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Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela gestures beside Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros during a visit to Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea

Among those ‌on board were Senator Risa Hontiveros and Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, both outspoken critics of Beijing's actions in the ‌South China Sea.

After landing on Saturday, they spoke to island residents to reaffirm that Thitu Island "is ours", even as Chinese Coast Guard vessels, a People's Liberation Army Navy ship, ​and some Chinese fishing boats lingered within sight of the shore.

China's persistent presence has pushed islanders, who rely on those waters for their livelihood, farther from the sea they once freely navigated.

At just 37 hectares (0.37 sq km), the coral-fringed Thitu, known to Filipinos as Pag-asa, or "Hope", is the largest and most prized of the nine Philippines-held features in the Spratly archipelago, located 450 km (280 miles) from the mainland.

Its 400-odd residents live modestly, far ‌from the trappings of city life. Yet their ⁠quiet presence reinforces the Philippines' claim of sovereignty at a time of mounting Chinese pressure.

The visit by Hontiveros and Tarriela, coming as rhetoric on both sides has sharpened, is likely to draw scrutiny from Beijing and add ⁠strain to an already tense territorial dispute.

"We will never give up the Kalayaan Island Group, including Pag-asa," Hontiveros told residents, referring to the portion of the Spratly Islands that Manila claims and administers, including Thitu.

Both officials have been repeatedly singled out in Chinese Embassy statements and online messaging campaigns, part of a ​broader ​effort to shape narratives about the South China Sea.

Manila's appointment of a dedicated ​foreign ministry spokesperson on maritime affairs reflects a growing ‌sensitivity within government ranks as China's physical and informational pressure intensifies.

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'WE ARE NOT AFRAID'

On Pag‑asa, China's pressure is not abstract.

Among those listening to Hontiveros was 45-year-old fisherman Rando Asiado, who said the long-standing presence of Chinese vessels has kept him from venturing to rich fishing grounds near Subi Reef and the nearby Sandy Cays.

"There are times when Chinese Coast Guard vessels would chase us away, so we are forced to stay on one side of the island. And when we try to fish on the other side, Chinese drones fly over us," said Asiado, who has ‌been living on the island since 2012.

China claims most of the South China ​Sea, despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidating the claims in ​a 2016 ruling.

Just 14 nautical miles from Thitu, Subi Reef ​is one of seven artificial islands China has built in the Spratlys to support its sovereignty claims. Some ‌artificial islands are equipped with surface-to-air missiles, aircraft hangars ​and runways.

Approaches by the Chinese Coast Guard ​have become so routine that Filipino fishermen now cast their nets in less productive waters to avoid confrontation.

China's actions in the South China Sea, which have included water-cannoning and close-quarter manoeuvring of ships, have resulted in collisions and injury to Philippine crews.

China has ​maintained its actions are lawful and professional, accusing ‌Manila's vessels of intruding into its territory.

"We're not afraid because we know we're in the right, but they're using ships ​while we only have small boats. We don't stand a chance, so to avoid trouble, we just steer away," ​said 51-year-old fisherman Ronnie Cojamco.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Michael Perry)

THE HAGUE, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Rob Jetten became the youngest prime minister in Dutch history on Monday when his minority government was formally confirmed in power by King Willem-Alexander.

Jetten, 38, ‌propelled his progressive, pro-EU D66 party to a surprising election victory last October in a polished and optimistic campaign, ‌promising a break from the divisive previous government dominated by nationalist Geert Wilders.

His optimism will be put to the test from the start, as his centre-right coalition lacks ​a majority in the Netherlands' lower and upper houses of parliament and will need opposition support for all its proposals.

The coalition of D66, the conservative Christian Democrats and right-wing VVD marks a rare experiment in the euro zone's fifth-largest economy, traditionally governed by majority coalitions with detailed government pacts.

But securing a majority has become increasingly difficult in the fractured Dutch political landscape, as voter preferences change in every cycle and ‌centrist parties have steadily lost support.

UPHILL BATTLE

In ⁠a clear sign of the uphill battle Jetten faces, opposition parties from the left to the right have denounced the coalition's plans to fund a historic increase in defence spending through cuts in welfare and ⁠healthcare.

Left-wing opposition leader Jesse Klaver last Friday said the plans were "unfair", after independent calculations had shown they would disproportionately hurt people on lower incomes.

"Ordinary people will pay hundreds of euros more, while nothing extra is asked of the richest," he said in a post on social media platform ​X. "This has ​to change."

Wilders has said he will oppose any initiative by Jetten's government, ​while a range of smaller parties have all voiced ‌concerns about the plans that have been presented so far.

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The coalition has vowed to increase defence spending to the new NATO target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035, up from about 2% today, through a "freedom tax", in the form of a surcharge in income taxes.

The coalition aims to limit unemployment benefits, to hike people's own contributions to healthcare and to accelerate the increase of the retirement age in step with rising life expectancy.

The coalition has also promised a strict approach to asylum migration, a topic that has split Dutch ‌politics for years and has led to the downfall of the previous ​two governments.

DOWNPLAYING DISADVANTAGE

Jetten has tried to downplay the disadvantage of only holding 66 of ​the 150 lower-house seats, calling it an opportunity for ​better cooperation in parliament, after the Wilders-era of political infighting without progress on any policy issue.

In the ‌days before his government's installation, he said there was still ​room to adjust plans.

"We see ​that everybody pays a price, but that it's not spread totally evenly," he said.

"We can take time in the coming months to improve the plans, before we draft our final budget."

YESILGOZ ON DEFENCE

Overseeing the surge in spending will be new Defence ​minister Dilan Yesilgoz, who took over the ‌lead of the VVD party in 2023 from Mark Rutte, the Netherlands' longest serving prime minister and current chief ​of NATO.

Former member of European Parliament Tom Berendsen is the new Foreign minister, while Eelco Heinen stayed on at ​Finance.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Bart MeijerEditing by Gareth Jones)

Belgium Russia Ukraine War

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's 27 foreign ministers gathering in Brussels would likely not agree on the 20th package of sanctions which it hoped to pass ahead of the fourth anniversary Tuesday of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine.

"I think there is not going to be progress regarding this today," Kallas said before a regular meeting of the EU's foreign ministers in Brussels where discussion of the 20th sanctions package was planned.

The meeting came after Hungary threatened over the weekendto block the EU sanctions plansand toobstruct a 90 billion euro loanfor Ukraine until Russian oil deliveries to Hungary resume.

Russianoil shipments to Hungaryand Slovakia have been interrupted since Jan. 27 after what Ukrainian officials say wereRussian drone attacksthat damaged the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude across Ukrainian territory and into Central Europe. That has led to rising tensions between Budapest and Kyiv.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down Monday on his unsubstantiated allegation that Ukraine was deliberately holding back shipments of Russian oil, and accused Kyiv of seeking to topple his government.

In a post on social media, Orbán referred to the oil supply disruptions as a "Ukrainian oil blockade" led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We have given President Zelenskyy firm and proportionate responses," Orbán wrote. "He, too, must understand: by attacking Hungary, he can only lose."

For the sanctions to pass, the 27-nation bloc needs to reach a unanimous decision.

Kallas said that efforts would also continue Monday to advancethe EU's 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.

Hungary's looming election hangs over EU talks

Facing a crucial election in less than two months, Orbán has launched an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign and accused the opposition Tisza party, which leads in most polls, of conspiring with the EU and Ukraine to install what he called Monday a "pro-Ukraine government aligned with Brussels and Kyiv."

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Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorsk said he believed Hungary's surprise announcement Sunday could really be about Hungarian Prime Minister VictorOrbán's fierce fightto hold onto power.

"I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine," he said in Brussels. "The ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And then it is now trying to exploit that in the general election. It's quite shocking."

Nearly every country in Europe has significantly reduced or entirely ceased Russian energy imports since Moscow launched itsfull-scale war in Ukraineon Feb. 24, 2022. Yet Hungary and Slovakia, both EU and NATO members, have maintained and even increased supplies of Russian oil and gas, and received a temporary exemption from an EU policyprohibiting imports of Russian oil.

Other Europeans urge solidarity with Ukraine

"Tomorrow we are entering the fifth year of the war," said Latvian foreign minister Baiba Braže ahead of the meeting. "We are fully committed both to the 20th sanctions package including maritime and maritime services ban, but also political commitment, economic commitment, military commitment to support European values."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was "astonished by the Hungarian position."

"I don't think it is right if Hungary betrays its own fight for freedom and European sovereignty," Wadephul told reporters in Brussels, alluding to Hungary's role in the fall of communism in Europe in 1989. "So we will once again come to the Hungarians with our arguments, in Budapest but of course also here in Brussels, for them to reconsider their position."

"The German position is very clear: we must now show strength, we must support Ukraine sustainably, and we must do exactly what we did last year too: continue to raise the pressure on Russia," Wadephul said, adding that he is sure the EU will agree on a 20th sanctions package "at the end of the day."

Also on the line is a major 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan to Ukraine meant to help Kyiv meet its military and economic needs for the next two years.

"We must release that. We must find an agreement between the member states because Ukraine needs this money heavily," said Margus Tsahkna, the foreign minister of Estonia.

Corbet reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.

Milan Cortina Olympics Closing Ceremony

Now that the just-concluded Winter Olympics have been hailed for setting"a new, very high standard"by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Italian organizers are contemplating a bid for the 2040 Summer Games.

"I think our country deserves another Summer Olympics," Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Luciano Buonfiglio said over the weekend. "But let's take it step by step. A candidacy has to be agreed on and shared with the government."

The idea of the Milan Cortina Games was born out of the rejection of Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympics by then-Mayor Virginia Raggi a decade ago. That came four years after then-Premier Mario Monti scrapped the city's candidacy for the 2020 Games because of financial concerns; and after a Rome bid was narrowly defeated by Athens in the final round of voting for 2004.

"Scars help you remember" the defeats, said Giovanni Malagò, the head of the Milan Cortina organizing committee and former CONI president.

But Malagò, who is also an IOC member, suggested that Rome has a couple of key advantages in Olympic circles: its "unique" history of failed bids and the centerpiece venue for any Summer candidacy.

"Rome has a 70,000-seat stadium with an athletics track — which is huge in terms of sustainability," Malagò said.

The existing Stadio Olimpico and surrounding Foro Italico complex would be a natural setting for athletics and swimming — the two biggest sports at the Summer Games.

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Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said during the Milan Cortina Games that he believes his city has "the conditions" for another bid — especially after welcomingmore than 33 million people to the capital and Vatican for the 2025 Holy Year.

"If it's considered a realistic goal, I'm open to collaborating with the IOC, government and CONI in order to create the most competitive bid possible," Gualtieri said. "A capital like Rome should not be afraid of big challenges. The Jubilee showed off our organizational capacity for big events."

With the 2028 Games coming up in Los Angeles and2032 in Brisbane, Australia; andIndia and Qatar bidding for 2036; the 2040 Summer Games seem destined to return to Europe.

"Now is not the time to discuss this. It's premature, wrong and even counterproductive," Malagò said. "We need to understand the geopolitical landscape for post-2032."

Malagò wouldn't elaborate on speculation that he will run for Rome mayor after he finishes off his Milan Cortina duties, saying he would discuss "ideas that I have in mind" after next month's Paralympics.

Andrea Abodi, Italy's Minister for Sport and Youth, added: "It doesn't necessarily require an announcement to build a winning bid."

AP Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Brown nearly produced a triple-double, compiling 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes of play.

He has taken over as the primary option for Boston sinceJayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendonduring Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 12, 2025.

Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics won the championship in 2024, but James believes there's a case to be made for Brown to be mentioned in this season's MVP race.

"This whole MVP thing, I don't understand why his name is not getting talked about as well," James said of Brown after Sunday's game. "Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he's averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It's a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you."

Brown is averaging 29.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season. He's fourth among NBA players in points per game this season.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

The MVP conversation has largely been dominated by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), the winners of the prior two MVP awards.

"It's an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It's an honor for LeBron, who's arguably the best player to ever play the game, to give me some high praise," Brown told reporters after the game. "So, I'm just grateful."

James and Brown were teammates during theNBA All-Star Game mini-tournamentearlier this month at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Who is considered the NBA MVP favorite?

Odds via BetMGM, as of 1 a.m. ET Monday morning:

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-140)

Nikola Jokic (+310)

Cade Cunningham (+500)

Victor Wembanyama (+2500)

Luka Doncic (+4000)

Jaylen Brown (+5000)

Donovan Mitchell (+10000)

Anthony Edwards (+15000)

Jalen Brunson (+20000)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:LeBron James praises Jaylen Brown after Celtics-Lakers game