The Swedish Academy said Saturday its permanent secretary, Mats Malm, is stepping down after seven years of heading the prestigious institution that awards the annual Nobel literature prize. As of June 1, 2026, Academy member Ingrid Carlberg, an author and journalist, will take over as permanent secretary. "He (Malm) has held the position for seven years and now wants to pass it on to Ingrid Carlberg," Academy spokeswoman Louise Hedberg told AFP. "It has been a privilege to work for the Academy as Permanent Secretary. Ultimately, seven members quit the Academy, including then permanent secretary Sara Danius.

What to know about the SnapRoll camera: Features, where to get it, and moreIf you're one of those who've been all over the trending Charmera Keychain Camera, you'd be pleased to know that there's another mini camera entering the scene. Meet the "SnapRoll," a new digital camera by Japanese camera brand Escura that's designed to replicate the effects of 135 film at a 1:1 scale. Before you add this item to your wishlist, here's what you need to know about the gadget. The camera features four lens designs and simulates a 135 film frame, making each photo radiate a unique retro charm. Specs-wise, photos come with a 1440 x 1440 resolution, while videos are in 720 x 720 at 30 fps.

Hong Kong banks offer deposit rates of around 3pc as year-end approachesA Hong Kong dollar note is seen in this illustration photo May 31, 2017.

A search for “Trump” shows no results on the U.S. Department of Justice online library of new documents from disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, seen on this computer screen and arranged for a photograph by Reuters in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 19, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

PNP to focus on securing evidence in Cabral’s deathMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has shifted its focus toward investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and securing potential evidence related to a multi-billion-peso flood control controversy. “With the confirmation of her death, we were able to clear things up on the speculations of the identity of the remains. The PNP is also taking further measures to "shed light" on the former official’s final days before she was reported dead. The PNP is also coordinating with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and other government agencies to determine which pieces of evidence in Cabral's possession need to be prioritized for the flood control investigation. Before her death, the Department of Justice was set to refer a plunder complaint against her to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged anomalies in Bulacan's flood control systems.

Court of Appeals orders removal of Pryde Henry Teves from terrorism designationThis photo shows the facade of the Court of Appeals. MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has ordered the delisting from the terrorism designation of the brother of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. In a 45-page ruling dated Dec. 18, 2025, the appellate court granted Teves’ petition for certiorari, effectively nullifying his designation under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act. With this, the Court of Appeals cleared Teves of his terrorism designation and ordered the government to unfreeze his assets. Accordingly, ATC Resolution Number 50 (2023) and ATC Resolution No.

It’s hard to say what happens next but the stakes are certainly high, and it’s difficult not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding her death. Given what she knew, her silence, for sure, would favor many people in high places. As I said, the stakes are certainly high. • Pledging to host the 2026 ASEAN Chinese Business Leaders Summit in Manila next October. This commitment follows the successful inaugural summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October, which recognized Thailand’s Dhanin Chearavanont of the Charoen Pokphand Group as the ASEAN Chinese Business Leader of 2025.

Tumana water service restoredMarikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro (left), 1st District Rep. Marcy Teodoro (center), and members of the City Council went to the Manila Water office in Tumana on Dec. 20, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Water service to about 3,000 residents of Barangay Tumana in Marikina was restored yesterday after the payment of P15 million to Manila Water. Under the “Patubig sa Tumana” agreement, residents pay their water bills to the barangay, which is tasked to remit the collections to Manila Water. Yesterday, Teodoro and the city officials accompanied the water firm’s personnel in opening the 13 water gate valves in the barangay to ensure that water supply is restored. The reconnection capped a tense week for Tumana residents, whose water supply was cut on Dec. 18 after Manila Water cited the barangay’s unpaid obligations amounting to P37,192,199 as of Dec. 2.

USCIS updates guidance on marital petitionsPart 2The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its Policy Manual (PM) on spousal petitions. The PM sets forth rules, regulations, policies, guidance and basic do’s and don’ts when pursuing various immigration benefits. When a couple is pursuing a marital petition, it is critical that they follow and meet the requirements contained in the PM. In a previous article, I discussed some highlights of the PM in connection with successful marital petitions. Similarly, if a divorce is valid where it was obtained, it is also recognized for immigration purposes.

MAGA civil war erupts into the open at Turning Point meetingPhoto by OLIVIER TOURON / AFP Conservative political commentator and podcast host Tucker Carlson speaks at Turning Point's annual AmericaFest conference, in remembrance of late right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona on December 18, 2025.

Firms brace for cautious hiring, expansion plansResults of the fourth quarter 2025 Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed that while firms may continue to hire in early 2026, the pace is expected to moderate. Results of the fourth quarter 2025 Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed that while firms may continue to hire in early 2026, the pace is expected to moderate. In contrast, hiring intentions over the next 12 months remained broadly stable. For the first quarter, the share of firms planning to expand declined to 13.6 percent from 16.1 percent, while expansion plans over the next 12 months fell to 15.4 percent from 19.9 percent. Still, a slightly higher proportion of households plan to acquire real property over the next 12 months, rising to 6.2 percent from 5.6 percent.

DOF rolls out IRR for new mining tax lawThe Department of Finance expects to generate P6.3 billion a year in additional revenue from the implementation of the new mining tax law. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) has issued the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 12253, also known as the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act, which outlines the updated tax, royalty and revenue-sharing provisions of the law. The rules impose ring-fencing, preventing large-scale metallic mining operators from consolidating income and costs across projects or offsetting losses against profits when computing royalties and windfall profit taxes. Metallic mining activities conducted in mineral reservations will be liable for a royalty equivalent to five percent of the total output of extracted or produced minerals or mineral products. For those outside mineral reservations, a margin-based royalty on income from metallic mining operations exceeding 60 percent will be subject to a five percent rate.

Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this image from the U.S. Justice Department’s file of Epstein, released by the House Oversight Committee Democrats Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 18, 2025. House Oversight Committee Democrats/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — One of the two alleged Bondi Beach shooters visited a gun store during their stay in the Philippines, police said yesterday as they attempted to retrace the pair’s movements. “What we’ve seen is one of them visiting a gun shop,” Davao regional police spokesperson Catherine dela Rey said yesterday, adding later that it was 50-year-old Sajid Akram who had been seen. Police inquiries had also revealed that neither of the men had visited any of the city’s seven gun ranges, he said. The source could not recall any interaction with Sajid Akram, the father. The hotel staff could not determine what the contents of the bags were and whether they brought items from outside.

Tuba police chief sacked over lapsesPhoto provided by the Benguet police shows officers inspecting the spot where former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral (top inset) fell to her death in Sitio Marammal, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Maj. Peter Camsol was relieved as Tuba police chief based on findings by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region. The regional police office, Tuaño said, found the Tuba police “remiss in securing pieces of evidence” in the conduct of the investigation. Police said Cabral’s family were initially against allowing an autopsy after her body was found in a ravine in Tuba, Benguet on Dec. 18. Dashcam footageTo aid its investigation into Cabral’s death, the NBI appealed to motorists who passed through Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on Dec. 18 to come forward with dashcam footage.