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Australia’s top universities say US funding at risk due to Trump crackdown

FLATART-FREEPIK

SYDNEY — Australia’s top universities said on Thursday the Trump administration had cut US funding to some of its researchers and asked others who receive US government financial support to prove their work was aligned with American interests.

The Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s most research-intensive universities, said the action could jeopardize crucial medical and defense research in the country.

Some researchers who receive funding from US federal agencies had been asked to assess their work’s compliance with US President Donald J. Trump’s agenda in a 36-point questionnaire, said the universities.

The survey included questions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that the Trump administration has been seeking to end. In some cases, recipients were only given 48 hours to respond, the Group of Eight said.

“We are extremely concerned about the broader implications of the Trump administration’s policy, not only for the future of health and medical research, but especially regarding defense collaboration,” the Group of Eight Chief Executive Officer Vicki Thomson said in a statement to Reuters.

The Group of Eight has sought Australian government intervention and is seeking urgent guidance from the US government, including a time extension to respond to the questionnaire, the statement said.

A spokesperson for the US embassy in Canberra declined to comment. Australia’s Education ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Group of Eight universities carry out 70% of all university research in Australia and the US is their single largest global research partner.

The universities collectively received around $161.6 million in grants from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) between 2020 and 2024.

The universities said some researchers had received a “show cause” notification to justify ongoing funding over the past week and an extensive survey with questions relating to the Trump administration’s priorities and research collaboration with China, Russia, Cuba or Iran.

The questionnaire, issued by the US Office of Management and Budget and seen by Reuters, asked Australian researchers questions such as: “Can you confirm that this is no DEI project (sic) or DEI elements of the project?” and “Does this project take appropriate measures to protect women and to defend against gender ideology?”

It also asked them to rank their projects on a scale from 1-5 based on how it promoted US interests such as preventing illegal immigration, limiting the flow of illicit drugs into the country, “combatting Christian prosecution” and strengthening US supply chains. — Reuters

China accuses New Zealand’s top spy of spreading ‘false information’

FREEPIK

BEIJING — China’s embassy in New Zealand on Thursday accused Wellington’s top spy of lying after the intelligence chief warned of security risks posed by Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific.

In a speech in Wellington last week, New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton said the focus of Pacific nations on economic and transnational crime issues had opened the door for China to sign strategic deals with them that linked economic and security cooperation.

“The relevant remarks are totally baseless, all fabrication, and amount to spreading false information,” the Chinese embassy in Wellington said.

“For someone holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

In recent years, Beijing has struck deals with a number of Pacific nations, worrying New Zealand, a member of the Five Eye intelligence alliance along with Britain, the US, Canada, and Australia.

Mr. Hampton had last week said China wanted to “create competing regional architectures, and expand its influence with Pacific Island countries,” which posed foreign interference and espionage risks.

The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation in free association with New Zealand, is at the heart of recent tensions between China and New Zealand.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown traveled to China in February, signing a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. That angered Wellington, which complained about the lack of consultation and transparency around Mr. Brown’s visit.

Relevant cooperation documents have been made public, the Chinese statement said, adding that there is no “secret agenda” in China’s relations with the Cook Islands.

China’s embassy in Wellington also handles the country’s diplomatic relations with the island nations of Niue and the Cook Islands. — Reuters

PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals

BARANGAY GINEBRA GIN KINGS — PBA.PH

Gin Kings battle Castro-less TNT in Last Dance for third time

Game on Friday
(MOA Arena)
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs Barangay Ginebra
(Finals, Game 1)

AND off the old rivals go.

TNT, hunting for a twin-kill in Season 49, and Barangay Ginebra, gunning for a first title in nearly two years, fire the opening salvo in PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship series on Friday at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

This will be the third installment of what’s become a familiar sight over the last five conferences. The protagonists battled for the crown in the Season 47 and Season 49 editions of the Governors’ Cup with the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led Tropang Giga prevailing against Justin Brownlee (JB) and the Gin Kings both times.

“They beat us twice already so it’s on us to change the narrative,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said ahead of the 7:30 p.m. finals opener.

There are major differences in the combatants’ rosters compared to the one that disputed the Governors’ Cup crown last November.

TNT’s Jayson Castro, the Finals MVP of the season-opening Governors’ Cup, is recovering from knee surgery, leaving big shoes to fill. Meanwhile, athletic wings Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray are back from injuries as mid-season acquisition Troy Rosario adds experience and talent for Ginebra.

“This one’s different. Jayson (Castro) is our composure leader, he keeps us calm, he controls the game in crucial moments,” said Mr. Hollis-Jefferson.

“I can say we can harp on that but in basketball, as in life, things happen and we’ve got to have the ‘next man up’ mentality. And I think we’ll be able to embrace that and kind of take it from there.”

Health issues bogged the Gin Kings, too, as Mr. Rosario sprained his ankle in their semifinal closeout and Mr. Brownlee had an asthma attack last Monday. But the five-day break apparently helped JB fully recover and gave Rosario a chance to see action.

“Troy (Rosario) is GTD (game-time decision) and Justin (Brownlee) is good to go,” Mr. Cone told The STAR on Thursday.

Just as Mr. Brownlee and Mr. Hollis-Jefferson are rekindling their rivalry, Mr. Cone and good pal and long-time rival Chot Reyes of TNT are facing off for the eighth time since 1994.

“More than the familiarity and the two of us as coaches, it’s really the players who are going to decide the series,” said Mr. Reyes.

“We could make our adjustments here and there, but after a while, it’s really going to come down to who’s able to get it done on the floor. So whether we’re familiar or not, I think the deciding factor is really what’s going to happen on the court.”

The Tropang Giga expect the Gin Kings to come in highly motivated to avenge their two finals losses and hoist the trophy again after their triumph in the Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup.

“We had the chance last conference. Obviously, we came up short. So we’re trying to double the effort this time,” said Ginebra’s Maverick Ahanmisi. — Olmin Leyba

CSB survives upset-conscious SBU in five sets

COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE LADY BLAZERS — NCAA/ANGELA DAVOCOL

Games on Friday
(Arellano University Gym)
9 a.m. – Letran vs LPU (Men)
11 a.m. – Letran vs LPU (Women)
1 p.m. – SSC-R vs JRU (Women)
3 p.m. – SSCV-R vs JRU (Men)

COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE (CSB) showed nerves of steel in the fifth and deciding set as it repulsed an upset-conscious San Beda University (SBU), 25-27, 25-19, 25-20, 26-28, 15-12, on Thursday to get back on their feet in NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball at the Arellano University Gym.

The four-peat feat-seeking champions were still reeling from absorbing their first defeat in five years via a painful 25-22, 25-23, 26-24 defeat to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights last week and the Red Spikers were quick to pounce on it.

The CSB Lady Blazers, however, displayed incredible grit when it mattered, including the last set when they put on the finishing touches and sealed their fourth win in five outings.

It was a soothing balm for CSB after its defeat to Letran that sent its magical 43-game streak to a crashing halt.

Zam Nolasco paced her team with 22 points while Wielyn Estoque came off the bench to chip in 18 hits.

Also stepping up were Clydel Mae Catarig and former league MVP and team captain Mycah Go, who contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively.

San Beda sputtered to 0-5.

In men’s action, CSB edged San Beda, 25-20, 14-25, 26-28, 25-22, 19-17, to remain unscathed in five matches.

The Lions slipped to 3-2. — Joey Villar

Ionescu unveils two new courts in Bulacan

SABRINA IONESCU meets girls in Bulacan.

WNBA AND OLYMPIC champion Sabrina Ionescu spent her last day in Manila meeting new communities and inspiring young female ballers to reach new heights through the power of sports.

Fresh from a rousing exhibition game with Filipino basketball legends and hot young talents at the Smart Araneta Coliseum the night before, Sabrina traveled to Sta. Maria, Bulacan, to hold a skills camp for Girls Got Game Philippines (GGG), a local nonprofit that empowers young women ages 10 – 15, and is supported by Nike as part of the brand’s commitment to power the future of youth sport.

The skills camp took place at the Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) in Sta. Maria, where Nike and GGG partnered to set up creatively designed, multi-purpose courts in the school, aiming to grow the basketball community and empower women, similar to The Courtyard in BGC. Sabrina, along with Filipina visual artist and illustrator Jill Arteche, and the GGG campers, unveiled the new designs and made the first shot.

GGG campers peeled off tiled portions placed on the four corners of one of the courts and held them up for Sabrina to see. Visibly touched, Sabrina hugged the kids and said, “I want to thank you. I hope you all enjoy this and keep on going forward. Continue to work really hard and chase your dreams.”

The colorful artwork, celebrating the beauty and vibrancy of Filipino culture, features graphic details designed to empower SHA youth. The outdoor court, “Break The Barrier,” encourages young girls to defy norms by confidently stepping onto the court to claim their space in basketball.

After the skills camp, Sabrina visited Barangay Caysio, a vibrant community in Bulacan, known for its rich cultural heritage and close-knit atmosphere. The community prepared a fiesta for her to experience.

Sabrina is now headed to the next leg of her Asia tour in Guangzhou, China, where she will meet local athletes, visit hallowed courts, and host another grassroots basketball camp for girls. She will then move on to Hong Kong, where she will experience street basketball culture in a local neighborhood and visit schools to help students learn to break through barriers in life and sport.

NUNS one win away from UAAP S87 juniors crown

Games on March 20
(Filoil Ecooil Centre)
10 a.m. – NUNS vs UST (girls’ finals)
12 p.m. – UST vs NUNS (boys’ finals)

National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) moved closer to a sweet redemption with a gritty 77-70 win over University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of UAAP Season 87 boys’ basketball finals on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Cameroonian center Collins Akowe collared a monstrous double-double of 24 points and 22 rebounds as the Bullpups barked one win away from avenging a runner-up finish in Season 86.

Mr. Akowe, norming 20.79 points, 19.21 rebounds, 2.71 assists, 1.79 blocks this season, was hailed as the Season MVP last year when NUNS bowed to Adamson University.

He was not to be denied this time around, drawing local support from Carl Alfanta and Chad Cartel with 14 points each.

It was Mr. Cartel who delivered the daggers in the clutch marked by a jumper and an assist to Mr. Alfanta in the final minute to give the Bullpups a 76-70 lead heading home.

“Huge credits to the boys, who really worked hard for this win. It’s very crucial to take Game 1 for our advantage next game,” said coach Kevin de Castro, looking to win NUNS’ first title since a back-to-back feat in 2019.

Aside from a huge Game 1 win though, the Bullpups also exacted vengeance on the Tiger Cubs that handed them a 76-56 loss in the elims to deny them an outright finals berth.

NU finished the two-round prelims with a 13-1 slate for the top-seed finish before dethroning the fourth-ranked Adamson in the Final Four. Santo Tomas also knocked off the No. 3 seed Far Eastern University in only one attempt.

Senegalese forward Racine Kane dropped 25 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals and four blocks but to no avail for the Tiger Cubs. Koji Buenaflor (15) and Carl Manding (12) also had wasted efforts as Santo Tomas seeks to force a winner-all-take Game 3 next week.

In the girls’ division finals, presumptive MVP Barby Dajao scattered 25 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and five steals as Santo Tomas drubbed NUNS, 85-57, for a 1-0 lead. — John Bryan Ulanday

The Scores:

NUNS 77 – Akowe 24, Alfanta 14, Cartel 14, Napa 9, Palanca 7, Locsin 6, Pillado 3, Matias 0, Nepacena 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0.

UST 70 – Kane 25, Buenaflor 15, Manding 12, Esteban 6, Cañete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.

Quarterscores: 23-23, 38-36, 63-62, 77-70.

Wolves rout Nuggets, extend run

ANTHONY EDWARDS scored 29 points, Julius Randle added 25 and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 115-95 on Wednesday for their season-high sixth win in a row.

Jaden McDaniels contributed 16 points, Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Donte DiVincenzo added 10 points for Minnesota, which has beaten Denver five straight dating back to the 2024 playoffs.

Nikola Jokic had 34 points and eight rebounds, Russell Westbrook scored 19 points, Jamal Murray finished with 12 points and eight assists and Michael Porter Jr. logged 10 points and nine boards for the Nuggets.

Denver struggled from deep, making just seven of 30 shots (23.3%) and fell into a tie with the Memphis Grizzlies for second place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Minnesota used a smothering defense to take a 57-48 lead at intermission. The Nuggets shot 42.6% in the first half despite Jokic and Westbrook combining to go 17-for-25 from the field. — Reuters

Winning is everything

Not a few quarters found themselves wanting in the aftermath of the supposedly marquee matchup between the Celtics and the Thunder on Thursday. Not that the set-to wound up being a blowout; on the contrary, the scores were close from start to finish. Rather, the disappointment was borne of the manner in which the proceedings unfolded. When the battlesmoke cleared, the defending champions had a record 63 three-point attempts to their name. Meanwhile, the Western Conference pacesetters went to the charity stripe a whopping 35 times. In other words, style got in the way of substance.

To be sure, the Celtics have ample reason to believe their preferential option for the trey resoundingly redounds to their benefit. For one thing, it enabled them to claim their 18th title last year. For another, they continue to boast of the personnel required to employ a devastating five-out offense that counters the Thunder’s propensity to pack the paint. The flipside is that head coach Joe Mazzulla’s predilections invariably invite significant variance. On Thursday, for instance, they stayed true to the so-called scorer’s mentality and kept on chucking from behind the arc regardless of their misfires; a full two-thirds of their field goal tries were for threes.

Not coincidentally, the Thunder opted to be just as stubborn with their strategy; per bench tactician Mark Daigneault, they sought seams in the Celtics’ interior defense and feasted on twos even from the dreaded midrange. As with the green and white, previous successes fortified their belief in the efficacy of their methods. And, to this end, it certainly helped that they had Move Valuable Player candidate (and frequently fouled) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead them. Whether or not he’s a whistle merchant depends on perspective, but there can be no questioning the results; not for nothing was he able to trek to the line 11 times, just one short of the opposition’s aggregate.

Perhaps the contest would have been as aesthetically pleasing as conventional wisdom desired had it featured more fastbreak points. That the Celtics and the Thunder ultimately generated a mere 23 between themselves and instead resorted to rinse-and-repeat uglyball served to fuel critics’ views on why pro hoops ratings are down. They couldn’t care less, of course. After all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Appearances are secondary. Winning is everything.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Workshop teaches Filipino kids the ABCs of money

The earlier you start learning how to manage money, the better you become with it, said Brian H. Snoeck, a finance expert who led a financial literacy session for children organized by Skill Builders Academy PH.

Skill Builders Academy PH is a social enterprise startup that offers life skills programs for children. For every workshop held in villages where kids can afford to enroll, it also organizes a free workshop for underserved students in public schools.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

Duterte takes responsibility for Philippines drug war, anticipates long ICC battle

RODRIGO DUTERTE — PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ ROBINSON NIÑAL

MANILA – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration’s “war on drugs”, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, as he braces for a legal battle at the International Criminal Court.

“Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything,” Mr. Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague.

Mr. Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his “war on drugs” in which thousands of purported dealers and users were killed.

The video, which has been viewed 10 million times, showed only Mr. Duterte speaking, while wearing a plain white shirt. It appeared to have been recorded inside the plane, with the faint hum of the engine audible in the background.

In a statement, the ICC said Mr. Duterte was “surrendered to the custody of the International Criminal Court. He was arrested by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines…for charges of murder as a crime against humanity”.

He will be brought before an ICC judge in The Hague in coming days for an initial appearance, the statement said. He was transferred to a detention unit on the Dutch coast.

“This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. And so be it, if that is my destiny,” Mr. Duterte said, while assuring his supporters he was well.

“I am okay, do not worry,” the 79-year old former Philippine leader said in the more than two-minute video clip.

Mr. Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 , will face allegations of crimes against humanity for overseeing death squads in his anti-drugs crackdown. He could become the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC.

The ICC arrest warrant says that as president, Mr. Duterte created, funded and armed the death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.

During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, by the police’s count.

Mr. Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, the Philippines’ vice president, arrived in The Hague on Wednesday evening, her office said.

Lawyers and academics said the arrest and transfer were a big moment for the ICC, which is targeted by U.S. sanctions and does not have any police of its own to arrest people.

A State Department spokesperson said the United States is aware of Philippine authorities’ arrest of Mr. Duterte. — Reuters

2025: The year businesses integrate generative AI

After years of exploring AI, 2025 is expected to be the year when businesses integrate generative AI into their operations, said Paul Chen, Head of Solutions Architects, ASEAN, AWS.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Arjale Queral

South Korea charges air force pilots with criminal negligence in accidental bombing of village

PIXABAY

 – South Korean military investigators charged two Air Force pilots on Thursday with criminal negligence over an accidental bombing of a village last week during a training exercise, which injured at least 29 people and caused extensive property damage.

Defense ministry investigators have confirmed that errors by the pilots when they entered coordinates into the aircraft systems were “direct factors” behind the accidental bombing, the ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command said in a statement.

The pilots were charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, the command said, adding the investigation of the incident is ongoing.

Eight unguided air-to-surface bombs were launched from two fighter jets and landed on a village in Pocheon near the border with North Korea during live-fire exercises.

Several areas in Pocheon and neighboring regions have training grounds used by the South Korean and U.S. militaries.

Residents have for years complained about potential safety risks and disturbance from military units being mobilized in the area.

The two pilots have been taken off flight duties and a review of their flight mission certification has been scheduled, a ministry official said.

The Air Force chief of staff has apologized for the accident and pledged to review mission procedures to prevent similar incidents.

North Korea, which routinely denounces military drills by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, has said the accident showed the risk of the drills triggering armed conflict, citing the possibility the bombs could have dropped north of the border. – Reuters