Americans stream more rock, gospel music in 2025
The global music industry logged an estimated 5.1 trillion streams in 2025 as listeners worldwide continued to turn to digital platforms for music consumption.
The global music industry logged an estimated 5.1 trillion streams in 2025 as listeners worldwide continued to turn to digital platforms for music consumption.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has presented former U.S. President Donald Trump with a symbolic Nobel Peace Prize medallion, officials say. The unofficial medallion, not issued by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, was described as a gesture recognizing Trump’s stance on Venezuela and support for opposition efforts against President Nicolás Maduro. The private meeting and presentation highlight Machado’s ongoing push for international backing in her campaign for political change in Venezuela, as observers track how symbolic acts shape foreign engagement with the country’s crisis.
The National Bureau of Investigation filed plunder complaints before the Philippine Department of Justice against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co over an alleged multibillion-peso ghost flood control scheme. The NBI accuses the officials of involvement in nonexistent or overpriced flood control projects funded by public money. DOJ prosecutors will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine probable cause and decide whether to elevate the case to the Sandiganbayan.
The United States approved a $1.5 billion foreign military sale to Peru to expand and modernize the Callao naval base near Lima’s international airport. The State Department said the package includes engineering, construction, equipment, training, and logistics support and will bring up to 20 US government and contractor personnel to Peru for up to 10 years. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the deal, which aims to strengthen Peru’s maritime security and defense capabilities. The announcement follows the inauguration of a separate Chinese-funded mega-port in Peru, though US officials did not formally link the two projects.
Texas Realtors reported a record number of Texas homes selling for $1 million or more between November 2024 and October 2025, according to the 2025 Texas Sales of Million-Dollar Homes Report. The statewide analysis, based on MLS and market data, detailed transaction volumes, price distributions, regional trends and year-over-year changes in luxury home sales. The report highlighted how major metropolitan areas led million-dollar activity and how these sales compared with overall residential transactions across Texas.
Travis County residents near Pflugerville report concerns about the deteriorating condition of Hodde Lane as traffic and development increase in northeast Travis County. Community members cite safety and vehicle damage risks and request repairs and long-term upgrades from county officials. Authorities say they will review the roadway and consider resident feedback as they prioritize maintenance and improvement projects across rapidly growing unincorporated areas.
Bartlett Independent School District in Bartlett, Texas, announced the closure of all campuses for the remainder of the week following an increase in flu and illness cases among students and staff. District officials said they will use the closure to conduct deep cleaning and disinfection of facilities and will suspend classes and on-campus activities during this period. Administrators notified families through official channels and advised parents to monitor children for symptoms and follow public health guidance. The district plans to coordinate with local health authorities and review illness and attendance data before confirming the resumption of normal school operations.
The City of San Antonio in Texas has started its biennial cleanup of the San Antonio River, temporarily draining part of the river to remove debris, sediment and overgrown vegetation. City crews are using pumps and barriers to safely access the riverbed, conduct inspections and perform minor infrastructure repairs. Officials coordinated the operation with environmental agencies and notified the public of possible access changes along the riverwalk. The river is expected to return to normal water levels once maintenance activities conclude.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines has intensified its investigation into alleged franchise violations involving Solar Philippines, founded by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, after its sale to businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is examining whether the transfer of controlling interest complied with laws requiring congressional approval for franchise holders and whether the transaction indirectly circumvented legal restrictions. The probe focuses on the sale’s structure, regulatory compliance, possible involvement of public officials, and adherence to franchise and public utility laws.
The Philippine Department of Health on Thursday linked poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy to underweight births, complications, and “brain stunting” among children, as Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa underscored the importance of proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life. He said many Filipino pregnant women lack adequate nutritional support, which affects fetal growth, birth outcomes, and long-term child development. DOH programs now focus on improving prenatal nutrition services, food access, and breastfeeding promotion across communities.