Maritime Tensions: The Philippines’ National Maritime Council says it spotted Chinese research and surveillance vessels in three areas off Luzon—near Pag-asa Sandy Cays 2 and 3, plus Batanes, Pangasinan, and Palawan—calling the activity illegal under UNCLOS and demanding permission before any marine research. Ocean Science Boom: In a separate global push, the Ocean Census reports 1,121 new marine species discovered in a single year, including deep-sea “ghost shark” relatives and worms living inside glass sponges—evidence that most ocean life is still undocumented. Local Governance Clash: Cebu City Council will revisit its anti-mendicancy ordinance after the arrest of a 68-year-old harmonica player sparked backlash, with officials now aligning enforcement with a newly approved busking ordinance and welfare support. Royal Culture Moment: Charles and Camilla drew crowds in Belfast, drumming on bodhráns and sampling whiskey at a Titanic-era distillery—an upbeat counterpoint to the week’s heavier headlines.