MANILA: The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of blocking a Filipino supply vessel and damaging it with water cannon Saturday morning off a remote and contested South China Sea reef.
The Philippine military said the nearly hour-long attack occurred off Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese ships have unleashed water cannon and collided with Filipino vessels in similar stand-offs in recent months.
The military released video clips that showed a white ship repeatedly dousing another vessel sailing alongside it with a water cannon. One clip showed two white ships simultaneously firing water at the same vessel.
It also released another clip showing a white ship marked “China Coast Guard” crossing the bow of a grey vessel it identified as the Philippine supply boat Unaizah May 4.
It said the videos were taken Saturday morning while the Unaizah May 4 was on its way to Ayungin Shoal — the Filipino name for the outcrop garrisoned by a small unit of Philippine troops that is also claimed by Beijing.
“The UM4 supply boat sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 (am) due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels,” the military said in a statement, without describing the nature of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
A Philippine coast guard escort vessel later reached the damaged boat “to provide assistance,” the military said.
China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement that the Philippine convoy “forcibly intruded into the area despite the Chinese side’s repeated warnings and route controls,” adding the Chinese carried out “control, obstruction and eviction in accordance with law.”
“We sternly warn the Philippine side: those who play with fire will bring shame on themselves. The Chinese Coast Guard is ready at all times to resolutely safeguard our country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Gan added.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from countries including the Philippines and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
The latest confrontation came four days after visiting Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States stood by its “ironclad” commitments to defend longtime ally Manila against armed attack in the South China Sea.
Two days after Blinken’s visit to Manila, the China Coast Guard also tried to drive away Filipino scientists who landed on two cays near Scarborough Shoal, another contested South China Sea outcrop.
The Unaizah May 4, which was also damaged in a China Coast Guard water cannon attack off Second Thomas Shoal earlier this month, had returned to the area on Saturday escorted by two Filipino coast guard vessels and two Philippine Navy ships, a Philippine military statement said.
The Philippine soldiers stationed on the shoal live on a derelict navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, and require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities.
“This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated,” the military added.
Four crew members had been hurt by broken glass during the previous water cannon attack on the Unaizah May 4.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, a Philippine coast guard spokesman for South China Sea issues, said in a separate statement that its escort vessel, the BRP Cabra, was “impeded and encircled” by three Chinese coast guard and other vessels early Saturday.
As a result, Cabra was “isolated from the resupply boat due to the irresponsible and provocative behavior of the Chinese maritime forces,” he added.
Philippines accuses China of water cannon attack on supply vessel
https://arab.news/2h46p
Philippines accuses China of water cannon attack on supply vessel
- Philippine military say the nearly hour-long attack occurred off Second Thomas Shoal
Atmosphere for Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener a bit strange, says Maresca
- “It was a good match, a good performance,” Maresca told reporters
- “I think the environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty. Not full“
LOS ANGELES: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was “a bit strange” as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.
The multi-purpose stadium has a 71,000 capacity but Monday’s group stage match, which kicked-off at 3 p.m., attracted little over 22,000 spectators.
Atlanta is over 2,000 miles (3,220 km) away from Los Angeles, where Major League Soccer club LAFC are based.
“It was a good match, a good performance,” Maresca told reporters. “I think the environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty. Not full.”
The Italian expected more fans to be in attendance when they take on Brazilian side Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
“We prepared for this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different,” Maresca said.
“But no doubt that the next one will be a nice one because we know that the Brazilian team, they always bring many, many fans. So we will try to be ready for the next one.”
Maresca was asked about what impact he expects from forward Liam Delap, who joined the club for around 30 million pounds from Ipswich Town ($40.73 million) on a six-year deal.
Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are already options for the number nine shirt at Chelsea but the 22-year-old Englishman wasted no time in showcasing his potential, setting up Enzo Fernandez for their second goal on Monday.
“I am curious to see how Nico reacts (to Delap),” said Maresca. “He competed with Guiu, who is very young, during the season. They are both good number nines.”
Chelsea are level with Flamengo at the top of the group after the Brazilians beat Esperance de Tunis 2-0.
Pakistan’s militancy-hit Balochistan unveils ‘largest’ $3.6 billion annual budget
- Province earmarks $2.26 billion for non-development spending, $307 million for health and $423.5 million for schools
- Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land yet its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s militancy-hit Balochistan on Tuesday unveiled its $3.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani described as the “largest” one in the province’s history.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land size but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators. The province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-lying insurgency for decades where ethnic separatist militants demand a greater share of the province’s mineral resources for locals.
Nosherwani presented the budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta, with Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai chairing the session.
“For the upcoming fiscal year, the total budget is estimated at Rs1,028 billion [$3.63 billion]— the largest in the province’s history,” Nosherwani told lawmakers during the budget session.
“Out of this, the non-development budget is Rs642 billion [$2.26 billion] while the overall provincial development (PSDP) budget is Rs249.5 billion [$878 million],” he added.
The finance minister pointed out that the budget includes a Rs42 billion [$148.3 million] surplus, describing it as a “historic milestone” for the province.
Nosherwani said the government has earmarked over Rs120 billion [$423.5 million] for the schools sector and Rs29.1 billion [$102.7 million] for the higher education sector.
The provincial government has also allocated Rs87 billion [$307 million] for the health sector, ₨26 billion [$91.8 million] for the agriculture sector and Rs1 billion [$3.53 million] for food, he said.
He said the government had decided not to purchase new vehicles, except for the ones required by law enforcement personnel.
“To create employment opportunities in 2025–26, the provincial government plans to introduce 4,188 contract positions and 1,958 regular jobs across departments,” Nosherwani said.
He credited the provincial government for not overlooking any segment of society in the annual budget.
“These measures cover government employees, women, pensioners, youth, migrants, laborers— people from every walk of life,” the finance minister said.
Saudi-owned Field of Gold sparkles on opening day of Royal Ascot
- Colin Keane made light of the pressure of being recently appointed first jockey for the Saudi owners Juddmonte Farms
LONDON: Field of Gold put to bed who is the best three-year-old colt over a mile as the Irish 2000 Guineas winner eased to victory in the St. James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Colin Keane made light of the pressure of being recently appointed first jockey for the Saudi owners Juddmonte as he surged clear halfway down the straight on the favorite in front of packed stands on a baking hot day.
Keane’s predecessor Kieran Shoemark had lost the job after what was judged, by the father and son training duo John and Thady Gosden, to be a poor ride in finishing second behind Ruling Court in the English 2000 Guineas in May.
This time round Keane made no mistake and had four lengths to spare over French 2000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse with another four lengths back to Ruling Court.
“Good horses make it easy,” said Keane.
“I do not know when three Guineas winners last clashed in this but my word he was good.”
His impressive performance came a few hours after the day’s traditional opening Royal Procession, celebrating its 200th anniversary, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the lead carriage.
One of those in the carriages, the Duke of Wellington, was a nod to the first one as his ancestor Napoleon Bonaparte’s nemesis accompanied George IV in 1825.
Qatari minister of state, IAEA chief discuss ‘serious threat’ of Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites
- Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi reiterates Qatar’s condemnation of attacks on Iranian territory
- He said targeting nuclear facilities threatens regional, international security
LONDON: The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi on Tuesday discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran with Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Al-Khulaifi discussed in a call the Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities that began on Friday, targeting the Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan nuclear sites.
Al-Khulaifi stressed that targeting nuclear facilities was a serious threat to regional and international security. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to dialogue to resolve conflicts and achieve peace in the region.
The officials discussed ways to improve the security of nuclear facilities and ensure they are safeguarded against threats, the Qatar News Agency reported.
Al-Khulaifi reiterated Qatar’s strong condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Iranian territory, deeming them blatant violations of Iran’s sovereignty and security, the QNA added.
The IAEA reported on Monday that the Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Natanz facility on Friday damaged the centrifuges of the underground uranium enrichment plant, raising concerns about potential radiological and chemical contamination in the area.
Green Falcons resume training before facing US in Texas
- Saudi national team are part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Squad is split into two groups for training
SAN DIEGO: Saudi Arabia’s national football team resumed training in San Diego on Monday ahead of Thursday’s match against the USA in Austin, Texas.
The Green Falcons arrived in Los Angeles last week to take part in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, hosted by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.
Coach Herve Renard divided the squad into two groups. The first was made up of squad members who played in the match against Haiti on Sunday, with training including recovery exercises in the hotel gym. The remaining players took part in a warm-up followed by passing training, games and stretching exercises at the San Diego Performance Center.
An MRI scan revealed that Hassan Kadesh has sustained a hamstring injury. He is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of medical staff. Teammate Muhannad Al-Saad is also continuing his rehabilitation program.
The Green Falcons leave San Diego on Tuesday afternoon local time to travel to Austin, where they will continue match preparations with a closed training session at St Edward’s University.
Saudi Arabia are riding on a wave of success after their victory against Haiti, when Saleh Al-Shehri’s 21st-minute penalty kick gave his team a 1-0 win in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A.
