No import, no worriesMANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine, all without its suspended import Jaylen Johnson, shut down Meralco in a coast-to-coast 109-102 victory and seized the solo lead in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Manaytay, a 6-foot-5 rookie, also stood his ground on the defensive end by limiting Meralco import Marvin Jones. “We wanted to offer our effort to Jaylen. Maybe, they were just complacent and we had a psychological upper hand without an import. It came down to how we wanted it more than Meralco.”Later, Robert Bolick (32) drained the go-ahead trey as NLEX (3-1) forced a three-way tie at No.

The bets are placed in a shadow gambling system run by the gambling lords. The illegal gambling operations are carried out openly and in plain sight. All the police could grab are the bookies – the foot soldiers of the illegal gambling networks who carry records of bets placed. The persistence of illegal gambling networks shadowing the government-sanctioned STL threatens the viability of legal betting networks. Although they might resemble each other, the illegal gambling networks and the STL are two completely different animals.

(File Photo)(File Photo)(File Photo)The passenger departure facilities at Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 2 will commence operations on May 27, with 15 airlines set to move their check-in counters from Terminal 1 in a phased transition. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe relocation involves 15 airlines that primarily operate regional routes, including three local carriers—HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines. The entire move will be completed by June 10, positioning the terminal to handle the summer holiday travel peak. The Airport Express train platform will provide seamless connections to the departure levels of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as train doors will open on both sides simultaneously. Other passenger amenities within Terminal 2 are scheduled to be activated progressively according to passenger demand.

He later posted on social media that he would pause threatened attacks on Iranian energy plants for 10 days until April 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern daylight time (0000 GMT on April 7). On March 23, Trump announced a halt to all threatened strikes against power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. Strikes on three buildings in the Pardisan area of Qom, south of Tehran, killed at least six people, Iranian media reported. In Urumia, in the northwest, a direct missile strike on a housing complex killed and injured several civilians, with rescue operations continuing, Iranian media said. Several U.S. allies have said they have no immediate plans to send ships to unblock the Strait, rebuffing a Trump request.

President Marcos opens NAIAXMarcos said the 320-meter-long road would reduce travel time from South Luzon Expressway, Skyway Stage 3 and Lawton Avenue by 15 to 25 minutes, from the previous 40 minutes. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos led the opening yesterday of the westbound off-ramp of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) along Andrews Avenue leading to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Marcos said the 320-meter-long road would reduce travel time from South Luzon Expressway, Skyway Stage 3 and Lawton Avenue by 15 to 25 minutes, from the previous 40 minutes. The President added that the expressway going to Cabanatuan is expected to be opened to motorists soon. Meanwhile, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange said 999,096 passengers have used the PITX ahead of the Holy Week travel surge.

WATCH: Energy emergency declared: What it means for Filipinos and fuel pricesMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is now under a state of national energy emergency after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the declaration on March 24, amid the continued rise in global oil prices driven by the US-Iran war. The government said the move aims to prevent the worsening impact of fuel price hikes on Filipinos, particularly on transport, food and electricity costs. In this episode of Philstar.com's Long Story Short, we break down what the state of national energy emergency means, what Filipinos can expect and whether it will actually help ease rising fuel prices. — Video edited by Anj Andaya

Czech Lehecka beats France's Fils to reach Miami Open finalCzech Jiri Lehecka dominated France's Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 to reach the men's final at the ATP and WTA Miami Open. MIAMI, United States — Czech Jiri Lehecka dominated France's Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) to reach the men's final at the ATP and WTA Miami Open. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who plays in the WTA final against fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff. It's the eighth career final for the Czech but his first at the elite Masters 1000 level. Sinner hopes to reach the final and continue his streak of 30 consecutive sets won at the Masters 1000 level.

Darkening skiesThe skies have darkened for Donald Trump amid his month-long war with Iran in partnership with the equally bellicose Benjamin Netanyahu, who has different objectives from the US president’s, in pursuing the most disruptive and destabilizing global war ever waged. Can Trump really obliterate Iran’s power grid? Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, on March 25 scolded the US president: “President Trump must retract deeply irresponsible threats of acts that would unleash catastrophic harm on millions of civilians. Can significantly reduce oil consumption from commuting. Can reduce national oil use for cars by one percent to three percent.

The United States is weighing sending up to 10,000 extra troops to the Middle East, US media reported Friday, as speculation grows that Washington may be preparing a ground operation in Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move would aim to provide Trump with "more military options" in the Middle East, engulfed by war since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The troops would join thousands of paratroopers and Marines who have already been ordered to the region. Trump has repeatedly said he does not plan to send ground troops into combat with Iran. "It is unclear where precisely forces will go in the Middle East, but they will likely be within striking distance of Iran and Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub off Iran's coast," the Journal said.

Two local men, aged 61 and 63, were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on March 26 after security checks revealed extendable batons in their checked luggage. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe items were discovered as the men were undergoing screening for an outbound flight yesterday. Following the arrests, both individuals were released on bail, with the Airport District police launching a further investigation into the case. Police issued a stern reminder that carrying prohibited items, such as extendable batons, in either checked or carry-on luggage is a violation of the Aviation Security Ordinance. The offense carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.

VAT removal, oil deregulation repeal ‘not off the table,’ says MarcosMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that measures such as the suspension of the value-added tax (VAT) and the repeal of the oil deregulation law are not off the table—but more pressing matters will come first. In a media interview on Friday, March 27, Marcos reiterated that "nothing is being discounted." Tl"You know, we would love to amend the oil deregulation, but it is a long discussion. Senate President Tito Sotto has filed a bill repealing the oil deregulation law, saying that the government had no control over the erratic prices of petroleum products during external shocks such as the crisis in the Middle East. Marcos has already signed into law a measure granting the president emergency powers to lift the excise tax on fuel products for a limited period.

The deadly bombing of an Iranian school on the first day of the Middle East war was a "calculated" assault by the United States, Iran's foreign minister said Friday. President Donald Trump intially suggested that Iran itself may have been responsible -- despite Iran not having Tomahawk missiles. The strike, he said, "was a war crime and a crime against humanity, one that demands unequivocal condemnation by all and unambiguous accountability for the culprits". "This atrocity cannot be justified, cannot be concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference," the minister said. "The United States' contradictory remarks aimed at justifying their crime could not, in any manner, elude their responsibility," he said.

The government has announced a detailed plan for residents of the seven buildings in Wang Fuk Court to return to their units to collect personal items on Friday. For five of the buildings—Wang Sun House, Wang Yan House, Wang Tao House, Wang Kin House, and Wang Shing House—the return will take three days each. Due to more severe fire damage, the arrangements for Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House will be extended to six days each to allow residents more support. The second round will take place from April 23 to 28, beginning with Wang Cheong House and subsequently including Wang Yan House and Wang Tao House. The third round is scheduled from April 29 to May 4, starting with Wang Tai House, followed by Wang Kin House and Wang Shing House.

President Marcos: Philippines crude oil enough until June 30Marcos made the remark on the sidelines of the opening of the new NAIAX off-ramp to Terminal 3 in Pasay yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The country has enough supply of crude oil until June 30, President Marcos has assured the public. As for jet fuel, Garin said major carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have “increased their level of inventory.” The challenge, she said, is the price tag for jet fuel. Jet fuel prices have risen faster than the global benchmark Brent crude. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific said they currently have enough jet fuel supply, but they are cutting back trips to save costs.

British charities and disability advocates have slammed a trend for using AI to generate "fetishised" images of women with disabilities and genetic conditions including Down syndrome, vitiligo and albinism. The images show "very fetishised bodies" and "very sexual content", said Aisha Sobey, a University of Cambridge researcher studying generative AI. These AI influencers "are mostly young white women," said Emanuel Maiberg of the 404 Media tech news outlet who has covered the trend. - 'Harmful and unacceptable' -The AI images are often medically unlikely or impossible. AI images perpetuate "misinformation", for example that people with albinism have red eyes, she said.