November 2025

Missing sabungeros search in Taal Lake reveals 57 more skeletons

Authorities recovered 57 additional skeletal remains from Taal Lake in Batangas during an ongoing search for missing “sabungeros” linked to alleged cockfighting-related abductions. Police forensic teams transported the remains for examination and possible DNA testing to establish identities and potential connections to previously reported disappearances. Law enforcement agencies coordinated with local government units, disaster response teams, and national investigators to secure the recovery site, preserve evidence, and compare findings with existing missing persons records. Further search operations and forensic analyses continue as authorities work to determine whether the remains match any of the individuals reported missing in relation to e-sabong activities.

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Houston food insecurity rising sharply, survey links it to worsening health

A spring 2024 survey by Rice University’s Kinder Institute Center for Community and Public Health reports that two in five households in Houston and Harris County face food insecurity. The study links limited access to nutritious food with higher rates of chronic illness, lack of insurance, and delayed medical care, especially among lower-income and Hispanic residents. More than 640,000 Harris County residents rely on SNAP, while local organizations expand food assistance to meet rising need.

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Trump OKs peace plan involving Ukraine and Russia, but Ukraine rejects it

U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed a peace plan aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, but Ukrainian leaders have given no sign they will accept it. The reported proposal appears to align more closely with Russian demands, including acceptance of current territorial losses by Ukraine. Kyiv continues to insist on full restoration of its borders and rejects any settlement involving the cession of occupied land. The plan remains unofficial and unenforced, with no formal agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

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Trump administration pushes to loosen rules for endangered species

The Trump administration is proposing to end the long-standing “blanket rule” that automatically grants protections to species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The plan would require case-by-case decisions on safeguards for newly listed threatened species, altering how federal wildlife agencies apply conservation measures. The change is part of a broader review of environmental regulations that affect industry and land use. The proposal must go through public comment and may face legal challenges before it can take effect.

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Court halts Texas’ new congressional map ahead of 2026 elections

A federal court has barred Texas from using a new congressional map in the 2026 elections, ordering the state to rely on the House district lines adopted in 2021. The ruling requires Texas election officials to organize candidate filings, ballots and voter assignments under the 2021 boundaries used in the 2022 midterms. The decision affects all U.S. House races in the state and shapes how campaigns and parties plan for the next election cycle.

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Texas schools ordered to remove classroom Ten Commandments

A federal judge in Texas has ordered 14 public school districts to remove Ten Commandments displays from classrooms and blocked enforcement of a 2023 state law requiring the biblical text in every classroom. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed in September by 15 families of diverse faith backgrounds who argue the law violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. The preliminary injunction halts the law statewide while the case proceeds in federal court and directs districts to remove existing displays and stop new installations.

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Salvation Army to distribute over 21,000 free holiday meals in Houston

The Salvation Army of Greater Houston and the CMA CGM Foundation will distribute more than 21,000 free holiday meals on November 19, 2024, at the Aldine Westfield Corps in Houston. Over 50 volunteers from CMA CGM and CEVA Logistics will hand out non-perishable food boxes, available on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone in the community. The initiative is part of the CMA CGM Foundation’s “Giving Across North America Initiative,” which supports families facing economic challenges during the holiday season.

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‘Demon Slayer’ hits historic 100 billion yen milestone in Japan

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” became the first Japanese film to exceed 100 billion yen in domestic box-office revenue in Japan, according to industry data. The animated feature, noted for its acrobatic, lightning-fast battles with demons and a kaleidoscopic castle setting with seemingly infinite floors, drew large audiences nationwide. Distributors expanded screenings across major cities and regional theaters as animators, sound designers, and marketing teams coordinated a wide release. Industry trackers compiled ticket sales to confirm the historic earnings milestone.

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Philippines denies reports of secret Palestinian flights

The Philippine government has denied reports of clandestine flights bringing Palestinians into the country, stating that all international arrivals follow standard immigration and aviation procedures. Philippine authorities report no records of secret flights or irregular Palestinian entries and confirm coordination among the Department of Foreign Affairs, immigration, and aviation agencies. Palestinian authorities have launched their own investigation into alleged flight operations involving Palestinian passengers, and Manila says it is prepared to cooperate through official channels if formally requested.

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