Workers Await a Long-Overdue Break—Will ₱3,000 Monthly Benefits Finally Become Reality?

ILOILO — More than 11,800 barangay health workers (BHWs) across Iloilo Province could be among those who stand to benefit from a proposed overhaul of government support for community health volunteers, as calls intensify for better compensation, protection and recognition of their frontline work. The Iloilo BHWs are seeking long-awaited assistance, including a minimum monthly benefit of ₱3,000, amid renewed national attention on the welfare of barangay-level health workers. The issue has gaine

August 18, 2026

Asia

Vietnam’s Energy Transition Is Entering a New Phase — And the Biggest Test Has Just Begun

Vietnam’s clean-energy boom is entering a more complicated chapter as Hanoi tries to balance renewables, battery storage, LNG, nuclear power and a rapidly expanding electricity demand. Vietnam’s energy transition is no longer simply a race to build more solar and wind farms. The country is moving into a new phase in which grid capacity, energy storage, market reforms and reliable power supply could matter just as much as the speed of renewable-energy deployment. That shift is becoming increas

August 18, 2026

Asia

La Mesa Dam Hits Alert Level 3 as Habagat Pounds Metro Manila—Here’s Where Flooding Could Strike Next

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have placed La Mesa Dam in Quezon City under Alert Level 3 as relentless Southwest Monsoon or Habagat rains continue to push up water levels and raise the risk of flooding in low-lying communities. The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that La Mesa Dam’s water level reached 79.71 meters at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, up from 79.69 meters recorded the previous afternoon. The latest figure remains below the dam’s 80.15-

August 18, 2026

Politics

Dizon’s Big Infrastructure Shift: Why DPWH Is Turning to Private Money for Mega Projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking to expand the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance and deliver major infrastructure projects, a move that could reshape how some of the country’s biggest roads, bridges and other public works are built. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is backing greater private-sector participation for big-ticket infrastructure projects, according to a report by Panay News. The push comes as the gover

August 18, 2026

Asia

Mayon’s Sulfur Dioxide Surges to 8,393 Tons a Day—What PHIVOLCS Warns Could Happen Next

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Mount Mayon is showing another worrying sign of renewed volcanic unrest after its sulfur dioxide emissions suddenly surged to 8,393 tonnes per day, the highest level recorded since the decline in volcanic gas concentrations began in July. The sharp increase was recorded on August 17, 2026, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The agency said the latest reading was significantly higher than the average 2,532 tonnes per day recorded

August 18, 2026

Asia

Singapore Drops the Hammer on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and TikTok — Here’s What Changes for Users

SINGAPORE — The way Singaporeans use WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and online marketplaces could soon change significantly as Singapore rolls out tougher anti-scam requirements targeting the digital platforms most frequently exploited by criminals. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on Aug. 18 a new set of Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) codes of practice covering messaging services, social media platforms and e-commerce services, with major safeguards expected to be

August 18, 2026