Category: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

A 17-Year-Old Was Bitten by a Rat, Then Swam in Navotas Floodwater—What Happened Next Is a Warning for Every Parent

NAVOTAS CITY, Philippines — What began with a rat bite and was followed weeks later by a swim in floodwater ended in tragedy for a 17-year-old student in Navotas, underscoring the potentially deadly threat of leptospirosis during the rainy season. Justin Espinosa died just four days before his 18th birthday after developing symptoms associated with leptospirosis, according to a GMA News report published on August 20. His parents, Leilani and Allan Espinosa, said their son had earlier been bitt

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

DENR Issues Urgent Warning as Habagat Rains Continue—But It’s What’s Blocking Metro Manila’s Waterways That Has Authorities Worried

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling on local government units (LGUs) to step up solid waste management efforts as persistent rains from the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continue to affect Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines. DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna stressed the need to keep waterways, drainage channels and other water passages free of garbage, warning that waste accumulating in these areas can obstruct water flow and worsen flooding during

August 20, 2026

Business

Humanoid Robots Can Dance, Fight and Work—Now China Is Waiting for the One Breakthrough That Could Change Everything

BEIJING — China’s fast-growing humanoid robotics industry may be approaching a breakthrough that could transform robots from impressive demonstrations into machines capable of performing everyday tasks with little human guidance, according to Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing. Speaking at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, Wang said the industry is “marching towards” a “ChatGPT moment” in embodied intelligence—a point at which robots could be placed in unfamiliar environ

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Bataan Floodwaters Rise as 8,000 Residents Seek Shelter—Now a State of Calamity Is on the Table

BATAAN, Philippines — Bataan is moving closer to a province-wide state of calamity declaration after days of persistent Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) rains triggered flooding in several areas and forced thousands of residents to seek shelter. Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Emergency Council has recommended placing the province under a state of calamity. The recommendation was expected to be discussed by the Sangguniang Pa

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Poverty Sentiment Surges in the Philippines: 1.1 Million More Families Say They’re Poor—What’s Driving the Change?

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipino families are saying they are struggling to make ends meet, with both self-rated poverty and hunger rising sharply in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research. The survey found that 39% of Filipino families considered themselves poor in July, up from 35% in March. That four-percentage-point increase translates to roughly 1.1 million additional families identifying themselves as poor. OCTA estimates that about 1

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Kanlaon Volcano Erupts Another Ash Plume—But PHIVOLCS’ Latest Warning Has Authorities Watching Closely

NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano released another ash emission early Thursday, August 20, sending a grayish plume approximately 200 meters above the summit crater as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the ash emission occurred at around 5:24 a.m. and was observed by the Nature's View Observation Station in Sitio Old Fabrica, La Castellana. The plume later crept downslope toward the east. The latest a

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

America’s Debt Has Hit a Historic $40 Trillion — But the Next Number Could Be Even More Alarming

WASHINGTON — The United States has crossed a financial milestone that was once almost unimaginable: the nation’s gross federal debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time. U.S. Treasury data showed total outstanding federal debt reaching approximately $40.047 trillion on Wednesday, August 19, marking another record for the world’s largest economy. The figure includes both debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts. Reuters reported that roughly $32.27 trillion was held

August 20, 2026

Business

Hong Kong Designer Kinyan Lam Is Turning Ancient Craft Into the Future of Fashion — And the Reason Is More Powerful Than You Think

Hong Kong designer Kinyan Lam is proving that fashion does not always have to move faster to move forward. At just 31, the Guangzhou-born, Hong Kong-based designer has built a growing international reputation around something increasingly rare in the fashion industry: slowing down. Lam was named one of 20 semi-finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, selected from more than 2,400 applicants worldwide. His inclusion placed him among a new generation of designers being watc

August 20, 2026

Entertainment

Harry and Meghan Are Returning to Britain With Their Children — And the Reason Has Royal Family Watching Closely

Prince Harry Meghan Markle UK move, Harry Meghan return to UK, Archie Lilibet UK school, King Charles Harry Meghan, Sussexes Britain 2026 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for a major new chapter in their family life: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly moving back to Britain with their two children for an extended period, six years after stepping away from royal duties and relocating to the United States. According to reports from PEOPLE, Reuters, The Associated Press and

August 20, 2026

Business

WALL STREET JUST GOT A LIFELINE — BUT THE BOND MARKET WARNING BEHIND THE RALLY COULD BE MUCH BIGGER

NEW YORK — Wall Street regained its footing Wednesday after the U.S. Treasury moved to ease pressure in the bond market, giving investors temporary relief from a surge in long-term borrowing costs that has increasingly threatened stocks, businesses and the broader economy. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite all finished higher, snapping a three-session losing streak. The S&P 500 gained about 0.2%, while the Dow and Nasdaq also advanced roughly 0.2%. But the modest s

August 20, 2026