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The United States Department of Defense has confirmed that American troops are supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea through the “US Task Force Ayungin,” whose existence only came to light when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III mentioned it on social media. But Philippine security officials stressed that the little-known unit was limited to providing support for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, among others, and that the Americans had no “direct participation” in operations such as resupply missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. Maj. Pete Nguyen, the Pentagon spokesperson, told the Inquirer in an email exchange on Thursday that the task force was composed of US forces “providing our Philippines allies with enhanced cooperation and interoperability for their maritime operations.” “This support includes planning and training with Philippines’ Western Command (Wescom) for systems provided through US security assistance, such as the unmanned surface vessels that Secretary Austin observed during his stop in Palawan,” Nguyen said. “US forces have decades of close partnership with the Philippines. This task force is a continuation of that longstanding relationship in support of our shared security interests,” he added. READ: LOOK: PH, US conduct amphibious assault exercise near West PH Sea In a post on X on Tuesday, Austin said he had met with members of the task force during a visit to Palawan province and “thanked them for their hard work on behalf of the American people and our alliances and partnerships in this region.” Ayungin, a low-elevation feature some 200 kilometers off mainland Palawan, is guarded by a military outpost on the grounded World War II vessel BRP Sierra Madre. Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin had been repeatedly harassed by Chinese vessels that swarm the disputed waters. In a statement late Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said US troops in Palawan “provide technical assistance through the information-sharing group” within the Command and Control Fusion Center at the Wescom headquarters. “This support enhances our capability in maritime domain awareness, a critical task that aids in planning and implementing programs and activities to protect our interests in the West Philippine Sea,” the AFP said. Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesperson of the US Embassy in Manila, said the task force was meant to enhance coordination and interoperability between Manila and Washington “by enabling US forces to support AFP activities in the South China Sea.” The initiative, he said, aligns with multiple lines of cooperation between US and Philippine forces, including the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board process and the Bantay Dagat framework. Under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), American troops are allowed extended stays in select military bases in the Philippines. But National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said the United States had no “direct participation” in Ayungin resupply missions. “They are providing support to us, for example, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, [and] maritime domain awareness, so they are helping by giving information,” Año told reporters at a security meeting in Mabalacat, Pampanga. Philippine and US officials did not immediately answer questions as to when the task force was formed or whether it had been in operation at the time of recent Chinese harassments of Philippine vessels using lasers or water cannons. READ: China Coast Guard seizes PH supplies for Ayungin Año said the matter was “internal to the side of the US.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Reached for comment, American security expert Ray Powell said, “My contacts tell me that this is not a new task force, but was just made public with Secretary Austin’s visit.” For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates . Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Luke Humphries defeats Luke Littler to retain Players Championship Finals title
As Jalen Suggs watched from the bench in the second half of Saturday’s contest between the Magic and the Pistons at Kia Center , the fourth-year pro noticed something in particular about his team. “When you look at those really good teams around the league, those playoff teams, veteran-led teams, no matter how the game flow goes, first quarter, second quarter,” he told reporters in the locker room. “There’s never a thought or feel that they’re going to lose those games. “We’re starting to garner that,” he added about coach Jamahl Mosley ‘s squad that won its eighth in the last nine games. Suggs, who exited Orlando ‘s 111-100 win early in the second quarter due to a sore left hamstring, was the latest Magic starter to suffer a injury this season following Paolo Banchero (torn right abdominal muscle) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left foot plantar fasciitis), who haven’t played in weeks. But even without that core trio on the court, the Magic (11-7) found a way to extend its second half lead to as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter against Detroit (7-11) and remain undefeated (8-0) at home. “Knowing we walk into these games hurt, tired, long-stretch, a lot going on, there was never a believe that this team was going to come in and beat us,” Suggs said. “Which isn’t a discredit to them. They’ve got some good basketball players over there and really been playing good this year. “And they were down Cade [Cunningham] which, I hope he gets well, but [the result] more speaks on us and the growth and maturity that we’re applying over here,” he added. “Everyone stepped up.” Beede’s Breakdown: How Magic handled business vs. visiting Pistons And the Magic guard is right. As has been the case since Banchero’s injury, Franz Wagner continued to score with ease (30 points on 50% shooting from the field) and had help from the Magic’s bench that outscored Detroit’s 55-45. That help included 18 points and 7 rebounds from his older brother, Moe Wagner, and 12 rebounds and 3 blocks from Jonathan Isaac, who added 5 points. There was also Anthony Black, who had 11 points with 5 assists and 2 steals after starting the second half in place of Suggs. And Franz Wagner will need more of the same from his supporting cast when Orlando travels to Charlotte (6-10) on Monday, especially if Carter isn’t available. Suggs declined to speak at length about his hamstring injury but told reporters in the locker room he’s “good.” “I’m solid,” he said. “I’m good. Good win [Saturday night].” Orlando’s initial injury report for the Charlotte game confirmed his post-game comments. Suggs wasn’t even listed on the report, meaning he’s expected to be available despite missing most of Saturday’s contest. Carter, who’s again considered questionable to play, continued to do some work pre-game on the court but was ruled out for his 11th consecutive contest. “He’s gone through some pretty, pretty strenuous workouts so we’re going to continue to see how he responds to those and we’ll go from there,” Mosley said of the Magic center, who hasn’t played since Nov. 3 at Dallas. Regardless, Orlando’s mindset doesn’t change entering the game at the Hornets, whom the Magic defeated by 25 points at home two weeks ago. “We talk about doing it by committee,” Mosley said. “One guy goes down and each guy knows the next person is able to step up and make the right plays for this team.” Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Luke Humphries defeats Luke Littler to retain Players Championship Finals title
Climate finance's 'new era' shows new political realitiesDespite these challenges, the residents of Beijing embrace the winter season with open arms, cherishing the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of snowfall in their city. From skating on frozen lakes to skiing down snowy slopes, there are countless outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy during this magical time of year.
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Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson have gone red-carpet official − and their 48-year age gap is turning heads on social media. The former college cheerleader, 24, shared on Instagram Sunday her stepping out with the former head coach of the New England Patriots, 72, at The Museum Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The two posed for photos on the red carpet together and snapped a smiling selfie. "The evening was saturated with all of my favourite things: friendship, education, philanthropy, glamour, beet salad, Billy, dance-worthy music, ornithological & oceanic exhibits," Hudson wrote of the evening. Despite the couple's apparent happiness, many social media users have mocked their age gap online, sharing plenty of jokes and memes . Though high-profile age-gap relationships often become spectacles online, they aren't necessarily uncommon, especially among celebrities and public figures. Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/DD3D4f9vLXE/?img_index=6 Mental health experts have previously told USA TODAY that age-gap relationships have unique challenges, and it's critical to consider the power dynamics involved to have a happy, healthy and safe relationship. Bill Belichick, Jordon Hudson and society's age-gap obsession Hollywood has a storied history of famous couples with notable age gaps, such as Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Boggart (25-year gap) or Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio (12-year gap). More recently, Kylie Jenner and Tyga (who met when Jenner was 14 and Tyga was 21) and Florence Pugh and Zach Braff (a 21-year gap) have raised eyebrows, as have several of Scott Disick 's relationships. Some have called out their former, older partners after feeling taken advantage of. Take Demi Lovato's single "29," which was adopted by myriad TikTok users calling out their own past relationships . "Finally 29 / Funny, just like you were at the time / Thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy / But was it yours or was it mine? 17, 29," Lovato sings in "29," rumored to be about ex Wilmer Valderrama . More: Tobey Maguire, 49, spotted with model Lily Chee, 20: We need to talk about age gaps When Taylor Swift , 34, rereleased her 2012 album "Red" , she updated her breakup ballad "All Too Well," allegedly about actor Jake Gyllenhaal (who is nine years her senior), to include callouts to an age difference. The media tend to portray age-gap romances in a one-dimensional manner: The older man, wealthy and stable, has the power – socially, financially and even sexually – while his attractive, young, dependent "trophy wife" offers one thing: beauty. Public discourse around age-gap relationships can also be brutal when an older woman dates a younger man, as evidenced by the label "cougar," which paints older women as wild animals on the prowl. Ultimately, for any couple with an age gap to have a successful romance, both people need to see each other as equals and drown out the noise surrounding their relationship. "You have to be confident in your relationship ," Janet Morrison , a certified sex and relationship coach, previously told USA TODAY. "The biggest external factor that influences most of these relationships is not the age but the response and acceptance of the relationship by peers." Can age-gap relationships work? Experts agree the biggest pitfall of an age-gap relationship is when it veers into toxic power imbalances. This happens when a couple can't see or treat each other as equals in the relationship, or when both partners don't have an equal voice in the relationship. Meghan Gillen , a professor of psychology at Penn State Abington who studies developmental psychology and body image, previously told USA TODAY that individuals in age-gap relationships should evaluate the situation for themselves: "Does it feel appropriate? Does it feel comfortable? Do you feel like you can relate to the person ... or do you feel like the person has power over you?" Younger partners in particular also need to stay vigilant of potential gender, social and power dynamics at play. "Significant age-gap relationships require more work than the average relationship, from the public’s perception alone," Rori Sassoon , a relationship expert and matchmaker, previously told USA TODAY. "If you’re only in it to feed your ego, beware." Other difficulties can come up too. Ian Kerner , a therapist and sex and relationship specialist, says it can be hard for couples with large age gaps to integrate family and friends into each other's lives. It also can be hard to find common interests and activities. To combat this, Kerner says it's essential to find things both people enjoy doing together. "When it comes to dating, date within an age range where you feel confident and comfortable," Sassoon previously told USA TODAY, urging singles to find a partner with similar "levels of life experience and intentions of the relationship." And remember, there are plenty of examples of healthy, thriving relationships with significant age gaps. "Humans find connection in all sorts of places," Erik Anderson , a licensed marriage and family therapist, previously told USA TODAY. "As long as both parties are able to consent, we shouldn't be so critical of relationships." Contributing: David Oliver
Analysis: All the ingredients were there for a ‘trap game.’ The Steelers baked up a masterpiece