P43-B fund reallocation set to influence employee benefits

Firework incidents spike 31% in Bexar County this New Year, officials say

Iga Swiatek dismisses need for ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in tennis

Bato dela Rosa skips bicam proceedings

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Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, designated as a Senate representative to a bicameral conference committee, missed the panel’s meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2024, at the Philippine Congress. His nonattendance extended an ongoing absence from Senate work, according to chamber sources. The bicameral conference committee proceeded with its discussions and bill reconciliation tasks despite his absence, with other senators present and participating. Senate officials had not released a formal explanation for Dela Rosa’s continued absence as of Saturday.

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SEA Games 2025: Al-Bukharie Sali gears up for Alas Pilipinas duty

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Al-Bukharie Sali made his international debut for Alas Pilipinas in the men’s volleyball tournament of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 2025), playing in a live preliminary round match against Myanmar. The University of Santo Tomas standout earned his first national team call-up after a training stint in Taiwan and joined a Philippine lineup that blended veterans and young players. Officials from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and SEA Games organizers recorded his participation as part of the official statistics, with the result of the Myanmar match affecting group standings and potential advancement to the knockout rounds.

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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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