A Fort Worth firefighter, severely burned while battling a house fire in September 2025, has been granted workers’ compensation benefits following public scrutiny and intervention by a city council member. The case prompted internal review of claim procedures, firefighter safety, and support for injured first responders in Fort Worth.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reported that debris from a Chinese rocket launched on Monday may have fallen within Philippine archipelagic waters near Palawan, identifying possible drop zones off Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. PhilSA said the debris likely consisted of discarded rocket components such as boosters and fairings and advised vessels and coastal communities to avoid and report any suspected fragments. The agency coordinated with national authorities and international tracking partners to monitor risks and announced that it would issue further advisories based on updated trajectory data.
The Trump administration is reshaping the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division by emphasizing claims of “reverse discrimination” against white and non-minority individuals. This fact-based report details how federal civil rights enforcement priorities are shifting away from a traditional focus on protecting minority groups, examines changes in case selection and legal strategy, and describes the impact on schools, employers and government agencies that rely on federal guidance to design diversity and inclusion programs.
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Monday voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Manila after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against him in connection with an alleged anomalous flood control project scandal. Revilla confirmed in a Facebook video that he received information about the warrant, and his office later stated that he chose to surrender. The case arises from charges filed before the Sandiganbayan following investigations into questioned flood control projects, which led the anti-graft court to find probable cause and order his arrest.
The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons and multiple playoff appearances without a Super Bowl berth, part of a sweeping wave of NFL coaching changes following the 2025 season. This report details McDermott’s record in Buffalo and outlines other major moves, including Mike Tomlin’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the firings of Mike McDaniel, John Harbaugh, Raheem Morris, Kevin Stefanski, Pete Carroll, Jonathan Gannon, Brian Callahan, and Brian Daboll, along with each coach’s tenure, records, and best seasons.
Alexandra Eala exited the Australian Open women’s singles in the first round after Alycia Parks rallied for a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 win in Melbourne. The 20-year-old Filipina, making her main-draw debut, rode strong crowd support early before Parks adjusted and took control. Eala entered the tournament at a career-best No. 49 following a semifinal run in Auckland and remains scheduled for doubles play. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and American Coco Gauff both advanced to the second round with opening-match victories as seeded players continued to progress at Melbourne Park.
The Department of Education will roll out 144,081 sets of bamboo learners’ desks and chairs and 3,235 sets for teachers to selected public schools from February to March 2026. The program aims to replace worn, shared, or unusable classroom furniture and enforce the requirement that at least 20 percent of school furniture be made from bamboo. DepEd will coordinate with school division offices and accredited suppliers to deliver, inspect, and install the furniture, and will use feedback and inventory data to guide future procurement and classroom support.
Early voting in the special election runoff for Texas’ 18th Congressional District will run from January 21–27, 2025, in Harris County, where Democratic candidates Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards will compete to fill a vacant U.S. House seat, with Election Day set for Saturday, January 31, 2025.
Novak Djokovic opened his 2026 Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, in Melbourne on January 19, 2026. The victory marked Djokovic’s 100th career match win at the Australian Open and advanced the 10-time champion to the second round. Tournament organizers confirmed that the 38-year-old Serb, who is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, will next face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli.
Houston will host its first MLK Unity Parade in downtown Houston as two long-running Martin Luther King Jr. parades merge into one event. The Black Heritage Society and MLK Grande Parade partnered with the City of Houston to create a unified celebration featuring more than 300 parade units and an estimated crowd of up to 400,000 people. Mayor John Whitmire, Charles White, and radio personality Madd Hatta serve as grand marshals. Organizers plan to make the Unity Parade an annual tradition.