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Iowa QB Cade McNamara slams 'ridiculous' rumorsTensions continued in the West Philippine Sea in 2024 as China maintained its claims over the South China Sea despite the 2016 ruling of The Hague-based international arbitration tribunal favoring the Philippines. Manila has been exerting efforts to defend its sovereign rights and repel Beijing's illegal presence and aggressive actions against Philippine personnel and fishers over the disputed territory. Looking back at the steps the Philippine government has taken for the West Philippine Sea in 2024, how will the developing nation push further its control over the disputed waters against global superpower China in 2025? Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said China has been more aggressive and oppressive in 2024 as he recalled the June 17 incident in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where a Filipino soldier lost his thumb in a collision. “Gumamit sila ng karahasan laban sa ating mga kawal noong ika-17 ng Hunyo. At noong sumunod na buwan ay ipinakita din nila, sa pamamagitan ng pagbabangga ng barko at paggamit ng water cannon, ang kanilang intensyon na agawin sa atin ang ating mga likas-yamang dagat sa ating katubigan,” Batongbacal told GMA News Online. (They used violence against our troops last June 17. And the following month, they showed, by ramming our ship and using a water cannon, their intention to take from us the resource-rich waters.) On June 17, Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy (PN) lost his thumb after China vessels collided with Philippine boats during a rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had demanded P60 million in damages from China after its coast guard destroyed some equipment of Philippine Navy personnel. In response, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Manila “should face the consequences of its own action," adding that the Philippine vessels “were carrying out an illegal ‘resupply mission’ which violated China’s territorial waters and staging a provocation when stopped by China Coast Guard.” PH actions on WPS issue in 2024 National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the Philippines countered China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) actions” through diplomatic, informational, and legal actions as well as through operations on the ground. “We also utilized effectively the [Bilateral Consultation Mechanism] with the [People’s Republic of China] to produce a preliminary understanding on resupply to Ayungin which has been honored by both sides up to now,” he told GMA News Online. The Department of Foreign Affairs in July said the Philippines and China have reached an understanding on an arrangement that will avoid altercations in Ayungin Shoal. The two countries in a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting sought to de-escalate the tension in the WPS after the violent June 17 incident. Other areas However, Batongbacal said China’s aggressive actions just shifted from Ayungin Shoal to other parts of the disputed waters. “Bagama't napatahimik natin ang mga pangyayari sa Ayungin Shoal, at napabababa ang tsansa na maulit ang karahasan ng ika-17 ng Hunyo, lumipat ang pagdidiin ng Tsina sa ibang lugar tulad ng Escoda Shoal, Rozul Reef, at Bajo de Masinloc,” Batongbacal said. (Although we were able to lower the tension at Ayungin Shoal, and decreased the chances of a repeat of the harassment done on June 17, China turned to other areas like Escoda Shoal, Rozul Reef, and Bajo de Masinloc.) “Malinaw na pinapalaki at pinapalawak ng Tsina ang kanyang puwersa sa Kanlurang Karagatang Pilipino at tinutuloy niya ang pang-aagaw at paninira dito,” he added. (It is clear that China is expanding its actions in the West Philippine Sea and continues to claim and destroy it.) Malaya said a transparency initiative was also pushed to expose China’s aggressive actions over the West Philippine Sea. “On the informational front, we leveled up the transparency initiative to expose to the world the ICAD actions of China and ramped up initiatives to counter foreign malign influence and interference,” Malaya said. More alliances, new laws for WPS According to Batongbacal, the Philippine government’s transparency initiative on the West Philippine Sea issue drew more countries to support Manila. Alliances with more counties have been formalized. “Dahil sa transparency initiative na inumpisahan sa nakaraang taon, nakita ng mundo ang tunay na mukha ng Tsina, at dumami ang mga bansa na nagpunta sa Pilipinas upang mag-alay ng tulong sa iba't ibang paraan,” he said. (Because of the transparency initiative started in the past year, the world saw the true face of China, and many more countries went to the Philippines to offer help in many ways.) “Dumadami ang mga pormal na kaalyado natin sa larangan ng depensa at seguridad; nadagdag sa US at Australia ang Japan, kausap natin ang France at Canada, at mayroong mas malapit na ugnayan tayo sa India, UK, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands,” he added. (We now have more formal allies in defense and security. Aside from the US and Japan, we talked with France and Canada, and we now have closer ties with India, UK, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands.) Compared to 2023, the Philippines has been more active and swift in pushing for defense cooperation with other countries, Batongbacal said. Legislation On the legal front, meanwhile, Malaya said the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act have been passed this year to enshrine in domestic legislation the country’s maritime rights. Signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in July, the two new laws are seen to give more teeth to the country’s legal rights over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea. "The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international order," Marcos said. "In the same breath, these signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos," he added. Operations on the ground The Philippines also intensified its patrols in the WPS conducted by the PN, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with the participation of foreign counterparts. “On the ground or sea, we have ramped up patrols by the PN, BFAR and PCG to fly the flag and enforce international law,” Malaya said. “We have also conducted joint patrols or MCA with a host of countries for a rules-based international order. This is not an exhaustive list but are some of the highlights that come to mind now,” he added. Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said naval units operating under Western Command and Northern Luzon Command conducted more than 300 maritime sovereignty/surveillance patrols, 100 air surveillance flights, and 60 resupply missions. “These operations were conducted unilaterally by the AFP, bilaterally with our treaty ally and multi-laterally with like-minded nations. Furthermore, these were all within the bounds of domestic and international law, were within the country's EEZ and were in support to the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling,” Trinidad said. West Philippine Sea in 2025 Malaya said the Philippine government’s strategy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is anchored on asserting international law, the 2016 arbitral ruling, and the maritime zones law, using all instruments of national power. “So, in 2025 the government will further improve maritime domain awareness, effective presence in the entire West PH Sea especially in the nine occupied features, as well as as effective deterrence through the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelago Defense Concept and modernization program not only of the Armed Forces of the Philippines but also of the PCG and BFAR,” he said. “The ultimate aim is to protect the marine environment for all nations and to preserve the livelihood and access of PH fishermen to their traditional fishing grounds,” he added. Trinidad said there will be no let-up in government efforts for the WPS and vowed that the military will promote freedom of navigation and international law in the coming year. “For the year 2025, there will be no let-up in our fervor to secure and protect our maritime domain. This will be done not only by the Philippine Navy or the AFP, but we will be doing our role in a whole of government and even a whole of society approach,” he said. “We will also be a responsible member of the international community of law-abiding nations that support freedom of navigation and international law, and espouse any unilateral attempt to change the status quo,” he added. For his part, Batongbacal said China will continue its aggressive acts next year. “Umasa tayo na sa susunod na taon, magpapatuloy ang pressure ng Tsina laban sa atin, at lalo pa siyang magiging maingay at mapang-api, at pipilitin pa rin na magbago ang polisiya ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng kombinasyon ng 'influence operations' sa press at social media, pagpalakas ng kanilang propaganda, at pananakot at pagbabanta sa karagatan,” he said. (We should expect that next year, China's pressure against us will continue. China will be even more vocal and oppressive, and will push that the Philippines change its policy via a combination of 'influence operations' in the press and social media, and strengthening its propaganda, aggressiveness and threat in our waters.) Batongbacal warned that China may influence the Philippine government through its support for local and national candidates in the upcoming May 2025 elections, threaten Manila with war, and provoke quarrels among Filipinos in 2025. “Maari din siya humanap ng paraan upang ma-impluwensiyahan ang pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa mga kandidato na kampi sa kanya, mula nasyunal hanggang sa lokal na kandidato,” Batongbacal said. (China may also look for ways to influence the [Philippine] government by supporting national and local candidates allied with it.) “Gagamitin din niya ang pananakot ng giyera at pagpapalaganap ng away at hidwaan sa ating publiko at pamahalaan upang maging mas mabait at mapagbigay sa Tsina ang pamahalaan,” he added. (It will also threaten war and promote rifts among the public and government to make it seem China is kind and generous toward the government.) —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated NewsNEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetkounmpo had 34 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a two-game skid with a 118-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Damien Lillard had 15 points and 11 assists and Bobby Portis added 23 points and five rebounds off the bench. The Bucks won for the 10th time in 13 games. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — At this point the past two seasons, the San Francisco 49ers were fighting for playoff positioning rather than their playoff lives. After snapping a three-game losing streak with a lopsided win last week against Chicago, the Niners head into a Thursday night division showdown against the Los Angeles Rams hoping to play with the same kind of desperation in a game they almost certainly need to win to get to the postseason. “I think just across the board as a team, everybody had just a bit more of sense of urgency and I think we executed and played together as a team, and we didn’t let off,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “Really liked that. But, that was last week so now it’s on to this week and how can we do that again?” After getting outscored by 53 points in losses at Green Bay and Buffalo, the 49ers (6-7) played their most complete game of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive. While some credited a feeling of desperation or speeches from players such as Purdy and Deommodore Lenoir for the turnaround, linebacker Fred Warner said it was more about execution than anything else. “We didn’t go out there in Green Bay, we didn’t go out there in Buffalo saying, ‘Let’s just hope that we win.’ Trust me, I felt desperate as hell going into both those games,” he said. “It just didn’t work out. ... It didn’t happen because last week we decided we wanted to. This was weeks in the making.” Whatever the reason, the results were obvious to anyone watching, including the Rams (7-6), who had their own signature performance to boost their playoff chances. Los Angeles held off Buffalo 44-42 to remain one game behind Seattle in the NFC West race and a game ahead of the 49ers and Arizona in the tightly packed division. Coach Sean McVay knows his team will need a similar performance to beat San Francisco and earn a season sweep. “I saw they certainly had a very dominant performance,” he said. “If there’s anything that you do know, it’s a week-to-week league. Humility is only a week away. They have excellent coaches, excellent personnel and really good schemes. No matter what’s really happened in terms of the trajectory of the injuries, they’re going to be ready to go.” Puka power Puka Nacua is in dominant form with 33 catches for 458 yards and three TDs in the Rams’ past four games, highlighted by a 162-yard performance last week against Buffalo in which he also scored his first rushing TD. Nacua was injured for these clubs’ first meeting this season — but last year, he broke the NFL’s single-game rookie receptions record with 15 in his first game against San Francisco, and he set the NFL rookie season records for catches and yards receiving during his visit to Santa Clara last January. “He’s a tough football player,” 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said. “Some guys are just competitive. He’s got size, he doesn’t go down easy. Some things you can’t measure and he’s just got it.” Deebo’s struggles The least productive four-game stretch of Deebo Samuel’s career sent the frustrated wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers to social media. In a now-deleted post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Samuel said the reason he gained only 97 yards from scrimmage the past four games was not that he was struggling but that he wasn’t getting the ball. His teammates and coaches believe he will get back to his All-Pro form soon. “I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could,” Purdy said. “I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things.” Defense declining The Rams defense got shredded twice in the past three weeks by Saquon Barkley’s Eagles and Josh Allen’s Bills, dropping the unit to 27th in total defense. LA’s vaunted young pass rush led by rookie Jared Verse has no sacks in its past two games and just three in the past four games. Considering Purdy drove the Niners to 425 yards in the teams’ first meeting this season without Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle or Samuel, the Rams’ offense might need yet another prolific game to overcome its defense’s weaknesses. Under pressure With Nick Bosa sidelined the past three games, the 49ers have had to generate pass rushes from different sources. They had a season-high seven sacks last week with Yetur Gross-Matos getting three and Leonard Floyd two. The 32-year-old Floyd has 5 1/2 sacks in his past four games. “Leonard’s just an Energizer bunny,” Shanahan said. “It’s crazy with him being one of the older guys and stuff and how many different teams he’s been to, but I’ve played against him enough and felt that.” Bosa has a chance to return this week and is listed as questionable. AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 am on Wednesday when the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew the UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. READ | ‘Can get me killed’: US man gets death threats after viral post wrongly identified him as UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
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If you've driven down Macquarie Pass in the past few days, authorities have been watching. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading When a mobile phone detection camera was placed at the bottom of the notorious road, social media went into overdrive. Some didn't know what it was, others had a fair idea, and then there were those who had the 'don't do the wrong thing and you won't get caught' attitude. Transport for NSW may list and signpost the locations of its speed cameras, but it doesn't provide motorists with the same information about mobile phone detection cameras. Authorities said offenders need to believe they could be caught anywhere on the road network at any time. Worried you got caught out? If the Macquarie Pass camera caught you out, you can look forward to a $410 fine and five demerit points . If you're caught breaking this law in a school zone, the fine is even higher at $544. But, just think, aren't you lucky it wasn't a double demerit point time? Technology to reduce road trauma Mobile phone detection cameras began issuing fines in March 2021, and authorities said the technology is among a suite of measures to encourage motorists to drive safely. "Automated enforcement programs in NSW are used to deter speeding, mobile phone use by drivers and motorcyclists, and encourage proper seatbelt use by both drivers and passengers to reduce road trauma across the road network," the Transport for NSW spokeswoman said. "These programs use both fixed and movable camera devices, which are relocated in approved locations across the state." Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au More from Court and Crime Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!
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