Beijing says Philippines should not start conflict in South China Sea
Ministry spokesperson: Cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not target third parties
Updated 28 March 2025
Reuters
BEIJING: The Philippines should not start a conflict in the South China Sea with US support, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
Cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not target third parties, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference, when asked about US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks on Friday saying that the two countries should strengthen deterrence against threats, including Chinese “aggression.”
“I would like to emphasize there has never been a problem with freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” Guo said.
Australia police detain 7 men suspected to have ideological links to Bondi Beach gunmen
Government to launch gun buyback scheme in bid to prevent further violence
Prime minister announces ‘day of reflection’ one week after attack
Updated 49 min 4 sec ago
Reuters AFP
SYDNEY: Australian police said that seven men detained in Sydney’s southwest on Thursday had ideological connections to the two gunmen who allegedly fired at hundreds celebrating Hanukkah in Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.
“We don’t have definitive links between the individuals who committed these atrocities on Sunday and this yesterday apart from potential commonality in some thinking, but no associations at this stage,” New South Wales state Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson told ABC Radio on Friday.
Investigations were at an initial stage, Hudson said, adding one of the locations the group was planning to visit was Bondi.
Amid an outcry over the latest gun violence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that the government will launch a national gun buyback scheme to “purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms.”
“We expect hundreds of thousands of firearms will be collected and destroyed through this scheme,” Albanese told a news conference.
Albanese also announced a nationwide gun buyback scheme to “purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms.”
He said it would be the largest gun buyback effort since 1996, when Australia cracked down on firearms in the wake of a shooting that killed 35 people at Port Arthur.
“Australia’s gun laws were substantially reformed after the Port Arthur tragedy,” Albanese said.
“The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets.”
Sajid Akram and his son Naveed are accused of killing 15 people in an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since Port Arthur.
Surfers and swimmers hold a tribute in the sea at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 19, 2025, following last Sunday's shooting. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)
Albanese also said Australia will hold a national “day of reflection” one week after the mass shooting.
“This day is about standing with the Jewish community, wrapping our arms around them, and all Australians sharing their grief,” Albanese said as he declared Australia would honor the attack’s 15 victims. He urged Australians to light candles at 6:47 p.m. on Sunday, December 21 — “exactly one week since the attack unfolded.”
It is a moment to pause, reflect, and affirm that hatred and violence will never define who we are as Australians.”
Australia was also planning a separate “national day of mourning” to be held at some point in the new year, Albanese said.
“This will allow families the time and space to lay their loved ones to rest and to support those still recovering.”
