The world is fighting a war against a deadly virus. It is a common enemy. But that doesn't mean old foes are forgotten. Also read: Global coronavirus: Cases, death-toll and hotspots!

The world is fighting a war against a deadly virus. It is a common enemy. But that doesn't mean old foes are forgotten. Also read: Global coronavirus: Cases, death-toll and hotspots! Even in a pandemic, militaries around the world don't miss the change to flex their muscle. The South China sea remains a battleground. Japan is prepping to safeguard its turf with a hypersonic missile. It travels faster than five times the speed of sound and has been described as a game-changer. Also read: COVID-19: Intelligence dossier says China's secrecy amounts to a cover-up Reports say Japan plans to deploy it by 2026. The missile is being viewed as a direct threat to the Chinese navy in the South China sea. Meanwhile, the US air force has sent B-1 bombers back to the Pacific island of Guam. It is being called a temporary deployment and comes just a few weeks after the bombers were pulled back. For the first time in 16 years, the United States air force had no heavy bombers on Guam. US pacific air forces have announced that four of the B-1s had arrived at the Andersen air force base on Guam. The forces said the bombers will carry out "strategic deterrence missions" in the Indo-Pacific region. This is part of a plan to move the massive warplanes to spots around the world. Why? To send out a message of "operational unpredictability''. In other words, to keep the enemy guessing. How long the bombers will be stationed on Guam has not been specified. But as with most strategic moves. The timing here is crucial. Just last week, Beijing announced it had 'expelled' a US guided-missile destroyer out of the South China sea. Tensions have been escalating. It's not just the South China Sea dispute. This military posturing also comes amid the raging blame game between the United States and China. They are bombarding each other with accusations and threats over the pandemic. There's a war of narratives and military posturing. Old conflicts-- that the Wuhan virus--- has failed to lockdown.

Despite coronavirus! Japan, US flex their military muscle in South China sea

Little is known about China’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-first-domestically-built-aircraft-carrier-enters-service-268713">aircraft carrier</a> programme, which is a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-chinas-first-domestically-built-aircraft-carrier-type-001a-is-a-state-secret-262893">state secret</a>. But the government has said the new carrier’s design draws on experiences from the country’s first carrier, the Liaoning, which was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China.

President Xi Jinping is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the armed forces by developing everything from stealth jets to anti-satellite missiles, as China ramps up its presence in the South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan.

The carrier, the country’s second, began sea trials last year from its base in Shandong province in the northern port of Dalian, where it was built, and has now been given the official name the Shandong, state media reported, following its commissioning.

Xi oversaw the ceremony at a naval base in Sanya in the southern island province of Hainan, a major facility on the coast of the South China Sea, where China has constructed man-made islands, to alarm around the region and in Washington.

Xi boarded the ship, chatting with its crew and offering his “affirmation” for China’s success at building its own carrier, state media said.

Xi was accompanied by two close political allies, the report added - Vice Premier Liu He who has been leading trade talks with the United States, and Zhang Youxia, one of the two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission which is in charge of the armed forces and which Xi heads.

Last month the ship, still unnamed at the time, sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on its way to what China called routine exercises in the South China Sea.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its sacred territory and gearing up for elections in early January, denounced the move, saying Beijing was trying to intimidate it.

China has been using the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-aircraft-carrier-spotted-in-huge-naval-drill-127317/amp">Liaoning</a> mainly for training, as the navy hones its ability to operate fighter jets at sea and with other warships.

Unlike the US&nbsp;Navy’s longer-range nuclear carriers, both of China’s feature Soviet-design ski-jump bows, intended to provide sufficient take-off lift for fighter jets. They lack the powerful catapult launch technology US&nbsp;carriers have.

State media have quoted experts as saying China <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-build-four-nuclear-aircraft-carriers-to-catch-up-with-us-navy-report-195614">needs</a> at least six carriers. The United States operates 10 and plans to build two more.

Most experts agree that developing such a force will be a decades-long task for China, but progress on a home-built carrier boosts prestige for Beijing, seen by many experts as keen to eventually erode US&nbsp;military prominence in the region.

Satellite images show the construction of a new, much bigger carrier is progressing steadily alongside expansive infrastructure work that analysts say suggests the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinas-aircraft-carrier-superior-to-indias-ins-vikrant-chinese-experts-30482">ship</a> will be the first of several large vessels produced at the site.

The images of the Jiangnan shipyard outside Shanghai were taken in September and provided to Reuters by the non-partisan Centre for Strategic and International Studies, building on satellite photos it obtained in April and September last year.

China’s military has not formally announced plans for the third carrier, but official state media have said it is being built.

It is expected to be China’s first carrier with a flat deck and catapult launch system, allowing the use of a wider range of aircraft and more heavily armed fighter jets.

China’s first two carriers are relatively small, accommodating only up to 25 aircraft launched from ramps built on their decks. US&nbsp;carriers routinely deploy with nearly four times that number.

Little is known about China’s aircraft carrier programme, which is a state secret. But the government has said the new carrier’s design draws on experiences from the country’s first carrier, the Liaoning, which was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China.

Little is known about China’s aircraft carrier programme, which is a state secret. But the government has said the new carrier’s design draws on experiences from the country’s first carrier, the Liaoning, which was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China. President Xi Jinping is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the armed forces by developing everything from stealth jets to anti-satellite missiles, as China ramps up its presence in the South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan. The carrier, the country’s second, began sea trials last year from its base in Shandong province in the northern port of Dalian, where it was built, and has now been given the official name the Shandong, state media reported, following its commissioning. Xi oversaw the ceremony at a naval base in Sanya in the southern island province of Hainan, a major facility on the coast of the South China Sea, where China has constructed man-made islands, to alarm around the region and in Washington. Xi boarded the ship, chatting with its crew and offering his “affirmation” for China’s success at building its own carrier, state media said. Xi was accompanied by two close political allies, the report added - Vice Premier Liu He who has been leading trade talks with the United States, and Zhang Youxia, one of the two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission which is in charge of the armed forces and which Xi heads. Last month the ship, still unnamed at the time, sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on its way to what China called routine exercises in the South China Sea. Taiwan, claimed by China as its sacred territory and gearing up for elections in early January, denounced the move, saying Beijing was trying to intimidate it. China has been using the Liaoning mainly for training, as the navy hones its ability to operate fighter jets at sea and with other warships. Unlike the US Navy’s longer-range nuclear carriers, both of China’s feature Soviet-design ski-jump bows, intended to provide sufficient take-off lift for fighter jets. They lack the powerful catapult launch technology US carriers have. State media have quoted experts as saying China needs at least six carriers. The United States operates 10 and plans to build two more. Most experts agree that developing such a force will be a decades-long task for China, but progress on a home-built carrier boosts prestige for Beijing, seen by many experts as keen to eventually erode US military prominence in the region. Satellite images show the construction of a new, much bigger carrier is progressing steadily alongside expansive infrastructure work that analysts say suggests the ship will be the first of several large vessels produced at the site. The images of the Jiangnan shipyard outside Shanghai were taken in September and provided to Reuters by the non-partisan Centre for Strategic and International Studies, building on satellite photos it obtained in April and September last year. China’s military has not formally announced plans for the third carrier, but official state media have said it is being built. It is expected to be China’s first carrier with a flat deck and catapult launch system, allowing the use of a wider range of aircraft and more heavily armed fighter jets. China’s first two carriers are relatively small, accommodating only up to 25 aircraft launched from ramps built on their decks. US carriers routinely deploy with nearly four times that number.

China's new aircraft carrier enters service at South China Sea base

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. 
 
The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. 
 
Last week, sports network ESPN faced criticism of its coverage of a row between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and China after using a map that featured the line. 
 
China and Vietnam have been locked in a standoff since China dispatched a vessel to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled by Vietnam in early July. 
 
"We will revoke (the film`s licence)," Ta Quang Dong, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, was quoted as saying by the Thanh Nien newspaper. 
 
The ministry is in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. 
 
'Abominable', about a Chinese girl who discovers a yeti living on her roof, was jointly produced by Shanghai-based Pearl Studio and Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and was first shown in Vietnamese cinemas on October&nbsp;4. 
 
The film, which was being marketed in Vietnam as 'Everest: The Little Yeti'&nbsp;was removed from cinemas on Sunday after images of the scene with the offending map were shared widely on social media. 
 
A spokeswoman for CJ CGV Vietnam, Vietnam`s largest cinema chain and a unit of South Korea`s CJ CGV, declined to comment. 
A receptionist at the state-run National Cinema Center in Hanoi said the culture ministry had issued an order requiring all cinemas to stop showing the film because of the map scene. 
 
Calls to Nguyen Thu Ha, the head of the culture ministry`s cinema department, went unanswered on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At the National Cinema Center in Hanoi, workers could be seen taking down posters of the film late on Monday.&nbsp;In August, police broke up a brief protest outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi over the survey vessel. 
 
Vietnam has repeatedly accused the vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and has demanded that China remove its ships from the area.

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday.

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Last week, sports network ESPN faced criticism of its coverage of a row between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and China after using a map that featured the line. China and Vietnam have been locked in a standoff since China dispatched a vessel to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled by Vietnam in early July. "We will revoke (the film`s licence)," Ta Quang Dong, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, was quoted as saying by the Thanh Nien newspaper. The ministry is in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. 'Abominable', about a Chinese girl who discovers a yeti living on her roof, was jointly produced by Shanghai-based Pearl Studio and Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and was first shown in Vietnamese cinemas on October 4. The film, which was being marketed in Vietnam as 'Everest: The Little Yeti' was removed from cinemas on Sunday after images of the scene with the offending map were shared widely on social media. A spokeswoman for CJ CGV Vietnam, Vietnam`s largest cinema chain and a unit of South Korea`s CJ CGV, declined to comment. A receptionist at the state-run National Cinema Center in Hanoi said the culture ministry had issued an order requiring all cinemas to stop showing the film because of the map scene. Calls to Nguyen Thu Ha, the head of the culture ministry`s cinema department, went unanswered on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the National Cinema Center in Hanoi, workers could be seen taking down posters of the film late on Monday. In August, police broke up a brief protest outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi over the survey vessel. Vietnam has repeatedly accused the vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and has demanded that China remove its ships from the area.

Vietnam pulls DreamWorks' 'Abominable' film over South China Sea map

The fast development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area attracts young people from Hong Kong and Macao to set up businesses and realize their dreams.

Greater Bay Area provides golden opportunities for young people in HK, Macao

Typhoon Bailu made landfall in east China's Fujian Province Sunday, bringing gale and rainfall to some parts of south and east China provinces. Typhoon-triggered rainstorm battered Raoping County of south China’s Guangdong Province, causing waterlogging on some roads. Watch this video to know more.

Typhoon Bailu makes landfall in China

The "militarisation" of the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-urges-eu-to-reflect-political-reality-on-brexit-240580&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivx_-EvuvjAhWlguYKHeKICEkQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PAaakwrM63BR3VlOdjNlx">European Union</a>'s top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region.

China&nbsp;has been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich&nbsp;sea, sparking ire from other claimants.

On Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc was concerned over "increasing tension" in the area.

"We believe that this tension, this&nbsp;militarisation, is definitely not conducive to a peaceful environment," she added.&nbsp;

Beijing says it has sovereignty over the majority of the&nbsp;sea-based on the so-called nine-dash line it uses to back its claims.

The long-running spat was centre stage at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers last week, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to push back against Chinese "coercion" in the&nbsp;sea.

Hanoi has emerged as one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the waterway, a key global shipping route believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves.

Tensions between the communist neighbours have soared after a Chinese geological survey vessel entered waters around the Spratly Islands claimed by Hanoi in early July.

Vietnam has repeatedly called for the ship to leave, while Beijing has refused to confirm the vessel's presence.&nbsp;

It is not clear if the ship remains in Vietnam-claimed waters, and the foreign ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

The US,&nbsp;EU&nbsp;and Australia have all called for freedom of navigation in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea, which is also contested by Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

The "militarisation" of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the European Union's top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region.

The "militarisation" of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the European Union's top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region. China has been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich sea, sparking ire from other claimants. On Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc was concerned over "increasing tension" in the area. "We believe that this tension, this militarisation, is definitely not conducive to a peaceful environment," she added. Beijing says it has sovereignty over the majority of the sea-based on the so-called nine-dash line it uses to back its claims. The long-running spat was centre stage at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers last week, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to push back against Chinese "coercion" in the sea. Hanoi has emerged as one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the waterway, a key global shipping route believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves. Tensions between the communist neighbours have soared after a Chinese geological survey vessel entered waters around the Spratly Islands claimed by Hanoi in early July. Vietnam has repeatedly called for the ship to leave, while Beijing has refused to confirm the vessel's presence. It is not clear if the ship remains in Vietnam-claimed waters, and the foreign ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment. The US, EU and Australia have all called for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which is also contested by Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

European Union criticises 'militarisation' of South China Sea

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning -09th July 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning -8th July 2019

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands.

The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.&nbsp;

Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands.

During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said.

The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added.

The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision."

In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission."

"The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said.

The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability."

US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017.

A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province.

Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports.

China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart.

On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday. The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands. The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands. During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said. The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added. The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision." In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission." "The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said. The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability." US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017. A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province. Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports. China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart. On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

Chinese destroyer extremely close to US warship: US

Torrential rain caused flooding in some cities of south China starting on Thursday, leaving many people stranded and affecting local traffic.

In Yulin City of south China's Guangxi Zhunag Autonomous Region, one of the most severely affected places, the largest rainfall on Thursday was recorded at 195.1 millimetres, which has caused flooding, waterlogging and landslides.

In Yulin's affiliated Shatian Town, firefighters rescued eight female teachers trapped by floodwater in a village school and transferred them to safety.

In Bobai County of Yulin, firefighters saved 17 villagers residing in a village inundated in around-one-meter-high accumulated water near the major G80 Expressway on Thursday.

Firefighters in Bobai also successfully sent food to over 180 children and ten teachers who were stranded for one day in a three-story kindergarten soaked in floodwaters, and then transferred them from the building.

In response to the heavy rain, Guangxi's regional meteorological department issued a blue alert regarding flooding early on Thursday morning.

In the meantime, in south China's Guangdong Province, due to the heavy rain, the floodwaters were surging into some counties like Yangxi, also with local people and traffic being affected.

In Yangxi County, firefighters rescued a total of 88 people from vehicles, houses, and stores which were besieged by water on Thursday. No one was reported injured or dead.

In Tangkou Town of Yangxi, a road which connects seven villages was damaged by the destructive floodwaters, incapacitating nearly 10,000 people's ability to travel.

As of now, repair work remains underway, and a bridge will be erected to serve as a temporary passage for the affected villagers on Friday evening, according to the local traffic sector.

The downpour also suspended schools in Yangxi, with much floodwaters still to drain out from campuses.

The local meteorological department issued two red alerts against the rainstorm, but as of now, the rain has stopped in some parts of Yangxi, and the alert has been downgraded to yellow.

In Yulin City of south China's Guangxi Zhunag Autonomous Region the largest rainfall on Thursday was recorded at 195.1 millimetres

Torrential rain caused flooding in some cities of south China starting on Thursday, leaving many people stranded and affecting local traffic. In Yulin City of south China's Guangxi Zhunag Autonomous Region, one of the most severely affected places, the largest rainfall on Thursday was recorded at 195.1 millimetres, which has caused flooding, waterlogging and landslides. In Yulin's affiliated Shatian Town, firefighters rescued eight female teachers trapped by floodwater in a village school and transferred them to safety. In Bobai County of Yulin, firefighters saved 17 villagers residing in a village inundated in around-one-meter-high accumulated water near the major G80 Expressway on Thursday. Firefighters in Bobai also successfully sent food to over 180 children and ten teachers who were stranded for one day in a three-story kindergarten soaked in floodwaters, and then transferred them from the building. In response to the heavy rain, Guangxi's regional meteorological department issued a blue alert regarding flooding early on Thursday morning. In the meantime, in south China's Guangdong Province, due to the heavy rain, the floodwaters were surging into some counties like Yangxi, also with local people and traffic being affected. In Yangxi County, firefighters rescued a total of 88 people from vehicles, houses, and stores which were besieged by water on Thursday. No one was reported injured or dead. In Tangkou Town of Yangxi, a road which connects seven villages was damaged by the destructive floodwaters, incapacitating nearly 10,000 people's ability to travel. As of now, repair work remains underway, and a bridge will be erected to serve as a temporary passage for the affected villagers on Friday evening, according to the local traffic sector. The downpour also suspended schools in Yangxi, with much floodwaters still to drain out from campuses. The local meteorological department issued two red alerts against the rainstorm, but as of now, the rain has stopped in some parts of Yangxi, and the alert has been downgraded to yellow.

Heavy rain causes flooding in south China

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sridevis-body-on-its-way-back-to-mumbai-10-new-developments-in-the-case-34243">Sridevi&#39;s body on its way back to Mumbai: 10 new developments in the case</a>

The mortal remains of actress Sridevi have finally been handed over to actress&#39; family. The past three days have been daunting for the Kapoor family as the Dubai Police took time to investigate the case and hand over Sridevi&#39;s mortal remains to her family as they had &#39;formalities&#39; to clear.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-questions-ex-cmd-of-pnb-other-top-officials-34247">CBI questions ex-CMD of PNB, other top officials</a>

After PNB reported a further scam of Rs 1,251 crores, the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) began questioning two auditors including a former Managing Director and two General Managers in the multi-crore scam. The CBI today questioned NS Kannan, Executive Director, ICICI Bank which was the leader of Consortium Bank who lent money to Geetanjali Group of Companies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/south-china-sea-will-be-discussed-during-vietnam-presidents-visit-to-india-says-vietnam-ambassador-to-india-34231">&#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/south-china-sea-will-be-discussed-during-vietnam-presidents-visit-to-india-says-vietnam-ambassador-to-india-34231">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/south-china-sea-will-be-discussed-during-vietnam-presidents-visit-to-india-says-vietnam-ambassador-to-india-34231"> China Sea will be discussed during President&#39;s visit to India,&#39; says Vietnam ambassador to India</a>

Ton Sinh Thanh, Vietnam&#39;s ambassador to India, said today President Tran Dai Quang who will be visiting India next week will be discussing the South China issue with PM Modi. &quot;Vietnam is one of the few countries in South-East Asia that is raising its voice against China flexing its muscles in the South China Sea. China claims a number of territories and islands as its own over the South China Sea,&quot; Ton Sinh Thanh said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/excercise-milan-indias-naval-23-nation-naval-excercise-is-provocative-say-chinese-observerers-34216">Excercise Milan: India&#39;s 23-nation naval </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/excercise-milan-indias-naval-23-nation-naval-excercise-is-provocative-say-chinese-observerers-34216">excercise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/excercise-milan-indias-naval-23-nation-naval-excercise-is-provocative-say-chinese-observerers-34216"> is &#39;provocative&#39;, say Chinese observers</a>

Chinese observers speaking to state-run newspaper Global Times said today that India&#39;s new Naval initiative exercise Milan consisting of 23 countries is a &quot;provocative&quot; gesture which will &quot;not benefit the development of Sino-Indian relations&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-working-towards-developing-long-range-unmanned-strike-system-34221">Russia working towards developing long-range unmanned strike system</a>

Russia is working on developing a long-range unmanned strike system, built by Zvezda, media reports have informed on Tuesday. Alexander Nemov, deputy chief of the research department at the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute outside Moscow said that the large unnamed aircraft would come out next year which will infiltrate far into an enemy&#39;s territory.&nbsp;

Sridevi's body on its way back to Mumbai: 10 new developments in the case The mortal remains of actress Sridevi have finally been handed over to actress' family. The past three days have been daunting for the Kapoor family as the Dubai Police took time to investigate the case and hand over Sridevi's mortal remains to her family as they had 'formalities' to clear. CBI questions ex-CMD of PNB, other top officials After PNB reported a further scam of Rs 1,251 crores, the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) began questioning two auditors including a former Managing Director and two General Managers in the multi-crore scam. The CBI today questioned NS Kannan, Executive Director, ICICI Bank which was the leader of Consortium Bank who lent money to Geetanjali Group of Companies. 'South China Sea will be discussed during President's visit to India,' says Vietnam ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh, Vietnam's ambassador to India, said today President Tran Dai Quang who will be visiting India next week will be discussing the South China issue with PM Modi. "Vietnam is one of the few countries in South-East Asia that is raising its voice against China flexing its muscles in the South China Sea. China claims a number of territories and islands as its own over the South China Sea," Ton Sinh Thanh said. Excercise Milan: India's 23-nation naval excercise is 'provocative', say Chinese observers Chinese observers speaking to state-run newspaper Global Times said today that India's new Naval initiative exercise Milan consisting of 23 countries is a "provocative" gesture which will "not benefit the development of Sino-Indian relations". Russia working towards developing long-range unmanned strike system Russia is working on developing a long-range unmanned strike system, built by Zvezda, media reports have informed on Tuesday. Alexander Nemov, deputy chief of the research department at the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute outside Moscow said that the large unnamed aircraft would come out next year which will infiltrate far into an enemy's territory.

WION news brief, February 27, 2018

Five people have been rescued after two cargo ships collided off the coast of China&#39;s southern Guangdong province, but seven crew members are still &quot;trapped&quot; inside a cabin, state media said Tuesday.

The five rescued from a sunken ship cabin on Tuesday afternoon told rescue staff that the other seven were trapped inside and still alive, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The collision occurred at about 3:00 am on Monday near the Pearl River estuary.&nbsp;

One ship carrying over 5,000 tons of steel managed to make it to shore, but the second ship carrying 5,000 tons of sand sank after the collision, the Guangzhou maritime search and rescue centre said on Monday.

Two crew members from the sunken ship and all eleven sailors from the steel ship were initially rescued on Monday.

Some 300 people, including more than 20 divers, were participating in search efforts Tuesday.&nbsp;Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, according to Xinhua.&nbsp;

The collision occurred at about 3:00 am on Monday near the Pearl River estuary

Five people have been rescued after two cargo ships collided off the coast of China's southern Guangdong province, but seven crew members are still "trapped" inside a cabin, state media said Tuesday. The five rescued from a sunken ship cabin on Tuesday afternoon told rescue staff that the other seven were trapped inside and still alive, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The collision occurred at about 3:00 am on Monday near the Pearl River estuary. One ship carrying over 5,000 tons of steel managed to make it to shore, but the second ship carrying 5,000 tons of sand sank after the collision, the Guangzhou maritime search and rescue centre said on Monday. Two crew members from the sunken ship and all eleven sailors from the steel ship were initially rescued on Monday. Some 300 people, including more than 20 divers, were participating in search efforts Tuesday. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, according to Xinhua.

Seven 'trapped' after cargo ships collide off south China

Making a bold move to assert sovereignty over the area in the southern reaches of the South China Sea after Beijing stated its &quot;over-lapping claim&quot; on nearby waters, Indonesia&#39;s president visited the Natuna Islands aboard a warship on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
President Joko Widodo&#39;s visit along with his chief security minister and foreign minister was described by Indonesian officials as the strongest message that has been given to China over the issue. A presidential palace statement said Widodo intended to hold a cabinet meeting aboard the warship. 
 
&quot;In the course of our history, we&#39;ve never been this stern (with China). This is also to demonstrate that the president is not taking the issue lightly,&quot; Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told The Jakarta Post newspaper. 
 
On Monday, it may be recalled, Beijing said that while China does not dispute Indonesia&#39;s sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, &quot;some waters of the South China Sea&quot; were subject to &quot;overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests&rdquo;.&nbsp; 
 
Indonesia&#39;s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, however, Wednesday rejected China&#39;s stance, saying the waters around Natuna are in Indonesian territory.&nbsp; 
 
There have been a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels in the area but both sides have denied that the matter is a territorial or diplomatic dispute. 
 
&quot;We want to show that Indonesia is a big country and we have to show this physically,&quot; Widodo said in a statement, referring to those infrastructure ambitions.&nbsp; 
 
Widodo&#39;s visit to the remote island chain, which lies over 340 kilometres (212 miles) off the northwest tip of Kalimantan - Indonesia&#39;s portion of Borneo island - was also aimed at promoting infrastructure development in Indonesia&#39;s border areas, asserted official sources.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Even after a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels, both sides deny there's a diplomatic dispute

Making a bold move to assert sovereignty over the area in the southern reaches of the South China Sea after Beijing stated its "over-lapping claim" on nearby waters, Indonesia's president visited the Natuna Islands aboard a warship on Thursday. President Joko Widodo's visit along with his chief security minister and foreign minister was described by Indonesian officials as the strongest message that has been given to China over the issue. A presidential palace statement said Widodo intended to hold a cabinet meeting aboard the warship. "In the course of our history, we've never been this stern (with China). This is also to demonstrate that the president is not taking the issue lightly," Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told The Jakarta Post newspaper. On Monday, it may be recalled, Beijing said that while China does not dispute Indonesia's sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, "some waters of the South China Sea" were subject to "overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests”. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, however, Wednesday rejected China's stance, saying the waters around Natuna are in Indonesian territory. There have been a series of face-offs between Indonesian and Chinese vessels in the area but both sides have denied that the matter is a territorial or diplomatic dispute. "We want to show that Indonesia is a big country and we have to show this physically," Widodo said in a statement, referring to those infrastructure ambitions. Widodo's visit to the remote island chain, which lies over 340 kilometres (212 miles) off the northwest tip of Kalimantan - Indonesia's portion of Borneo island - was also aimed at promoting infrastructure development in Indonesia's border areas, asserted official sources. (Reuters)

Aboard warship, Indonesia President sails to South China

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