Latest news with #RAA
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Graffiti painted onto NIHE van being treated as racist hate crime
Police are treating graffiti on what is believed to be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive van as a racially-motivated hate van was targeted in the Bearnagh Drive area of west Belfast on Monday at some point between 00:00 BST and 08: lord mayor of Belfast Paul Doherty, who is a councillor from the area, condemned the graffiti calling it "disgraceful" and said it "has no place in our society".The police said enquiries are ongoing and they have appealed for witnesses. 'Disgusting xenophobic slurs' Doherty said: "This vile act does not reflect the people of this community. A community built on respect, diversity and solidarity. No family should have to walk past that kind of hatred - but sadly many have, and it has deeply impacted them.""Those responsible should be ashamed. We stand united against racism in all its forms," he MP for the area, Paul Maskey, described the graffiti as "disgusting xenophobic slurs, designed to spread fear and hatred"."Those involved do not speak for the vast majority of west Belfast. Andersonstown is a welcoming community — one which I am proud to be part of and represent."Our resolve is steadfast. Racism will not win."The graffiti displays the letters News NI understands that this stands for Republicans Against Antifa who have been previously described as a "fringe fascist group" by the west Belfast assembly member Gerry Carroll after threatening graffiti appeared about him in March graffiti also includes a word which is derogatory to those who are not McCrum from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "There is no place in our society for this type of intimidating behaviour and we will continue to engage with local representatives and partner agencies around community safety."
Filipino Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Philippine Navy to inspect Japanese warships for possible transfer
The Philippine Navy is set to inspect Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) Abukuma-class destroyer escorts as part of ongoing discussions on a possible transfer of the warships to the Philippines. Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said a team of naval experts will be dispatched to Japan for a joint visual inspection, following an official invitation from the Japanese Ministry of Defense. 'This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines,' Alcos said in a statement released Sunday. The Abukuma-class destroyers are designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. If acquired, the vessels are expected to strengthen the Philippine Navy's maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy said the initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, and supports both countries' commitment to maritime security, interoperability, and regional stability. The planned inspection comes after both countries ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which facilitates joint military exercises, humanitarian missions, and temporary deployment of troops by easing legal and logistical barriers. Japan has been a key defense partner of the Philippines in recent years having supplied two 97-meter multi-role response vessels, BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino, which are actively deployed in patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Road warning in Aussie state as weather sparks deadly behaviour change
Transport authorities in the country's south are warning of a potentially deadly new road trend sweeping the state. According to South Australia's RAA there have been more than 2,100 insurance claims for accidents involving a kangaroo in the last year. This stark figure marks a 44 per cent increase compared to two years earlier, with the state's recent dry weather conditions believed to be driving the animals closer to roads in search of food. Recent photos emerging online show dozens of kangaroos in country South Australia on the road, with a driver snapping the shot as they were travelling between Sedan and Swan Reach, some 130 kilometres northeast of Adelaide. RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure, Charles Mountain, warned drivers that kangaroos are notoriously unpredictable, meaning motorists should remain on high alert when travelling through their known habitat. "There is a clear trend that kangaroo collisions are increasing across the state as more animals come towards busy roads in search of food. Kangaroos in particular are unpredictable creatures that can seemingly come out of nowhere and pose a significant safety risk," he said. RAA data from the past three years has revealed several crash hotspots, with Mount Gambier topping the list at 64 claims, followed by Whyalla (57), Port Augusta (53), and Mount Compass (47). While 77 per cent of incidents occur in regional areas, a significant number also happen in outer metropolitan zones — a clear reminder that drivers across all regions need to stay alert. RAA is urging drivers to brake safely when encountering wildlife and to use their horn where possible, but warns against swerving, which can result in more serious crashes. While kangaroo collisions are typically more common during autumn and spring, recent dry conditions have seen an increase in incidents throughout other times of the year. Last month, footage showing a badly injured kangaroo, struck by a car and unable to move, sparked calls from conservationists to the public to slow down and pull over if they encounter an animal by the road in distress. Charity group Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue shared a video of a kangaroo lying motionless on the side of a SA road, its body too badly injured to move except for its head. "This video shows how stressful fast cars are for this poor roo that was hit and left badly injured. Our team took this footage while waiting for further assistance to arrive," the group wrote online. Speaking to Yahoo News, Mish from Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue urged Australians to contact wildlife groups immediately if they hit or come across an injured animal. "If your vehicle makes contact with an animal, please call local wildlife groups, even if the animal hops away or climbs a tree," she said. Confronting dashcam footage from inside a truck cab recently shared by a heavy vehicle driving school highlights the brutal reality on remote Aussie roads and why drivers shouldn't swerve. In the footage, a female truck driver is forced to make the split-second decision to "keep it straight" as kangaroos dash out in front of her vehicle. 🚘 Warning to Aussie drivers after tiny roadside find 🐦 Rare creature spotted outside Aussie workplace 🚊 Incredible discovery centimetres from train tracks The clip was shared to "spark responsible discussion and learning" of best driving practices when wildlife jump out in front of moving vehicles. The footage shows a trainee truckie and her instructor travelling along an open road when an adult kangaroo hops out in front of her, narrowly missing a collision. Two joeys following, however, were not as lucky. Michael Matta, the driving school's business director and lead trainer, told Yahoo News the reality is "heartbreaking" but this decision is best practice for road safety. "It's very bad to hit animals. Some of our drivers pull over and call wildlife services... but sometimes it's not practical or safe to stop," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
A look at Japan's largest warship JS Ise while it was docked in Manila
The JS Ise, one of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers, arrives at the Port of Manila on Saturday, June 21, 2025. GMA Integrated News On Saturday morning, the JS Ise, one of Japan's largest Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers, arrived at the Port of Manila. The vessel is part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and is currently on its Indo-Pacific Deployment 2025. As one of the Philippines' strongest allies, Japan received a warm welcome. The Philippine Navy Band was in full force to greet the Japanese sailors, playing as officials disembarked. GMA Integrated News was among the few invited to tour the JS Ise. Upon stepping onto the flight deck, one immediately notices the sheer size of the warship. The deck is large enough to accommodate military helicopters such as the SH-60K, which was also on display. Beyond its modern command and control systems, the JS Ise is equipped with powerful anti-submarine and anti-aircraft capabilities, making it a formidable presence in the region. According to the ship's commanding officer, their visit to the Philippines aims to promote regional security and cooperation. It also marks an opportunity to strengthen joint training exercises, especially now that the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines has officially taken effect. 'This port call is contributing in peace and stability in the region to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific,' Rear Admiral Natsui Takashi, commander of Escort Flotilla 4 (CCF4), said. The RAA is a formal agreement that enhances cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. It was signed by the Philippines and Japan in July 2024. Under this agreement, the JMSDF can now participate in joint military exercises in the Philippines—something previously limited to maritime cooperative activities. Alongside the JS Ise, another Japanese warship, the JS Suzunami—a Takanami-class destroyer—also docked at the Port of Manila. The JMSDF emphasized that their presence in the Philippines is part of their commitment to peaceful defense cooperation and military exchanges. They clarified that the deployment is not intended to provoke or confront any specific country. However, the arrival of these warships came just one day after the China Coast Guard once again used water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel operating within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. The BFAR vessel was delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal when the incident occurred. China has previously criticized the Philippines for seeking alliances, claiming it only adds tension to the South China Sea. In response to recent developments, RADM Natsui Takashi stated: 'I recognized China has recently activated military activities… also I recognize unilateral changes to the status quo by force and such attempts are serious challenge to the free and open international order based on the Rule of Law, and the JMSDF has continued to watch Chinese naval activities and take preparations for ISR and surveillance.' As of now, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has not issued a response to the JMSDF's statement. China continues to assert that nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, is part of its territory, citing its so-called "ten-dash line" historical map. However, this claim was invalidated by the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared China's actions illegal and upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. —KG, GMA Integrated News
The Star
16-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Philippines, Japan hold joint drills after reciprocal access agreement
MANILA: The Philippines and Japan conducted joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend, marking one of their first major joint activities after Japan's Diet ratified early this month the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between the two countries. At about the same time, China's military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea, according to Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army-Navy. The drills with Japan, called 'maritime cooperative activity (MCA),' were held on Saturday (June 14) within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and involved the Philippine Navy's newest frigate BRP Miguel Malvar and guided-missile destroyer JS Takanami (DD-110) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). 'More than a maritime drill, the MCA underscored the operationalisation of the RAA—an accord that lays the groundwork for increased joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response initiatives between the AFP and JMSDF,' the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. The drills featured antisubmarine warfare exercises, cross-deck exercises, communication check exercise, division tactics and officer of the watch manoeuvres, photo exercises and a finish exercise. Also joining the drills were the AgustaWestland 159 antisubmarine helicopter, C-208 ISR aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, search and rescue units, and Japan's SH-60K Seahawk. A video from the AFP showed the popular Japanese anime 'Gundam' playing in the background as sailors from the BRP Miguel Malvar manned the rails while sailing with JS Takanami nearby. 'With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared security environment,' AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. was quoted as saying. The West Philippine Sea is Manila's EEZ in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely. Tokyo and Beijing have also repeatedly faced off around uninhabited Japanese-administered islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing calls the Diaoyu. Tokyo's security cooperation with Manila is expected to get a boost in the coming years following Japan's ratification of the RAA, which the Philippine Senate approved in December last year. Tian, meanwhile, criticised the Philippines for courting countries outside the region to organise 'joint patrols' and 'raised security risks' in the region. 'The theatre command forces remain on high alert, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and maritime rights,' he said in a statement on Sunday. He added that 'all military activities that seek to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create flashpoints are fully under control.' The Philippine Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime drills in the South China Sea for a seventh time earlier this month. Tensions continue to run high between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
