Celtics sweep Pacers for East crown
WASHINGTON – The Boston Celtics clinched the Eastern Conference championship on Monday with a 105-102 win over the Indiana Pacers, sweeping the series 4-0 and booking a spot in the NBA Finals.
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Zelensky urges allies to use 'all means' to force Russia into peace talks
MADRID, Spain — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called Monday on the West to "use all means" to force Russia to peace talks during a visit to Madrid, which pledged one billion euros in military aid as a Russian offensive gained new ground.
Dallas star pair runs show at home
LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 66 points and Dallas surged home in a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday that gave the Mavericks a 3-0 stranglehold on their NBA Western Conference final.
Doncic, Irving power Mavs to 3-0 lead over Timberwolves
LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 66 points and Dallas surged home in a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday (Monday Manila time) that gave the Mavericks a 3-0 stranglehold on their NBA Western Conference final.
Eye on China: Japan to sell patrol vessels to Philippines
NEW DELHI: Japan is set to sell patrol vessels worth $507 million to the Philippines, marking its largest deal to date with the country's maritime law enforcement agency. This move, funded by an Official Development Aid loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is part of Tokyo's broader strategy to confront Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region through deterrence and more aggressive diplomacy.Mark Cogan, an associate professor of peace and conflict studies at Japan’s Kansai Gaidai University, said that Japan's increasing role as a security provider stems from the need to counter China. "Japan needs partners, and it must become as much of a security partner as other countries like the Philippines need them to be," Cogan said. He noted that regional countries, especially in Southeast Asia, require reliable partnerships, particularly as the US is perceived as less reliable in the short term due to its focus on Ukraine and Gaza, a South China Morning Post report said.Japan's evolving role is evident in its updated National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy from 2022. According to Cogan, Japan must either compete as a security partner or face escalating tactics from Beijing.Historically, Japan has maintained bilateral partnerships with Southeast Asian nations since the 1950s, primarily centered on economic cooperation but expanding to political and security cooperation. In April, Japan established an official security aid program to provide military assistance and equipment to regional countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Fiji.
Philippines says it will forge security alliances and stage combat drills despite China's opposition
MANILA: The Philippines will continue to build security alliances and stage joint combat drills in disputed waters to defend its territorial interests, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Friday, dismissing China's criticisms of such moves as paranoia. Teodoro bluntly criticized Beijing's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, without citing China by name, in a speech before the military's top brass at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Philippine navy's founding in Manila.The Philippines, he said, would not tolerate aggression and provocative moves. Since territorial hostilities with China surged last year in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration has taken steps to forge new security alliances with a number of Asian and Western countries and allowed a US military presence in more Philippine bases under a 2014 defense pact. In April and May, the Philippine military staged annual live-fire combat exercises with US forces in and near the disputed waters.
Philippines says it will forge security alliances and stage combat drills despite China's opposition
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines will continue to build security alliances and stage joint combat drills in disputed waters to defend its territorial interests, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Friday, dismissing China’s criticisms of such moves as paranoia.
US college sports set for seismic shift to paying student-athletes
WASHINGTON – College sports in the United States is set for a seismic shift toward professionalism after a settlement Thursday (Friday Manila time) that will pave the way for schools to pay student-athletes.