The sea off the remote Kamchatka peninsula may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals as Greenpeace warned of an "ecological disaster" for marine life.

Greenpeace has described how seawater off the far eastern peninsula changed colour and smell and "hundreds" of dead sea creatures including seals, octopuses and sea urchins washed up onto a black-sanded beach popular with tourists.

Testing around local bays and beaches showed above-permitted levels of phenol and petroleum products, the regional authorities said.&nbsp;

Experts were investigating whether this was linked to "spills of some toxic substances," regional governor Vladimir Solodov said in a statement.

The 38-year-old governor said that inspectors on Tuesday would look at two military testing sites on Kamchatka that could be responsible.

The water pollution came to light late last month after local surfers reported stinging eyes and said the water had changed colour and developed an odour.

Solodov said surfers suffered mild burns to their corneas.

Tests on water of a river flowing into the bay showed it did not surpass legal limits, however.

Environmental inspectors and experts from a fisheries and oceanography research centre were set to continue tests.

The pristine peninsula is a popular destination for adventure tourism with its abundance of wildlife and live volcanoes.

Greenpeace said it has contacted state ecological monitors, the armed forces and the Prosecutor-General's office asking for an immediate investigation.&nbsp;

Prosecutors and investigators announced they would carry out checks into whether a crime had been committed but have not any released findings.

The emergencies ministry said it was using boats and drones to monitor the coastline but added that "no pollution is visible."

The incident came as authorities urged tourists not to visit a live volcano on Kamchatka, warning eruption could be imminent.

(with inputs from AFP)

The sea off the remote Kamchatka peninsula may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals as Greenpeace warned of an "ecological disaster" for marine life. Greenpeace has described how seawater off the far eastern peninsula changed colour and smell and "hundreds" of dead sea creatures including seals, octopuses and sea urchins washed up onto a black-sanded beach popular with tourists.

The sea off the remote Kamchatka peninsula may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals as Greenpeace warned of an "ecological disaster" for marine life. Greenpeace has described how seawater off the far eastern peninsula changed colour and smell and "hundreds" of dead sea creatures including seals, octopuses and sea urchins washed up onto a black-sanded beach popular with tourists. Testing around local bays and beaches showed above-permitted levels of phenol and petroleum products, the regional authorities said. Experts were investigating whether this was linked to "spills of some toxic substances," regional governor Vladimir Solodov said in a statement. The 38-year-old governor said that inspectors on Tuesday would look at two military testing sites on Kamchatka that could be responsible. The water pollution came to light late last month after local surfers reported stinging eyes and said the water had changed colour and developed an odour. Solodov said surfers suffered mild burns to their corneas. Tests on water of a river flowing into the bay showed it did not surpass legal limits, however. Environmental inspectors and experts from a fisheries and oceanography research centre were set to continue tests. The pristine peninsula is a popular destination for adventure tourism with its abundance of wildlife and live volcanoes. Greenpeace said it has contacted state ecological monitors, the armed forces and the Prosecutor-General's office asking for an immediate investigation. Prosecutors and investigators announced they would carry out checks into whether a crime had been committed but have not any released findings. The emergencies ministry said it was using boats and drones to monitor the coastline but added that "no pollution is visible." The incident came as authorities urged tourists not to visit a live volcano on Kamchatka, warning eruption could be imminent. (with inputs from AFP)

Sea creatures die in far eastern Russia 'ecological disaster'

There’s so much about our planet that we don’t know. The biggest mystery besides the fact that we live on a gaseous ball floating in space is perhaps how little knowledge we have of our oceanic bodies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/ocean-bed-now-has-more-microplastics-than-ever-before-296144" hreflang="en">Ocean bed now has more microplastics than ever before</a>

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about 95 per cent of the world’s oceans and 99 per cent of the ocean floor remain unexplored, implying we know little to nothing about the ocean. 
 
A sinkhole of sorts

A few years ago, scientists discovered “blue holes” on the ocean floor. Now, they’re set on studying it.

A blue hole is intrinsically a sinkhole in the ocean floor, which creates a cave like structure. Located off Florida’s coast, the hole has been nicknamed the “Green Banana”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/dinosaur-era-microbes-lying-dormant-in-ocean-resuscitated-by-scientists-316620" hreflang="en">Dinosaur-era microbes lying dormant in ocean resuscitated by scientists</a>

Reported first by the Independent, the exploration mission for Green Banana is starting this month. The hole is 300 feet deep, which very little is known about.

Scientists are looking for a lot of answers, primarily whether the water inside the hole is different than the regular saltwater found in the ocean, which is situated higher than the cavern.

Freshwater caves?

It is entirely possible that these holes are a product of freshwater micro-bodies in the ocean. “Green Banana” hosts a lot of life, including fish and aquatic plants. Scientists want to understand what creates such conditions near the hole.

The water looks different too. As opposed to the general ruggedness of the ocean water, the water surrounding the hole is much clearer, which is another mystery that remains unsolved.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/plastic-pollution-flowing-into-oceans-to-triple-by-2040-study-315624" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution flowing into oceans to triple by 2040: Study</a>

To better understand this, researchers intend to drop a piece of hardware into the water. Similar to objects sent to space, a “lander” of an aquatic kind will be hoisted in the Green Banana hole.

At the same time, scientists will collect samples from the water. The lander will try to understand the basic differences between ocean water and blue hole water.

The mission, which begins later in August, is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many scientists believe that the vicinity of blue holes situated close to one another might hold some key in understanding them - perhaps a cave like network of freshwater springs hiding in the innards of the ocean.

There’s so much about our planet that we don’t know. The biggest mystery besides the fact that we live on a gaseous ball floating in space is perhaps how little knowledge we have of our oceanic bodies.

There’s so much about our planet that we don’t know. The biggest mystery besides the fact that we live on a gaseous ball floating in space is perhaps how little knowledge we have of our oceanic bodies. Also read: Ocean bed now has more microplastics than ever before According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about 95 per cent of the world’s oceans and 99 per cent of the ocean floor remain unexplored, implying we know little to nothing about the ocean. A sinkhole of sorts A few years ago, scientists discovered “blue holes” on the ocean floor. Now, they’re set on studying it. A blue hole is intrinsically a sinkhole in the ocean floor, which creates a cave like structure. Located off Florida’s coast, the hole has been nicknamed the “Green Banana”. Also read: Dinosaur-era microbes lying dormant in ocean resuscitated by scientists Reported first by the Independent, the exploration mission for Green Banana is starting this month. The hole is 300 feet deep, which very little is known about. Scientists are looking for a lot of answers, primarily whether the water inside the hole is different than the regular saltwater found in the ocean, which is situated higher than the cavern. Freshwater caves? It is entirely possible that these holes are a product of freshwater micro-bodies in the ocean. “Green Banana” hosts a lot of life, including fish and aquatic plants. Scientists want to understand what creates such conditions near the hole. The water looks different too. As opposed to the general ruggedness of the ocean water, the water surrounding the hole is much clearer, which is another mystery that remains unsolved. Also read: Plastic pollution flowing into oceans to triple by 2040: Study To better understand this, researchers intend to drop a piece of hardware into the water. Similar to objects sent to space, a “lander” of an aquatic kind will be hoisted in the Green Banana hole. At the same time, scientists will collect samples from the water. The lander will try to understand the basic differences between ocean water and blue hole water. The mission, which begins later in August, is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many scientists believe that the vicinity of blue holes situated close to one another might hold some key in understanding them - perhaps a cave like network of freshwater springs hiding in the innards of the ocean.

Scientists to begin studying 'blue holes' situated deep in the ocean this month

2020 has been an uncanny year on all fronts, from a raging pandemic to natural disasters to political upheavals, this year has seen it all.

In another uncanny yet good news coming in from a tiny Pacific island, three mariners were rescued after flagging an SOS message on the beach sand.

Thrown off course

Last Thursday, the three men intended to&nbsp;travel&nbsp;on a boat for 42 kilometres (26 miles) from Pulawat to Pulap in the Federated States of Micronesia.

After taking on the journey, mariners fell off the right path, which led to an uninhabited island called Pikelot, which was 190 kilometres (118 miles) away from where they had originally planned to go.&nbsp;After running out of fuel in the ocean, they were forced to take refuge on the stranded island, Australian and US authorities reported.

<h6><img alt="This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows the letters &quot;SOS&quot; (L) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a giant &quot;SOS&quot; they had scrawled on the beach, officials said." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14a4b77a-205f-4796-b294-cfd705808d1b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_43.jpg" /> 
This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows the letters "SOS" (L) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a giant "SOS" they had scrawled on the beach, officials said. | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The island where they got lost lies 800 kilometres (500 miles) from Guam. When people realised that the man hadn’t arrived in Pulap, a search and rescue operation was launched by the US Coast Guard in Guam.

A US Air Force KC-135 noticed the SOS sign by the beach. Three men were found after three hours of operation.

"SOS" saved their lives

Apparently, the aircraft was just nearing the end of three hour long operation when they an SOS sign on the beach, after which they also spotted a boat. The pilot made a post on Facebook which further claimed that they sought the assistance of Australian Navy after which they were rescued.

<h6><img alt="This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows an Australian Army ARH Tiger helicopter landing near the letters &quot;SOS&quot; (C) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a gian" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7623b20-f7bb-41ea-9dfa-66e7825bb7a7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_32.jpg" /> 
This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows an Australian Army ARH Tiger helicopter landing near the letters "SOS" (C) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a giant SOS sign | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

"We were toward the end of our search pattern. We turned to avoid some rain showers and that's when we looked down and saw an island, so we decide to check it out and that's when we saw SOS and a boat right next to it on the beach. From there we called in the Australian Navy because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island”, the pilot, Lt Col&nbsp; Jason Palmeira-Yen, said in a post made on Facebook.

Supplies for the distressed men were dropped by Australia’s assault ship HMAS Canberra, while they were also checked for major injuries. Their identities were then confirmed and they were rescued from the island.

2020 has been an uncanny year on all fronts, from a raging pandemic to natural disasters to political upheavals, this year has seen it all. In another uncanny yet good news coming in from a tiny Pacific island, three mariners were rescued after flagging an SOS message on the beach sand.

2020 has been an uncanny year on all fronts, from a raging pandemic to natural disasters to political upheavals, this year has seen it all. In another uncanny yet good news coming in from a tiny Pacific island, three mariners were rescued after flagging an SOS message on the beach sand. Thrown off course Last Thursday, the three men intended to travel on a boat for 42 kilometres (26 miles) from Pulawat to Pulap in the Federated States of Micronesia. After taking on the journey, mariners fell off the right path, which led to an uninhabited island called Pikelot, which was 190 kilometres (118 miles) away from where they had originally planned to go. After running out of fuel in the ocean, they were forced to take refuge on the stranded island, Australian and US authorities reported. This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows the letters "SOS" (L) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a giant "SOS" they had scrawled on the beach, officials said. | AFP The island where they got lost lies 800 kilometres (500 miles) from Guam. When people realised that the man hadn’t arrived in Pulap, a search and rescue operation was launched by the US Coast Guard in Guam. A US Air Force KC-135 noticed the SOS sign by the beach. Three men were found after three hours of operation. "SOS" saved their lives Apparently, the aircraft was just nearing the end of three hour long operation when they an SOS sign on the beach, after which they also spotted a boat. The pilot made a post on Facebook which further claimed that they sought the assistance of Australian Navy after which they were rescued. This handout photo taken on August 2, 2020 and received on August 4 from the Australian Defence Force shows an Australian Army ARH Tiger helicopter landing near the letters "SOS" (C) on a beach on Pikelot Island where three men were found in good condition after being missing for three days. Three Micronesian sailors stranded on a tiny island in the remote Western Pacific were rescued after Australian and US warplanes spotted a giant SOS sign | AFP "We were toward the end of our search pattern. We turned to avoid some rain showers and that's when we looked down and saw an island, so we decide to check it out and that's when we saw SOS and a boat right next to it on the beach. From there we called in the Australian Navy because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island”, the pilot, Lt Col Jason Palmeira-Yen, said in a post made on Facebook. Supplies for the distressed men were dropped by Australia’s assault ship HMAS Canberra, while they were also checked for major injuries. Their identities were then confirmed and they were rescued from the island.

'SOS' on the sand saves lives of three men stranded on a Micronesian island

Scientists have recovered samples from a cypress forest from that has been buried under sediment off the coast of Alabama for 60,000 years and have hopes that some of the preserved compounds may pioneer medical and biotech research.

Scientists find underwater ancient forest, trees may provide future medicine and biotech discoveries

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday.

Troops found 400 kilogrammes of heroin and 100 kilogrammes of the drug "ice" on board the two vessels, spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said.

The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be 6,000 million rupees.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-offers-tax-cuts-subsidies-to-revive-jinxed-airport-283402">Sri Lanka offers tax cuts, subsidies to revive jinxed airport</a>

The vessels, as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat, were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on&nbsp;Thursday.

Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning, Sooriyabandara added. The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities.

"The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat," Sooriyabandara said.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-seizes-drugs-equipment-worth-27-million-military-283666"> Myanmar seizes drugs, equipment worth $27 million: Military</a>

The foreign vessels, which carried no registration, were intercepted in international waters some 1,100 kilometres&nbsp;from Sri Lanka's coast.

Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data onboard the vessels to establish the route and the point of origin.

Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin.

Also read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-cut-off-iranians-access-to-medicine-283907">: US sanctions cut off Iranians' access to medicine</a>

In 2016, the navy arrested 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis and one each from India and Singapore for allegedly trying to smuggle 110 kilogrammes of heroin into the island nation via a trawler.

The country's previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800 kilogrammes of cocaine on a ship at Colombo's port from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port.

Six months earlier, authorities discovered 301 kilogrammes of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo.

Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point.

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday.

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday. Troops found 400 kilogrammes of heroin and 100 kilogrammes of the drug "ice" on board the two vessels, spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said. The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be 6,000 million rupees. Also read: Sri Lanka offers tax cuts, subsidies to revive jinxed airport The vessels, as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat, were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on Thursday. Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning, Sooriyabandara added. The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities. "The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat," Sooriyabandara said. Also see: Myanmar seizes drugs, equipment worth $27 million: Military The foreign vessels, which carried no registration, were intercepted in international waters some 1,100 kilometres from Sri Lanka's coast. Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data onboard the vessels to establish the route and the point of origin. Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin. Also read: US sanctions cut off Iranians' access to medicine In 2016, the navy arrested 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis and one each from India and Singapore for allegedly trying to smuggle 110 kilogrammes of heroin into the island nation via a trawler. The country's previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800 kilogrammes of cocaine on a ship at Colombo's port from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port. Six months earlier, authorities discovered 301 kilogrammes of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo. Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point.

Sri Lanka seizes record drugs haul at sea

Lumix's People's Choice Awards 2019 - Wildlife Photographer of the Year  People's Favourites

A group of Tibetan monks blessed and released an endangered sea turtle into the waters in Islamorada, Florida Keys, on Thursday.

Visiting Tibetan monks help release sea turtle

&nbsp;

&nbsp;A Spanish military jet crashed into the sea off the southeastern coast of Spain early on Monday (August 26), killing the pilot, the air force said.

The C-101 jet, used for training, came down near La Manga, Murcia just after 0730 GMT, an air force spokesman said.

He said the cause of the crash, the second air disaster in as many days in Spain, was not yet known. The pilot, who was alone in the cockpit, was a flying instructor.

Three beaches in the area were closed to sunbathers after wreckage from the crash hit the sand, local authorities said.

On Sunday, seven people were killed in a collision between a helicopter and a light plane on the island of Mallorca.

&nbsp;

A Spanish military jet crashed into the sea off the southeastern coast of Spain early on Monday (August 26), killing the pilot, the air force said. The C-101 jet, used for training, came down near La Manga, Murcia just after 0730 GMT, an air force spokesman said.

A Spanish military jet crashed into the sea off the southeastern coast of Spain early on Monday (August 26), killing the pilot, the air force said. The C-101 jet, used for training, came down near La Manga, Murcia just after 0730 GMT, an air force spokesman said. He said the cause of the crash, the second air disaster in as many days in Spain, was not yet known. The pilot, who was alone in the cockpit, was a flying instructor. Three beaches in the area were closed to sunbathers after wreckage from the crash hit the sand, local authorities said. On Sunday, seven people were killed in a collision between a helicopter and a light plane on the island of Mallorca.

Spanish military jet crashes into sea

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday.

"Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped... (of whom) nine (are) Chinese who were abducted on one of the ships," an official in the port of Douala told AFP.&nbsp;

A Cameroonian security official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account.

The abduction was reported on Thursday by sources in the Cameroonian navy and the country's port service, but their number and nationality were not then known.

The navy source had said the kidnappers "are probably Nigerian pirates," adding that Cameroon's security forces had launched a search for them.

The Gulf of Guinea, whose coastline stretches in a huge arc from Liberia to Gabon, is notorious for piracy as well as oil theft, illegal fishing and human and drugs trafficking.

In Malaysia, Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a watchdog agency, said the 17 seamen were seized from two ships that were attacked within hours of each other while they were anchored off Douala.

Choong said one of the ships was a multipurpose German-owned ship that flew the flag of Antigua and Barbuda.&nbsp;

"Eight crew were kidnapped from the ship consisting of a total of 12 Asian and European sailors," he said.

The other vessel was a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier managed in Greece with a Greek owner.

"There were 21 crew on board. All were Asians. Nine crew were taken," Choong told AFP.

"(The) IMB has issued a warning to all ships at Douala. We ask all ships to take additional precaution."

According to the IMB's figures, 62 seafarers were taken hostage or abducted in the area in the first half of 2019.

The Gulf of Guinea accounts for 73 percent of kidnappings and 92 percent of hostage-takings at sea worldwide, it says.

The 17 countries in the Gulf of Guinea and adjacent regions have limited surveillance and maritime defence capabilities.

They have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place closer collaboration.

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday. "Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped.

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday. "Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped... (of whom) nine (are) Chinese who were abducted on one of the ships," an official in the port of Douala told AFP. A Cameroonian security official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account. The abduction was reported on Thursday by sources in the Cameroonian navy and the country's port service, but their number and nationality were not then known. The navy source had said the kidnappers "are probably Nigerian pirates," adding that Cameroon's security forces had launched a search for them. The Gulf of Guinea, whose coastline stretches in a huge arc from Liberia to Gabon, is notorious for piracy as well as oil theft, illegal fishing and human and drugs trafficking. In Malaysia, Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a watchdog agency, said the 17 seamen were seized from two ships that were attacked within hours of each other while they were anchored off Douala. Choong said one of the ships was a multipurpose German-owned ship that flew the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. "Eight crew were kidnapped from the ship consisting of a total of 12 Asian and European sailors," he said. The other vessel was a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier managed in Greece with a Greek owner. "There were 21 crew on board. All were Asians. Nine crew were taken," Choong told AFP. "(The) IMB has issued a warning to all ships at Douala. We ask all ships to take additional precaution." According to the IMB's figures, 62 seafarers were taken hostage or abducted in the area in the first half of 2019. The Gulf of Guinea accounts for 73 percent of kidnappings and 92 percent of hostage-takings at sea worldwide, it says. The 17 countries in the Gulf of Guinea and adjacent regions have limited surveillance and maritime defence capabilities. They have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place closer collaboration.

17 Chinese, Ukrainian seamen kidnapped off Cameroon

Four-legged whale from India, Pak also found in southern Peru

Norway cruise ship breaks down in Sea

&nbsp;A young man suffers years of anguish after failing to stop the rape of a schoolgirl in 'Sea', a gritty film of revenge and redemption by new Japanese director Kensei Takahashi. 
 
'Sea'&nbsp;comes at a time of heightened awareness of sexual assault thanks to the #MeToo movement, although Takahashi said he had already begun developing the film before the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke last year. 
 
Takahashi had originally envisaged a thriller-style film with the girl as the main character but decided on a male lead whose perspective he could better understand, which he said helped him to deepen the story and address themes like abandonment. 
 
"The thing I wanted to say most is that people are very indifferent about things that are happening to other people," Takahashi told a question-and-answer session after the film`s premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, which runs until Saturday. 
 
'Sea'&nbsp;follows Hiroshi (Satoshi Abe), a shy high-school student hoping to get into university, and get away from his dreary coastal hometown where he is bullied by the likes of Tatsuya (Seiya Okada) and Kengo (Seijyuro Mimori). 
 
One day, life is irrevocably changed when he discovers Rie (Arisa Sato) being sexually assaulted by Tatsuya and Kengo in a boat shed on the beach but is powerless to stop them. The crime is never reported and Rie quietly leaves town. 
 
Hiroshi retreats into a shell of guilt, toiling as a newspaper delivery person and avoiding contact with others. But a class reunion for 20-year-olds provides a chance encounter with the rapists - and an opportunity for vengeance. 
 
Takahashi made 'Sea'&nbsp;as his university graduation film but is already competing against established filmmakers in the festival`s Splash section for Japanese independent film, highlighting the director`s potential. 
 
"They say you're new&nbsp;until your second film and that the second one is really important. So I want mine to be symbolic of me and hope to get into next year`s main competition section," he said. 
&nbsp;

A young man suffers years of anguish after failing to stop the rape of a schoolgirl in 'Sea', a gritty film of revenge and redemption by new Japanese director Kensei Takahashi.

A young man suffers years of anguish after failing to stop the rape of a schoolgirl in 'Sea', a gritty film of revenge and redemption by new Japanese director Kensei Takahashi. 'Sea' comes at a time of heightened awareness of sexual assault thanks to the #MeToo movement, although Takahashi said he had already begun developing the film before the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke last year. Takahashi had originally envisaged a thriller-style film with the girl as the main character but decided on a male lead whose perspective he could better understand, which he said helped him to deepen the story and address themes like abandonment. "The thing I wanted to say most is that people are very indifferent about things that are happening to other people," Takahashi told a question-and-answer session after the film`s premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, which runs until Saturday. 'Sea' follows Hiroshi (Satoshi Abe), a shy high-school student hoping to get into university, and get away from his dreary coastal hometown where he is bullied by the likes of Tatsuya (Seiya Okada) and Kengo (Seijyuro Mimori). One day, life is irrevocably changed when he discovers Rie (Arisa Sato) being sexually assaulted by Tatsuya and Kengo in a boat shed on the beach but is powerless to stop them. The crime is never reported and Rie quietly leaves town. Hiroshi retreats into a shell of guilt, toiling as a newspaper delivery person and avoiding contact with others. But a class reunion for 20-year-olds provides a chance encounter with the rapists - and an opportunity for vengeance. Takahashi made 'Sea' as his university graduation film but is already competing against established filmmakers in the festival`s Splash section for Japanese independent film, highlighting the director`s potential. "They say you're new until your second film and that the second one is really important. So I want mine to be symbolic of me and hope to get into next year`s main competition section," he said.

Kensei Takahashi directs 'Sea', a film of redemption and revenge

It happened to me for the second time. The realisation occurred slowly but it embraced me fully. Last time around when I went to South Africa with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013 to cover BRICS summit, my excitement was shooting through the roof. The journey had given me an opportunity to see, smell and feel places associated with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. My excitement knew no bounds. 
&nbsp; 
I must have marvelled 100 times on board the special plane as to how would I feel at the station where Gandhi was thrown out of the train onto the pavement because of the colour of his skin. I was excited about going to the ashram in Durban. I also had the repressed feeling of meeting grateful black men and women with a thanking smile plastered on their faces. I also felt that as an Indian, I would be able to renew a historical association at an individual level as reportage was slowly turning into a pilgrimage. 
&nbsp; 
The excitement which I was barely able to contain ebbed away within minutes me stepping out of the car and getting inside the station. It was empty. It remained empty. It dawned on me that this place was no marker of anything politically significant in contemporary South Africa. 
&nbsp; 
The Gandhi South Africa narrative which I read in books didn&rsquo;t exist when interacted with people. Four years down the line African universities went through the wave of protest against Gandhi on grounds of being racist. 
&nbsp; 
In Myanmar, I was stuck with a similar feeling about cultural connections and shared the colonial experience but again, the opposite awaited me. Within 24 hours of landing, the imagery of the famous song from the film Patanga, released in 1949 and sung by C Ravichandran and Shamshad Begum, Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon Wahan Se Kiya Hai Telephone (My lover has gone to Rangoon and has called me from there), vanished from my head.&nbsp;

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<h5>Till date, Myanmar&rsquo;s government has not acknowledged the official headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.</h5>
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Till date, Myanmar&rsquo;s government has not acknowledged the official headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In the past, the government has razed down a couple of quarter he lived in. Locals told me that the place where Rabindranath Tagore stayed is not in a good condition either. Despite the cultural connect, a disconnect is evident. The same can be said of Nepal where we share the religion. 
&nbsp; 
All of this brings me to one conclusion that relationship between nations needs to be watered regularly which is based on active and current needs. 
&nbsp; 
The lesson that I drew from this experience is that, what one considers to be&nbsp;important is not necessarily done so by the other country. I also realised that nation-states always recreate their own histories where they keep themselves at the centre, whereas view from outside remains marginal or tangential. 
&nbsp; 
Why should an average Myanmaris feel strongly about Bal Gangadhar Tilak being imprisoned in Mandalay for 6 years? Indian political establishment must realise that there is a limit to the politics of connecting as hard-nosed diplomacy works better than connects.

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<h5>PM Modi&rsquo;s decision to not to mention Rohingya or de-hyphenation of Ramallah from Jerusalem will bring much better results than cultural closeness.</h5>
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PM Modi&rsquo;s decision to not to mention Rohingya or de-hyphenation of Ramallah from Jerusalem will bring much better results than cultural closeness. &nbsp;Political use of India&#39;s cultural history, in my opinion, should be a move targetted at the domestic audience which feels elated at the sense of Indian contribution to the world.

But there is no alternative to quid pro quo.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Whether it is Nepal, Sri Lanka or Myanmar what works in a diplomatic relationship is what I can take and what you can give me. The moralist may say that it divorces morality from the political ambit but I believe that morality must be judged from the consequence of a political action and shouldn&rsquo;t become the sole axis on which diplomacy be conducted.

The current curve in the Indian diplomacy must continue to dominate lest we ourselves become the victims of West&rsquo;s idea of &ldquo;human right politics&rdquo; and our bloated sense of cultural contribution which to me is deep nostalgia because the world is not interested in it.

The exercises are scheduled to take place in the Sea of Japan and Okhotsk Sea, after the first stage?was held on July 22-27 in the Baltic Sea.

It happened to me for the second time. The realisation occurred slowly but it embraced me fully. Last time around when I went to South Africa with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013 to cover BRICS summit, my excitement was shooting through the roof. The journey had given me an opportunity to see, smell and feel places associated with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. My excitement knew no bounds. I must have marvelled 100 times on board the special plane as to how would I feel at the station where Gandhi was thrown out of the train onto the pavement because of the colour of his skin. I was excited about going to the ashram in Durban. I also had the repressed feeling of meeting grateful black men and women with a thanking smile plastered on their faces. I also felt that as an Indian, I would be able to renew a historical association at an individual level as reportage was slowly turning into a pilgrimage. The excitement which I was barely able to contain ebbed away within minutes me stepping out of the car and getting inside the station. It was empty. It remained empty. It dawned on me that this place was no marker of anything politically significant in contemporary South Africa. The Gandhi South Africa narrative which I read in books didn’t exist when interacted with people. Four years down the line African universities went through the wave of protest against Gandhi on grounds of being racist. In Myanmar, I was stuck with a similar feeling about cultural connections and shared the colonial experience but again, the opposite awaited me. Within 24 hours of landing, the imagery of the famous song from the film Patanga, released in 1949 and sung by C Ravichandran and Shamshad Begum, Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon Wahan Se Kiya Hai Telephone (My lover has gone to Rangoon and has called me from there), vanished from my head. Till date, Myanmar’s government has not acknowledged the official headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. × Till date, Myanmar’s government has not acknowledged the official headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In the past, the government has razed down a couple of quarter he lived in. Locals told me that the place where Rabindranath Tagore stayed is not in a good condition either. Despite the cultural connect, a disconnect is evident. The same can be said of Nepal where we share the religion. All of this brings me to one conclusion that relationship between nations needs to be watered regularly which is based on active and current needs. The lesson that I drew from this experience is that, what one considers to be important is not necessarily done so by the other country. I also realised that nation-states always recreate their own histories where they keep themselves at the centre, whereas view from outside remains marginal or tangential. Why should an average Myanmaris feel strongly about Bal Gangadhar Tilak being imprisoned in Mandalay for 6 years? Indian political establishment must realise that there is a limit to the politics of connecting as hard-nosed diplomacy works better than connects. PM Modi’s decision to not to mention Rohingya or de-hyphenation of Ramallah from Jerusalem will bring much better results than cultural closeness. × PM Modi’s decision to not to mention Rohingya or de-hyphenation of Ramallah from Jerusalem will bring much better results than cultural closeness. Political use of India's cultural history, in my opinion, should be a move targetted at the domestic audience which feels elated at the sense of Indian contribution to the world. But there is no alternative to quid pro quo. Whether it is Nepal, Sri Lanka or Myanmar what works in a diplomatic relationship is what I can take and what you can give me. The moralist may say that it divorces morality from the political ambit but I believe that morality must be judged from the consequence of a political action and shouldn’t become the sole axis on which diplomacy be conducted. The current curve in the Indian diplomacy must continue to dominate lest we ourselves become the victims of West’s idea of “human right politics” and our bloated sense of cultural contribution which to me is deep nostalgia because the world is not interested in it.

China, Russia start second stage of Joint Sea-2017 naval drills

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