Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Lifestyle

“‘Ondoy-Like’ Rains Swamp Metro Manila: 201.7mm Fell in Hours—What Happens If More Rain Comes?

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila was battered by intense southwest monsoon rains that rapidly flooded roads, neighborhoods and major thoroughfares, disrupting traffic, displacing residents and forcing authorities to suspend classes and adjust government work as the weather threat continued into Tuesday. The flooding followed an extraordinary burst of rainfall on Monday, August 17, when 201.7 millimeters of rain was recorded in Metro Manila in roughly five to six hours amid the prevailing Sout

August 18, 2026

Asia

Malaysia Airlines Pilots All Pass Drug Tests—But the Screening Isn’t Over Yet

KUALA LUMPUR — All 1,260 active Malaysia Airlines pilots have tested negative for drugs following a mandatory screening programme introduced after one of the carrier’s pilots was arrested in Indonesia in connection with an alleged drug-trafficking case. Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, said on Aug. 17 that the first phase of the intensified screening programme had been completed. The company will now turn its attention to cabin crew, with testing of about

August 18, 2026

Business

₱12.3-M Irrigation Damage Hits Cordillera—But the Bigger Threat May Still Be Ahead

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The agricultural lifeline of parts of the Cordillera has taken another major hit as the combined effects of recent tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat, damaged irrigation facilities in the region, with the National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR) estimating repair costs at ₱12.3 million. NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr. Ronilio Cervantes said the agency has so far recorded damage affecting 253 hectares of agricultural land and

August 18, 2026

Asia

A “NATO of the East” Is Taking Shape in Mecca — What Happens If One Member Is Attacked?

Saudi Arabia Turkey Pakistan defence pact, Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Saudi Pakistan Turkey alliance, NATO of the East, Middle East security, Mecca defence pact, Iran regional security A new security arrangement linking Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan is raising questions about whether the Middle East and South Asia are entering a new era of regional military cooperation. The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca on August 7, 2026, committing to regard an arm

August 18, 2026

Politics

₱5.5 Trillion by 2028: Marcos Administration Sets Massive Revenue Target—But the Real Question Is Who Will Pay for It

The Philippine government is setting its sights on ₱5.5 trillion in total revenues by 2028, with the Department of Finance (DOF) banking on stronger tax collections, tighter compliance and new tax reforms to reach the ambitious target. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said tax collections are projected to grow by an average of 9% annually from 2026 to 2028, putting total government revenues at ₱5.5 trillion by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term. The DOF expects revenues to climb fur

August 18, 2026

Politics

AFTER YEARS OF WAITING, BALIWAG’S MAHARLIKA HIGHWAY FINALLY GETS A MAJOR MAKEOVER—HERE’S WHAT MOTORISTS CAN EXPECT

BALIWAG, BULACAN — After years of waiting, one of the most troubled sections of Daang Maharlika in Baliwag is finally getting a major overhaul—with the road set to be raised by 0.7 meter to help address persistent flooding, water accumulation and severe pavement damage. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun work on roughly one kilometer of Daang Maharlika, from the area after the Baliwag Flyover toward the San Rafael boundary. The project carries a total funding of ₱458

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

₱20,000 Could Change Everything: How a PBBM Scholarship Is Helping This Nueva Ecija Student Reach Graduation

For many college students, the final year is supposed to be the last stretch before earning a diploma. But for financially struggling families, even reaching graduation can come down to one question: How will the next school expense be paid? In Nueva Ecija, a government scholarship initiative is giving students facing that reality a much-needed chance to finish. One of them is Nierheyza Andasan, 22, a fourth-year Bachelor of Secondary Education student at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial College in P

August 18, 2026

Politics

Zamboanga City Shooting: LGU Assures Support After 2 Students Die at Ateneo—But Bigger Questions Now Loom

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Zamboanga City government has assured support for those affected by the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus as authorities work to secure the area and determine exactly what led to the deadly incident. The shooting happened Tuesday morning, August 18, at the Ateneo de Zamboanga Junior High School campus. The city government said it was coordinating closely with the school administration, the Zamboanga City Police Office and other concerned authorities foll

August 18, 2026

Business

Trump’s Indonesia Golf Resort Is Back in Business After Environmental Halt — But What Happens Next Could Be Bigger Than Golf

LIDO, West Java — A Trump-branded luxury resort project in Indonesia is moving forward again after months of uncertainty, with construction resuming inside the sprawling Lido Special Economic Zone (SEZ) south of Jakarta. The development, tied to the Trump Organization and Indonesian conglomerate MNC Group, had faced a major setback in February 2025 when Indonesian authorities ordered development work to stop over environmental and water-management concerns. Now, more than a year later, the pro

August 18, 2026

Politics

Ateneo de Zamboanga Shooting Leaves 2 Students Dead—But One Question Is Now Raising Alarm Across Philippine Schools

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A shooting at the Junior High School campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday morning, August 18, left two students dead, including the alleged shooter, according to university officials and multiple independent reports. The incident triggered an immediate security response at the school, while authorities worked to secure the campus and establish what led to the attack. Ateneo de Zamboanga University confirmed that there were two fatalities and said there was no lo

August 18, 2026