Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Asia

Oriental Mindoro Reports No Fake Birth Certificates Involving Foreigners—But What Did the PSA Find Nationwide?

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Oriental Mindoro has reported that it has recorded no cases of fake birth certificates involving foreign nationals in the province, amid a nationwide government crackdown on irregular and allegedly fraudulent civil registration. The clarification comes as Philippine authorities continue investigating the use of questionable birth records by foreigners seeking to establish Filipino identities and obtain government-issu

August 18, 2026

Politics

China Lowers Flags for Zhu Rongji’s Funeral—But the Heavy Security Around Tiananmen Is Raising Questions

BEIJING — August 18, 2026 — China lowered its national flags at key government sites across the country on Tuesday as the nation held a formal day of mourning for former Premier Zhu Rongji, one of the most influential economic reformers of modern China. The Chinese flag was flown at half-mast at Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, Xinhua Gate and the Foreign Ministry, while similar measures were observed at government offices across China, in Hong Kong and Macau, and at Chinese dipl

August 18, 2026

Politics

Davao Flood Control Gets Billions in Proposed 2027 Budget—But There’s a Catch

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving to put more flood-control projects in the Davao Region under the proposed 2027 national budget, following renewed concerns over flooding and the long-delayed implementation of a comprehensive flood-control plan for Davao City. The DPWH has identified ₱2.024 billion for priority flood-mitigation projects across the Davao Region in the proposed 2027 budget, according to the latest clarification reported by the Philippine Da

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

Romblon Education Gets a Major Reset: DepEd, CHED and TESDA Forge New Deal—Here’s What Could Change for Learners

ROMBLON, Philippines — A new push to make education pathways more connected is taking shape in Romblon as the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) move to strengthen coordination across basic education, higher education and technical-vocational training. The three agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in Romblon aimed at advancing the implementation of the country’s trifocal education f

August 18, 2026

Politics

Cayetano, Legarda Missing Again From Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial—But What’s Behind Their Absences?

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Loren Legarda were again absent from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, August 17, as the Senate impeachment court continued hearing evidence in the high-stakes proceedings. Cayetano, the Senate minority leader, was marked absent not only from the impeachment trial but also from the Senate plenary session that day. His repeated absence has drawn attention because he has been an outspoken participant in several

August 18, 2026

Business

Singapore Halts Construction Waste Exports to Malaysia After Johor Dumping Probe — But Who Was Behind It?

JOHOR, Malaysia — A cross-border waste controversy between Singapore and Malaysia has escalated, with Singapore suspending construction and demolition waste exports to Malaysia after authorities in Johor investigated allegations that construction debris from Singapore was illegally dumped near villages in Pontian. The latest development came after Johor’s Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) identified nine Malaysia-registered companies allegedly linked to the moveme

August 18, 2026

Asia

OFW Remittances Hit 4-Year Growth Low—But June’s $3-Billion Surprise Hints at What Comes Next

MANILA, Philippines — Money sent home by overseas Filipinos continued to rise in June, but the pace of growth fell to its weakest level in more than four years, raising fresh concerns about the impact of global economic uncertainty, higher living costs and the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Cash remittances coursed through banks reached approximately $3.04 billion in June 2026, up 1.7% from the same month a year earlier, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

Romblon’s Maritime Services Are About to Get Closer—Here’s What Changes in September

SAN AGUSTIN, Romblon — Maritime stakeholders in San Agustin and nearby communities will soon have easier access to government services as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) moves to establish a satellite office in the municipality. MARINA and the Municipal Government of San Agustin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 13, 2026, formally setting the groundwork for a MARINA Region IV satellite office in the municipality. MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan and San Agusti

August 18, 2026

Asia

EJ Obiena Clears 5.91m for 8th Gold of 2026 — But His Latest Victory Hints at Something Bigger

MIĘDZYZDROJE, POLAND — EJ Obiena is looking more and more like the elite pole vaulter Filipinos have come to know. The Filipino Olympic star continued his impressive resurgence on Monday, August 17, after clearing 5.91 meters to capture the men’s pole vault gold at the Golden Sand 2026 in Międzyzdroje, Poland. The victory marked Obiena’s eighth gold medal of the 2026 season and his third consecutive tournament victory. More importantly, his 5.91m clearance was his best performance in two years

August 18, 2026

Business

Singapore’s S$700 ‘Pocket Rooms’: How Tiny Can a Rental Get? — and Is It Legal?

As housing costs remain a concern, some renters are choosing to give up a significant amount of floor space in exchange for a lower monthly bill and a location closer to work, transport and amenities. The result is a niche but increasingly visible segment of Singapore’s rental market: ultra-small rooms sometimes marketed as “pocket rooms.” Some are former utility rooms, bomb shelters or spaces originally designed for domestic helpers. Others are simply extremely compact rooms inside private ap

August 18, 2026