(UPDATE) CONTINUED borrowings and a weaker peso saw the national government's outstanding debt rise to a new record high of P13.91 trillion in April, the Bureau of the Treasury reported on Wednesday. For the month alone, P54.24 billion was added to total outstanding debt due to the "net issuance of external debt and local currency depreciation against the US dollar," the Treasury said in a statement. "This was slightly offset by the P2.47-billion effect on onshore foreign currency-denominated securities caused by peso depreciation against the US dollar," the Treasury added. "On the other hand, third-currency adjustments against the US dollar trimmed P12.30 billion from the peso value of foreign currency debt," it added. "These were tempered by the impact of local currency depreciation amounting to P3.95 billion," the Treasury said.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has used an array of adjectives to describe Jimmy Butler over the course of his team's remarkable postseason campaign. It was the latest in a lengthening list of towering performances from Butler, the 33-year-old forward who has invariably been the cornerstone of Miami's odyssey through the playoffs. But as Spoelstra emphasises, Butler's influence on Miami's fortunes goes far deeper than raw on-court statistics. "You have to have a guy that you can hold on to, particularly in those moments of truth," Spoelstra said of Butler. Speaking in the wake of Miami's first round upset of Milwaukee, Spoelstra said Butler was the embodiment of the Heat's dogged approach.

Lazada’s Pauline Castro: Paving a new path for women in technologyCastro noted that Lazada's commitment to innovation is evident in its approach to seamlessly merging shopping with entertainment and social experiences by offering a wide Beauty assortment at the best prices, exclusively from local and international brands. Castro, who handles Lazada's content and UX optimization, said that in her experience, she considers barriers in the technology industry as “empowering” because tech itself provides women greater flexibility. Because of the flexibility of the technology we provide, you can juggle it alongside your other important tasks,” Castro told The Philippine STAR in an exclusive interview. Castro highlighted one of Lazada's most innovative features, LazBeauty. When asked about the advantages of being a woman in technology, Castro cited empathy as a key value that she can bring to the industry.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Sudan’s army suspended talks with a rival paramilitary force on Wednesday over a ceasefire and about enabling humanitarian access, a Sudanese diplomatic source said, raising fears of fresh bloodshed in the more than six-week-old conflict. ADVERTISEMENTResidents reported heavy clashes in southern Khartoum and in Omdurman across the River Nile until late on Tuesday. The RSF said in a statement late on Tuesday it was committed to the ceasefire “despite repeated violations” by the army. Before the ceasefire deal was renewed, an army source said the army had demanded the RSF withdraw from civilian homes and hospitals as a condition for an extension. After Bashir was toppled in an popular uprising, the army and RSF leaders staged a coup in 2021 before they due to hand leadership to civilians.

Hongkongers sweated and fretted as the temperature climbed to 35 degrees Celsius in various districts, prompting the first extreme heat special weather tip from the Hong Kong Observatory since the service was launched Friday. SING TAO Previous NextThe Hong Kong Observatory yesterday issued its first extreme heat special weather tip as temperatures climbed to 35 degrees Celsius in several districts, including at the Sheung Shui basketball ground which hit 40 degrees. The extreme hot weather was due to the outer subsiding air of Typhoon Mawar affecting the coast of southern China. The observatory advised citizens to keep track of their health condition, drink more water, take heatstroke prevention measures and seek medical advice if they feel unwell. Monitoring stations in some districts recorded an Air Quality Health Index of 10+ - indicating a serious health risk.

This tragic case was a cry for help and, sad to say, many families are trapped in a similar crisis situations. There are also many families in which elderly parents suffering from chronic diseases or immobility are looked after by single children. While it would be impossible to group the various family situations under one category, they do share one thing in common: these people need help. The Tuen Mun father was in need of help but he made the wrong choice when he tried to end what increasingly appeared to him to be endless pain. The authorities must do more to help these carers, of whom it is estimated there are at least 300,000 in the city.

The first Asian Para Tenpin Bowling Championships is being held at Belair Bowling Center in Shatin from 26 to 31 May. The event was co-organized by the Asian Bowling Federation and the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, sponsored by the Arts and Sports Development Fund of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau as well as supported by the Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Participating countries and regions include China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Hong Kong. He hoped this competition could provide a favourable environment for players from all over the world to play to their strengths; and that Hong Kong athletes could strive for good results with home advantage. Hong Kong has sent a total of 16 athletes to participate in this competition.

Turns out, the NBA Finals are starting in the Mile High City after all. 8 seed, will take on the Western Conference champion Nuggets in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Heat got there by winning Game 7 of the East title series in Boston on Monday night. The Heat are in the finals for the seventh time and seeking their fourth championship; the Nuggets are in the finals for the first time in franchise history. Malone will try to win an NBA title for the first time, and if Denver prevails he'll become the 36th coach in league history to win a championship.

2 PNP officials tagged in P6.7 billion shabu cover-upMANILA, Philippines — Two lieutenant colonels have “a lot of explaining to do” after they were tagged by relieved Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo as among the main players in the alleged cover-up surrounding the seizure of 990 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. “Ibañez and Gonzales have a lot of explaining to do,” Dela Rosa later said of the two in a press briefing after the hearing. Sy is allegedly a “bodegero” of a drug lord detained at the Sablayan prison and penal farm in Occidental Mindoro, Dela Rosa said. Sy may be a “source of shabu” in Mayo’s drug dealings, Dela Rosa added.

Man held for rapeMANILA, Philippines — Police arrested on Monday a 27-year-old man who allegedly raped a woman at a high-end condominium in Barangay Sto. After their binge drinking, the victim slept on the floor while their companions took a nap in other areas of the unit. The victim recounted to investigators it was then Sagum raped her. Acting on the woman’s complaint, operatives of QCPD Station 15 conducted a follow-up operation and arrested Sagum in Barangay Pag-ibig sa Nayon on Monday. The suspect is being held on charges of rape.

MOSCOW/KYIV — Ukrainian drones struck Moscow on Tuesday but were neutralized, Russia said in what one politician called the worst attack on the capital since World War Two, while Kyiv was also hit by air for the third time in 24 hours. Some filmed a drone being shot down and a plume of smoke rising over the Moscow skyline. Kyiv high-rise hitIn Kyiv, Ukrainian defense forces said they shot down more than 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones on Tuesday. Ukraine is promising a counter-offensive backed with Western weapons to try to drive Russian occupiers from territory seized since Moscow launched its “special military operation”. But Kyiv insists full withdrawal of Russian troops is the only way to end the war.

The girl, Sakshi, had been on her way to a birthday party when Sahil intercepted her, local police said. Sahil was infuriated by Sakshi’s decision to end their relationship and had threatened to kill her a few days ago, a police officer told local media, adding that Sahil harbored suspicions she was talking to a former boyfriend. ADVERTISEMENTBystander effect on notorious streetIn camera footage of the attack, at least 10 people can be seen walking past them on the street in the Shahbad Dairy district in north-western Delhi. Local residents speaking to Indian media said they were afraid of getting involved for fear of being attacked themselves. People drink openly, and if anyone questions them, they abuse and attack them,” said Mr Indra Dev, whose son was questioned by police as part of investigations after he was captured in camera footage on the street.

A 4-meter-long I-beam fell off a construction truck and slid down the slope, nearly colliding with nearby workers and cars Tuesday morning in Central. Workers were doing roadwork on Wellington Street today at 9 am when a 4-meter-long I-beam fell off a truck and slid down the slope. A dashcam video showed that as the I-beam fell off the truck, one of the workers was planning on blocking it with his body, changing his mind at the last moment. The I-beam fell to the ground with a thud, kicking up dust as it slid down the slope for about 50 meters, stopping as it reached the end of the street. During its slide, it nearly collided with two sedans nearby but was luckily saved by the workers who made it in time, avoiding a major incident.

Negotiation skills extend far beyond the boardroom and permeate every aspect of our lives. In the digital age, online negotiations have become increasingly prevalent. To excel in online negotiations, individuals must adapt their strategies to the digital environment. Virtual negotiations also require enhanced emotional intelligence to read non-verbal cues and adapt to the absence of face-to-face interaction. Organizations that prioritize cross-cultural negotiation skills gain a competitive advantage in international markets and foster stronger relationships with global partners.

The weather watchdog issued the first ‘extremely hot weather’ reminder on Tuesday morning due to the effects of the outer subsiding air of Typhoon Mawar, as the city recorded temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius in more than 10 locations. Up until 3 pm today, over 10 locations recorded a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or above, with Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Kok recording 36 degrees Celsius and Yuen Long Park reaching a scorching 37 degrees Celsius. The Observatory issued the ‘extremely hot weather’ reminder at 11.45 am, which was newly added under the Special Weather Tips last week, and informed the public that the weather is sweltering and reminded them of prolonged heat precautions. Some schools changed the location of physical education lessons from outdoor to indoor. The weather watchdog expects it to be very hot, with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms in the following couple of days and a few showers over the weekend.