Houston Landing announces newsroom closure

Philippines lands 6th place in SEA Games

DOH warns: Hypertension rising among young Filipinos

Texas warns residents as new pest expands rapidly across multiple counties

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Texas agriculture officials have issued an urgent alert after confirming the spread of a newly detected invasive mealybug in more than 20 counties. The Texas Department of Agriculture is urging producers to inspect fields and report suspected infestations. State and local experts are monitoring the pest’s distribution, evaluating control options and coordinating with federal partners. Extension services are providing identification guides, management advice and updated maps to help farmers respond to the threat and limit potential crop damage across affected regions.

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Group urges Texas to raise age limit for THC hemp product purchases

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A youth drug awareness group in Austin, Texas, is urging state officials to raise the legal age to purchase hemp products containing THC. The organization seeks tighter age restrictions for sales at vape shops, smoke shops, convenience stores and online retailers statewide. Group members plan to gather support from parents, educators and community leaders, monitor retail sales practices and present their findings to lawmakers and regulators. The initiative aims to place an age-limit review for hemp-derived THC products on the agenda of upcoming Texas legislative and regulatory discussions.

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Houston-area Afghans alarmed as Trump administration restricts immigration pathways

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Houston-area Afghans report rising fear as federal immigration authorities halt some Afghan immigration processing and conduct home arrests following a Thanksgiving week attack that killed one National Guard member. Local attorneys, advocates, and service organizations in Houston describe a shift in how agencies handle Afghan cases, including stalled applications, intensified background checks, and increased enforcement at residences. Community leaders respond with legal clinics, rights education, and outreach to help families navigate arrests, detention, and uncertainty over their immigration status, while Afghan residents limit public activities and closely track policy developments.

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Reddit fights Australia’s social media ban for under-16 users

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Reddit has filed a High Court challenge in Australia against a new law that bans children under 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms. The California-based company contests age-verification and access restrictions introduced by the federal government as part of online safety reforms. The case follows a similar lawsuit by rights group Digital Rights Watch. The High Court will examine the law’s validity, its impact on platforms’ data practices, and its interaction with Australian constitutional and privacy frameworks, while the under-16 ban remains in effect.

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Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from ICE detention after judge’s order

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A federal judge in Maryland ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody on Thursday. The ruling applied to his detention status and required ICE to free him without delay. Officials did not immediately disclose detailed information about the legal reasoning, the length of his detention or the facility where he had been held. The order did not resolve his underlying immigration case and he remains subject to the U.S. immigration system and any future proceedings that may follow.

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Plunder case filed vs Sara Duterte over P612-M confidential funds

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Civic and church groups filed plunder and graft complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman, alleging misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds through parallel funding schemes involving the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. The complainants asked the Ombudsman to investigate the source, release, and use of the funds, subpoena budget and audit records, and pursue criminal charges if warranted. The Ombudsman docketed the case for evaluation and has yet to announce further investigative actions or a timetable.

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Palace: Marcos’ legislative reforms have substance, not optics

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The Palace said on Friday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order for Congress to prioritize several anti-corruption measures, including an anti-political dynasty bill, is not for optics but for substantive reform. Malacañang officials reported that formal communications were sent to both chambers of Congress, directing attention to proposed laws on transparency, accountability, and good governance, and said they expect lawmakers to act on the measures during the current session.

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Denmark opens doors for Filipino health workers with formal program

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Denmark and the Philippines drafted a bilateral health cooperation pact that will create a structured training and recruitment pathway for Filipino health workers bound for Denmark. The proposed agreement details ethical recruitment rules, training and upskilling programs, credential recognition, and welfare safeguards for Filipino nurses and other medical staff. It also establishes joint monitoring and review mechanisms to balance Denmark’s health workforce needs with the Philippines’ domestic health service requirements.

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