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Filipino soldiers used their “bare hands” to fight off armed Chinese coastguard in the disputed South China Sea, a Philippine military chief has said.

General Romeo Brawner Jr, head of the Philippine armed forces, accused Chinese personnel of boarding more than eight motorboats and repeatedly ramming, then boarding, two inflatable vessels on Monday.

Comparing the act to piracy, he said the Chinese had bladed weapons and tried to prevent the transfer of food, firearms and other supplies to a Philippine territorial outpost in the disputed area of the Second Thomas Shoal.

Hostilities between the two countries have escalated in and around the shoal – where the Philippines grounded the BRP Sierra Madre ship in 1999 to create the outpost – which is also claimed by Beijing.

In this handout photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard hold knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. The Philippine military chief demanded Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed shoal and pay for damage in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
Image:
Sirens blared constantly as both sides could be heard yelling at each other in video footage. Pic: Armed forces of the Philippines

This handout photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines shows the windshield, communications and navigational equipment on a Philippine Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat allegedly destroyed by the Chinese Coast Guard to prevent Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. The Philippine military chief demanded Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed shoal and pay for damage in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
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Damage allegedly caused by the Chinese coastguard. Pic: Armed forces of the Philippines

Footage released by the Philippine military on Wednesday showed the dispute, with Chinese personnel brandishing what appeared to be machetes, knives, axes, hammers and sticks while surrounding two supply boats.

Sirens blared constantly as both sides could be heard yelling at each other. The Chinese appeared to smash the Philippine navy boat with a pole and images showed its side floaters slashed and deflated, and another boat with its windshields and navigational screens shattered.

One Filipino solider lost his right thumb and a number of others were injured as M4 rifles, navigation equipment and other supplies were seized, two Philippine security officials said.

“Only pirates do this. Only pirates board, steal, and destroy ships, equipment, and belongings,” Gen Brawner said.

He demanded the Chinese return all firearms and equipment and “pay for the damage they caused”.

This handout photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines shows communications and navigational equipment on a Philippine Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, allegedly destroyed by the Chinese Coast Guard to prevent Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. The Philippine military chief demanded Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed shoal and pay for damage in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
Image:
The Philippines has demanded China pays for the alleged damage. Pic: Armed forces of the Philippines

This handout photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Philippine Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, allegedly destroyed by the Chinese Coast Guard to prevent Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. The Philippine military chief demanded Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed shoal and pay for damage in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
Image:
A damaged Philippine navy inflatable boat. Pic: Armed forces of the Philippines

China blamed the Philippines for the confrontation, saying Filipino personnel “trespassed” into the shoal, ignoring its warnings.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Chinese coastguard took “professional law-enforcement measures”, accusing the Philippines of illegally supplying its vessels.

“No direct measures were taken against the Philippine personnel,” he added.

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The incident prompted the US to renew a warning that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, a treaty ally.

In addition to China and the Philippines – Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have conflicting territorial claims in the waterway.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea – a claim invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016.

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A “brazen act of aggression” by China – Philippines defence secretary

The latest confrontation in the South China Sea is a new low in relations between China and the Philippines.

It is a simmering dispute that threatens to drag the United States and others into global conflict.

Manila says the images of Chinese Coast Guard officers brandishing an axe represent a “brazen act of aggression”. Beijing says it took “professional law-enforcement measures with restraint” – denying making any “direct measures” at Philippine personnel and insisting they were only stopping an “illegal supply mission”.

It feels, however, like an inflection point at a very tense time. The images being circulated online by both sides are only further inflaming the crisis.

In April, Sky News witnessed the Chinese Coast Guard firing water cannons at the Philippine Coast Guard.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the defence secretary of the Philippines has told Sky News all out conflict with China is “a big concern” for his country and that they are facing a very “volatile and dynamic situation”.

Gilberto Teodoro claimed Beijing’s ultimate aim is to “strangle international commerce and bring the South China Sea under their exclusive control”.

But Beijing has said its decision to fire water cannons in April was “necessary” and that the Philippines was “violating their sovereignty”.

Mr Teodoro insisted they are simply defending waters that are rightfully theirs and have an “obligation” as a government to “ensure that the Filipino people have the ultimate use and be the ultimate beneficiaries of the economic zone”.

He cast Beijing’s actions near the disputed shoal as part of a campaign of “persistent bullying” bent on “weakening our economy and moral fabric”.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have intensified in recent months.

Mr Teodoro would not be drawn on whether his administration has a red line and insisted they are a “peace loving people” who want to “avoid conflict”. But he also added that any perceived illegal acts by China would be “a violation of our basic law, our constitution” and impossible for “government officials to ignore”.

“The idea of any sort of armed conflict to any Filipino, is really worrisome… We will always try to avoid it. However, in the face of illegal acts by China, it will be a violation of our basic law, our constitution, for government officials to ignore this fact,” he said.

Manila refers to the portion of the South China Sea that is within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines National Task Force says it will continue supply missions to the shoal “on a regular basis”.

Mr Teodoro says as long as they are “harassed” by China, “these conflicts will continue because these are Filipino fishermen within the EEZ and within traditional fishing areas”.

The US has recently made clear it will respond if there is a military move against the Philippines by China. But Mr Teodoro wants to see more outrage internationally. “I wish the whole world was more vociferous in voicing their concern and opposition to what China is illegally doing,” he said.

He believes China has not only “attempted to redefine international law but to also redefine the English dictionary with the word provocation” – the product he claims of a “paranoid mentality brought up by a closed society”.

It is the kind of rhetoric that will enrage Beijing and unlikely to encourage any kind of concessions.

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Philippines: China is a ‘big concern’

In January, Manila and Beijing agreed to improve maritime communication through talks, especially regarding the shoal.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela described China’s actions as “provocative, unprofessional and inhumane”.

“They serve as a clear indication that humanity has once again allowed barbarism to trample upon compassion, and that what is right is only defined by might,” he wrote on X after the latest clash.

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Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says US ambassador to Turkey

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Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says US ambassador to Turkey

Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, the US ambassador to Turkey has said.

Several hundred people have reportedly been killed this week in the south of Syria in violence involving local fighters, government authorities and Bedouin tribes.

As the violence escalated in the southern province of Sweida, Israel launched airstrikes, including attacks on Wednesday on the defence ministry in Damascus and a target near the presidential palace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said it aimed to protect Syrian Druze – part of a small but influential minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel.

Clashes between Bedouin and Druze groups further tensions in the Middle East

In a post on X, the US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, said Israel and Syria had agreed to a ceasefire supported by Turkey, Jordan and others.

“We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity,” Mr Barrack said in a post on X.

The Israeli embassy in Washington and Syrian Consulate in Canada did not immediately comment or respond to requests for comment from the Reuters news agency.

The ceasefire announcement came after the US worked to put an end to the conflict, with secretary of state Marco Rubio saying on Wednesday that steps had been agreed to end a “troubling and horrifying situation”.

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Why is Israel bombing Syria?

After Israel warned it would destroy forces attacking Syrian Druze, Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa told the minority group in a televised statement on Thursday that “we reject any attempt to drag you into hands of an external party”.

He then claimed Israel has “consistently targeted our stability and created discord among us since the fall of the former regime”.

It comes after the United Nations’ migration agency said earlier on Friday that nearly 80,000 people had been displaced in the region since violence broke out on Sunday.

It also said that essential services, including water and electricity, had collapsed in Sweida, telecommunications systems were widely disrupted, and health facilities in Sweida and Daraa were under severe strain.

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‘Horrific incident’ at sheriff training facility in LA – at least three people dead

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'Horrific incident' at sheriff training facility in LA - at least three people dead

At least three people have been killed after a “horrific incident” at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility, officials have said.

A spokesperson for the department said there was an explosion at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in east LA.

The incident was reported at around 7.30am local time (3.30pm UK time).

Aerial footage from local channel KABC-TV suggests the blast happened in a parking lot filled with sheriff patrol cars and box trucks.

The Eugene Biscailuz Center Academy Training in East Los Angeles. Pic: NBC Los Angeles
Image:
The training centre in east LA. Pic: NBC Los Angeles

Attorney general Pam Bondi wrote on X: “I just spoke to @USAttyEssayli about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles.

“Our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more.”

California congressman Jimmy Sanchez said the explosion had “claimed the lives of at least three deputies”.

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“My condolences to the families and everyone impacted by this loss,” he said.

Media and law enforcement stage near the site of an explosion at the LA County Sheriff's Special Operations Bureau on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
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Media and law enforcement officials near the explosion site. Pic: AP

The attorney general said in a follow-up post that agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are “on the ground to support”.

The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, said the LAPD bomb squad has also responded to the scene.

“The thoughts of all Angelenos are with all of those impacted by this blast,” she said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident, his press office said in a post on X.

“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is in contact with the Sheriff’s Department and closely monitoring the situation, and has offered full state assistance,” it added.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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Unmasked: The 18 Russian spies who mounted series of attacks on UK

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Unmasked: The 18 Russian spies who mounted series of attacks on UK

Dozens of Russian spies have been sanctioned by the government – including those responsible for targeting Yulia Skripal five years before her attempted murder in Salisbury.

The Foreign Office has announced that three units of the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) have been hit with sanctions, alongside 18 military intelligence officers.

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GRU officers attempted to murder Yulia Skipal and her father Sergei using the deadly Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury.

The 18 military intelligence officers have been targeted because of a sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity over many years, including in the UK, the Foreign Office said.

Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich SEREBRIAKOV.
Pic: FBI
Image:
Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich SEREBRIAKOV.
Pic: FBI

The government also accused the GRU of using cyber and information operations to “sow chaos, division and disorder in Ukraine and across the world”.

One of the groups sanctioned, Unit 26165, conducted online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol, including the bombing of Mariupol Theatre where hundreds of civilians, including children, were murdered.

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ALEKSEY VIKTOROVICH LUKASHEV
Pic -  FBI
Image:
ALEKSEY VIKTOROVICH LUKASHEV
Pic – FBI

Other military officers who have been sanctioned previously targeted Yulia Skripal’s mobile phone with malicious malware known as X-Agent.

The Skripals had moved to the UK after Sergei Skripal became a double agent, secretly working for the UK. He was tried for high treason and imprisoned in Russia – and later exchanged in a spy swap.

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But five years after Yulia’s phone was targeted, the pair were poisoned with the nerve agent, Novichok, in Salisbury. Russia has always denied being involved in the chemical attack.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.

“The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won’t tolerate it.”

He said the UK was taking “decisive action” with the sanctions against Russian spies.

“Putin’s hybrid threats and aggression will never break our resolve. The UK and our allies’ support for Ukraine and Europe’s security is ironclad.”

Those sanctioned today include:

  • Aleksandr Vladimirovich Osadchuk
Aleksandr Vladimirovich OSADCHUK 
Image:
Aleksandr Vladimirovich OSADCHUK 

  • Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich Serbriakov
Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich SEREBRIAKOV.
Pic: FBI
Image:
Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich SEREBRIAKOV.
Pic: FBI

  • Anatoliy Sergeyvich Kovalev
Anatoliy Sergeyvich KOVALEV 
Image:
Anatoliy Sergeyvich KOVALEV 

  • Artem Valeryvich Ochichenko
ARTEM VALERYEVICH OCHICHENKO. Pic: FBI
Image:
ARTEM VALERYEVICH OCHICHENKO. Pic: FBI

  • The 161st Specialist Training Centre (TsPS) (Unit 29155) of the GRU
  • Vladislav Yevgenyevich Borovkov
VLADISLAV YEVGENYEVICH BOROVKOV
Image:
VLADISLAV YEVGENYEVICH BOROVKOV

  • Nikolay Aleksandrovich Korchagin
NIKOLAY ALEKSANDROVICH KORCHAGIN.
Pic: FBI
Image:
NIKOLAY ALEKSANDROVICH KORCHAGIN.
Pic: FBI


  • Yuriy Federovich Denisov
YURIY FEDOROVICH DENISOV.
Pic: FBI
Image:
YURIY FEDOROVICH DENISOV.
Pic: FBI

  • Vitaly Aleksandrovich Shevchenko
  • Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov
Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov.
Pic: FBI/Reuters
Image:
Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov.
Pic: FBI/Reuters

  • Aleksey Viktorovich Lukashev
ALEKSEY VIKTOROVICH LUKASHEV
Pic -  FBI
Image:
ALEKSEY VIKTOROVICH LUKASHEV
Pic – FBI

  • Sergey Sergeyevich Vasyuk
  • Andrey Eduardovich Baranov
  • Aleksey Sergeyevich Morenets
ALEKSEI SERGEYEVICH MORENETS.
Pic: FBI
Image:
ALEKSEI SERGEYEVICH MORENETS.
Pic: FBI

  • Sergey Aleksandrovich Morgachev
SERGEY ALEKSANDROVICH MORGACHEV
Image:
SERGEY ALEKSANDROVICH MORGACHEV

  • Artem Adreyevich Malyshev
SERGEY ALEKSANDROVICH MORGACHEV.
Pic: FBI
Image:
ARTEM ANDREYEVICH MALYSHEV

Pic: FBI

  • Yuriy Leonidovich Shikolenko
  • Victor Borisovich Netyksho
  • Dmitriy Aleksandrovich Mikhaylov
  • African Initiative
  • Artyom Sergeevich Kureyev
Artyom Sergeevich KUREYEV
Image:
Artyom Sergeevich KUREYEV

  • Anna Sergeevna Zamaraeva
  • Victor Aleksandrovich Lukovenko

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