LAWIN.news, Author at LAWIN.news

Stephen Holt steps into the spotlight

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025046 views

Stephen Holt sent Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals with a decisive game-winning shot in a 99-98 overtime victory over Converge in a knockout quarterfinal. The overtime thriller, played on Sunday night, ended Converge’s Philippine Cup campaign and moved Ginebra into the next round of the all-Filipino conference. Holt’s buzzer-beating basket capped a tightly contested game that went beyond regulation after both teams finished the fourth quarter tied, forcing an extra period to decide which club advanced.

U.S. strikes facility associated with drug boats, Trump confirms

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025057 views

President Trump announces that the U.S. military targeted a significant facility associated with drug trafficking boats, escalating tensions with Venezuela.

Austin plans $5.2M reduction in social services funding

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025048 views

The City of Austin will cut $5.2 million from social services contracts after voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition Q in the November election, forcing budget adjustments. City officials notified affected providers, revised contract amounts, and coordinated changes to program scopes and service levels. The cuts apply within the current fiscal year and reflect the revenue gap created by the failed ballot measure. Austin’s finance department and city leadership reviewed updated projections and directed reductions to keep the budget balanced while continuing to monitor future funding conditions.

Judge Sakai honors Michele Garcia as a JP who left ‘profound impact’

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025044 views

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai announced that Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Michele Garcia died of cervical cancer the day after Christmas in San Antonio, Texas. County officials described her as a dedicated public servant whose work affected many residents through her justice court. The county plans to maintain court services, begin the process to fill the vacancy, and coordinate public recognition of her service. Officials will provide updates on interim court operations, memorial plans, and the selection of her successor.

Unionized hospitality workers in Houston celebrate 2025 victories, eye 2026 gains

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025046 views

Unionized hospitality workers in Houston secured major wage increases and improved benefits in 2025 after a 40-day hotel workers’ strike that led to new multiyear contracts at several major hotels. The agreements raised hourly pay, expanded health coverage, and established clearer scheduling and workload rules. Union leaders report that these gains already influence negotiations and pay practices at other unionized workplaces in the city. With additional hospitality contracts set to expire in 2026, unions plan to use the 2025 hotel settlements as benchmarks in upcoming bargaining across Houston’s hospitality sector.

New Braunfels shooting suspect still at large, police warn

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025042 views

New Braunfels police in Texas are searching for a male suspect in a December 21 shooting and warn the public that he is armed and dangerous. Authorities urge residents not to approach the suspect and to call 911 with any information. The New Braunfels Police Department continues to investigate the incident, gather evidence, and increase patrols while withholding the suspect’s name pending further developments. This straight news report covers what happened, when and where it occurred, who is involved, why police issued the warning, and how residents should respond.

Cabral files shown to Ombudsman found to be ‘partial’

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025048 views

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday confirmed that its investigators gained only partial access to the so-called “Cabral files” held by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Leviste allowed the team to view selected portions of documents linked to the late DPWH Undersecretary but did not open the full set for inspection. The Ombudsman is evaluating legal steps to secure complete access and to determine the evidentiary value of the materials in ongoing corruption inquiries involving public works projects.

Global heat records show 2025 among three hottest years

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025057 views

Scientists announced that 2025 ranked as one of the three hottest years on record and marked the first time a three-year global temperature average exceeded 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, the key threshold in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Researchers attributed most of the warming to human-driven greenhouse gas emissions, supported by global temperature records, satellite data, and climate models. They said the 2025 data will inform international climate negotiations, future scientific assessments, and policy planning as countries track progress toward agreed temperature limits and evaluate emissions reduction strategies.

U.S. backs Israel amid criticism over Somaliland recognition at UN

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025063 views

The United States on Monday defended at the United Nations Israel’s right to recognize Somaliland, comparing it to states’ recognition of Palestine and framing it as a sovereign diplomatic decision. Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce told delegates in New York that Israel held the same right as any other sovereign state to establish diplomatic relations and that UN members should respect each other’s recognition choices. She said Washington would monitor reactions, consult partners, and participate in UN discussions on how recognition decisions affect regional stability, existing UN resolutions, and ongoing political processes in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.

Marcos to vet 2026 spending bill before approval, Palace says

LAWIN.newsDecember 30, 2025067 views

The Palace announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has started a weeklong, thorough review of the ratified 2026 General Appropriations Bill after receiving it on December 29. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the President’s team is scrutinizing all allocations and provisions against the original National Expenditure Program to verify changes and ensure legal, technical, and fiscal integrity. While the 2026 budget undergoes review, the government will operate under a reenacted budget for the first days of 2026, which Recto said will not disrupt services or operations.