Washington’s provision of advanced boat drones to Manila will act as “a force multiplier” for the Philippine Navy, analysts say, allowing the US to enhance its ally’s surveillance and operational capabilities in the South China Sea while avoiding direct provocations that could escalate Beijing’s territorial challenges. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the US government has given the Philippine Navy an undisclosed number of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for its operations in the West Philippine Sea – Manila’s term for the parts of the South China Sea that lie within its exclusive economic zone and the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys – on Tuesday during a two-day visit to the Philippines . He promised that “many more” would be delivered before the end of the Biden administration. “We
Category Archives: SECURITY
LONDON — A suspicious package was discovered outside the United States embassy in London on Friday morning, police said. The London Metropolitan Police immediately closed Ponton Road outside of the embassy in “an abundance of caution,” according to their statement, before they destroyed it in a controlled explosion. “We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Nine Elms,” the Met Police said. “Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package.” Authorities updated the situation approximately an hour later after reports of a “loud bang” began circulating online. Firefighters stand near the U.S. Embassy, amid ongoing investigation following an incident in London, Britain, November 22, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim Mina Kim/Reuters “We can confirm that the
Parliament was briefly suspended as people in the gallery joined in, and shouting drowned out others in the chamber. By REUTERS NOVEMBER 21, 2024 05:07 People march to the parliament in protest of the Treaty Principles Bill, in Wellington, New Zealand, November 19, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/Lucy Craymer) New Zealand’s parliament was briefly suspended on Thursday after Maori members staged a haka to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori. First signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, the Treaty of Waitangi lays down how the two parties agreed to govern. The interpretation of clauses in the document still guides legislation and policy today. Rulings by the courts and a separate Maori
An overwhelming majority of Southeast Asian elites prefer the Asean bloc to lead the region, especially as issues such as China ’s assertive actions in South China Sea tensions strain relations with Beijing, according to a new study. The findings come from the study, “Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia” by National University of Singapore political science professors Selina Ho and Terence Lee. The study surveyed nearly 600 politicians, business leaders, diplomats, bureaucrats, and experts from Indonesia , Malaysia , the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , and Vietnam as “they are directly responsible for formulating their countries’ foreign policy.” Respondents said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean ) was the most influential entity in the region, followed by China and then the
Ukraine said the nuclear-capable missile had targeted the central city of Dnipro, and while Russia declined to confirm. Kyiv on Thursday accused Russia of launching a non-nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine in what would mark the first-ever use of the weapon in combat and a sharp escalation of the conflict. Ukraine said the nuclear-capable missile had targeted the central city of Dnipro, and while the Kremlin declined to confirm it had launched the strike, it said it was doing everything possible to avoid a nuclear escalation. The Russian missile barrage on the industrial city, which authorities said had injured two people, is only the latest escalation since Ukraine fired Western-supplied long-range missiles on Russia this month. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that Russia had launched several
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Police in KwaZulu-Natal fatally wounded three hijacking suspects in a shoot-out in Mariannhill. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the province, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the trio had just hijacked a Hyundai H1, loaded with home appliances on Wednesday. “Police intelligence traced the hijacked vehicle to the Klaarwater hostel in Mariannhill and information indicated that the suspects were loading the hijacked goods into a bakkie,” Netshiunda said. He said when police approached the area they spotted the identified bakkie and signalled for the driver to stop, however, the driver chose to ignore police’s instructions and sped off and police gave chase. “During the high speed vehicle chase, the suspects started firing shots at the police and a shoot-out ensued. The suspect’s vehicle came to a standstill at the corner
In July, a jury in New York convicted South Korean-born Hwang on 10 of the 11 charges he faced. Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFPSource: AFP The founder of US investment firm Archegos, Bill Hwang, was jailed for 18 years on Wednesday for a multibillion-dollar fraud that contributed to the fund’s 2021 implosion, US media reported. In July, a jury in New York convicted South Korean-born Hwang on 10 of the 11 charges he faced and for which he could have been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. “The sentence has to reflect the seriousness of the event,” said judge Alvin Hellerstein according to The New York Times, which also reported the 18-year prison sentence. Hwang’s family-owned hedge fund had taken huge bets on a few stocks
JAY JAY BANDA ARRESTED By Balewa Zyuulu Fugitive Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmauel Jay Banda has been apprehended in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he was renting a flat. Addressing the media in Lusaka this afternoon, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu says Mr Banda who escaped from lawful custody in august this year was apprehended yesterday and that government is working with the authorities in that country to extradite Mr. Banda back to Zambia. Mr. Mwiimbu has also clarified claims by the opposition Patriotic Front that Mr Banda did not surrender himself to authorities in an attempt to avoid losing his parliamentary seat, following a seven-day ultimatum given by National Assembly Speaker Nelly Mutti yesterday. He has disclosed that the fugitive lawmaker is currently detained at a police
A 26-year-old house help is before the Bekwai Circuit Court for allegedly pouring acid on a Senior High School leaver. Ernest Agyei has denied causing harm to Benjamin Asante. He was granted a GH₵50,000.00 bail with two sureties to reappear on December 17, 2024. Police Chief Inspector Christian Amartey, substituting the old charge sheet with a new one, had earlier told the Court presided over by Mr Isaac Apeatu that Asante, the victim, was also the complainant and a former student of Yamfo Anglican Secondary School near Sunyani. Chief Inspector Amartey said the victim was a resident of Trede as Agyei, the accused person, was a house help resident at Pakyi No 2. Prosecution said on December 22, 2021, complainant’s brother Francis Agyei invited the complainant to assist him in
LONDON — The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed its doors on Wednesday out of “an abundance of caution,” as it warned that a potentially “significant” air strike may be coming. “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced,” the embassy said in an update. A picture shows a view of the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18, 2022, as the embassy reopens after closing it for three months due to the Russian invasion. Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images The embassy said it had received “specific” information about the potential strike on Nov. 20. The warning arrived amid fears that the war could escalate, a day after Ukraine’s military first launched U.S.-made long-range ATACMS missiles toward targets within
An airport in South Korea has defended subjecting a woman to an invasive body search on suspicion of being a drug mule that left her with vaginal bleeding. Customs officials intercepted the passenger from the Philippines when she transited through Daegu airport last month after a scanner indicated she was carrying drugs in her luggage. The traveller said the detected item was a liquid contained in e-cigarettes intended for her personal use, prompting officers to deploy a different device to frisk the visitor. The scan showed an object near her pants, which turned out to be a sanitary pad. A female official later took the woman to another room and inspected the napkin for 20 minutes, and allowed her to leave after finding no narcotic substances. The flier said the
The IAF also struck over 100 terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers, weapons storage facilities, command centers, and military structures over the past day. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF NOVEMBER 20, 2024 13:12 Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 13:15 IAF strikes Hezbollah rocket launchers on Sunday that fired at the Haifa Bay area, November 20, 2024. (IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT) The Israel Air Force (IAF) eliminated the commanders of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile and operations unit in the coastal sector, the military announced on Wednesday. The commanders were responsible for terror attacks against Israeli citizens, including missile attacks on civilian communities in the Western Galilee and Israel’s coastal area. Additionally, while operating in southern Lebanon, IDF soldiers located weapons storage facilities and struck terrorist command centers both on the ground and in the air.
Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo The founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, says he is constantly facing threat to his life by the powerful people behind oil theft in the country. According to him, the oil thieves are powerful people outside of the Niger Delta. Tompolo, speaking at Oporoza, the headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, on Monday, alleged that some naval personnel, a few days ago, forcefully attacked operatives of the private outfit during the arrest of some suspected oil thieves along the Port-Harcourt creeks. Speaking during a working visit of the Nigerian Bar Association national executive, led by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), to the oil-bearing community, Tompolo called for synergy between the Navy and other security outfits. Tompolo noted that in the
The scene of accident at Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. [Courtesy] At least 10 people have been confirmed dead while 20 others were seriously injured in a grisly road accident at the Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. The Wednesday 6 pm accident occurred after a petrol tanker heading to Kakamega from Kisumu lost control and rammed into two oncoming Matatus heading in the opposite direction. Ikolomani OCPD James Makau said seven people died on the spot while three other people died while receiving treatment at Iguhu Sub-County Hospital. “The tanker was speeding from Kisumu heading to Kakamega when it hit a bump before it lost control and hit two oncoming matatu vehicles, seven people died on the spot and other three died while in various hospitals,” said
After 14 years on death row, Mary Jane Veloso is finally returning home to the Philippines , as Indonesia signals a more humane approach to foreign prisoners under President Prabowo Subianto . It remains uncertain, however, whether the 39-year-old Filipino will be transferred to a Philippine prison or released upon her return. Indonesian Law and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced on November 11 that the government was developing a new policy for the repatriation of foreign prisoners, including Veloso, responding to requests from their home countries. “We are formulating a policy to resolve the issue of foreign prisoners,” he said, according to Indonesian news outlet Kompas, suggesting a willingness to engage in bilateral negotiations or prisoner transfers. On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr confirmed that Veloso will be