American marine dies in Philippines plane crash
A U.S. Marine from California was one of four people who died after a military plane crashed into a rice field while flying over the Philippines.
The plane was contracted by the U.S. military and was carrying three defense contractors along with the marine, who was identified by officials as Sergeant Jacob Durham, 22, of Long Beach. The aircraft was reportedly undertaking a routine mission to provide "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies," according to a statement from Camp Pendleton officials.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The three defense contractors also died in the wreck.
The plane did not strike anyone else when it hit the ground, though it did kill a water buffalo.
'We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one U.S. military service member and three defense contractors," the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.
Metrea, a military contracting company, issued a statement acknowledging that some of its employees died in the crash.
'It is with deep regret we are able to confirm that there were no survivors. The families of our crew have been informed and we're providing full support,' the statement said. 'Metrea has enacted its emergency response plan and is working closely with all relevant government authorities to establish the cause of the accident. The safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers continues to be our top priority.'
The plane crashed in Maguindanao del Sur province, near the town of Ampatuan, according to the nation's Civil Aviation Authority.
Residents in the town reportedly saw the plane smoking while it was in the air. They then heard an explosion and the plane dropped out of the sky, according to the Associated Press.
The U.S. Marine who died, Durham, had been trained as an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst and was assigned to the 1st Radio Battalion, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, according to military officials.
He joined the USMC in January 2021.
'Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps — exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership,' Lieutenant Colonel Mabel Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion, said in a statement. 'He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines.'
The U.S. military has maintained a presence in the Philippines for decades.

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'Pop Up' Plant Clinics: Hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Orange County Master Gardener Volunteers for all of your plant care needs. Upcoming clinics include – —10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. June 14, Winter Garden branch of the Orange County Library System, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. —10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14 and June 28, Apenberry's Nursery, 3443 Edgewater Drive, Orlando. For details, visit 407-254-9200. Philippine Independence Day Celebration: Presented by the Council for Filipino-American Organizations of Central Florida, the event will showcase Philippine culture and history with talent shows, music, dances, exhibits and food vendors. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 14, Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, $5, free for children ages 7 or younger, 407-460-2870. 10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Hannibal Square: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 14, Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, free. 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Summer family films: Elementary school-aged children and their parents or guardians will see a short film, take a gallery tour and do an art activity in this 90-minute program. Reservations required. 10 a.m. June 20, 27, and July 11, 18, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, $5 refundable deposit per child is required when securing a reservation for the program, 407-645-5311, Ext. 136, Juneteenth Community Celebration 2025: Hosted by City of Winter Garden. An annual celebratory event to commemorate the holiday, featuring a special live musical performance by Bobby Blackmon & The B3 Band, family-friendly games and activities, community resource booths, food/beverage/merchandise vendors, and more. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 21, Charlie Mae Wilder Park, 1203 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, free, 407-656-4111. Walk: The Mid-Florida Milers Walking Club, a member of the American Volkssport Association, is sponsoring walks in Orlando Downtown South. The walks will go by the historic train station, the Orlando Health complex before ending through residential areas. Two distances available – 10K (6.2 miles) or 5K (3.1 miles). Start between 8-8:45 a.m. June 21, Beardall Senior Center, 800 S. Delaney Ave., Orlando, $4 per person, free for walkers ages 12 or younger who do not want credit, 407-706-3034, email beachfan10478651@ Caribbean Culture Celebration: In honor of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month enjoy a live performance of Caribbean music and experience island culture. Recommended for all ages. Enjoy all facets of Caribbean culture including a parade, food tastings, crafts, stories and festivities. 2-5 p.m. June 28, Hiawassee branch of the Orange County Library System, 7391 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, free, 407-835-7323. Independence Day Open House: During the celebration, there will be live music in the galleries from 1-4 p.m. and special objects from the Morse will be on view, including a 1798 cream jug by American silversmith and patriot Paul Revere (1735–1818) and a baseball autographed by legends Babe Ruth (1895–1948), Ty Cobb (1886–1961), and Lou Gehrig (1903–41), as well as Central Florida resident and baseball legend Joe Tinker (1880–1948). 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4, Morse Museum of American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, free, 407-645-5311, Fourth of July Block Party: Hosted by the City of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services Department, the family-friendly event will feature live music from 'The Boomers', free rides, food trucks, and vendors from the Ocoee Community Market. In addition, the event is tentatively scheduled to include a car show. 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Closed-toe shoes that can get wet are required. —Deep Creek Preserve Eco-buggy Tour, 8:30-10:30 a.m. June 24, Deep Creek Preserve, 964 S. State Road 415, New Smyrna Beach. Environmental specialists will highlight native plants and wildlife along the route. All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes. —Bioluminescence Paddle, 8:30-10:30 p.m. June 25, Mosquito Lagoon, River Breeze Park, 274 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill. Learn about the tiny organisms that create glowing waters during this magical experience. Participants must bring their own watercraft, personal flotation device, whistle, and a white electric light. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Explore Nature at the LEC: Discover Volusia County's native plants and wildlife during free indoor programs and outdoor hikes at Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. The 360-acre preserve adjacent to the LEC and Deltona Regional Library is home to a variety of wildlife, including Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, which are drawn to the low vegetation and sandy ridges of the scrub habitat. Staff will offer the following programs – —Lyonia Photography Club, 10-11 a.m. June 14. Learn techniques and explore Lyonia Preserve with volunteers from West Volusia Audubon Society. Open to all ages and skill levels. —Nature's Best Dads, 2-3 p.m. June 15. Celebrate Father's Day by learning about devoted animal dads. Includes a live animal encounter and card-making activity. Recommended for ages 7 and older. —Summer Solstice Science and Sun Salutation, 9-10 a.m. June 21. Learn about the science and cultural traditions of the summer solstice, followed by a short walk and beginner-friendly yoga. Bring a mat or towel. Recommended for ages 10 and older. —Pollinator Power, 2-3:30 p.m. June 22. Celebrate the end of National Pollinator Week with games, crafts and a themed snack. Sponsored by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. Recommended for ages 7 and older. —Photography Club Hike, 7-8 a.m. June 28. Explore Lyonia Preserve with your camera. All ages, skill levels and camera types are welcome. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. —Products of the Hive: Honey, Wax and More, 10-11 a.m. June 28. Discover what bees produce and how those products are used. Recommended for ages 10 and older. —Critter Corner, 2-2:30 p.m. June 29. Meet one of the center's animal ambassadors and learn how it survives in the wild. Suitable for all ages. Reservations are required; call 386-789-7207, Ext. #21028. DeBary Hall events: All events will take place at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd., DeBary. Registration is requested for all programs; call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@ to sign up. Upcoming events include – —Story time at DeBary Hall, 9:30 a.m. June 20. Children are invited to Kids Corner, a free series featuring stories, songs, and activities. The program is designed for preschoolers, but children of all ages are welcome. —Summer Tea, 11 a.m. June 14. Experience the elegance of a traditional Victorian afternoon tea with samplings, etiquette lessons, and a house tour. Guests may sample two teas as hostesses dressed in Victorian clothing describe the history of tea and offer instruction on tea etiquette. Seating is limited, and tickets must be purchased by June 6. The cost is $20 per person, and tickets are nonrefundable. Call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@ to reserve your tickets. New Smyrna Beach Duplicate Bridge Club: Sanctioned by the ACBL. A partner is always available for those without one. 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Live Oak Cultural Center, 1050 Live Oak St., New Smyrna Beach, $7 for members, $9 for guests, 386-690-1736. American Cancer Society Volunteer Drivers Needed: The American Cancer Society needs volunteers who can give a little time in their week to help drive neighbors to treatment. As a volunteer driver with the Road To Recovery program, participants will be providing a critical service as well as helping a neighbor get the care they need. To learn more, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit Eldercare Volunteers Needed: The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program relies on state-certified professional volunteers to advocate for the health, safety, welfare and rights of individuals residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. At the request of residents, ombudsmen work with residents, family members, administrators and other to resolve complaints of residents. For more information, call 888-831-0404 or email LTCOPinformer@ Volusia County Guardian ad Litem Program needs volunteers: Volunteers advocate for children who have been removed from their home from either abuse, abandonment or neglect. Volunteers must be 21 and consent to background check. All training provided. You can make the difference in the life of a child by volunteering approximately 10 hours per month. Visit or call 386-589-6825. Volunteers needed to recover fishing line: Volusia County needs environmentally minded volunteers to participate in the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program. This program collects and recycles discarded fishing line to help keep local waterways tangle free for manatees, dolphins, sea turtles and other aquatic animals. Fishing line recovery bins are located throughout Volusia County and are ready to be adopted in Astor, Daytona Beach, DeLand, DeLeon Springs, Deltona, Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Ormond-by-the-Sea, Osteen, Pierson and Ponce Inlet. Residents who live near a fishing location, spend a lot of time near the water or are avid boaters are encouraged to get involved. Participants should be at least 16 years old. Volunteers can adopt a fishing line recovery bin in their area. The contents are documented, and the data is sent to program coordinators. This data is used to improve the program's overall effectiveness. Participants receive training materials and can earn an official Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program T-shirt. For program details, contact Chad Murch at MonofilamentRecycling@ or 386-736-5927, Ext. 12839. For more information, visit Juneteenth Festival: A Celebration of Freedom: Attendees can enjoy a high-energy block party featuring line dancing with Jaz, live performances by Yung Joc and Michael Randolph, as well as delicious food, craft vendors, and activities for the whole family. Community partners include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Black Empowerment & Community Council. Noon-4 p.m. June 14, Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, free. For more information, visit Composting: Level up your gardening expertise by recycling your yard waste. Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County. Advance registration required.11 a.m.-noon June 23, St. Cloud Library, 810 13th St., St. Cloud, free. Register at: Florida Native Plant Society Pine Lily Chapter: The program will be a book discussion, 'The Serviceberry' by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 6:30 p.m. June 26, West Osceola Branch Library, 305 Campus St., Kissimmee, free, Composting: Level up your gardening expertise by recycling your yard waste. Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County. Advance registration required. 2-3 p.m. June 26, West Osceola Library, 305 Campus St., Celebration, free. Register at: Florida Native Plant Society Pine Lily Chapter: Book discussion: 'The Serviceberry' by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 6:30 p.m. June 26, West Osceola Branch Library, 305 Campus St., Kissimmee, free, Peghorn Park Hike: Sponsored by Florida Native Plant Society Pine Lily Chapter. 8:30-11 a.m. June 28, 2101 Peghorn Way, St Cloud, free, Composting: Level up your gardening expertise by recycling your yard waste. Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County. Advance registration required. 2-3 p.m. July 2, BVL Library, 405 Buenaventura Blvd., Kissimmee, free. Register at: Walk: The Mid-Florida Milers Walking Club, a member of the American Volkssport Association, is sponsoring a tree-shaded walk through scenic residential areas of Celebration. Two distances available – 11K (6.8 miles) or 6K (3.7 miles). Start between 8-8:45 a.m. July 5, Starbucks, 715 Bloom St., Celebration, $4 per person, free for walkers ages 12 or younger who do not want credit, 325-668-4914, Composting – Community Garden Education Series: Level up your gardening expertise by recycling your yard waste. Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County. Advance registration required. 11 a.m.-noon July 17, Kissimmee City Chambers Park Community Center, 2380 Smith St., Kissimmee, free. Register at: Osceola Stamp Club: Meet other stamp collectors to talk, trade, buy or sell, United States and foreign. Noon-2 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month, Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, free, email vjmlot01@ or 407-343-7942. TOPS Club Inc. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): Weigh-in 9 a.m. Meeting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, St. Cloud Senior Center Complex, 702 Indiana Ave., St. Cloud, $5 monthly dues, 508-932-4631, leave a message. Breastfeeding Happy Hour support group: Hosted by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County for expectant and new moms. Breastfeeding educators will discuss the benefits and the common challenges of breastfeeding. Family members and friends are welcome. 10-11:30 a.m. the first Monday of each month, Florida Department of Health in Osceola County, 1875 Fortune Road, Kissimmee, free, 407-343-2087. 'Sunshine Sewlutions' American Sewing Guild, Orlando Chapter: A group dedicated to advancing sewing as an art and life skill. All levels welcome. 10 a.m.-noon the second Saturday of each month, Hart Memorial Library, 211 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, first two visits are free, then ASG membership is required, 407-697-0882. Osceola Community Orchestra: The Osceola Community Orchestra welcomes new musicians high school age and older. 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, St. Cloud Community Center, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud, free, 407-957-7390 or email osceolaorchestra@ Euchre: Players needed. Noon Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Sundays, American Legion Post 10, 205 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, $5, 863-326-0727. St. Cloud Duplicate Bridge Club: All bridge players and skill levels welcome. Snacks included. Noon-3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, St Cloud Shuffleboard Club, 701 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud, $1, 407-922-0038. Retired educators: The Retired Educators of Osceola County is composed of people who are retired from the field of education from anywhere in the country. All are welcome. Bring a bag lunch. 11:30 a.m. the second Friday of each month, September-May, Barney E. Veal Center, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, free, 407-892-7428. Classic Country Music and Open Mike: Players and singers welcome. 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Osceola County Council On Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, free, donations welcome, 407-908-6735. Discover Pioneer Village: Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek tells the story of Osceola County's early settlers through a collection of buildings dating from the late 1800s to 1920s. The village is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for youth ages 4-12. Group visits and educational field trips are welcome and can be scheduled by calling 407-396-8644, Ext. 2. The village is located at 2491 Babb Road and the website for more information is Joseph Rassel of the Sentinel staff compiled this report. To submit an item, email communityevents@
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Council still reviewing bus scheme feedback
Feedback on plans for a bus lane is still being reviewed, three months after a consultation on the scheme closed. The proposals, for Sunderland's Chester Road, include creating a bus lane towards the roundabout at the junction with Springwell Road and Holborn Road, instead of previously mooted traffic lights. It is part of the regional Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), funded by the government. A council leaflet detailing the scheme said works were expected to start in the summer and would take about a year. A public consultation on the proposals closed on 5 March and Sunderland City Council said feedback was being reviewed. It has not confirmed when the review will be complete. The proposals also include carriageway widening to allow bus priority and a free-flow bus lane through the A183 Greenwood Road roundabout changes to road markings at Hastings Hill Roundabout and the Grindon Lane junction introducing signals at existing roundabouts at Hastings Hill and Greenwood Road junctions The BSIP aims to improve bus journey times. Proposals have also been developed for the A690 Durham Road. Councillor Lindsey Leonard, cabinet member for environment, transport and net zero said: "The proposals for A183 Chester Road have been subject to consultation with residents and other stakeholders and we are currently reviewing the feedback. "Once this evaluation process is complete, we will update all interested parties with the outcome and next steps." Previous plans for traffic lights at the roundabout at Chester Road, Springwell Road and Holborn Road were not included in the final proposals after modelling showed introducing them would increase delays. The move was criticised by local residents and opposition councillors, who said a bus lane would make traffic worse. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Traffic light plan dropped over delay fears Residents say bus lane will make traffic worse Sunderland City Council
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French Polynesia Creates World's Largest Marine Protected Area
Corals on the outer slop of the lagoon in Tatakoto, a remote atoll in French Polynesia. Credit - Alexis Rosenfeld—Getty Images French Polynesia announced the creation of the world's largest Marine Protected Area (MPA), at the U.N. Ocean Conference in France on Monday. The MPA will cover the entirety of the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), almost 5 million square kilometers (more than 1.9 million square miles) and will restrict extractive practices like deep-sea mining and bottom-trawling, a destructive type of fishing that drags large nets along the seafloor. Of that 5 million, 1.1 million square kilometers (424,712 square miles) will be designated as a highly or fully protected area, known as class 1 and 2, where only traditional coastal fishing, ecotourism, and scientific exploration, will be allowed. The government has also pledged to add an additional 500,000 square kilometers (193, 051 square miles) to the highly protected area by World Ocean Day 2026. 'We have been managing this EEZ wisely for centuries, using the techniques that were passed on from the generations before us and our ancestors,' French Polynesia's President, Moetai Brotherson, told TIME. 'But now we wanted to take a bold step to be in line with the international standards of the [International Union for Conservation of Nature] IUCN.' IUCN standards for MPAs require the area to include, among other things, defined goals and objectives for conservation along with ensuring the resources and capacity to effectively implement. Research has shown that MPAs help marine animals recover within their boundaries, and could prove a useful tool for supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation. Read more: Fishing Communities in the Philippines Are Fighting for their Future as Waters Rise French Polynesia has been steadfast in its efforts to conserve its exclusive economic zone. In 2018, the country announced that it would classify the entirety of its EEZ as a Managed Marine Area. This announcement, Brotherson says, builds on those efforts by increasing the level of conservation. 'There were some measures of protection that didn't match the [IUCN] standards,' Brotherson says. 'So we upgraded our local regulation to match all the standards of the IUCN.' 'This is an extraordinary achievement and a globally significant contribution to the protection of our One Ocean,' Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said in a statement. 'By prioritizing biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and future generations, French Polynesia has set a new standard for leadership in marine conservation. These commitments show that small Island territories can have a massive impact on global sustainability.' But much remains to be done. Research from Dynamic Planet and National Geographic Pristine Seas found that 85 new marine protected areas would need to be created from now until 2030 in order to meet the goal of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030, as set by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People in 2020 and signed by over 100 countries. So far, only 8.3% of the ocean is currently protected as MPAs. Read more: One Man's Quest to Heal the Oceans—And Maybe Save the World Ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference, Samoa also announced that it would protect 30% of its national waters, an area roughly the size of Taiwan. Small island nations, Brotherson says, should be on the frontlines when it comes to ocean protection. '[Island nations] EEZs account for 7% of all the ocean surface, but we have only 0.1% of the total GDP in the world,' he says. 'We don't have the financial means that match the responsibility that we have towards the ocean.' But Brotherson notes that international cooperation is essential to ensure protections are enacted. 'It's very important to us that big countries, big players, large NGOs, can help us implement the measures that we vote [on],' he says. 'Because it's one thing to pass a law. It's another story to make sure that it is respected.' Read more from TIME's Ocean Issue The World Isn't Valuing Oceans Properly 'Ignorance' Is the Most Pressing Issue Facing Ocean Conservation, Says Sylvia Earle Meet the Marine Biologist Working to Protect Our Oceans from Deep-Sea Mining Geopolitical Tensions are Shaping the Future of our Oceans Write to Simmone Shah at