DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ U.S. Defence Chief Reaffirms Support for Philippines, Chides 'Dangerous' Chinese Conduct
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and criticised as "dangerous" China's use of water cannon and disruption of a Philippine resupply mission last week. In a phone call on Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, Austin "reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines" following Chinese obstruction at the Second Thomas Shoal "of a lawful Philippine resupply mission," said a statement from the Pentagon. Austin emphasised support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, it said. The Philippines routinely sends boats to the Second Thomas Shoal to deliver supplies to a small group of its soldiers posted to guard a warship that was intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago. The Philippines has been furious over what it calls repeated aggression by China's coastguard around disputed features located inside Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Gilberto Teodoro, Austin, Thomas, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty Organizations: . Defense, Philippine, Pentagon, China's coastguard Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Philippine, China, United States

☆ China says relations with Philippines at 'crossroads' amid maritime incidents
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China warned the Philippines on Monday to behave cautiously and seek dialogue, saying their relations were at a "crossroads" as new confrontations between their coastguards over maritime claims deepened tensions. China warned the Philippines on Monday to behave cautiously and seek dialogue, saying their relations were at a "crossroads" as new confrontations between their coastguards over maritime claims deepened tensions. The message was delivered by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong during a phone call with Philippine counterpart Theresa Lazaro amid worsening friction over altercations at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. In the call, Lazaro relayed Manila's "strongest protest against the aggressive actions" by the China Coast Guard and maritime militia against a Philippines' resupply mission in the South China Sea, her ministry said in a statement. The Philippines accused China's coastguard of using water cannon against a civilian boat supplying troops on Saturday at the Second Thomas Shoal, which it said had damaged the boat and injured some crew.

Persons: Chen Xiaodong, Theresa Lazaro, Thomas Shoal, Lazaro, Manila's, Chen, Thomas Organizations: Foreign, Philippine, China Coast Guard, China's coastguard Locations: China, Philippines, Spratly, South China

☆ Thousands evacuated in English city before unexploded WWII bomb moved
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Thousands of residents have been evacuated in Plymouth, southwest England, as authorities work to remove an unexploded 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) bomb discovered in the city. Members of HM Coastguard Search and Rescue gather after homes were evacuated when a suspected WWII explosive device was discovered. Matt Keeble/PA Images/Getty ImagesThe bomb will then be disposed of at sea, Plymouth City Council said Friday. It was discovered in a garden in the city’s Keyham area. Authorities added that the city’s trainline would be closed, ferries suspended and buses diverted.

Persons: Michael, Matt Keeble, It’s, Phil Williams Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Ministry of Defence, Twitter, HM Coastguard, Plymouth City, Cornwall Police, Residents Locations: Plymouth, England, Keyham, Devon

☆ Philippines Condemns 'Provocative Action' by Chinese Coastguard Against Filipino Fishermen
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

Wake-Up Call or Last Call? New Hampshire used to be the start of the presidential nominating calendar. But with the front-runners decisively ahead in 2024, it’s looking as if it could be the end of the process.

Locations: New Hampshire

☆ China could take inspiration from Vladimir Putin as it seeks to conquer Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Gregor Schwung | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewOn the beach of the Taiwanese island of Kinmen, pointed metal rods protrude from the ground and point towards the sea. To test Western resolve, China could first grab one of the offshore islands - just as Putin initially seized Crimea. After all, the only previous hostilities between Taiwan and China took place here - Beijing tried to conquer Kinmen in 1960 and 1970. To take Taiwan, China does not need Kinmen or the other offshore islands as a springboard. Due to its proximity to the mainland, Chinese military activities and any preparations for an invasion can be easily observed from here.

Persons: —, Gregor Schwung, Xi Jinping, Putin, Xi, Sun Tzu, Li Wen, Jing, Li, Vladimir Putin, Yao, Yuan Yeh Organizations: Service, Business, Congress, Kinmen, dicey coastguard, People's Liberation Army, Institute for National Defence and Security Research, Ministry of Defence, WELT, New, Security, Beijing, Communist Party, St Thomas University, Policy Locations: Kinmen, China, Xiamen, Taiwan, Taipei, Pratas, People's Republic, Crimea, Washington, Beijing, Ukraine, Taiwan's, Houston

☆ Philippines' Marcos meets China's Xi to find ways to reduce South China Sea tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippines and China need to continue to communicate, with the meeting a key part of the process to maintain peace, and keep open sea lanes and airways over the South China Sea, Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco. "We tried to come up with mechanisms to lower the tensions in the South China Sea," Marcos said, without elaborating. Marcos said he and Xi were in agreement that geopolitical problems should not be the defining element of the two countries' relationship. Marcos granted the United States greater access to its military bases, including in provinces facing the South China Sea and democratically-ruled Taiwan, drawing the ire of Beijing. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated Beijing's expansive claim.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Xi, Neil Jerome Morales, Kim Coghill Organizations: of, People, cnsphoto, REUTERS, APEC, coastguard, Sea, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Beijing, China, South China, Marcos China, MANILA, South, Philippines, San Francisco, United States, Taiwan, China's, Manila

☆ Philippines' Marcos Meets China's Xi to Find Ways to Reduce South China Sea Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Neil Jerome MoralesMANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, seeking ways to come up with ways to reduce tensions in the South China Sea and restore Filipino fishermen's access to fishing grounds. The Philippines and China need to continue to communicate, with the meeting a key part of the process to maintain peace, and keep open sea lanes and airways over the South China Sea, Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco. "We tried to come up with mechanisms to lower the tensions in the South China Sea," Marcos said, without elaborating. Marcos granted the United States greater access to its military bases, including in provinces facing the South China Sea and democratically-ruled Taiwan, drawing the ire of Beijing. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated Beijing's expansive claim.

Persons: Neil Jerome Morales MANILA, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Xi Jinping, Marcos, Xi, Neil Jerome Morales, Kim Coghill Organizations: APEC, coastguard, Sea Locations: Philippine, South, Philippines, China, South China, San Francisco, United States, Beijing, Taiwan, China's, Manila

☆ This unmanned lifeboat could rescue drowning people on its own
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | Hazel Pfeifer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Accidents are all too common, and often deadly, says Sam Mayall, a lifelong sailor and former maritime transport deck officer. “A lot of the technologies employed offshore now are the same technologies that have been there for the last 40 or 50 years,” says Mayall. Spotting people is just one part of search and rescue — getting them out of the water rapidly is also critical. Zelim’s “Swift” conveyor belt is adapted to the maritime environment to get people out of the water quickly. The maritime industry is slow to innovate, says Phillips, and the industry-standard rescue winches have been the same for decades.

Persons: Sam Mayall, ”, Mayall, “, ” Zelim, isn’t, “ Swift, —, Laura Tognarelli, Swift, “ It’s, ” Sam Mayall, Gareth Phillips, Phillips, Phillips — Organizations: CNN, coastguard, UK’s, Guardian, US Coastguard, Mariners, CNN Guardian, Zelim, Milford Haven Port Authority, Swift, Marine Locations: Scottish, Milford Haven, MHPA

☆ Philippines denounces China for 'unprovoked acts of coercion' to block resupply mission
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA/BEIJING, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Friday condemned China's coast guard for "unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous manoeuvres," including its use of a water cannon against one of its boats in an attempt to disrupt a resupply mission in the South China Sea. China's coast guard said two small Philippine transport ships and three coast guard ships entered the waters without the permission of the Chinese government and urged the Philippines to stop infringing on Beijing's sovereignty. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during his visit to Manila on Saturday that his country, the Philippines and the United States were cooperating to protect the freedom of the South China Sea. China's use of water cannons followed a series of incidents in the South China Sea, including the collisions between China's vessels and two Manila ships on Oct. 22. The Philippines accused China coastguard of "intentionally" colliding with its vessels.

Persons: Carlos Dominguez, Gao Hucheng, Damir Sagolj, Thomas, Thomas Shoal, Wang Wenbin, Fumio Kishida, Neil Jerome Morales, Bernard Orr, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle, Christina Fincher Organizations: Philippine, China's, REUTERS, South China, Official Development, China coastguard, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, MANILA, BEIJING, Philippines, China's, South China, South, Manila, Ayungin, Philippine, Thomas Shoal, United States, Japan, Japanese, Washington, Hague

☆ Poor Visibility Hampered Channel Rescue Effort in 2021 Migrant Accident -UK Report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Kylie MacLellanLONDON (Reuters) - Unsuccessful attempts to rescue migrants from a sinking boat in the Channel in November 2021 were hampered by poor visibility and confusion over locating the right vessel, Britain's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said on Thursday. "The UK search and rescue response ... was hampered due to poor visibility and by the lack of a dedicated aircraft conducting aerial surveillance," it said in a report published on Thursday. The Channel between France and Britain is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong, making the crossing on small boats dangerous. On the day of the deaths, 1,227 people attempted to cross the Channel, the British government said. More than 25,000 people have arrived in small boats so far in 2023.

Persons: Kylie MacLellan, MAIB, Mark Harper, Rishi Sunak, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Kylie MacLellan LONDON, Channel, Investigation, " Coastguard, British Transport, British Locations: France, Britain, French, British, Rwanda

☆ Italy to build sea migrant reception centres in Albania
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Angelo Amante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Meloni said the Albanian centres would initially host some 3,000 people when they are due to open in spring 2024. More than 145,000 people have come ashore in Italy so far in 2023, compared with around 88,000 in the same period in 2022. The same source denied Italy would pay any money to Albania to host the centres. Meloni said Italy would build a migrant identification facility at the Albanian port of Shëngjin, and a repatriation centre inland. The main countries migrants have arrived from in Italy in 2023 were Guinea, Ivory Coast and Tunisia, official data shows.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Rama, Rome, Maurizio Veglio, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Alison Williams Organizations: European Union, Italian coastguard, Albanian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, Rome, ROME, Albania, Albanian, Africa, Shëngjin, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Rwanda

☆ Migrants Reaching Spain's Canary Islands Near 32,000 This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID (Reuters) - Nearly 32,000 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands on fragile boats from west Africa this year, passing a previous record posted in 2006, regional authorities said on Sunday. So far this year, 31,933 people have reached the islands, compared with the 2006 small boats crisis when 31,678 people made it to the Canaries, regional authorities told Reuters. Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional chief, said the figures showed the scale of the humanitarian crisis faced by the islands and called for more help from the Spanish government and the European Union. Its seven islands have become the main destination for migrants from Senegal and other African countries trying to reach Spain, fleeing conflict or seeking a better life. The Spanish government said it would create additional emergency accommodation for some 3,000 migrants in military barracks, hotels and hostels.

Persons: Fernando Clavijo, Graham Keeley, Giles Elgood Organizations: Canaries, Reuters, Spanish coastguard, Spanish Civil Guard, Canary, European Union, State Locations: MADRID, Africa, El Hierro, EU, Africa's, Senegal, Spain

☆ Migrants reaching Spain's Canary Islands near 32,000 this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rescue workers search for bodies after a boat with 46 migrants from the Maghreb region capsized in the beach of Orzola, in the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Spain June 18, 2021. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Nearly 32,000 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands on fragile boats from west Africa this year, passing a previous record posted in 2006, regional authorities said on Sunday. Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional chief, said the figures showed the scale of the humanitarian crisis faced by the islands and called for more help from the Spanish government and the European Union. Its seven islands have become the main destination for migrants from Senegal and other African countries trying to reach Spain, fleeing conflict or seeking a better life. The Spanish government said it would create additional emergency accommodation for some 3,000 migrants in military barracks, hotels and hostels.

Persons: Borja Suarez, Fernando Clavijo, Graham Keeley, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Canaries, Reuters, Spanish coastguard, Spanish Civil Guard, Canary, European Union, State, Thomson Locations: Maghreb, Orzola, Lanzarote, Spain, Rights MADRID, Africa, El Hierro, EU, Africa's, Senegal

☆ China military says Philippine ship 'illegally entered' waters near Scarborough Shoal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 30 (Reuters) - China's military said on Monday that a Philippine military ship "illegally entered" waters near Scarborough Shoal without authorisation and it urged the Philippines to immediately stop its provocations. The statement marks a rare warning from the Chinese military towards the Philippines over its moves in disputed waters in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have had several confrontations in the South China Sea, recently trading accusations about a collision between a Chinese coastguard vessel and a boat from the Philippines. The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by China, the Philippines and Taiwan. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Persons: Tian Junli, Tian, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Alison Williams, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, coastguard, People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights BEIJING, Scarborough, Philippines, South China, China, Taiwan, Beijing, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam

☆ Philippines eyes multilateral effort to avert South China Sea clashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Philippines will boost multilateral activities including freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, its defence minister said on Wednesday, expressing hope that more countries would "join our fight" after an altercation with China this week. The incident, near a disputed reef in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, drew widespread condemnation of Beijing, which says it has sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international arbitration award declaring that claim has no legal basis. The recent incident with China "could result in more willing nations to join our fight," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in a televised interview on state-run PTV. Teodoro also said he is optimistic on the progress on reciprocal access agreement between Japan and the Philippines.

Persons: Gilberto Teodoro, Teodoro, Neil Jerome Morales, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, China's, PTV, Washington, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, South China, China, Manila, Beijing, Japan, United States

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF), at the media centre in Beijing, China October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - China's top diplomat Wang Yi will travel to the United States later this week, senior Biden administration officials said on Monday, in a long-anticipated visit that comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East, which U.S. officials hope Beijing can help contain. It is also the long-awaited reciprocal visit after several top U.S. officials including Blinken visited Beijing this summer. The visit also comes as Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks and Israel's response dominate global headlines, even as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on. Washington is sending military aid to Israel and Ukraine, while Beijing has grown closer to Russia since the Ukraine war began and has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Persons: Wang Yi, Tingshu Wang, Wang, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden's, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Blinken, ” Washington, Israel, Li Shangfu, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Biden, U.S, Hamas, East China Seas, Defense, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, Washington, San Francisco, Taiwan, South, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, U.S, Iran, Gaza, East, South China, Philippines

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said. Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, China, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines Tells China to Stop Provocative Actions in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen LemaMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. It has also summoned the Chinese ambassador and has filed a diplomatic protest, its foreign ministry said. NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Karen Lema MANILA, Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard Locations: Philippines, China, South, Philippine, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines to recruit 'cyber warriors' for online defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. walks past honor guards during the arrival ceremony at Western Command, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, August 10, 2023. Several government agencies, including the lower house of Congress, have recently reported cyber attacks and the chief of the armed forces said some of the almost daily attacks on the military came from abroad. "Instead of recruiting soldiers for infantry battalions, this time we will recruit cyber warriors," General Romeo Brawner told reporters. "There is this general realisation that this new breed of warriors does not have to be muscle strong." Cyber defence training was part joint exercises this year with U.S. forces, Brawner said, highlighting the growing importance of cyber resilience in defence strategy.

Persons: Romeo Brawner Jr, Eloisa Lopez, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Karen Lema, Robert Birsel Organizations: Forces, Western Command, REUTERS, Rights, coastguard, U.S, China Telecom, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Rights MANILA, Philippine, China, South China, Japan

☆ Near collision, tense encounter as Beijing flexes muscles in the South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Adrian Portugal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A Chinese maritime militia vessel is seen sailing in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEAR THE SECOND THOMAS SHOAL, South China Sea, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The crew of the Philippine coastguard boat watch anxiously as an imposing Chinese vessel draws near and cuts off its path, coming within a metre of collision in a vast stretch of open water in the South China Sea. Tense encounters like this, about 100 miles (185 km) off the Philippines and witnessed by a Reuters journalist, are becoming more frequent in Asia's most contested waters as China presses its claim of ownership over almost the entire South China Sea. China condemned the resupply mission, saying Philippine vessels had "intruded" in its waters in the Spratly Islands without its permission. The stakes are high if this brinkmanship turns to miscalculation in the South China Sea.

Persons: Adrian Portugal, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Karen Lema, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, THOMAS, Philippine coastguard, BRP, coastguard, Philippine, Reuters, Beijing, Mutual Defense Treaty, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: South China, Philippines, China, Philippine, Beijing, Sierra Madre, Spratly, Manila, Washington, United States, South

☆ Italy impounds migrant charity ship after multiple rescues
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Angelo Amante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Italian authorities have impounded a vessel operated by a Spanish charity, the group said on Thursday, after it carried out multiple rescues of migrants stranded in the Mediterranean. The Open Arms group said in a statement it had completed three rescues on Saturday picking up 176 people at sea, which included more than 90 unaccompanied minors. The boat docked on Wednesday in the central Italian port of Carrara to disembark the migrants. Temporary seizure orders had already been imposed on three charity boats - including the Open Arms - in August. Migrant arrivals nearly doubled in Italy this year compared with 2022.

Persons: Giorgia, Angelo Amante, Alex Richardson Organizations: Reuters, Italian coastguard, Interior Ministry, Charities, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Carrara, Africa, Italy

MANILA, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines is investigating a maritime incident to find out what killed three Filipino fishermen in a ramming incident that sank their boat in the South China Sea, its president said on Wednesday. "We assure the victims, their families, and everyone that we will exert every effort to hold accountable those who are responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident," Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on the X social media platform. Three Filipino fishermen died after their fishing boat was rammed by an unidentified foreign commercial vessel while crossing the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday. "The incident is still under investigation to ascertain the details and circumstances surrounding the collision between the fishing boat and a still unidentified commercial vessel," Marcos said. The Philippine coastguard did not elaborate on the incident or provide details of the vessel it said had rammed the Filipino crew.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Philippine Coast Guard, China's coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, South China, China, Scarborough, British, United States, Manila

☆ Philippines looking into ramming incident in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippines is investigating a maritime incident to find out what killed three Filipino fishermen in a ramming incident that sank their boat in the South China Sea, its president said on Wednesday. "We assure the victims, their families, and everyone that we will exert every effort to hold accountable those who are responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident," Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on the X social media platform. Three Filipino fishermen died after their fishing boat was rammed by an unidentified foreign commercial vessel while crossing the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday. "The incident is still under investigation to ascertain the details and circumstances surrounding the collision between the fishing boat and a still unidentified commercial vessel," Marcos said. The Philippine coastguard did not elaborate on the incident or provide details of the vessel it said had rammed the Filipino crew.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos Organizations: Philippine Bureau of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, China's coastguard, Philippine coastguard Locations: Scarborough, South China, Philippines, China, British, United States, Manila

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in his first remarks over the latest flare up, said the Philippines was upholding its rights to fish in its exclusive economic zone. China, which says Scarborough Shoal is its territory, has chided the United States for what it calls provocations in the region. Since cutting the floating barrier, the Philippines has observed less Chinese presence in the shoal, Tarriela said. There were three Chinese coastguard vessels and one maritime militia ship seen from an inspection flight on Thursday, versus seven Chinese vessels last week, Tarriela said. There were two Filipino vessels fishing in the shoal, but it remains a struggle to enter the lagoon, he added.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Ursula von der Leyen, Aaron Favila, Marcos, we're, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Enrico Dela Cruz, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty, Mark Potter Organizations: coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Manila, Washington, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Manila, Philippines, China, shoal's, coastguard MANILA, Scarborough, Beijing, United States

☆ Philippines urges fishermen to keep up presence at China-held shoal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANILA, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The coastguard of the Philippines urged the country's fishermen on Wednesday to keep operating at the disputed Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea, pledging to step up patrols there despite an imposing Chinese presence. Philippine vessels were unable to maintain a constant presence but were committed to protecting the rights of fishermen inside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. China's response has been measured, with its foreign ministry advising Manila on Tuesday to avoid provocations and not cause trouble. Close to shipping lanes that transport an estimated $3.4 trillion of annual commerce, control of the shoal is strategic for Beijing, which claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. "The Scarborough Shoal is closer to the Philippines," said fisherman Pepito Fabros who had come ashore in the province of Zambales between trips to sea.

Persons: Jay Tarriela, Gilbert Teodoro, Tarriela, Pepito Fabros, Neil Jerome Morales, Adrian Portugal, Enrico dela Cruz, Martin Petty, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: coastguard, Beijing's, China's coastguard, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Scarborough, South China, Bajo de Masinloc, Philippine, China, Beijing, Manila, Hainan, United States, Zambales

Search resuls for: "coastguard"

25 mentions found