Texas plans to open Turning Point USA chapters in all high schools

Texas Republican Party leaders have launched a statewide initiative to establish Turning Point USA chapters in every public high school, charter school, and college, coordinating with students, educators, and local GOP officials to expand the conservative youth organization’s presence on Texas campuses. The plan follows similar efforts by Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida, where leaders have promoted Turning Point USA as a vehicle for conservative political engagement among young people. The Texas GOP says it will assist students with school approval processes and work with Turning Point USA staff to comply with district rules for student organizations, while tracking the creation of new chapters over coming school years.

Read more

BI blocks suspected mail-order bride at Naia arrival

The Bureau of Immigration intercepted a 25-year-old Filipino woman at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on December 7, 2024, after officers suspected she was a mail-order bride bound for Beijing on an Air China flight. Authorities reported that inconsistencies in her travel purpose, financial arrangements funded by a foreign contact, and incomplete tourism documents led to her offloading. The BI coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and cited Philippine laws prohibiting mail-order spouse schemes as it referred the woman for counseling and further evaluation.

Read more

2 Congress members push bipartisan bill to tackle veteran suicides

A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress seeks to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement an evidence-based suicide-prevention model at VA medical centers nationwide. The legislation mandates standardized screening, staff training, data tracking and crisis response protocols to address veteran suicide risk. The bill directs the VA to coordinate with other federal agencies and veteran organizations, expand access to mental health services and report regularly to Congress on implementation and outcomes.

Read more

Somali TikToker removed from US, claims of innocence emerge

A Somali migrant, TikTok personality Mahad Maxamud, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu after the United States deported him in 2024 for allegedly aiding the kidnapping of two French spies. US officials publicly labeled him an “illegal scumbag,” while supporters in Somalia questioned the evidence behind the accusation. Somali authorities confirmed his arrival but did not announce new charges or a fresh investigation, and US agencies did not release further details on the case. Community leaders and legal observers in Mogadishu said they would follow any developments closely because of the case’s implications for security cooperation and the treatment of Somali migrants abroad.

Read more

Universal City blaze leaves families in need of aid

A major apartment fire in Universal City, Texas, displaced residents from 64 units and prompted a coordinated emergency response. Firefighters evacuated families, aid groups provided shelter and supplies, and investigators began examining the cause of the blaze. Local nonprofits, schools, and city officials organized housing assistance, donations, and support services while structural assessments continued at the damaged complex.

Read more

Southeast Austin blaze leaves apartment complex with $3M losses

A large fire at the Sage at Franklin Park apartment complex in Southeast Austin, Texas, caused an estimated $3 million in damages, according to the Austin Fire Department. Firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke and flames and deployed multiple units to contain the blaze and protect nearby structures. Investigators from the Austin Fire Department opened an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire and are reviewing witness accounts, physical evidence, and video footage. Officials said they will release further details after completing the investigation and damage assessments.

Read more

NBA player Rozier pleads not guilty to gambling-related charges

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges alleging he helped gamblers place bets on his NBA game performance. A judge ordered Rozier released on $3 million bond with travel restrictions and other conditions. Prosecutors outlined accusations involving electronic communications and financial transactions, while the defense vowed to review evidence and consider pretrial motions. The case remains under the Eastern District of New York as the NBA and the Miami Heat monitor developments.

Read more

Arrest warrant for Sarah Discaya on the way, Marcos confirms

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on December 9, 2024, that an arrest warrant for controversial contractor Sarah Discaya will be issued within the week. Marcos said authorities have completed the requirements for the warrant and will implement it once the court releases the document. Officials did not immediately disclose the specific charges, the issuing court, or Discaya’s whereabouts. The administration said it will allow the justice system to address the case and determine Discaya’s legal accountability.

Read more

Fil-Canadian standout Kayla Sanchez shines as SEA Games 2025 ‘game changer’

Filipino Canadian Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez will debut for the Philippines at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand starting December 9. After leading the national swimming qualifiers, Sanchez posted times that broke the Philippine women’s 100m freestyle record and exceeded the previous SEA Games gold-medal mark in the event. She also registered a 29.00-second swim in the 50m backstroke. The SEA Games Thailand 2025 Organizing Committee has labeled her an “Olympic-Level Game Changer” and placed her among the top headline athletes of the Games.

Read more