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US forces returning to Philippines to counter China threats – The Boston Globe

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US forces returning to Philippines to counter China threats – The Boston Globe


On Feb. 2, the longtime allies introduced that rotating batches of American forces could be granted entry to 4 extra Philippine navy camps except for 5 different native bases, the place U.S.-funded constructions have picked up tempo to construct barracks, warehouses and different buildings to accommodate a yet-unspecified however expectedly appreciable variety of visiting troops beneath a 2014 protection pact.

Manila-based political scientist Andrea Chloe Wong mentioned the situation of the Philippine camps would give the U.S. navy the presence it will have to be a “sturdy deterrent in opposition to Chinese language aggression” within the South China Sea, the place China, the Philippines and 4 different governments have had more and more tense territorial rifts — in addition to a possible Chinese language invasion of Taiwan, which Beijing views as its personal territory to be introduced beneath Chinese language management, by power if vital.

Across the former U.S. Navy base in Subic, now a bustling business freeport and tourism vacation spot northwest of Manila, information of the Philippine authorities’s determination to permit an expanded American navy presence rekindled recollections of an period when hundreds of U.S. sailors pumped cash, life and hope into the neighboring metropolis of Olongapo.

“Olongapo was like Las Vegas then,” Filipino businessman AJ Saliba instructed The Related Press in an interview in his overseas foreign money alternate and music store alongside what was Olongapo’s garish red-light strip.

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“Noisy as early as midday with neon lights turned on and the People roaming round. Girls had been all over the place. Jeepney drivers, tricycles, eating places, bars, motels — everyone was earning profits — so if they are going to return, my God, you realize, that’ll be the most effective information,” he mentioned.

U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned throughout his go to in Manila final week that Washington was not attempting to reestablish everlasting bases, however that the settlement to broaden its navy presence beneath the Enhanced Protection Cooperation Settlement was “a giant deal.”

Visiting American navy personnel might interact the Philippine navy in bigger joint combat-readiness trainings, present assist in responding quickly to disasters and press efforts to assist modernize Manila’s armed forces, Austin and his Philippine counterpart Carlito Galvez Jr. mentioned.

“That is a part of our effort to modernize our alliance, and these efforts are particularly essential because the Individuals’s Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims within the West Philippine Sea,” Austin mentioned at a information convention in Manila.

Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned the U.S. navy’s strengthening within the area was escalating tensions and risking peace and stability.

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“Regional international locations want to stay vigilant and keep away from being coerced or utilized by the U.S.,” Mao instructed reporters Feb. 2 at a briefing in Beijing.

Austin and Galvez didn’t reveal the 4 new places the place the People could be granted entry and allowed to preposition weapons and different tools. The Philippine protection chief mentioned native officers, the place the People would keep, needed to be consulted.

In November, then-Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Workers Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro disclosed that the websites included the strategic Subic Bay, the place the Navy base was as soon as a boon to the native economic system. However two senior Philippine officers instructed the AP that Subic, the place a Philippine navy camp is situated, was not among the many present listing of websites the place Washington has sought entry for its forces, though they prompt that might change as talks had been persevering with. The 2 officers spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the problem publicly.

Subic freeport administrator Rolen Paulino mentioned he has not been notified by the federal government that the previous American naval base has been designated as a possible website for visiting U.S. forces.

A renewed U.S. navy presence at Subic, nonetheless, would generate extra jobs and lift extra freeport revenues at an important time when many Filipinos and companies are nonetheless struggling to recuperate from two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and an financial recession wrought by coronavirus outbreaks, Paulino mentioned.

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“I see them as vacationers,” he mentioned of the U.S. forces whose presence might enhance financial restoration.

In regards to the dimension of Singapore, the previous American Navy base at Subic with its deep harbors, a ship restore yard and big warehouses had been used to assist the U.S. warfare effort in Vietnam within the Nineteen Sixties and ′70s. It was shut down and reworked right into a business freeport and leisure complicated in 1992 after the Philippine Senate rejected an extension of U.S. lease.

A 12 months earlier, the U.S. Air Pressure withdrew from Clark Air Base close to Subic after close by Mount Pinatubo roared again to life within the second-largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century and belched ash on the air base and outlying areas.

The American flag was lowered for the ultimate time and the final batch of American sailors left Subic in November 1992, ending almost a century of American navy presence within the Philippines that started in 1898 when the U.S. seized the archipelago in a brand new colonial period after Spain held the Southeast Asian nation as a colony for greater than three centuries. Washington granted independence on July 4, 1946, however maintained navy bases and services, together with Subic.

China’s seizure within the mid-Nineteen Nineties of Mischief Reef, a coral outcrop throughout the unique financial zone of the Philippines that extends into the South China Sea, “supplied the primary trace that the allies might have been too fast to downgrade their relationship,” mentioned Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative on the Washington, D.C.-based Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research.

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The Philippine Structure prohibits everlasting basing of overseas troops within the nation and their involvement in native fight however permits non permanent visits by overseas troops beneath safety pacts such because the 2014 Enhanced Protection Cooperation Settlement and a 1998 Visiting Forces Settlement.

The 1998 settlement allowed numerous American forces to be deployed within the southern Philippines to assist present fight coaching and intelligence to Filipino forces battling the then-al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, which was blamed for lethal bombings and mass kidnappings for ransom, together with three People — considered one of whom was beheaded and one other shot and killed in a Philippine military rescue. The third survived.

There may be nonetheless, nonetheless, home opposition to a U.S. presence within the Philippines, which left-wing teams have criticized as neo-colonialism, strengthened by the 2014 killing of a Filipina transgender girl by a U.S. Marine, Wong mentioned.

Governor Manuel Mamba of northern Cagayan province, the place Bacarro mentioned the U.S. has reportedly sought entry for its forces in two native navy encampments, vowed to oppose such an American navy presence. Cagayan, situated on the northern tip of the primary Luzon island, lies throughout a slim sea border from Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait and southern China.

“It’ll be very harmful for us. In the event that they keep right here, whoever is their enemy will change into our enemy,” Mamba instructed the AP by phone, including the Philippines may very well be focused by nuclear weapons if the battle over Taiwan boils over.

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“You can’t actually take away any presumption by anybody that the Philippines has a nuclear functionality by the People, who will probably be right here,” Mamba mentioned.



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Boston, MA

With the addition of Walker Buehler, the Boston Red Sox are starting to look like 2025 contenders

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With the addition of Walker Buehler, the Boston Red Sox are starting to look like 2025 contenders


Coming into this winter, it was imperative for the Boston Red Sox to make multiple impactful moves following a disappointing finish to the 2024 season. And in light of the Yankees making several key pivots following Juan Soto’s departure, inactivity from Boston through another offseason wasn’t an acceptable option.

Well, slowly but surely the Red Sox are putting together a solid offseason and starting to look like a team that is serious about getting back to the postseason in 2025.

The Red Sox’s biggest changes have been in their rotation, where they’ve had a serious overhaul. Adding starting pitching was the top priority for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and the Red Sox added arguably the best starter on the trade market in Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. But it takes more than one starter to get through the 162-game grind of the regular season.

The Red Sox then added left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, and they solidified their veteran presence on Monday by adding right-hander Walker Buehler on a one-year, $21.05 million deal. Buehler, who was No. 23 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 50 free agents, brings to Boston’s rotation a veteran arm who has pitched on baseball’s biggest stages and experienced plenty of success. His 18 postseason starts are the most on Boston’s roster by far.

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Buehler, 31, had other offers, including a few multi-year deals, sources told Yahoo Sports. But the fit and the opportunity to play for a franchise such as the Red Sox while continuing to rebuild his value after a strong postseason was difficult to pass up, and now the pairing is a win for both sides.

At this point, the Red Sox rotation looks like a combination of Crochet and Buehler followed by 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck, Bryan Bello and Lucas Giolito, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock are also options to start. As the Dodgers showed en route to their World Series championship, you can never have too much pitching depth, and such depth will now be a strength for Boston.

With the rotation solidified, the Red Sox’s biggest need the remainder of this winter is a right-handed bat. So as we close 2024, the question now is which bat?

Boston missed out on Soto and several of the top free agents on the position-player market. Yhere are still a few impact players who would fit. Case in point: Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander and Alex Bregman are all still available.

Bregman seems like the player who would make the Red Sox’s offseason feel most complete. The two-time World Series champion is unlikely to return to Houston after the team signed first baseman Christian Walker, and Fenway Park would be an excellent fit for Bregman’s offensive profile. It’s not difficult for fans to imagine Bregman in Boston, where he could tap into his pull-side power again.

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What’s more, Bregman could play second or third base, which would give Boston flexibility to decide if the Red Sox really want to follow through on the plan to play Rafael Devers at first base and trade Triston Casas or if they’d rather keep Devers at third and Casas at first and have Bregman play second for the first time in his career.

The Red Sox’s place in the American League’s pecking order has definitely improved this offseason, particularly with teams such as the Astros and Guardians, two of the top squads in the league the past few years, retooling their rosters and the Baltimore Orioles relatively inactive thus far. If one or two more moves fall into place for the Red Sox, it’s reasonable to expect them to make a significant leap in the standings next season.



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A truly banner year: Take a look at the best Globe sports pictures of 2024 – The Boston Globe

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A truly banner year: Take a look at the best Globe sports pictures of 2024 – The Boston Globe


While the Celtics’ 18th NBA championship commanded the Boston sports spotlight in 2024, it was far from the only game in town.

Boston Globe photographers were on assignment at sports events just about every day of the year, from high school complexes to Fenway Park, TD Garden, Gillette Stadium, and all kinds of venues in between.

Here’s a look at the year in sports through the lens of the Globe’s sports photographers.

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Montreal’s Jordan Harris and Boston’s Brad Marchand tangled in the first period of a clash between the rival franchises on Jan. 20. The Bruins won, 9-4.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
In the Division 5 high school football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium, Shawsheen Valley Tech’s Brayton Carbone can only see what might have been as he stares down a long pass he was not able to catch. Despite that, Shawsheen defeated Foxborough for the championship.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had his No. 12 retired in June, at a ceremony honoring his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Bishop Feehan girls’ basketball players celebrate with the MIAA championship trophy after they defeated Wachusett in the Division 1 state championship game in Lowell in March.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Boston Latin boys’ hockey player Joplin Murphy absorbed the moment after the Wolfpack defeated Tewksbury in the MIAA Division 2 championship game at TD Garden in March.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers learned firsthand how good the Celtics were in February, when Kristaps Porzingis (right) and Derrick White (left) helped Boston to a 117-99 victory at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
The action in Game 4 of the NBA Finals from Dallas brought fans out of their seats at a watch party at TD Garden.
Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Al Horford and the Celtics defeated the Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals, celebrating on June 17.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Boston College High football players lined up for the pledge of allegiance before their Thanksgiving game at Catholic Memorial. BC High lost, 31-19.Andrew Burke-Stevenson for The Boston Globe
In October, cheerleaders huddled during Lewiston High varsity football game against Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
In June, diver Oleksiy Prygorov competed in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Boston. Athletes leaped from a platform tower attached to the roof of the Institute of Contemporary Art. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Boston College receiver Lewis Bond was upended after a long reception for a first down during the first quarter of a November game against Pittsburgh. BC won, 34-23.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Red Sox pitcher Chris Martin was left on his back after he caught a line drive for the third out in the eighth inning of a May game against the Rays. The Red Sox won, 5-4.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Gage Anastasio posed for a photo that was included in a collection of fan portraits during the NBA Finals in June.
Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Sebastian Cantoni and Romina Cornejo shared a kiss after crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon in April.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
A puck flipped over the boards by Bruins captain Brad Marchand toward a group of children was all the rage before a game in October at TD Garden.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw an incomplete pass as he was brought down by Maliek Collins (bottom) and Leonard Floyd (top) during the 49ers’ victory in September.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
In June, Jarren Duran hit a double to give the Red Sox a walk-off victory over the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Figure skater Skylar Lautowa-Peguero performed at the Skating Club of Boston’s “Summer Sizzler” event in August. The event capped a training camp held by US Figure Skating at the facility in Norwood.Andrew Burke-Stevenson for The Boston Globe
The 45th Pan-Mass Challenge in August saw bicyclists leave before sunrise to beat the heat for the 77-mile leg from Bourne to Provincetown. Behind them is the Cape Cod Railroad Bridge.Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff
Jessica Digirolamo and Kaleigh Fratkin celebrated after Boston’s PWHL team scored late in the third period to defeat Montreal in its final regular-season home game, ultimately earning the team — rechristened the Fleet — a playoff berth.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was called for an offensive foul against Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (left) on this drive in Game 4 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics won, 105-102, and swept the Pacers out of the playoffs.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Fans cheer as Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s duck boat drives by during the parade to celebrate Boston’s 18th NBA championship in June.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Jayson Tatum held the Larry O’Brien Trophy for fans to see during the duck boat parade to celebrate the Celtics’ NBA championship in June.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock used a training tool during spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., in February.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Tennis players wore clothes and used rackets from the 1920s at a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first tennis game in America at the Nahant Tennis Club in July.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Joseph Case High School quarterback Lucas Beaulieu throws against West Bridgewater’s defense during an October game.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
In the 140th edition of “The Game,” in November, Yale’s sideline erupted after receiver David Pantelis caught a long pass for a first down in the second half. Yale defeated Harvard, 34-29.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley celebrated after his team defeated Illinois at TD Garden to win the NCAA East Regional in March. UConn went on to win a second straight national championship in April.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Savanah Bananas’ national tour included a stop at Fenway Park in June.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Quarterback Drake Maye walks off the field at halftime of the Patriots’ game in October against the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. Jacksonville won, 32-16.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Forward Jayson Tatum held the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the locker room after the Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship in June.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff





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Boston Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum, fall short in Orlando

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Boston Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum, fall short in Orlando


ORLANDO, Fla. — Tristan da Silva scored 18 points and made a critical 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit Monday night for a 108-104 victory over the Boston Celtics, who were missing Jayson Tatum because of an illness.

With Tatum sidelined two nights after his 43-point triple-double in a win at Chicago, Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 35 points.

Boston led 58-43 at halftime, but the Magic dominated the third quarter to tie the game by the end of that period, and they pushed ahead by 10 in the fourth. The Celtics made a late run and Brown’s layup got Boston within 105-104 with 59.6 seconds left. Al Horford missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer for the Celtics, and da Silva responded with his game-sealing 3.

Trevelin Queen added 17 points in his first NBA start and Jalen Suggs scored 16 for the Magic. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White each scored 17 for the Celtics.

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Magic center Goga Bitadze was ejected with 3:36 left for stepping into an altercation between Suggs and Porzingis, both of whom drew technical fouls.

Takeaways

Celtics: The defending NBA champions went cold in the second half in their final road game of 2024.

Magic: Orlando was outplayed in the first half for a second straight game while playing without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Mo Wagner, but still found a way to win.

Key moment

Late in the third quarter, Cole Anthony lost the ball on a drive, stole it back in the corner and drove around the 7-foot-3 Porzingis and 7-2 Luke Kornet for a reverse layup to give the Magic their first lead, 73-72.

Key stat

The Celtics, who average almost 19 3-pointers per game on 51 attempts, shot 8 for 32 from distance.

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Up next

Celtics: Host Philadelphia on Christmas Day.

Magic: Host Miami on Thursday night.



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