Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Texas will implement a set of new laws that expand inventory tax exemptions for businesses, require most county jails to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, streamline evictions of squatters, mandate age checks and parental consent for app store users, and establish a statewide framework for regulating artificial intelligence and deep‑fake content.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines announced that it will start early preparations for the 2028 national and local elections, using the timeline of the 2025 polls as its primary guide. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body will review and assess the 2025 electoral calendar, including voter registration, filing of candidacies, campaign periods, and procurement activities, to identify measures for replication or adjustment in 2028.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has obtained new “very substantial” dashcam footage in the probe into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. Investigators have added the video to the official evidence file and will subject it to forensic and technical analysis to verify authenticity, identify people and vehicles, and establish a detailed timeline of events.
Filipino actress Solenn Heussaff returns to the big screen after years away from film work, taking on a new project that focuses on a realistic portrayal of marriage. She discusses her initial nervousness on set, her preparation for the role and her collaboration with the director, co-actors and production team. The film emphasizes everyday challenges between spouses, including communication, conflict and reconciliation, using dialogue-driven scenes and domestic settings.
Authorities in Harris County, Texas, report that about 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid leaked into the Houston Ship Channel from an industrial facility, sending two people to a hospital and triggering a multi-agency emergency response. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says responders contained the incident and began environmental testing, with early indications that the most significant impact may affect water quality and marine life.
“The Voice” winner Sofronio Vasquez started recording his debut EP in August 2024 in Los Angeles with guidance from coach Michael Bublé and support from music legends David Foster and Paul Anka. A “Beyond The Voice” episode shows Vasquez tracking a new version of “My Grown-Up Christmas List,” working on a mix of Christmas songs, show favorites, and an original Bublé composition. The feature also highlights Bublé’s request for Tagalog lyrics in a duet to reflect Vasquez’s Filipino roots and documents his return to “The Voice” stage on December 16 to perform “Superman.”
Taylor Swift details why she avoided dating athletes and how she began her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in episode four of her Disney+ docuseries “The Eras Tour: The End of an Era.” In a conversation with her mother, Andrea, Swift explains her past reluctance to date in the sports world, her emotional state after two breakups during the Eras Tour, and how Kelce’s friendship bracelet gesture and strong character references led her to give the relationship a chance. She also describes how falling for Kelce sparked an unexpected obsession with learning football.
Filipino engineer and Silicon Valley pioneer Diosdado “Dado” Banatao died on Dec. 25, 2024, at age 79 in Stanford, California. Banatao earned recognition for key contributions to microchip and computer technology that helped shape the modern personal computer industry. His work in Silicon Valley and his continued ties to the Philippines highlighted his role as one of the most influential Filipino figures in global technology. Authorities and family confirmed his death, as tributes from technology and academic communities noted his decades-long impact on engineering and innovation.
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast on Saturday at 11:05 p.m. local time, according to the US Geological Survey, while Taiwan’s weather agency measured it at magnitude 7.0 and a depth of 73 kilometers. The offshore quake, the second major tremor to hit the island within days, prompted authorities to assess potential damage, monitor for aftershocks, and review seismic data. No tsunami warning was immediately issued, and early checks focused on infrastructure, transportation, and local reports of shaking across affected areas.
A little-known Texas law gives state regulators flexibility over how insurers price Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, using a method known as silver loading. As enhanced federal subsidies expire in the coming days, the law may help some Texans keep net premiums lower by concentrating rate increases in silver-tier plans, which determine federal tax credits. The measure applies to individual and family marketplace coverage across Texas and affects how premium changes interact with federal financial assistance.