President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Dec. 23, told attendees at a Malacañang holiday gathering in Manila that if relatives call them fat during Christmas reunions, they should reply “ikaw din.”
Malacañang confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will sign the Philippines’ 2026 national budget on Jan. 5, 2026, resulting in a five-day period under a re-enacted budget at the start of the year. The government will operate using the previous year’s appropriations from Jan. 1 to Jan. 5, 2026, until the new General Appropriations Act takes effect. Executive officials stated that agencies can fund ongoing programs during this period but cannot start new projects that depend on the 2026 budget.
Veteran Filipino comedian Kuhol, known offstage as Doughlas Arthur Supnet, died at the age of 66, according to reports from local media. Authorities and family representatives have not yet released details on the time, place, or cause of his death. Entertainment reporters identified Kuhol as a veteran figure in Philippine comedy and continued to seek information on funeral and memorial arrangements.
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, became the first player to leave Saudi-funded LIV Golf, creating a major shift in professional golf and raising questions about his possible return to the PGA Tour. LIV Golf confirmed his resignation on its website and named Talor Gooch as the new team captain to replace Koepka. Officials from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour did not immediately disclose details about contract terms, eligibility rules, or timelines for Koepka’s reinstatement.
A shallow 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, according to the US Geological Survey, which reported the quake at 5:47 p.m. local time (0947 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued its own magnitude estimate earlier, and local authorities and emergency services began assessments of possible impact. No immediate reports of damage or casualties emerged following the seismic event, while regional and international monitoring centers continued to track aftershocks and review updated seismic data for Taiwan.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is ending the random H-1B visa lottery and introducing a wage-based selection system that prioritizes higher-paid, highly skilled foreign workers. The change affects both the regular H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption, using federal wage levels to rank employer registrations. The agency states that the new process aims to align the program with labor market needs and strengthen protections for U.S. workers by favoring higher-wage positions. The numerical cap on H-1B visas remains unchanged under current law.
Texas State Representative Jared Patterson proposes a major change to his plan to restrict teen access to social media, citing rising global moves to limit platforms for minors. He calls social media the most dangerous product legally available to children in Texas and seeks stronger age verification, data protections and parental involvement.
The Republican Party of Texas is pursuing a federal lawsuit to close the state’s open primary system, arguing that crossover voting by Democrats and independents violates its First Amendment freedom of association. Disability advocates and voting access groups oppose a move to party registration, warning it could discourage participation by voters with disabilities through added administrative barriers.
A preservation group raised concerns about rapid renovation and construction activity at the White House under President Donald Trump, citing limited outside oversight and unclear preservation safeguards. The group called for stronger, standardized limits and more transparency on how any administration can alter the historic executive mansion and its grounds. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between modernization, security needs, and historic preservation at one of the United States’ most significant federal properties.
The DOJ said its officials received the funds from Santos in coordination with concerned government agencies that oversee infrastructure and public works projects.