PR in the Philippines

` tags. Ovarian cysts are quite common; these small, fluid-filled sacs develop on or within the ovaries and are generally not harmful. Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, an ob-gyn at Yale Medicine, explains that the ovulation process itself—where an egg matures and is released—creates a small cyst. This cyst then ruptures when the egg is released and typically resolves on its own. These "functional cysts" usually disappear without intervention. Other types of ovarian cysts exist, including hemorrhagic cysts (which cause pain and bleeding), dermoid cysts (potentially containing skin cells and sebaceous glands), and endometriomas (filled with thick, dark blood due to endometriosis). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also involve ovarian cysts, but this isn't always the case. Here's some essential information about ovarian cysts. How ovarian cysts affect women Most ovarian cysts, around the size of a grape or cherry, don't produce symptoms. However, rapidly growing cysts can cause pelvic pain near the hip bone and a persistent feeling of pressure. Dr. Kelli V. Burroughs, an ob-gyn at UT Health—University of Texas Medical School at Houston, notes that this discomfort can be intermittent or constant, and may feel sharp or dull. Minkin states that ruptured cysts can cause intense pelvic pain and minor bleeding. As the fluid is absorbed by the abdominal cavity lining, the pain should subside. Dr. Michael B. Baldonieri, an ob-gyn at the Case Western University School of Medicine, explains that a large cyst can cause ovarian torsion, where the ovary twists around its supporting tissue. This can result in severe, continuous lower pelvic pain, along with nausea and vomiting. This is a medical emergency because the torsion can block blood supply to the ovary, potentially causing it to die if surgery isn't performed to untwist it. How most ovarian cysts are treated Dr. Daniel Ginn, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA, says treatment is determined by the cyst's appearance on a transvaginal ultrasound and its impact on the woman. If the cyst resembles a fluid collection in a small pouch or balloon and the woman experiences minimal or no symptoms, doctors might recommend "watchful waiting". This involves monitoring symptoms and repeating pelvic ultrasounds every six to eight weeks to check for changes in size. Burroughs explains that during an ultrasound, clinicians will evaluate the mass's size, structure, location, and other features to help distinguish between benign and potentially malignant growths. Women with ovarian cysts are often concerned about the possibility of ovarian cancer. Although it is possible, it is rare. A mass containing both fluid and solid components could indicate ovarian cancer. Minkin notes that ultrasounds usually provide a good indication if a cyst has solid components. However, the risk of cancer is low if the cyst is clearly fluid-filled and hasn't changed over time, even in older women. A study in a 2024 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women aged 50 and older with stable ovarian cysts detected on ultrasound had a 0.27% risk of ovarian cancer over a 3.5-year follow-up. Ginn says that cysts that increase in size are a concern. He adds that abnormal blood flow or fingerlike projections on the cyst's periphery are also concerning. In such cases, doctors may order blood tests to measure cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), a protein often elevated in ovarian cancer, and other tumor markers. If a cyst's appearance is concerning, especially with elevated CA 125 levels, the woman will likely be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for specialized evaluation and treatment. Ovarian cysts that cause no or only mild symptoms might not require treatment and can be monitored. Ginn notes that two-thirds of ovarian cysts resolve on their own. How to feel better Baldonieri suggests using medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief. Applying heat or ice packs to the painful area, depending on personal preference, can also help. Ginn says that large or seriously uncomfortable cysts can be removed via laparoscopic surgery, which involves small abdominal incisions. He emphasizes that ovarian preservation is always a priority to maintain hormone production, which is important for heart, bone, and cognitive health. For women who frequently develop large or painful cysts, Ginn mentions that doctors try to prevent ovulation, which is the root cause of ovarian cysts. This is typically achieved using oral contraceptives (or their hormonal equivalents) to prevent new cyst formation.

TIME has launched TIME Longevity, a new editorial platform focused on the increasing lifespans of people and the implications for individuals, institutions, and society's future. The announcement precedes the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health in New York City, which will honor members of the 2025 TIME100 Health list, recognizing their contributions to global health improvements. TIME Longevity will provide reporting, analysis, and discussions concerning the factors contributing to longer lifespans, from scientific discoveries to societal changes. The initiative will include: The Future of Living, a new interview series debuting this summer, showcasing prominent thinkers and innovators influencing the longevity revolution. A dedicated longevity segment at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum this September, bringing together leaders from medicine, biotech, policy, and other fields. A forthcoming special report, highlighting the individuals, organizations, and innovations redefining the meaning of longer, healthier lives. TIME CEO Jessica Sibley stated that TIME is expanding its health coverage with TIME Longevity, recognizing it as a significant shift in understanding health, aging, and potential. She hopes the new coverage will foster connection, conversation, and action. TIME Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs said that TIME Longevity will be a platform dedicated to highlighting leaders and ideas that are transforming perspectives on aging, health, and the possibilities of extended lifespans. The launch of TIME Longevity builds upon TIME’s existing health coverage, which includes in-depth explorations of , the science of , and the . It also complements existing franchises, tentpole events, such as the TIME100 Health List, the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health, and the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum—all of which are now in their second year.

` tags. As graduation season kicks off nationwide, graduates (and their parents) are contemplating their next steps. This year's graduates are entering a particularly tough job market, perhaps the most challenging since the COVID-19 pandemic. The presence of former federal employees also seeking new roles intensifies the competition for these graduates. What determines whether a college graduate finds suitable employment or ends up underemployed? Regardless of your current situation—seeking an internship, a new job, or trying to retain your existing one—talent alone isn't always enough to secure or maintain employment. Having someone championing you behind the scenes is crucial. Companies making critical decisions consider more than just resumes; they rely on the recommendations of trusted individuals who can vouch for the value of employees or candidates. Sponsors, not mentors, influence these decisions. If you believe "sponsorship" is simply another term for "mentorship," you're not alone. However, grasping the distinction and leveraging it effectively can be vital for career survival and progression. The fundamental difference lies here: Mentors advise you directly, while sponsors advocate for you when you're not in the room. In other words, if mentorship is the fertilizer that helps plants grow quicker and bigger, sponsorship is the greenhouse that creates the ideal growing conditions. The key difference between mentorship and sponsorship is who is being asked to change: is it the mentee, or someone else? When we mentor someone, we are trying to change *them*. Think back to an influential adult in your childhood. Perhaps you had someone to listen when you were struggling at school or home and offer guidance. Maybe a teacher encouraged you to try something new, leading you to discover a passion for dance, art, or history. Or a manager provided support and feedback early in your career when you felt overwhelmed. This support—coaching, feedback, advice, encouragement—is mentorship. When we mentor, we aim to influence behavior, attitudes, or skills. Now, consider someone who advocated for you to receive accommodations when you were having difficulties at school or at home. Perhaps you had teachers who wrote letters of recommendation for college. Maybe a coach or music teacher ensured you were visible to talent scouts. Or a manager defended you in private meetings, reframing a project's lack of success. This support—advocacy, visibility, protection—is sponsorship. Unlike mentorship, sponsorship involves influencing how others perceive or treat our protégés. Mentors act on mentees. Their role is to improve mentees, preparing them for great opportunities. In a tough job market, they encourage and motivate those fearing job loss or actively searching for jobs. However, even a well-prepared mentee can be overlooked. This is where sponsors are crucial. Sponsors don't try to change their proteges. They believe in their value and work to influence others' perceptions. Their role is to make audiences notice their protégé, think highly of them, and create opportunities for them to succeed or remain involved. In a competitive job market, the person who stays or gets the job has someone actively supporting them. Many job seekers are currently inclined to withdraw, protect themselves, and be secretive. Graduates may discuss their job search struggles with close friends and ask a few trusted contacts to watch for openings. However, the stress they're experiencing likely limits their awareness of the full range of resources available through their network. For example, students often underestimate their network, considering it limited to fellow students and job seekers. They overlook connections through their parents, former teachers, or previous employers. These individuals have different networks that likely contain information about valuable opportunities. Ignoring these contacts means missing out on potential advantages. When our contacts are similar to us, they often face the same problems and seek the same solutions. Therefore, those with limited network diversity may find mentorship helpful—shared struggles can be comforting—but lack the sponsorship needed for advancement. It’s important for soon-to-be graduates who are still looking for jobs to resist the urge to draw close and hunker down. Now is the time to take a careful look at your network and reach out to people for help, particularly if those people tend to spend time in different spaces than you do. And once you reach out, be forthcoming about your need for sponsorship, not (just) mentorship. And perhaps more importantly, for those who know and strongly admire soon-to-be graduates, consider the full spectrum of support you can give to them. Who would benefit from knowing this talented young person? What opportunities might be well-suited for them? And if you can’t think of the answer to either of those questions, your task is to find out. You can’t be their sponsor if you don’t know.

Erin Massey, a biotech scientist, has recently found herself with a second job: persuading her insurance provider, Cigna, to cover a necessary insomnia medication. Previously, Premera, her insurer through a different employer, covered the drug. Despite her doctor's repeated confirmation of its medical necessity through numerous forms, Cigna has consistently denied coverage for Quviviq, she reports. Massey estimates dedicating 8-10 hours weekly to securing medication coverage, involving calls to Cigna, form completion, appeal writing, and researching methods to demonstrate the drug's essential role in her health. Her situation is common, with Americans collectively spending at least 12 million hours each week contacting their health insurers, according to data. This stems from the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system, which often mandates pre-authorizations for procedures—insurer approval confirming medical necessity and coverage—that frequently result in denied care. A 2024 study indicates that around 45% of insured working-age adults received a medical bill or copayment for services they believed should have been free or covered. Furthermore, 17% of adults, like Massey, experienced denied coverage for doctor-recommended care. Consequently, individuals must engage in disputes with insurance companies, submit appeals, and invest substantial time monitoring claim statuses. This time burden, termed ""sludge"" by Atlantic journalist Annie Lowredy and Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, negatively impacts both the economy and individual health. This "sludge" may be increasing. Research suggests that insurers are becoming more sophisticated in using technology to deny claims, according to Sara R. Collins, a study author. She notes the frustration of paying premiums yet being denied necessary care, which erodes trust in the healthcare system and discourages people from seeking medical attention. A study in found that 22% of cancer patients experienced delays in prior authorization and other administrative hurdles that prevented them from receiving prescribed care. Cigna informed TIME that they cannot comment on individual cases without a signed HIPAA waiver. However, Massey stated that after TIME inquired about her case, she received an email stating that the original denial was overturned and that Cigna had informed her doctor of the coverage. Cigna stated that they "don’t want anyone spending hours on the phone working to understand their benefits or to resolve issues" and have recently launched an initiative to simplify processes. It is for insurance companies to reverse denials following media or social media attention. However, not everyone can rely on media inquiries to overturn their denials. This healthcare-related time tax also incurs significant costs in lost productivity. Pfeffer estimates the annual cost of employees dealing with health insurance companies at . Employees often use work time to address insurance issues, as claims administrators are typically available only during business hours. Since health insurance is often employer-provided, employees may become more dissatisfied with their company when insurance issues arise. Pfeffer notes that individuals spending more time contacting their health insurer are more likely to be dissatisfied with their workplace, miss workdays, and experience burnout compared to those without insurance issues. He estimates the productivity cost of this reduced satisfaction at . Despite the high cost of this time tax, few solutions are on the horizon. The No Surprises Act, effective January 1, 2022, aimed to reduce patient time spent contacting insurers by protecting them from out-of-network emergency bills. The Affordable Care Act also includes guidelines on required coverage. However, few national regulations govern insurer response times or mandate disclosure of claim denial rates or paperwork errors. Pfeffer urges employers to proactively hold insurers accountable for wasting employee time. Since employers hire insurers to provide employee benefits, they should ensure the benefit is genuinely useful. By demanding data on claim denial rates and appeal frequency, employers can incentivize better insurer behavior. "Your employer hires your insurance company, and so your employer should say to the insurance company, 'We’re going to hold you to a set of performance standards,’” he says. “‘And if you don’t meet our performance standards, we’re going to fire you.’” Erin Massey has gained extensive experience in dealing with insurers, learning strategies like preventing representatives from ending calls before her questions are answered and demanding written documentation. Having sought an insomnia cure for eight years and finally finding the right medication through trial and error, Massey was particularly frustrated by Cigna's repeated denials. Before Cigna's reversal, her next step was an external appeal for outside doctors to review her case. At the time, she suspected her insurer didn't anticipate her pursuing it. Previously, she wouldn't have expected to get this far either. “I have spent entire days just trying to figure out what the next step is,” she says. “It’s been a lot of work.” ```

President Donald Trump received a grand welcome from Saudi Arabia during his first major international trip since returning to office. Saudi fighter jets escorted Air Force One as it entered the kingdom's airspace. Upon arrival at the Royal Terminal at King Khalid International Airport, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted Trump on a red carpet. The two leaders, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marc Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, later convened for Arabic coffee in ornate navy-and-gold chairs at the Saudi Royal Court. Prominent U.S. business leaders, including Tesla CEO and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, were also present. Later on Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to attend a dinner with MBS and a U.S.-Saudi investment event. Economic deals between the U.S. and wealthy Gulf nations will be a primary focus of the initial stage of Trump's four-day Middle East tour. MBS had previously visited Trump in the U.S., and Trump reciprocated. The anticipated business agreements will encompass energy, AI, manufacturing, and defense sectors. The U.S. is expected to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package valued at over $100 billion. “There is also the potential for a civil-nuclear deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which was long tied to the possibility of Saudi-Israel normalization but has recently been decoupled,” Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told TIME. Experts like Dent suggest these potential deals could significantly benefit Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil dependence. While in Saudi Arabia, Trump is slated to participate in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit. Discussions will cover broader diplomatic issues, including efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza and potential nuclear talks with Iran. Later in the week, Trump will travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to further discuss diplomatic and investment opportunities. The President also mentioned his intention to accept a luxury jet as a gift from Qatar. Trump's first overseas trip during his previous term was also to the Middle East, and a similar start was expected upon his return to the White House. However, the President traveled abroad last month to attend the World Economic Forum. In May 2017, Trump addressed the Arab-Islamic-American summit in Riyadh, where regional leaders gathered to address security and terrorism concerns. The establishment of a counter-extremism center in Riyadh was a key result of that visit, mirroring the anticipated outcomes of this week's trip. ```

` tags. ```xml The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics' playoff hopes were already precarious when, in the final minutes of Game 4 in New York, lost possession of the ball. Boston, the 2024 titleholder, was down 111-104, after having led by as much as 14 points earlier in the third. However, the situation was about to worsen significantly. Following Brown's turnover, teammate , who had scored a remarkable 42 points for Boston, suffered an injury. New York's OG Anunoby secured the loose ball, dribbled down the court, and scored an uncontested dunk, essentially sealing the game for New York. Adding insult to injury, Tatum, a three-time All-NBA first-team selection, collapsed on the court, clutching his right leg and requesting a timeout. Brown and veteran Celtics forward Al Horford stood by as medical personnel attended to Tatum, who was eventually helped off the court by two Celtics staff members, unable to put weight on his leg. He disappeared into the locker room area. Boston's chances for a consecutive championship may have disappeared along with him. Shortly after, Tatum was seen being wheeled down the hallway, visibly upset and in pain. New York went on to win Game 4 with a score of 121-113. After the game, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla informed reporters that he only knew that Tatum had sustained a lower leg injury, and that an MRI scheduled for Tuesday would reveal the full extent of the damage. The Knicks now hold a 3-1 series lead, putting them one win away from eliminating Boston. Over the past five years, no NBA team has successfully overcome a 3-1 deficit. Historically, teams with a 3-1 lead in an NBA playoff series win more than 95% of the time. While the Knicks aim to close out the series in Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, they prefer to do so against a healthy Celtics team. "I never want to see a player get hurt," stated New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. "I hope it’s not a serious injury.” "Prayers up to JT," said Knicks guard , whose 39 points and 12 assists were crucial in New York's Game 4 victory. "I want to say that first and foremost." The Knicks have now overcome deficits of 20, 20, and 14 points in their three wins against Boston in this series, placing them one victory away from reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Brunson, New York's reliable All-Star point guard, spearheaded the effort, particularly in the third quarter, scoring 18 points to give New York a lead of 88-85 at the period's end. Brunson is a difficult matchup, even for Boston’s excellent perimeter defenders, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Despite being only 6’2”, Brunson's ability to vary his pace and control his movements allows him to generate the space he needs to make shots against taller defenders. "No moment," says Thibodeau, "is too big for him.” New York's Mikal Bridges, Brunson's college teammate at, who joined New York this year, added multiple jump shots in the fourth quarter, providing the Knicks with another offensive option. Bridges' height and long reach create problems for smaller defenders and generate matchup difficulties for opponents. Bridges finished with 23 points, complementing the Knicks' balanced attack: Karl-Anthony Towns also contributed 23 points, and Anunoby added 20. The Knicks needed this kind of comprehensive victory to prove they could be the better team. Prior to this game, Boston had generally outplayed New York throughout the series. New York needed late comebacks to secure their two wins in Boston, and the Celtics dominated Game 3 with a 115-93 victory. The common expectation entering the game was that Boston had found its rhythm and would demonstrate its dominance moving forward. When Tatum scored 11 points in the final 1:44 of the first quarter, making a mid-range shot and three three-pointers, including a deep pull-up, Boston appeared poised to validate those predictions. However, the Knicks refused to give in. By the end of the third quarter, their defensive pressure and switches forced the Celtics into contested three-pointers that they were no longer making consistently, and they consistently beat Boston to offensive rebounds. The Garden crowd, eager for a deep playoff run for the first time since the, drew energy from this performance. These Knicks looked like a challenging opponent, even before Tatum's injury. "I don’t even think we’re playing our best basketball yet,” says Brunson. The numbers suggest that a new NBA champion is likely on the horizon. And Knicks fans, who have waited since their last NBA title, now have every reason to believe, and say to themselves … “why not us?” ```

The 2025 midterm elections in the Philippines were anticipated to be a critical moment for the long-standing populist Duterte dynasty. The family's leader, former President Rodrigo Duterte, aged 80, faced allegations of crimes against humanity and was arrested in March. His daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the current Vice President, was accused of corruption and threatening President Marcos, potentially facing a Senate trial later in the year. However, initial results indicate a resurgence for the Dutertes in the election, where millions of Filipinos voted on Monday for approximately 18,000 national and local positions. Rodrigo and his youngest son, Sebastian, secured victories as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City. Rodrigo had previously served as mayor there for over two decades before his presidency in 2016, establishing the family's stronghold. Due to Rodrigo's detention in The Hague, Sebastian is expected to assume the mayoral duties. In the Senate, key Duterte allies secured re-election, including Christopher Go, Rodrigo's former aide and the top vote-getter, and Ronald dela Rosa, the former national police chief during Rodrigo's controversial drug war, who ranked third overall. Both Go and Dela Rosa, who also face potential ICC arrest, strongly defended the drug war during their initial Senate terms. Additionally, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, another Duterte supporter from the lower house, won a Senate seat, pledging to defend Sara against impeachment. Despite hopes among some opponents that the Dutertes' electoral defeat, combined with earlier setbacks, might end their influence, experts suggest the family has reaffirmed its significant power. According to Aries Arugay of the University of the Philippines, Rodrigo remained highly popular even after leaving office. Arugay notes that Rodrigo's drug war, while internationally criticized, garnered considerable domestic support due to its visibility and ability to instill fear, often seen as a sign of effectiveness, similar to anti-drug campaigns in other countries. Emily Soriano's family initially doubted reports of Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on March 11. Like many Filipino families, they waited for confirmation until Duterte was en route to the Netherlands to face charges related to his anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups estimate resulted in over 30,000 deaths. Soriano's 15-year-old son was among those killed in Caloocan, Metro Manila, in December 2016, as part of the campaign. Soriano expressed that they have been calling for an end to the killings and for holding Duterte and the police accountable since 2017, adding that their calls have not been in vain. Rodrigo's arrest was not guaranteed. He and his allies had resisted the ICC's jurisdiction to avoid accountability. However, as the rivalry between the Dutertes and the Marcoses intensified—with disagreements over foreign and economic policy, accusations of destabilization attempts, and Sara's growing interest in the 2028 presidential election—the Marcos-led government became less inclined to shield the Duterte family, a former ally in the 2022 elections. While Soriano awaits the ICC's decision on Rodrigo's fate, she acknowledges the looming possibility of a Duterte return to power. Although some believed Rodrigo's arrest might signal the dynasty's end, the midterm election results suggest otherwise. Sara Duterte-Carpio declared after the election that it was not the end, but a renewed beginning. The Vice President positioned her family's and their allies' performance as the start of an opposition movement against the Marcos government. She stated their commitment to holding the government accountable, advocating for important issues, and serving as a strong, constructive opposition. For Marcos, the remaining years of his presidency are likely to be marked by increased division and challenges. Once enjoying high approval ratings, his popularity has declined due to his administration's handling of domestic issues like the rising cost of living and corruption concerns, as well as the dynastic rivalry. The Dutertes and their allies have asserted that Sara's impeachment and Rodrigo's arrest were politically motivated, using them to solidify support, particularly in the Duterte stronghold of southern Philippines. Sara's approval ratings increased following her father's arrest, while Duterte-aligned senatorial candidates like Go and Dela Rosa also saw gains in opinion polls. Arugay notes that the Dutertes' supporters became more vocal after the arrest. Richard Heydarian, a political analyst from the University of the Philippines, suggests that disinformation campaigns may have contributed to the boost. Reports in April indicated the emergence of a social media network praising the Dutertes and attacking the ICC and Marcoses following Rodrigo's arrest. Cyabra, an Israel-based tech firm, stated that the disinformation campaigns influenced the pre-election narrative. Neither the Dutertes nor the Marcoses face an easy path. While the next presidential election is in 2028, the immediate focus is the Senate, reconvening in June. Despite some Duterte victories, including Marcos Jr.'s sister Imee, who sided with the Dutertes, Marcos allies appear to have secured six of the twelve Senate seats up for election in the 24-member chamber. Opinion polls consistently indicate that Sara is the preferred candidate to succeed Marcos in 2028, but an impeachment conviction, requiring a two-thirds majority, would permanently disqualify her from holding public office. For individuals like Soriano, the elections are about more than political strategies and power struggles. They are about how power will be exercised. She fears that Duterte's allies, if in office, will continue his policies.