Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Palawan’s “Forgotten” Rice Is Making a Comeback—And Scientists Just Found a Reason to Save It

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Rice varieties long preserved by Indigenous communities in Palawan are getting a second chance as the Department of Agriculture (DA) intensifies efforts to collect, document and conserve the province’s heirloom rice. The initiative could prove important not only for protecting Palawan’s agricultural heritage but also for finding rice traits that may help Filipino farmers cope with pests, extreme weather and changing growing conditions. The DA has collected 300 r

September 5, 2026

Asia

9 Days Trapped Underground: Two Nepal Hydropower Workers Pulled Alive From Flooded Tunnel—But Rescuers Heard More Voices

KATHMANDU, Nepal — In a rescue that has given fresh hope to families waiting for news, two hydropower workers were pulled alive from an underground tunnel in Nepal nine days after devastating floods and mudslides swept through the Trishuli River valley. The two men, identified as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, were rescued Friday from the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, according to Nepalese authorities and reports from Reuters and other int

September 5, 2026

Philippines

TACLOBAN AIRPORT ALERT: Businessman Bound for Manila Caught With 30 Live Bullets—What Security Found in His Bag

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A routine airport security screening took an unexpected turn Friday night after authorities arrested a 59-year-old businessman who allegedly attempted to board a Manila-bound flight carrying a magazine and 30 rounds of live .45-caliber ammunition inside his backpack. The incident happened at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, according to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) report cited by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Police identified the passeng

September 5, 2026

Business

US Diesel Just Hit a Record — And the Price Shock Could Soon Reach Grocery Shelves

WASHINGTON — A new fuel-price shock is rippling through the US economy. Diesel prices have climbed to a record high, threatening to raise transportation and production costs for everything from food and farm supplies to packages and other everyday goods. The national average retail price of diesel reached about $5.85 a gallon on Friday, according to GasBuddy data cited by the Associated Press. That surpassed the previous nominal record set in June 2022. Reuters had reported the previous day t

September 5, 2026

Politics

Lee Jae Myung Meets Hyundai Chief Behind Closed Doors—What’s Really at Stake for Korea’s $6.6 Billion AI Push?

SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has held a closed-door meeting with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, as Seoul intensifies efforts to keep major corporate investment projects moving and accelerate the country's push into artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced industries. The meeting took place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to sources cited by Yonhap and other Korean media. Details of the private discussion were not officially disclosed, but reports indica

September 5, 2026

Asia

EU Moves to Shut Off Waste Exports to Non-OECD Nations—Aluminium Scrap Caught in Sweeping New Plan

BRUSSELS — The European Union is preparing a sweeping new move to restrict waste exports to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with aluminium scrap among the materials that could be affected. The proposal marks a significant shift from a narrower trade measure that EU officials had been preparing for September. European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné has instead decided to pursue a br

September 5, 2026

Politics

Lindsay Clancy Trial Ends in Mistrial After Jury Deadlocks — Now the Case Could Start All Over Again

PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts — The highly watched murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, has ended without a verdict after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision. Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on Friday, Sept. 4, after the 12-member jury remained deadlocked on whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths. The jury had been deliberating for seven days. The decision leaves one of the most closely followed US

September 5, 2026

Politics

Singapore’s Secret Intelligence Agency Is Opening Up—But What Is It Really Protecting From Public View?

SINGAPORE — It operates largely away from the public spotlight, deals with information that can affect national security and has historically revealed little about its operations. But Singapore’s Security and Intelligence Division (SID) is no longer quite as invisible as it once was. The agency has been gradually providing the public with more information about its mission, history and recruitment—offering a rare glimpse into one of Singapore’s most closely guarded government organisations. T

September 5, 2026

Sport

Japan Sets World Cup Record as Caitlin Clark Makes History in U.S. Rout—And the Tournament Is Just Getting Started

BERLIN — The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup opened with fireworks in Berlin as Japan rewrote the record books from beyond the arc while Caitlin Clark delivered a history-making debut to help the United States launch its title defense with a convincing victory. Japan survived a determined Mali side, 102-97, behind a remarkable shooting performance from Saki Hayashi, who buried nine three-pointers to establish a new individual record in Women’s World Cup history. Japan also made history as a

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Posts ₱360K Bail After Arrest Warrant—But Her Legal Battle With Marcos Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte posted ₱360,000 in bail on Saturday, September 5, 2026, a day after a Quezon City court issued a warrant for her arrest over three counts of grave threats involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 set bail at ₱120,000 for each count. After Duterte posted bail, the court lifted the arrest warrant, allowing her to leave the cou

September 5, 2026