Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, claimed he would not go after his political enemies to Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), despite Patel’s past claims that he would. In an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC’s “This Week,”

A shopping mall’s parking area is full of vehicles in this file photo taken on June 30, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMANVEHICLE SALES in the Philippines jumped by 8.5% year on year in November, mainly driven by demand for

Workers prepare roasted pig at a store in La Loma, Quezon City, Dec. 22. The Philippine central bank raised its baseline inflation forecast to 3.3% for 2025 (from 3.2%) and 3.5% for 2026 (from 3.4%). — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

REUTERSTHE PHILIPPINES’ outstanding external debt hit another record high as of end-September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.Data from the central bank showed external debt jumped by 17.5% to $139.64 billion as of end-September from $118.83 billion in the

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. received the “First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series” in Malacañang, Dec. 19. The series highlights the Philippines’ biodiversity and cultural heritage with designs featuring native species and traditional weaves. — YUMMIE DINGDING/PPA POOLTHE Bangko Sentral ng