BTS’ Jimin, Jungkook unveil ‘Are You Sure?!’ Season 2 photobook

BTS members Jimin and Jungkook released the official “Are You Sure?! Season 2” photobook on Dec. 24, 2024, following pre-orders on Weverse Shop from Dec. 9. The photobook complements their Disney+ reality travel series and includes scenic photos from Switzerland and Vietnam, behind-the-scenes images, collectible photocards, postcards, instant shots and an exclusive unreleased photo. The eight-episode show airs weekly through the Christmas season, and the photobook serves as an official companion merchandise item for fans worldwide.

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S. Korea reports 2 new highly contagious bird flu cases

South Korea on Wednesday confirmed two new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza at poultry farms in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, raising the total number of farm infections this season to 10. Agricultural authorities implemented quarantine, culling, movement controls, and disinfection measures at and around the affected sites, and launched epidemiological investigations to trace infection routes. The government increased surveillance at high-risk farms, ordered stronger biosecurity measures, and pledged support for affected farm owners under livestock disease control rules.

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Roque contests passport revocation in new filing

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque filed a motion for reconsideration on December 9, 2025, challenging the cancellation of his Philippine passport, which he claims lacks legal basis. In a statement released Thursday, Roque asserted he is not a fugitive and that his stay in Europe is tied to his right to seek asylum. Now based in the Netherlands while working on the legal defense of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Roque urged Philippine authorities to review the timing and grounds of the passport cancellation and requested the restoration of his travel document.

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‘Avatar’ season 2 teaser showcases Toph Beifong’s return

Netflix released a new teaser for season 2 of its live-action series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” featuring the first look at Toph Beifong. The footage shows Toph’s dramatic Earthbending entrance, her seismic abilities, and her role as Aang’s future Earthbending teacher. The teaser also includes returning characters Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko, along with new Earth Kingdom locations and large-scale battle sequences. Netflix uses the teaser to continue its promotional campaign for the second season, which adapts the Earth Kingdom arc of the original animated series.

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NBA Cup introduces fresh identity, trophy to chase

NBA Executive Vice President James Jones says the Emirates NBA Cup has quickly become a staple of the league calendar, delivering playoff-level intensity and a new trophy to chase during the regular season. He details how the in-season tournament’s format, branding and global partnership with Emirates enhance competition, fan engagement and the NBA’s international reach, while outlining adjustments and long-term plans to cement the Cup as a permanent pillar of the league structure.

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PH’s Aleah Finnegan shines with vault gold at SEA Games

Aleah Finnegan captured the women’s gymnastics vault gold medal for the Philippines at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday at Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Finnegan topped the vault final by edging Vietnam’s Thiguynh Nhu Nguyen, who took silver, as judges scored routines under international gymnastics rules. Philippine gymnastics officials reported that Finnegan’s victory added significantly to the country’s medal haul in the 2025 SEA Games, a regional multi-sport event featuring 11 Southeast Asian nations. Organizers confirmed the results after technical officials validated the final scores and conducted the awarding ceremony at the Rangsit Campus venue.

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San Antonio City Council to vote on $3M anti-gang program funding

The San Antonio City Council is set to vote on accepting a $3 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant to continue the Texas Anti-Gang Program in the city. The proposal would route federal funds through the Governor’s Office to support the San Antonio Texas Anti-Gang Center and its multi-agency operations targeting organized criminal street gangs. The council’s decision will determine whether the city continues this DHS-backed public safety partnership at the current funding level.

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COVID-19 linked to memory changes, researchers suggest possible remedies

South Korea’s Korea National Institute of Health announced that its researchers identified how the COVID-19 S1 spike protein may directly impair nerve cells linked to memory and proposed a potential treatment method. The study describes molecular pathways through which the S1 protein affects neuronal signaling and outlines a strategy to block or modulate this impact. The institute plans further preclinical and clinical trials, collaboration with hospitals and universities, and international data sharing to advance therapies for cognitive disorders reported after COVID-19 infection.

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Gerald Anderson to star with Anne Curtis in ‘BuyBust’ series

Netflix confirmed that Gerald Anderson will join Anne Curtis in the new action-thriller series “BuyBust: The Undesirables,” directed by Erik Matti and based on the 2018 film “BuyBust.” Netflix Philippines released the teaser earlier than the cast expected, revealing Anderson’s participation and Curtis’s return to her original role. The series will expand the dystopian “BuyBust” universe with new characters and large-scale action sequences. Netflix has not yet announced the release date, full cast list, or episode count but said it will unveil more promotional materials as the premiere approaches.

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