Latest news with #Spey
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
NATO Member's Warship Sends Message to China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The British Royal Navy recently sailed a warship through the South China Sea to assert "freedom of navigation," pushing back against China's territorial claims in the strategic waterway. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment. Why It Matters China claims sovereignty over the majority of islands, reefs, and other features in the South China Sea, citing what it calls "historical rights," despite an international arbitral tribunal's 2016 decision that largely dismissed these claims. The United States and a growing number of allied navies have stepped up transits to assert the right of passage and show support for the region in response to China's increasing assertiveness. What To Know The HMS Spey, a Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel, "conducted [a] freedom of navigation activity through the South China Sea," the United Kingdom's defense ministry wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. The post stressed the transit was in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and that it underscored London's commitment to a "free, open and stable South China Sea." This photo, released May 17, 2025, by the United Kingdom's Permanent Joint Headquarters, shows the HMS Spey during a "freedom of navigation activity" through in the South China Sea. This photo, released May 17, 2025, by the United Kingdom's Permanent Joint Headquarters, shows the HMS Spey during a "freedom of navigation activity" through in the South China Sea. U.K. Permanent Joint Headquarters China routinely condemns naval operations by countries outside the regions, saying they destabilize the region. The U.K. has previously criticized China's behavior within the Philippines' maritime zone. London condemned what it called "unsafe and escalatory tactics" after a December 2023 collision between China's coast guard and a Philippine supply boat on a mission to disputed Second Thomas Shoal. Chinese water cannons damaged the vessel's engine as well as the mast of its Philippine coast guard escort, Manila said. The Spey, along with its sister ship the HMS Tamar, has been permanently based in the Indo-Pacific since late 2021 as the U.K. sought a larger role in protecting the balance of power in the region. The Royal Navy carried out its first "freedom of navigation" operation in the South China Sea in 2018, when it sent an amphibious assault ship through the contested Paracel Islands. In April, the 295-foot Spey joined the annual Bersama Shield exercise, alongside forces from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore. During the 16 days of drills, the multinational force responded to a simulated invasion of a group of Malaysian islands. What People Are Saying The United Kingdom Permanent Joint Headquarters: "HMS SPEY has just conducted freedom of navigation activity through the South China Sea in accordance with UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]. "This activity underlines the UK's commitment to international law and to upholding a free, open and stable South China Sea." What Happens Next The U.K. is likely to continue its "freedom of navigation" activities in the South China Sea and other China-claimed areas, such as the Taiwan Strait.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Allies Flex Naval Muscles Near China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan, a key United States treaty ally in Northeast Asia, conducted a naval exercise in the contested South China Sea with two NATO member states, the United Kingdom and Italy. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China's sovereignty claims over the South China Sea, which are based on what it calls "historic rights" and cover most of the waters, overlap with those of several neighboring countries. The U.S. and its allies, including the Philippines, which has territorial disputes with China, have been carrying out naval war games in the South China Sea, exercising the freedom of navigation in international waters. Chinese warships often keep tabs on the allied exercises. What To Know The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said on Wednesday that a multilateral naval drill was held at an undisclosed location in the South China Sea on May 3 with the Royal Navy and the Italian Navy, strengthening cooperation to promote a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. Participating ships were the Japanese frigate JS Yahagi, the British patrol ship HMS Spey, and the Italian frigate ITS Antonio Marceglia. The drill, which focused on maneuvering, aimed to enhance cooperation between the three navies and to improve Japan's capabilities. The Japanese frigate JS "Yahagi," left, the British patrol ship HMS "Spey," middle, and the Italian frigate ITS "Antonio Marceglia" sail in formation in the South China Sea on May 3, 2025. The Japanese frigate JS "Yahagi," left, the British patrol ship HMS "Spey," middle, and the Italian frigate ITS "Antonio Marceglia" sail in formation in the South China Sea on May 3, 2025. Italian Navy Official released photos show the three naval vessels sailed in formation, while no Chinese vessels, neither assigned to the country's navy, which is currently the largest in the world by hull count, nor attached to the powerful coast guard, were seen in the nearby waters. Japan has long viewed the South China Sea issue as a legitimate concern of the international community. It has frequently dispatched its fleet of naval ships to the region, including the visit of a China-funded naval base in Cambodia by its two minesweeping vessels last month. For the two European warships, the Spey is one of two Royal Navy vessels deployed to the Indo-Pacific region. It will soon be met with a naval strike group led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the region, which was deployed for an eight-month mission. The Antonio Marceglia left Italy in January for an Indo-Pacific deployment. In late April, it monitored and surveilled "illicit activities" carried out by North Korean vessels, which are banned by the United Nations Security Council resolutions, in Japan's surrounding waters. In late April, Italian Navy frigate ANTONIO MARCEGLIA conducted 2nd monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with DPRK vessels prohibited by — MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) May 2, 2025 What People Are Saying The Japanese Foreign Ministry said: "Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in the South China Sea and urges de-escalation of the tensions." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "We are concerned by dangerous and destabilizing activities by China in the South China Sea. The U.K. and world economy depends on these trade routes being safe and secure." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: "[G7 Foreign Ministers] reaffirmed that there is no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and they reiterated their opposition to China's militarization and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the British carrier strike group will carry out any war games when it reaches the South China Sea. China previously denounced naval activities carried out by foreign countries in the region for undermining its maritime rights and interests.
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hairy Biker star SI KING on why he never 'splits the G' and which drink he thinks is absolutely awful
My favourite drink as a kid was the bottle of milk with the straw you used to get at school. 11 o'clock milk time at St Joseph's Infants in Birtley, County Durham, was very exciting because we also got a digestive biscuit. Then Margaret Thatcher took the milk away, the cow. I must have been about five, and a lot less hairy back then. My first alcohol was a sip of Warninks Advocaat, aged seven, at Christmas with my Auntie Hilda. My Uncle George, her husband, was the finest home brewer and he would give me light ale on the bench in his garden with his mates. He was 75 and would talk about 'the ancient art of sitting', which he said was disappearing. If I wake up before 6am, I go downstairs, make a cup of builder's tea with milk, no sugar, come back, put a candle on in the bedroom then drink the tea as I nod in and out of sleep. I rarely spend more than a tenner on a bottle of wine, but that's not true of whisky. If it's been a really good year, I'll go for a 21-year-old Redbreast. At £287, it's a beautifully crafted Irish whiskey with apricot notes. I had a negroni on my first date with my girlfriend Jen in February, two years ago. I was playing in a band called Groovetrain in a place [in Newcastle] called Hoochie Coochie. I finished the set and we had a drink together. The rest, as they say, is short-term history. What I enjoy most of an evening is a stout or a Guinness with a little whisky on the side, and that will be it for the night. There's a beautiful whisky called Spey. The distillery is owned by a lad from Sunderland. I'm not the kind to 'split the G' of the Guinness, though. God almighty, just enjoy the Guinness and stop being so anal. The most memorable place I've ever had a drink was on top of the Faena Hotel, in Buenos Aires, on my 40th birthday in 2006. There was a hell of a thunderstorm and I was watching it with Dave [Myers, Si's co-star in The Hairy Bikers, who died last year aged 66] as I looked out over the River Plate, drinking a chardonnay. The hotel had kindly upgraded me to one of those suites where you can't find anything, with secret panels that opened rooms, and I felt such a Charlie because I had to call reception for help finding the bathroom. In the end I stuck electrician's tape from my bike kit on the panels so I knew where to push. The drink that makes me feel most stylish is a gin martini with a twist, shaken so you get shards of ice foaming on the top. The most famous person I've drunk with is jazz singer Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall (although he wasn't drinking). Or maybe it was Jesus Christ – I used to be an altar boy. The worst drink I've ever tasted is feni, an Indian drink. They crush up cashew nuts and you mix it with Coca-Cola. It is awful, like firewater from Satan's groin. I'm most likely to sing Gerry Rafferty's 'Get It Right Next Time' after a few drinks. Me and whoever fancies joining in. The best advice I've ever had over a drink was: 'You have some talent, so have the courage to take an opportunity if you see it.' It was from Derek, the organist at the Working Men's Club in Birtley. He was extremely talented. Where did that advice lead? To a lifetime of blagging it. The person I'd most like to share a drink with, alive or dead, is Dave, because he left a bit too soon. We'd have a beautiful Montrachet at the seaside, bikes behind us and a telescopic fishing rod between us. We'd have spent the day riding around excited about fishing and wine! We'd need accommodation as we would definitely open a second.
