CEO of engineering giant Rolls-Royce is unable to see top secret UK documents related to its submarine business due to "UK eyes only" protocols of Whitehall security, reported The Guardian. Tufan Erginbilgiç, the CEO of Rolls Royce, has joint UK and Turkish citizenship.

The Guardian reports that Chris Cholerton, the company's group president and Steve Carlier, president of the division, has been given the responsibility of handling sensitive information.&nbsp;

Rolls-Royce makes nuclear reactors that power UK&nbsp;submarines. These include nuclear-armed Vanguard submarines. As per Royal Navy's "continuous at-sea deterrent" capability, at least one nuclear-armed submarine is always on&nbsp;patrol duty.

The 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement governs the nuclear deterrent function. It is the agreement between the US and the UK.

There are 1,500 engineers in Rolls-Royce's submarine division which designs, manufactures and supports reactors for UK&nbsp;submarines.

Erginbilgic's inability to see the documents about Rolls-Royce's submarine division is being reported as an example of bad governance. He took over the position of CEO from the Warren East. He had held the role since 2015.

<h2>A 'burning platform'</h2>

When he took over, he described the company as a 'burning platform' drawing similarity to an oil rig on the sea that's on fire with workers having to choose an option between fire or freezing seawater. Rolls-Royce has about 50,000 employees. Erginbilgic has brought in consultants and it is expected that thousands of jobs will be cut.

Erginbilgic's family is from Kilis, which is close to the Syrian border. He completed his study of engineering at Istanbul Technical University. He graduated in 1982. He studied further and entered the oil industry. He was CEO of British Petroleum's downstream business from 2014 to 2020.

Documents for "UK eyes only" are usually marked "UK secret". These files are expected to have been "communicated in confidence" and by convention, they “should not be released without the agreement of the British government”.

“There have been questions raised internally about whether it’s right to have a chief executive who is not able to be included in some of the most sensitive areas of the business,” said a source close to Rolls-Royce as quoted by The Guardian.

“As CEO, Tufan is fully responsible for the nuclear submarine business in Rolls-Royce and has all relevant oversight of the operation of that business," said a Rolls-Royce spokesperson.

“As a global defence supplier, there are occasionally national eyes-only aspects of our work, such as in the US. In relation to the submarine business, Chris Cholerton, group president with responsibility for the submarine business, supports Tufan”

The spokesperson has been quoted by The Guardian.

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CEO of engineering giant Rolls-Royce is unable to see top secret UK documents related to its submarine business due to "UK eyes only" protocols of Whitehall security, reported The Guardian.

CEO of engineering giant Rolls-Royce is unable to see top secret UK documents related to its submarine business due to "UK eyes only" protocols of Whitehall security, reported The Guardian. Tufan Erginbilgiç, the CEO of Rolls Royce, has joint UK and Turkish citizenship. The Guardian reports that Chris Cholerton, the company's group president and Steve Carlier, president of the division, has been given the responsibility of handling sensitive information. Rolls-Royce makes nuclear reactors that power UK submarines. These include nuclear-armed Vanguard submarines. As per Royal Navy's "continuous at-sea deterrent" capability, at least one nuclear-armed submarine is always on patrol duty. The 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement governs the nuclear deterrent function. It is the agreement between the US and the UK. There are 1,500 engineers in Rolls-Royce's submarine division which designs, manufactures and supports reactors for UK submarines. Erginbilgic's inability to see the documents about Rolls-Royce's submarine division is being reported as an example of bad governance. He took over the position of CEO from the Warren East. He had held the role since 2015. A 'burning platform' When he took over, he described the company as a 'burning platform' drawing similarity to an oil rig on the sea that's on fire with workers having to choose an option between fire or freezing seawater. Rolls-Royce has about 50,000 employees. Erginbilgic has brought in consultants and it is expected that thousands of jobs will be cut. Erginbilgic's family is from Kilis, which is close to the Syrian border. He completed his study of engineering at Istanbul Technical University. He graduated in 1982. He studied further and entered the oil industry. He was CEO of British Petroleum's downstream business from 2014 to 2020. Documents for "UK eyes only" are usually marked "UK secret". These files are expected to have been "communicated in confidence" and by convention, they “should not be released without the agreement of the British government”. “There have been questions raised internally about whether it’s right to have a chief executive who is not able to be included in some of the most sensitive areas of the business,” said a source close to Rolls-Royce as quoted by The Guardian. “As CEO, Tufan is fully responsible for the nuclear submarine business in Rolls-Royce and has all relevant oversight of the operation of that business," said a Rolls-Royce spokesperson. “As a global defence supplier, there are occasionally national eyes-only aspects of our work, such as in the US. In relation to the submarine business, Chris Cholerton, group president with responsibility for the submarine business, supports Tufan” The spokesperson has been quoted by The Guardian. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Rolls-Royce CEO unable to see submarine business docs due to security reasons

Official documents for one of the Royal Navy's £1.3 billion 'hunter killer' submarines were apparently found in the toilet of a Wetherspoons pub. The incident prompted the Royal Navy to launch an investigation into the matter.&nbsp;

The Sun stated that documents containing information regarding the HMS Anson were found umped in a&nbsp;loo at the Furness Railway in Cumbria. The found materials are generally utilised by submariners training in the isolation and depressurisation of system components as they learn about the inner workings of the nuclear-powered submarine.

A Royal Navy spokesman reportedly said, “These are generic training documents that carry no classified information. However, we take all security matters extremely seriously and will investigate the circumstances of their discovery.”

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According to a source cited in the publication, the pub was crowded when the files marked "official sensitive" were found on the floor of a cubicle. The BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarine has been seen before, is close to the Furness Railway.

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HMS Anson is the fifth of the new Astute-class attack submarines to enter the fleet of the Royal Navy. According to the Royal Navy's website, the vessels&nbsp;are the "largest, most advanced, and most powerful attack submarines" it has ever employed. They are also equipped with Tomahawk missile launchers.

The report&nbsp;citing a naval insider said, “These documents enable submariners and contractors to understand how systems interact. They do not detail how they work, just that they exist.”

They also stated that the files only contained rudimentary schematics of the onboard systems, with no explanation of how they function.

Watch | After Russia's winter assault, Ukraine prepares for summer attack

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However, a source told The Sun that the "official sensitive" files were found in the loo along with a Royal Navy lanyard.&nbsp;"It was lucky a Russian spy didn't find them," it added.&nbsp;

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Official documents for one of the Royal Navy's £1.3 billion 'hunter killer' submarines were apparently found in the toilet of a Wetherspoons pub. The incident prompted the Royal Navy to launch an investigation into the matter.

Official documents for one of the Royal Navy's £1.3 billion 'hunter killer' submarines were apparently found in the toilet of a Wetherspoons pub. The incident prompted the Royal Navy to launch an investigation into the matter. The Sun stated that documents containing information regarding the HMS Anson were found umped in a loo at the Furness Railway in Cumbria. The found materials are generally utilised by submariners training in the isolation and depressurisation of system components as they learn about the inner workings of the nuclear-powered submarine. A Royal Navy spokesman reportedly said, “These are generic training documents that carry no classified information. However, we take all security matters extremely seriously and will investigate the circumstances of their discovery.” Also Read | EU nations reach deal 'in principle' to transit grain from Ukraine According to a source cited in the publication, the pub was crowded when the files marked "official sensitive" were found on the floor of a cubicle. The BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarine has been seen before, is close to the Furness Railway. Also Read | Indian Air Force uses night vision goggles, bravely rescues 121 people from Sudan airstrip HMS Anson is the fifth of the new Astute-class attack submarines to enter the fleet of the Royal Navy. According to the Royal Navy's website, the vessels are the "largest, most advanced, and most powerful attack submarines" it has ever employed. They are also equipped with Tomahawk missile launchers. The report citing a naval insider said, “These documents enable submariners and contractors to understand how systems interact. They do not detail how they work, just that they exist.” They also stated that the files only contained rudimentary schematics of the onboard systems, with no explanation of how they function. Watch | After Russia's winter assault, Ukraine prepares for summer attack × However, a source told The Sun that the "official sensitive" files were found in the loo along with a Royal Navy lanyard. "It was lucky a Russian spy didn't find them," it added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: ‘Sensitive’ files of one of Royal Navy’s ‘hunter killer’ submarines found in pub toilet

Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.&nbsp;

In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives.&nbsp;

The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel".

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Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat."&nbsp;

The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market."&nbsp;

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It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific."&nbsp;

The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.

Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country. In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives. The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel". ALSO READ | Indiana: Yellow chemical plume disperses in New Albany, investigation underway Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat." The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market." × It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific." The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe.

WION Speed News: North Korea fires two cruise missiles from submarine

The UK Navy Chief has ordered an urgent investigation amid claims that workers on a Trident nuclear armed submarine fixed broken bolts in the vessel's reactor chamber using glue.

WION Fineprint: 'Botched attempt' to fix UK nuclear submarine

Amid the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, The united States is likely to deploy more ships and submarines in Australia. Both the countries have teamed up to counter China.

U.S. likely to deploy more submarines in Australia

Amid the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, The united States is likely to deploy more ships and submarines to Australia. Both the countries have teamed up to counter China.

Agreeing to disagree: Another blow to U.S.- China ties?

The United States seems to be sending a message to its adversaries and also to its allies. For the very first time ever, a US Navy's nuclear-powered submarine was reported to have docked at a remote Indian Ocean Island as a part of an extended month-long deployment.

WION Fineprint: US sends a message to adversaries and allies, submarines visited Indian Ocean

In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment. 
 
The Navy, in its message, revealed the USS West Virginia's docking in the Indian Ocean and its visit to the port from October 25 to 31. When Navy submarines are at sea, their specific movements remain highly classified, so the submarines would have got the required time to transit to a different location in the Indian Ocean because of the delayed announcement.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-unwilling-to-allow-effective-foreign-covid-vaccine-despite-the-protests-us-539816">China unwilling to allow 'effective' foreign COVID vaccine despite the protests: US</a> 
 
As per a military official, the importance of publicising the USS West Virginia's port call is to relay a message to its potential allies as well as adversaries. “They should take from this that a ballistic missile submarine which is undetectable can operate in any ocean for an extended period,” said the official. 
 
Both the US and British forces use Diego Garcia, which is a highly militarised island, located in the south of the equator. The nuclear-missile-equipped submarine's remote location helped it in ensuring that the 150-person crew remains unobserved by outsiders and the operations of the submarine remain a secret, allowing it to dock in the region for a longer duration. 
 
The official did not clarify if the message was aimed at Russia, North Korea or China, however, it is known for a fact that the US submarines' underwater stealth is critical to collecting highly classified signals intelligence related to adversaries along with providing sea-based nuclear deterrence with the presence of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-says-silence-is-complicity-in-his-call-to-denounce-anti-semitism-539736">Joe Biden says 'silence is complicity' in his call to denounce anti-semitism</a> 
 
In a statement, Commander of US Strategic Command Adm Charles Richard said: “Every operational plan rests on the assumption that nuclear deterrence is holding, and (ballistic missile submarines) like West Virginia are vital to a credible nuclear deterrence for the United States and our allies.” 
 
As per the official, a standard submarine patrol lasts for 10 to 12 weeks and it can be extended by many weeks by switching out the crew.

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In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment.

In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment. The Navy, in its message, revealed the USS West Virginia's docking in the Indian Ocean and its visit to the port from October 25 to 31. When Navy submarines are at sea, their specific movements remain highly classified, so the submarines would have got the required time to transit to a different location in the Indian Ocean because of the delayed announcement. ALSO READ| China unwilling to allow 'effective' foreign COVID vaccine despite the protests: US As per a military official, the importance of publicising the USS West Virginia's port call is to relay a message to its potential allies as well as adversaries. “They should take from this that a ballistic missile submarine which is undetectable can operate in any ocean for an extended period,” said the official. Both the US and British forces use Diego Garcia, which is a highly militarised island, located in the south of the equator. The nuclear-missile-equipped submarine's remote location helped it in ensuring that the 150-person crew remains unobserved by outsiders and the operations of the submarine remain a secret, allowing it to dock in the region for a longer duration. The official did not clarify if the message was aimed at Russia, North Korea or China, however, it is known for a fact that the US submarines' underwater stealth is critical to collecting highly classified signals intelligence related to adversaries along with providing sea-based nuclear deterrence with the presence of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles. ALSO READ| Joe Biden says 'silence is complicity' in his call to denounce anti-semitism In a statement, Commander of US Strategic Command Adm Charles Richard said: “Every operational plan rests on the assumption that nuclear deterrence is holding, and (ballistic missile submarines) like West Virginia are vital to a credible nuclear deterrence for the United States and our allies.” As per the official, a standard submarine patrol lasts for 10 to 12 weeks and it can be extended by many weeks by switching out the crew.

US Navy shows its prowess, shares submarine’s ‘undetected’ port visit, docking in Indian Ocean

Ahead of the Communist Party Congress, China has released video footage of its latest nuclear-powered submarine. Is Beijing flexing its nuclear power ahead of Xi Jinping's term extension? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: China reveals new nuclear submarine ahead of Congress

Kyiv has turned the thought of the war in Ukraine in the early days of September. It’s been over a month, since the Ukrainian forces began pressing ahead with their advances in the east.

'Poseidon': Russia's weapon of apocalypse, NATO concerned over submarine

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military.&nbsp;

According to the official statement from the South Korean military, the one-day training involving the three nations was aimed at creating defenses against North Korea’s strategy to fire missiles from submarines. In the recent past, North Korea has added bigger submarines to its arsenal.&nbsp;

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Besides the bigger and more advanced submarines, North Korea has also been testing specific missiles which are capable of being fired from underwater. As a result, the training focused on tracking and neutralising the threat posed by submarines which are sometimes hard to spot on the radars.&nbsp;

The official statement from the United States military said that the training involved the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as well as the US, South Korean, and Japanese destroyers.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-recognises-independence-of-two-ukraine-regions-521040">Putin recognises independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions</a>

“We will respond and neutralize any forms of North Korean provocations in an overwhelming and decisive manner,” Capt. Cho, Chung-Ho, commander of South Korean navy troops, said in a statement.&nbsp;

On Thursday, North Korea tested five ballistic missiles with US Vice President Kamala Harris visiting South Korea as part of her Asian tour. During her visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, she said, “In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship.”&nbsp;

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military.

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military. According to the official statement from the South Korean military, the one-day training involving the three nations was aimed at creating defenses against North Korea’s strategy to fire missiles from submarines. In the recent past, North Korea has added bigger submarines to its arsenal. Also read | Death toll remains uncertain as Hurricane Ian causes devastation in Florida Besides the bigger and more advanced submarines, North Korea has also been testing specific missiles which are capable of being fired from underwater. As a result, the training focused on tracking and neutralising the threat posed by submarines which are sometimes hard to spot on the radars. The official statement from the United States military said that the training involved the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as well as the US, South Korean, and Japanese destroyers. Also read | Putin recognises independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions “We will respond and neutralize any forms of North Korean provocations in an overwhelming and decisive manner,” Capt. Cho, Chung-Ho, commander of South Korean navy troops, said in a statement. On Thursday, North Korea tested five ballistic missiles with US Vice President Kamala Harris visiting South Korea as part of her Asian tour. During her visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, she said, “In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship.”

United States, South Korea and Japan conduct trilateral anti-submarine drills

The keel laying of the first anti-submarine warfare shallow craft (ASW SWC) was undertaken at the government-run Cochin shipyard Limited in southern India. In simple terms, the keel laying of a ship marks the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. Once built and formally commissioned into the Indian navy, this vessel (temporarily designated as BY523) will undertake sub-surface surveillance in coastal areas with the purpose of detecting and neutralising underwater threats.&nbsp;

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Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, CWP&amp;A, appreciated the shipbuilder Cochin shipyard's efforts in achieving the milestone, despite Covid constraints and resultant lockdowns. Further, he highlighted that the construction of these vessels is a major boost for the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and the 'Make in India’ commitment. The Chief Guest indicated that keel laying is a major milestone activity in the shipbuilding process and paves way for amalgamation of various blocks towards a fully constructed ship.

During the address, Chairman and Managing Direftke CSL, highlighted that despite several challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic during execution of this complex shipbuilding project, the shipyard has ensured continuous production of ships through innovative solutions. He thanked the Indian Navy for their unstinted support and reiterated the shipyard’s commitment to deliver quality ships on time.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-counter-attack-taiwan-warns-china-if-it-breaches-airspace-territorial-waters-511724" hreflang="en">'Will counter-attack': Taiwan warns China amid escalating tensions</a>

Notably, the CSL has also built India's most complex and expensive warship , the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant , which is to be Commisioned into the Indian navy on Friday, September 2nd.

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The keel laying of the first anti-submarine warfare shallow craft (ASW SWC) was undertaken at the government-run Cochin shipyard Limited in southern India. In simple terms, the keel laying of a ship marks the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction.

The keel laying of the first anti-submarine warfare shallow craft (ASW SWC) was undertaken at the government-run Cochin shipyard Limited in southern India. In simple terms, the keel laying of a ship marks the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. Once built and formally commissioned into the Indian navy, this vessel (temporarily designated as BY523) will undertake sub-surface surveillance in coastal areas with the purpose of detecting and neutralising underwater threats. Also read | Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet president who ended cold war, dies aged 91 Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, CWP&A, appreciated the shipbuilder Cochin shipyard's efforts in achieving the milestone, despite Covid constraints and resultant lockdowns. Further, he highlighted that the construction of these vessels is a major boost for the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and the 'Make in India’ commitment. The Chief Guest indicated that keel laying is a major milestone activity in the shipbuilding process and paves way for amalgamation of various blocks towards a fully constructed ship. During the address, Chairman and Managing Direftke CSL, highlighted that despite several challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic during execution of this complex shipbuilding project, the shipyard has ensured continuous production of ships through innovative solutions. He thanked the Indian Navy for their unstinted support and reiterated the shipyard’s commitment to deliver quality ships on time. Also read | 'Will counter-attack': Taiwan warns China amid escalating tensions Notably, the CSL has also built India's most complex and expensive warship , the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant , which is to be Commisioned into the Indian navy on Friday, September 2nd. WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Construction of 1st anti-submarine warfare craft begins at India's Cochin shipyard

To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.58 million)settlement, a move Canberra hopes will help repair the rift between the two countries.

Australia last year cancelled a multi-billion-dollar order for submarines with the French military shipyard Naval Group and opted instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain.

The move enraged Paris and triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday in a news conference in Sydney that his government had reached a "fair and equitable" settlement with the Naval Group.

The cancellation last year of Canberra's order for a new conventional submarine fleet with Naval Group - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - came after the previous government signed a trilateral security partnership with the United States and Britain.&nbsp;

The trilateral deal was for a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology.&nbsp;

Albanese said the settlement would allow Australia to move forward in its relationship with France.

"Given the gravity of the challenges that we face both in the region and globally, it is essential that Australia and France once again unite to defend our shared principles and interests," Albanese said in a separate statement.&nbsp;

Australia, the United States, France and its partners have all expressed concern about China's growing influence in the Pacific, a region that has traditionally been under their sway. Their concerns increased after China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact earlier in the year.

"We deeply respect France’s role and active engagement in the Indo-Pacific," Albanese said.&nbsp; 
He added he was looking forward to taking up French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit Paris.

[with inputs from agencies]

 
&nbsp;

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To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.

To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.58 million)settlement, a move Canberra hopes will help repair the rift between the two countries. Australia last year cancelled a multi-billion-dollar order for submarines with the French military shipyard Naval Group and opted instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain. The move enraged Paris and triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday in a news conference in Sydney that his government had reached a "fair and equitable" settlement with the Naval Group. The cancellation last year of Canberra's order for a new conventional submarine fleet with Naval Group - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - came after the previous government signed a trilateral security partnership with the United States and Britain. The trilateral deal was for a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology. Albanese said the settlement would allow Australia to move forward in its relationship with France. "Given the gravity of the challenges that we face both in the region and globally, it is essential that Australia and France once again unite to defend our shared principles and interests," Albanese said in a separate statement. Australia, the United States, France and its partners have all expressed concern about China's growing influence in the Pacific, a region that has traditionally been under their sway. Their concerns increased after China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact earlier in the year. "We deeply respect France’s role and active engagement in the Indo-Pacific," Albanese said. He added he was looking forward to taking up French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit Paris. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia-France reach 555 million euro settlement deal

Imagine a wedding underwater at a depth of 200 meters with 120 guests in a spacious submarine which includes crew and staff.

The UWEP (Under Water Entertainment Platform) offers a Michelin-star restaurant complete with a casino along with a conference space as a unique wedding destination.

<img alt="UWEP Submarine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d608362b-76e0-4406-b515-dbc8ad21a947" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/U2_1.JPG" />

(Photo courtesy:&nbsp;u-boat worx)

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/covid-fails-to-deter-luxury-sector-454713">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/covid-fails-to-deter-luxury-sector-454713" hreflang="en">Covid fails to deter luxury sector</a>

In fact, the submarine can also host corporate meetings and social events - all underwater. The submarine can stay afloat underwater for up to 18 hours.

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(Photo courtesy:&nbsp;u-boat worx)

Watch:&nbsp;Why luxury brands are celebrating Macron's big win in France?

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It also has a "sundeck" where guests can enjoy the sunset. It has fourteen windows which provide a ringside view of the underwater world along with exterior lights to illuminate the surroundings.

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The new class of submarine&nbsp;is battery operated with luxury washrooms.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Imagine a wedding underwater at a depth of 200 meters with 120 guests in a spacious submarine which includes crew and staff. The UWEP (Under Water Entertainment Platform) offers a Michelin-star restaurant complete with a casino along with a conference space as a unique wedding destination.

Imagine a wedding underwater at a depth of 200 meters with 120 guests in a spacious submarine which includes crew and staff. The UWEP (Under Water Entertainment Platform) offers a Michelin-star restaurant complete with a casino along with a conference space as a unique wedding destination. (Photo courtesy: u-boat worx) Also Read: Covid fails to deter luxury sector In fact, the submarine can also host corporate meetings and social events - all underwater. The submarine can stay afloat underwater for up to 18 hours. (Photo courtesy: u-boat worx) Watch: Why luxury brands are celebrating Macron's big win in France? It also has a "sundeck" where guests can enjoy the sunset. It has fourteen windows which provide a ringside view of the underwater world along with exterior lights to illuminate the surroundings. (Photo courtesy: u-boat worx) The new class of submarine is battery operated with luxury washrooms. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Underwater wedding destination: Luxury submarine with restaurant & casino

Satellite images of a vessel in Chinese shipyard have experts believe that China is developing a new or upgraded class of nuclear-powered attack submarine. Though it is not absolutely clear whether the submarine seen in the satellite images is a new model or an upgrade, the development is being watched closely, especially after Pentagon's warning in November last year.

Pentagon had said in its report that China was likely to develop a new attack submarine with vertical launch tubes for cruise missiles.

Images obtained by Reuters from private satellite imagery provider Planet Labs and others circulating on social media show the submarine in a dry dock in Huludao Port in Liaoning province.

The satellite images show green covers shrouding areas behind its superstructure and stern. These are parts of the vessel that can host missile launch tubes and a new, quieter propulsion system

The submarine was out of the water between April 24 and May 4, and was later seen mostly submerged in the same place after the dry dock was flooded.

Reuters quoted Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh who said there was a great deal of interest in the prospect of a new class of Chinese Type 093 "hunter-killer" submarine with vertical launch tubes for guided missiles. But he said the recent satellite images were too limited to definitively identify the vessel.

The images "are very interesting but it is still very hard to be sure yet whether we are looking at some kind of refit for testing or a whole new class of submarine," said Koh, of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Koh said he and others were watching closely to see whether new Chinese submarines would shift to quieter pump-jets instead of conventional propellers for propulsion. Because the stern is shrouded, it is not possible to tell what sort of propulsion the ship in the image uses.

Vertical launch tubes would add considerable flexibility to China's "hunter killer" submarine fleet, arming the vessels with more guided missiles.

The Chinese Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Satellite images of a vessel in Chinese shipyard have experts believe that China is developing a new or upgraded class of nuclear-powered attack submarine. Though it is not absolutely clear whether the submarine seen in the satellite images is a new model or an upgrade, the development is being watched closely, especially after Pentagon's warning in November last year.

Satellite images of a vessel in Chinese shipyard have experts believe that China is developing a new or upgraded class of nuclear-powered attack submarine. Though it is not absolutely clear whether the submarine seen in the satellite images is a new model or an upgrade, the development is being watched closely, especially after Pentagon's warning in November last year. Pentagon had said in its report that China was likely to develop a new attack submarine with vertical launch tubes for cruise missiles. Images obtained by Reuters from private satellite imagery provider Planet Labs and others circulating on social media show the submarine in a dry dock in Huludao Port in Liaoning province. The satellite images show green covers shrouding areas behind its superstructure and stern. These are parts of the vessel that can host missile launch tubes and a new, quieter propulsion system The submarine was out of the water between April 24 and May 4, and was later seen mostly submerged in the same place after the dry dock was flooded. Reuters quoted Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh who said there was a great deal of interest in the prospect of a new class of Chinese Type 093 "hunter-killer" submarine with vertical launch tubes for guided missiles. But he said the recent satellite images were too limited to definitively identify the vessel. The images "are very interesting but it is still very hard to be sure yet whether we are looking at some kind of refit for testing or a whole new class of submarine," said Koh, of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Koh said he and others were watching closely to see whether new Chinese submarines would shift to quieter pump-jets instead of conventional propellers for propulsion. Because the stern is shrouded, it is not possible to tell what sort of propulsion the ship in the image uses. Vertical launch tubes would add considerable flexibility to China's "hunter killer" submarine fleet, arming the vessels with more guided missiles. The Chinese Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Is China developing new, more advanced submarine? Experts observe satellite images

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific. &nbsp;

Russia has said that a naval vessel of the country chased away a US submarine in its waters in the Pacific. But the United States denied carrying out any military operations in the territorial waters of Russia on Saturday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-will-respond-decisively-if-ukraine-invasion-occurs-biden-tells-putin-452818" hreflang="en">West will respond decisively if Ukraine invasion occurs, Biden tells Putin</a>

Russia has accused the US of breaking international law and creating a national security threat over the incident. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes as the tensions are rife between Moscow and Washington over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine.&nbsp;

A Russian naval vessel chased away a US submarine in Russian waters in the Pacific. This happened after the sub ignored the orders of the ship to surface, Interfax news agency reported citing the Russian Defence Ministry. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-tells-allies-russia-may-attack-ukraine-on-february-16-reports-452685">Biden tells allies Russia may attack Ukraine on February 16: Reports</a>

In a statement, Captain Kyle Raines, a US military spokesman, said, "There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters. I will not comment on the precise location of our submarines but we do fly, sail, and operate safely in international waters." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific.

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific. Russia has said that a naval vessel of the country chased away a US submarine in its waters in the Pacific. But the United States denied carrying out any military operations in the territorial waters of Russia on Saturday. Also Read: West will respond decisively if Ukraine invasion occurs, Biden tells Putin Russia has accused the US of breaking international law and creating a national security threat over the incident. This comes as the tensions are rife between Moscow and Washington over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine. A Russian naval vessel chased away a US submarine in Russian waters in the Pacific. This happened after the sub ignored the orders of the ship to surface, Interfax news agency reported citing the Russian Defence Ministry. Also Read | Biden tells allies Russia may attack Ukraine on February 16: Reports In a statement, Captain Kyle Raines, a US military spokesman, said, "There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters. I will not comment on the precise location of our submarines but we do fly, sail, and operate safely in international waters." (With inputs from agencies)

Did US submarine enter Russian territorial waters in Pacific? Accusations, claims continue

In a rare event, a Russian submarine, which was being tracked by a UK naval warship on patrol in the North Atlantic over a year ago, had hit a sonar the vessel it was towing, said the UK Ministry of Defence. &nbsp;

In a statement on Thursday, a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, "In late 2020, a Russian submarine being tracked by HMS Northumberland came into contact with her towed array sonar." &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-progress-with-russia-so-long-as-gun-to-ukraines-head-blinken-442529" hreflang="en">No progress with Russia so long as 'gun to Ukraine's head': Blinken</a>

The statement said, "The Royal Navy regularly tracks foreign ships and submarines in order to ensure the defence of the United Kingdom." &nbsp;

A towed array sonar is a sensor, which is spooled out by a ship on deployment. &nbsp;

The HMS Northumberland had carried out a "vital mission to protect UK waters and the nation's nuclear deterrent" in 2020, as per the British Royal Navy. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-uk-battles-omicron-wave-1-in-15-infected-with-covid-19-in-england-442603" hreflang="en">As UK battles Omicron wave, 1 in 15 infected with COVID-19 in England</a>

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin had earlier inaugurated the building of new nuclear submarines and other warships as part of a broad military modernisation effort amid tensions with the West. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The event, which is a mix of war drills and an arms display, was intended to highlight Russian military weapons and lure foreign buyers. King Abdullah II of Jordan, for example, was among those present. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a rare event, a Russian submarine, which was being tracked by a UK naval warship on patrol in the North Atlantic over a year ago, had hit a sonar the vessel it was towing, said the UK Ministry of Defence.

In a rare event, a Russian submarine, which was being tracked by a UK naval warship on patrol in the North Atlantic over a year ago, had hit a sonar the vessel it was towing, said the UK Ministry of Defence. In a statement on Thursday, a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, "In late 2020, a Russian submarine being tracked by HMS Northumberland came into contact with her towed array sonar." Also Read | No progress with Russia so long as 'gun to Ukraine's head': Blinken The statement said, "The Royal Navy regularly tracks foreign ships and submarines in order to ensure the defence of the United Kingdom." A towed array sonar is a sensor, which is spooled out by a ship on deployment. The HMS Northumberland had carried out a "vital mission to protect UK waters and the nation's nuclear deterrent" in 2020, as per the British Royal Navy. Also Read: As UK battles Omicron wave, 1 in 15 infected with COVID-19 in England Meanwhile, Russian President Putin had earlier inaugurated the building of new nuclear submarines and other warships as part of a broad military modernisation effort amid tensions with the West. The event, which is a mix of war drills and an arms display, was intended to highlight Russian military weapons and lure foreign buyers. King Abdullah II of Jordan, for example, was among those present. (With inputs from agencies)

In rare event, Russian submarine collided with UK warship as it towed array sonar

Greek divers have discovered the wreckage of an Italian submarine 80 years after it was sunk by the Allied Forces in the Aegean Sea during World War II.

Greek divers discover Italian World War II submarine wreck

French warship has dogged in Ukrainian port. The visit by the French anti-submarine frigate is significant as it comes amid escalating tensions with Russia.

French warship visits Ukrainian port amid escalating tensions with Russia

Russian Defence Ministry has published images showing launch of a missile from newest Russian diesel submarine. The Russian submarine has successfully launched a Kalibr cruise missile from the Sea of Japan at a target more than 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) away, located at a Russian training ground onshore.

Russian submarine launches Kalibr cruise missile from the Sea of Japan

Russia test fires new cruise missiles

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast.

The government, the audience was told, planned to build a test version of a small nuclear reactor at a new atomic research complex — the country’s largest ever — that is under construction in the village of Gampo. The modular reactor, to be completed by 2027, would be similar to those that power seagoing vessels like icebreakers and container ships.

But that may not be the only ambition for this advanced technology. The project, nuclear experts say, could potentially allow South Korea to fulfill a long-held dream of developing a nuclear-powered submarine. It is something that its most powerful ally, the United States, has opposed for decades.

In September, Australia announced that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British help as the allies seek to balance out China’s growing military power. For South Korea, however, any such partnership has been off-limits for nearly 50 years under the terms of a treaty with Washington that blocks it from using nuclear materials for military purposes.

President Moon Jae-in’s government has been arguing for removing the prohibition, saying building nuclear submarines is crucial to countering North Korea’s ambitions to do the same. The sense of urgency has grown as the North’s progress has deepened concerns about South Korea’s preparedness. The North has tested a series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles in recent years and announced in January that it was working on a nuclear submarine design.

“There will be no better way of chasing, monitoring and deterring North Korean nuclear submarines than by deploying our own nuclear submarines,” said Moon Keun-sik, a retired navy captain who headed an earlier attempt by South Korea to build nuclear-powered subs. “We cannot depend on the United States to do it for us.”

The South Korean reactor project comes amid growing fears of an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by the superpower conflict between China and the United States. On Monday, Australia announced a military deal with South Korea that was called the largest ever between Australia and an Asian nation.

On the nuclear power front, South Korea is not the only country developing what are known as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a carbon-free source of power. But its project, the Advanced Reactor for Multiple Applications, has drawn special attention.

Lim Chae-young, who headed the reactor project at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, or KAERI, said that “we are not building it with a submarine in mind.” Still, the reactor’s 70-megawatt output is similar to that of early US&nbsp;submarine reactors and would be enough to power South Korea’s next-generation 4,000-ton submarines, said Bryan Clark, a submarine expert at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

The country operates 24 nuclear reactors, which produce 29 per cent of its electricity. It has also built 21 submarines since the early 1990s. But all these vessels are propelled by batteries charged with diesel engines and must surface frequently to get fuel or air for their engines. Nuclear-powered subs can stay underwater for months at a stretch and can move much faster.

South Korea’s first attempt to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, under a covert task force known as 362 that was launched in 2003, was cut short amid controversy.

Moon Keun-sik headed the task force. By 2004, it had finished a basic design of a submarine reactor with Russian help, according to Kim Si-hwan, who worked on the project as a researcher at the Korean atomic energy institute.

The institute’s technical cooperation with Russia on small reactors goes as far back as 1995. In its 2017 annual report, OKBM Afrikantov, a Russian company that makes reactors for submarines, icebreakers and floating power plants, reported “continued discussion with KAERI on cooperation under the integral reactor project.”

The covert project was abandoned in 2004 after the discovery that the institute’s scientists had secretly enriched uranium in 2000, dabbling in a technology used to make nuclear weapons.

But South Korea has never abandoned its hopes, with the hurdles long being diplomatic, not technological. In 2016, the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative said that, if an arms race broke out in Asia, “both Japan and South Korea are capable of building nuclear-powered submarines or surface vessels.”

When Moon Jae-in was campaigning for office a year later, he declared, “It’s time for us to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.”

Shortly after his inauguration in 2017, he asked Washington to help solve the problem of the 1972 treaty, which South Korea had agreed to in exchange for US help in building a nuclear power industry.

According to Moon Chung-in, a former special adviser to Moon, President Donald Trump made a surprising suggestion: Why didn’t South Korea just buy American nuclear submarines? But Washington never followed up on this, nor did it help South Korea secure nuclear fuel for submarines, because of proliferation concerns.

“Without enriched uranium fuel, South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine, even if it was built, would be nothing but an empty shell,” said Lee Byong-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea.

Moon’s office declined to comment.

Last year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it would build six more submarines, the first three powered by lithium-ion batteries. It did not clarify the power source for the other three 4,000-ton submarines. But Kim Hyun-chong, who at the time was a deputy national security adviser for Moon, said South Korea’s next generation of submarines would be nuclear-powered.

The advanced reactor that South Korea is developing uses 19.75&nbsp;per cent enriched uranium for fuel, while commercial nuclear power plants use uranium enriched at less than 5 per cent. Although 19.75&nbsp;per cent enriched fuel is not unusual for small modular reactors under development, uranium with a similar level of enrichment has also been used to fuel some of the world’s nuclear submarines.

“It could be for commercial or other marine purposes, but it is a very plausible basis for developing a nuclear-powered submarine, and the higher level of enriched fuel is a fairly strong indicator of that possibility,” said Toby Dalton, a co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Not everyone thinks that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines.

Clark said diesel-electric submarines were generally smaller, quieter and less costly than nuclear ones, making them suitable for short-range regional operations, such as patrolling littoral waters around the Korean Peninsula. “Seoul has more important capabilities to spend its money on,” he said.

Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for Moon’s governing party in the presidential election in March, has yet to announce his stance on the matter. Yoon Suk-yeol, the main opposition candidate, said he would give priority to improving South Korea’s satellite and airborne surveillance against North Korea, rather than investing in a nuclear submarine.

“I don’t think we need it right now,” Yoon said.

But calls for nuclear subs persist.

“If North Korea builds nuclear submarines, it will be a game-changer,” said Yoon Suk-joon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. “The best way to deal with them is to have our own nuclear subs lurk near a North Korean submarine base, for months if necessary, and follow them when they come out.”

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast.

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast. The government, the audience was told, planned to build a test version of a small nuclear reactor at a new atomic research complex — the country’s largest ever — that is under construction in the village of Gampo. The modular reactor, to be completed by 2027, would be similar to those that power seagoing vessels like icebreakers and container ships. But that may not be the only ambition for this advanced technology. The project, nuclear experts say, could potentially allow South Korea to fulfill a long-held dream of developing a nuclear-powered submarine. It is something that its most powerful ally, the United States, has opposed for decades. In September, Australia announced that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British help as the allies seek to balance out China’s growing military power. For South Korea, however, any such partnership has been off-limits for nearly 50 years under the terms of a treaty with Washington that blocks it from using nuclear materials for military purposes. President Moon Jae-in’s government has been arguing for removing the prohibition, saying building nuclear submarines is crucial to countering North Korea’s ambitions to do the same. The sense of urgency has grown as the North’s progress has deepened concerns about South Korea’s preparedness. The North has tested a series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles in recent years and announced in January that it was working on a nuclear submarine design. “There will be no better way of chasing, monitoring and deterring North Korean nuclear submarines than by deploying our own nuclear submarines,” said Moon Keun-sik, a retired navy captain who headed an earlier attempt by South Korea to build nuclear-powered subs. “We cannot depend on the United States to do it for us.” The South Korean reactor project comes amid growing fears of an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by the superpower conflict between China and the United States. On Monday, Australia announced a military deal with South Korea that was called the largest ever between Australia and an Asian nation. On the nuclear power front, South Korea is not the only country developing what are known as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a carbon-free source of power. But its project, the Advanced Reactor for Multiple Applications, has drawn special attention. Lim Chae-young, who headed the reactor project at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, or KAERI, said that “we are not building it with a submarine in mind.” Still, the reactor’s 70-megawatt output is similar to that of early US submarine reactors and would be enough to power South Korea’s next-generation 4,000-ton submarines, said Bryan Clark, a submarine expert at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank. The country operates 24 nuclear reactors, which produce 29 per cent of its electricity. It has also built 21 submarines since the early 1990s. But all these vessels are propelled by batteries charged with diesel engines and must surface frequently to get fuel or air for their engines. Nuclear-powered subs can stay underwater for months at a stretch and can move much faster. South Korea’s first attempt to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, under a covert task force known as 362 that was launched in 2003, was cut short amid controversy. Moon Keun-sik headed the task force. By 2004, it had finished a basic design of a submarine reactor with Russian help, according to Kim Si-hwan, who worked on the project as a researcher at the Korean atomic energy institute. The institute’s technical cooperation with Russia on small reactors goes as far back as 1995. In its 2017 annual report, OKBM Afrikantov, a Russian company that makes reactors for submarines, icebreakers and floating power plants, reported “continued discussion with KAERI on cooperation under the integral reactor project.” The covert project was abandoned in 2004 after the discovery that the institute’s scientists had secretly enriched uranium in 2000, dabbling in a technology used to make nuclear weapons. But South Korea has never abandoned its hopes, with the hurdles long being diplomatic, not technological. In 2016, the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative said that, if an arms race broke out in Asia, “both Japan and South Korea are capable of building nuclear-powered submarines or surface vessels.” When Moon Jae-in was campaigning for office a year later, he declared, “It’s time for us to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.” Shortly after his inauguration in 2017, he asked Washington to help solve the problem of the 1972 treaty, which South Korea had agreed to in exchange for US help in building a nuclear power industry. According to Moon Chung-in, a former special adviser to Moon, President Donald Trump made a surprising suggestion: Why didn’t South Korea just buy American nuclear submarines? But Washington never followed up on this, nor did it help South Korea secure nuclear fuel for submarines, because of proliferation concerns. “Without enriched uranium fuel, South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine, even if it was built, would be nothing but an empty shell,” said Lee Byong-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea. Moon’s office declined to comment. Last year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it would build six more submarines, the first three powered by lithium-ion batteries. It did not clarify the power source for the other three 4,000-ton submarines. But Kim Hyun-chong, who at the time was a deputy national security adviser for Moon, said South Korea’s next generation of submarines would be nuclear-powered. The advanced reactor that South Korea is developing uses 19.75 per cent enriched uranium for fuel, while commercial nuclear power plants use uranium enriched at less than 5 per cent. Although 19.75 per cent enriched fuel is not unusual for small modular reactors under development, uranium with a similar level of enrichment has also been used to fuel some of the world’s nuclear submarines. “It could be for commercial or other marine purposes, but it is a very plausible basis for developing a nuclear-powered submarine, and the higher level of enriched fuel is a fairly strong indicator of that possibility,” said Toby Dalton, a co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Not everyone thinks that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines. Clark said diesel-electric submarines were generally smaller, quieter and less costly than nuclear ones, making them suitable for short-range regional operations, such as patrolling littoral waters around the Korean Peninsula. “Seoul has more important capabilities to spend its money on,” he said. Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for Moon’s governing party in the presidential election in March, has yet to announce his stance on the matter. Yoon Suk-yeol, the main opposition candidate, said he would give priority to improving South Korea’s satellite and airborne surveillance against North Korea, rather than investing in a nuclear submarine. “I don’t think we need it right now,” Yoon said. But calls for nuclear subs persist. “If North Korea builds nuclear submarines, it will be a game-changer,” said Yoon Suk-joon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. “The best way to deal with them is to have our own nuclear subs lurk near a North Korean submarine base, for months if necessary, and follow them when they come out.”

South Korea has long wanted nuclear subs. A new reactor could open a door.

A renewed spike in Chinese airforce activities fuel Taiwan's fears of invasion by China but Taiwan says it is capable of responding as the country is also constructing an underwater fleet, 7 allies and Taipei in weapon building.

Taiwan gears up to stave off China's invasion

France's ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, said on Wednesday that Australia acted with deceit when it abruptly cancelled a multi-billion dollar deal with Paris to build a fleet of submarines.

"The deceit was intentional," Thebault told media in Canberra on Wednesday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/newcomer-republican-glenn-youngkin-set-to-win-race-for-virginia-governor-us-media-426354">Newcomer Republican Glenn Youngkin set to win race for Virginia governor: US media</a>

"And because there was far more at stake than providing submarines, because it was a common agreement on sovereignty, sealed with the transmission of highly classified data, the way it was handled was a stab in the back."

Australia in September cancelled a deal with France's Naval Group, opting instead to build at least 12 nuclear-powered submarines in a deal with the United States and Britain.

The new alliance, dubbed AUKUS, is designed to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.

The decision has caused a major bilateral rift, with France recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the United States in protest. Thebault returned to Canberra last month and the speech on Wednesday is the first time he has spoken publicly on the bilateral relationship.

"These are not things which are done between partners - even less between friends," said Thebault, who added that the French government had no gripe with the people of Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to refute Thebaults comments when speaking on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates en route from the UN COP26 climate summit.

"Claims were made and claims were refuted, what is needed now is for us to move on," Morrison told reporters.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-could-phase-out-coal-by-2040-with-financial-help-says-finance-minister-426322">Indonesia could phase out coal by 2040 with financial help, says finance minister</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said Morrison had lied to him about Canberra's intentions. 
Morrison has denied the claim. He said he had previously explained to Macron that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia's needs.

Morrison and Macron spoke last week before the Australian leader publicly sought a handshake with his French counterpart at the G20 meeting.

The destabilisation of the usually close diplomatic relations between the two nations now threatens to spill over into trade consequences.

The European Union has twice postponed a planned round of free trade talks with Australia. In solidarity with France, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen questioned whether the bloc could strike a trade deal with Australia.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-aviation-regulator-warns-of-potential-interference-from-5g-spectrum-plan-426283">US aviation regulator warns of potential interference from 5G spectrum plan</a>

The relationship was tested further this week after Australian media published leaked messages between Morrison and Macron that attempted to counter France's claim that Australia did not give it sufficient warning that the contract would be cancelled.

Thebault said the leaking of the messages represented an "unprecedented new low" and he said that it sent a worrying signal to heads of state that confidential correspondence could one day be "weaponised against you".

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Macron was wrong to accuse Morrison of lying. 
"We had a major political leader call the prime minister of Australia a liar, and you can`t do that diplomatically," Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"This isn't some tin-pot nation in the middle of nowhere&nbsp;if a person calls you a liar, what are you going to do&nbsp;You have to defend it and say you are not."

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said last week that the handling of the new pact had been clumsy, adding that he had thought France had been informed of the contract cancellation before the new pact was announced.

France's ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, said on Wednesday that Australia acted with deceit when it abruptly cancelled a multi-billion dollar deal with Paris to build a fleet of submarines.

France's ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, said on Wednesday that Australia acted with deceit when it abruptly cancelled a multi-billion dollar deal with Paris to build a fleet of submarines. "The deceit was intentional," Thebault told media in Canberra on Wednesday. Also Read | Newcomer Republican Glenn Youngkin set to win race for Virginia governor: US media "And because there was far more at stake than providing submarines, because it was a common agreement on sovereignty, sealed with the transmission of highly classified data, the way it was handled was a stab in the back." Australia in September cancelled a deal with France's Naval Group, opting instead to build at least 12 nuclear-powered submarines in a deal with the United States and Britain. The new alliance, dubbed AUKUS, is designed to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. The decision has caused a major bilateral rift, with France recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the United States in protest. Thebault returned to Canberra last month and the speech on Wednesday is the first time he has spoken publicly on the bilateral relationship. "These are not things which are done between partners - even less between friends," said Thebault, who added that the French government had no gripe with the people of Australia. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to refute Thebaults comments when speaking on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates en route from the UN COP26 climate summit. "Claims were made and claims were refuted, what is needed now is for us to move on," Morrison told reporters. Also Read | Indonesia could phase out coal by 2040 with financial help, says finance minister French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said Morrison had lied to him about Canberra's intentions. Morrison has denied the claim. He said he had previously explained to Macron that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia's needs. Morrison and Macron spoke last week before the Australian leader publicly sought a handshake with his French counterpart at the G20 meeting. The destabilisation of the usually close diplomatic relations between the two nations now threatens to spill over into trade consequences. The European Union has twice postponed a planned round of free trade talks with Australia. In solidarity with France, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen questioned whether the bloc could strike a trade deal with Australia. Also Read | US aviation regulator warns of potential interference from 5G spectrum plan The relationship was tested further this week after Australian media published leaked messages between Morrison and Macron that attempted to counter France's claim that Australia did not give it sufficient warning that the contract would be cancelled. Thebault said the leaking of the messages represented an "unprecedented new low" and he said that it sent a worrying signal to heads of state that confidential correspondence could one day be "weaponised against you". Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Macron was wrong to accuse Morrison of lying. "We had a major political leader call the prime minister of Australia a liar, and you can`t do that diplomatically," Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "This isn't some tin-pot nation in the middle of nowhere if a person calls you a liar, what are you going to do You have to defend it and say you are not." US President Joe Biden said last week that the handling of the new pact had been clumsy, adding that he had thought France had been informed of the contract cancellation before the new pact was announced.

French ambassador accuses Australia of deceit over submarine deal

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar&nbsp;submarine contract. Macron said that more needs to be done to rebuild trust between the two countries.&nbsp;

Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, while speaking to the &nbsp;Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that defence was the nation's top priority and it had to take precedence over diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, Mr Joyce said, "It was a contract. We didn't steal an island. We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower."

When asked if Australia could have handled the situation better, he said, "In hindsight. You know, tomorrow the Melbourne Cup is on. If only I could put a bet on last year's one, I could make some money."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aukus-row-australian-prime-minister-lied-over-submarine-deal-says-french-president-425734">Also read |&nbsp;AUKUS row: Australian prime minister lied over submarine deal, says French president</a>

In Rome for the G20 summit, Macron and Morrison met for the first time since Australia scrapped a submarine deal with France while announcing a new security alliance with the US and the UK in September dubbed AUKUS.&nbsp;

The new security alliance looks to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines. The&nbsp;announcement caught France off guard and saw the ambassadors of the country recalled from Washington and Canberra amid escalating tension.&nbsp;

"I have a lot of respect for your country. I have a lot of respect and a lot of friendship for your people. I just say when we have respect, you have to be true and you have to behave in line and consistently with this value," the French president told a group of Australian reporters, who travelled to cover the G20.&nbsp;

Asked if he thought Australian PM lied to him, the president replied, "I don't think, I know."

(With inputs from Agencies)

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar submarine contract.

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar submarine contract. Macron said that more needs to be done to rebuild trust between the two countries. Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, while speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that defence was the nation's top priority and it had to take precedence over diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, Mr Joyce said, "It was a contract. We didn't steal an island. We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower." When asked if Australia could have handled the situation better, he said, "In hindsight. You know, tomorrow the Melbourne Cup is on. If only I could put a bet on last year's one, I could make some money." Also read | AUKUS row: Australian prime minister lied over submarine deal, says French president In Rome for the G20 summit, Macron and Morrison met for the first time since Australia scrapped a submarine deal with France while announcing a new security alliance with the US and the UK in September dubbed AUKUS. The new security alliance looks to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines. The announcement caught France off guard and saw the ambassadors of the country recalled from Washington and Canberra amid escalating tension. "I have a lot of respect for your country. I have a lot of respect and a lot of friendship for your people. I just say when we have respect, you have to be true and you have to behave in line and consistently with this value," the French president told a group of Australian reporters, who travelled to cover the G20. Asked if he thought Australian PM lied to him, the president replied, "I don't think, I know." (With inputs from Agencies)

'We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower': Australian deputy prime minister hits out at France in submarine row

Days after saying it doesn't want war, North Korea launched a submarine-based missile into the Sea of Japan. Tokyo says all options - including enemy base strikes are on the table. Palki Sharma gets you the latest on the Korean arms race.

Gravitas: North Korea tests submarine-launched missiles

In yet another baseless claim, the media and PR wing of Pakistan forces (formerly known as ISPR) have said that they have detected and tracked an Indian submarine in their water.

Pakistan claims Indian submarine detected, releases video to back claims

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours.

Later the post, visible only to friends, was updated with the word “*FOUND*.” And on that Saturday, Toebbe accompanied her husband, Jonathan, to south-central Pennsylvania.

Unbeknown to Diana Toebbe, she and her husband were being watched by the FBI as they left their home in Annapolis, Maryland. And the bureau’s agents continued to watch in Pennsylvania as Jonathan Toebbe removed from his shorts pocket a 32-gigabyte memory card hidden in a sealed Band-Aid wrapper, which he then, according to court papers, placed in a container set up by an undercover FBI operative.

The Toebbes, accused by the U.S. government of trying to sell some of America’s most closely guarded submarine propulsion secrets to a foreign government, are scheduled to appear in federal court in West Virginia on Tuesday. They will face charges related to violating the Atomic Energy Act’s prohibition on sharing nuclear know-how.

For now, the big questions surrounding the couple — what country they are accused of trying to sell the nuclear secrets to and what motivated them to take the risk — remain unanswered.

Jonathan Toebbe was described by acquaintances as a diligent and organized graduate student in nuclear physics who was commissioned in the Navy as an officer and expert in submarine propulsion. He continued as a civilian in the Navy after finishing his military service, considered by some a plum assignment for the most talented nuclear physicists.

Diana Toebbe was a 10-year veteran of the Key School, a progressive private school in Annapolis, where she taught history and English. There, according to parents, she was prone to talking about her doctorate in anthropology from Emory University and her love of knitting. She was a respected adviser, both formally and informally, at the school.

“You could just tell she was insanely smart,” said Craig Martien, 20, a 2019 graduate of Key School who worked closely with Toebbe on the yearbook and an after-school anthropology club. “She was very friendly and down-to-earth, and I got along with her very well.”

When Martien went off to Williams College, he brought along a toy squid that Toebbe had knitted. Like other Key graduates, Martien described her as a strong feminist and very liberal.

She was taken aback by the election of Donald Trump in 2016, he said, and mentioned several times that she was considering moving to Australia.

“She said she couldn’t stand the current state of politics and actually had found some job opportunities over there,” he said.

On social media platforms, Diana Toebbe shared photos of her dogs, her children, meals cooking on the stove, a family vacation and selfies — ordinary scenes of an ordinary life, one far different from the amateur cloak-and-dagger act portrayed in the FBI affidavit.

Having made contact with the as-yet undisclosed other country about providing submarine secrets, the Toebbes were reluctant to expose themselves in an in-person meeting, according to the narrative laid out in court documents by the FBI. But their apparent desire for cryptocurrency payments led them to agree to the undercover operative’s demand they deposit information in a dead drop location — a decision that ultimately exposed their identity to the FBI.

Evidence in the court documents suggests the foreign country the Toebbes allegedly tried to sell the information to was an ally, or at least something of a partner, since it cooperated with the FBI as the sting operation unfolded. While some experts speculated France could have been the target, French officials said they were not involved in the incident.

The hearing Tuesday will be short. So far as the government knows, neither Jonathan nor Diana Toebbe has a lawyer. Prosecutors asked the court Monday to hold Jonathan Toebbe rather than granting him bail, saying he could face life in prison and was a flight threat. The magistrate judge could also set a hearing date for the couple’s continued detention.

Public records searches turned up no signs of financial distress that could provide a motivation for them to try to sell U.S. secrets.

Yet the FBI affidavit portrayed the couple as willing to take risks for the promise of payments in a cryptocurrency called Monero.

In February, FBI agents, posing as a representative of the foreign country, proposed an in-person meeting. The response, which was signed “Alice,” a common place-holder name in military cryptography, wrote that “face to face meetings are very risky for me, as I am sure you understand,” according to the affidavit. The writer then proposed passing information electronically in exchange for $100,000 in the cryptocurrency.

“Please remember I am risking my life for your benefit and I have taken the first step. Please help me trust you fully,” the note to the undercover FBI agents read.

The FBI agents then pressed for a neutral drop location. The response came a few days later: “I am concerned that using a dead drop location your friend prepares makes me very vulnerable,” the note from “Alice” said, according to the affidavit. “If other interested parties are observing the location, I will be unable to detect them. I am not a professional, and do not have a team supporting me.”

The note went on to propose that the writer would choose a drop location for the encrypted files. The FBI agents responded that they would give first $10,000 then $20,000 in cryptocurrency at a drop location of their choosing.

“I am sorry to be so stubborn and untrusting, but I cannot agree to go to a location of your choosing,” the response from “Alice” said. “I must consider the possibility that l am communicating with an adversary who has intercepted my first message and is attempting to expose me.”

The writer next proposed that the country provide reassurance by sending a signal from its complex in Washington over Memorial Day weekend.

Writing from an encrypted Proton mail account, “Alice” said the signal had been received and agreed to drop the material at the location chosen by the undercover operative — a mistake in tradecraft, some experts said.

“It was somewhat surprising that someone who has studied submarine warfare follows the FBI’s direction to surface for these supposedly clandestine drop-offs,” said Michael Atkinson, a former inspector general for the intelligence community.

The willingness on the part of the country to convey the unspecified signal suggests its cooperation with the United States throughout the investigation. Atkinson said it was very unusual for a foreign country to allow its embassy or other facility to be used to send a signal to a suspect being pursued by the FBI.

Atkinson, now a partner at the law firm Crowell &amp; Moring, said a similar false flag operation by the FBI involving a government scientist trying to sell secrets to an ally resulted in a prison sentence of 13 years after a plea bargain.

At the Key School, where Diana Toebbe taught, and in their Annapolis neighborhood, colleagues, students and neighbors tried to process the arrest of the couple and the accusations against them.

Luke Koerschner, 20, a 2019 Key School graduate now at Michigan State University, was in Toebbe’s advisory group for four years. He described her as “very friendly and welcoming,” an outgoing teacher who loved to cheer on her students in the school’s cornhole tournaments.

Matthew Nespole, head of the Key School, said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn of the charges against the Toebbes and that the school “supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation.” The Key School placed Diana Toebbe on leave indefinitely.

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours.

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours. Later the post, visible only to friends, was updated with the word “*FOUND*.” And on that Saturday, Toebbe accompanied her husband, Jonathan, to south-central Pennsylvania. Unbeknown to Diana Toebbe, she and her husband were being watched by the FBI as they left their home in Annapolis, Maryland. And the bureau’s agents continued to watch in Pennsylvania as Jonathan Toebbe removed from his shorts pocket a 32-gigabyte memory card hidden in a sealed Band-Aid wrapper, which he then, according to court papers, placed in a container set up by an undercover FBI operative. The Toebbes, accused by the U.S. government of trying to sell some of America’s most closely guarded submarine propulsion secrets to a foreign government, are scheduled to appear in federal court in West Virginia on Tuesday. They will face charges related to violating the Atomic Energy Act’s prohibition on sharing nuclear know-how. For now, the big questions surrounding the couple — what country they are accused of trying to sell the nuclear secrets to and what motivated them to take the risk — remain unanswered. Jonathan Toebbe was described by acquaintances as a diligent and organized graduate student in nuclear physics who was commissioned in the Navy as an officer and expert in submarine propulsion. He continued as a civilian in the Navy after finishing his military service, considered by some a plum assignment for the most talented nuclear physicists. Diana Toebbe was a 10-year veteran of the Key School, a progressive private school in Annapolis, where she taught history and English. There, according to parents, she was prone to talking about her doctorate in anthropology from Emory University and her love of knitting. She was a respected adviser, both formally and informally, at the school. “You could just tell she was insanely smart,” said Craig Martien, 20, a 2019 graduate of Key School who worked closely with Toebbe on the yearbook and an after-school anthropology club. “She was very friendly and down-to-earth, and I got along with her very well.” When Martien went off to Williams College, he brought along a toy squid that Toebbe had knitted. Like other Key graduates, Martien described her as a strong feminist and very liberal. She was taken aback by the election of Donald Trump in 2016, he said, and mentioned several times that she was considering moving to Australia. “She said she couldn’t stand the current state of politics and actually had found some job opportunities over there,” he said. On social media platforms, Diana Toebbe shared photos of her dogs, her children, meals cooking on the stove, a family vacation and selfies — ordinary scenes of an ordinary life, one far different from the amateur cloak-and-dagger act portrayed in the FBI affidavit. Having made contact with the as-yet undisclosed other country about providing submarine secrets, the Toebbes were reluctant to expose themselves in an in-person meeting, according to the narrative laid out in court documents by the FBI. But their apparent desire for cryptocurrency payments led them to agree to the undercover operative’s demand they deposit information in a dead drop location — a decision that ultimately exposed their identity to the FBI. Evidence in the court documents suggests the foreign country the Toebbes allegedly tried to sell the information to was an ally, or at least something of a partner, since it cooperated with the FBI as the sting operation unfolded. While some experts speculated France could have been the target, French officials said they were not involved in the incident. The hearing Tuesday will be short. So far as the government knows, neither Jonathan nor Diana Toebbe has a lawyer. Prosecutors asked the court Monday to hold Jonathan Toebbe rather than granting him bail, saying he could face life in prison and was a flight threat. The magistrate judge could also set a hearing date for the couple’s continued detention. Public records searches turned up no signs of financial distress that could provide a motivation for them to try to sell U.S. secrets. Yet the FBI affidavit portrayed the couple as willing to take risks for the promise of payments in a cryptocurrency called Monero. In February, FBI agents, posing as a representative of the foreign country, proposed an in-person meeting. The response, which was signed “Alice,” a common place-holder name in military cryptography, wrote that “face to face meetings are very risky for me, as I am sure you understand,” according to the affidavit. The writer then proposed passing information electronically in exchange for $100,000 in the cryptocurrency. “Please remember I am risking my life for your benefit and I have taken the first step. Please help me trust you fully,” the note to the undercover FBI agents read. The FBI agents then pressed for a neutral drop location. The response came a few days later: “I am concerned that using a dead drop location your friend prepares makes me very vulnerable,” the note from “Alice” said, according to the affidavit. “If other interested parties are observing the location, I will be unable to detect them. I am not a professional, and do not have a team supporting me.” The note went on to propose that the writer would choose a drop location for the encrypted files. The FBI agents responded that they would give first $10,000 then $20,000 in cryptocurrency at a drop location of their choosing. “I am sorry to be so stubborn and untrusting, but I cannot agree to go to a location of your choosing,” the response from “Alice” said. “I must consider the possibility that l am communicating with an adversary who has intercepted my first message and is attempting to expose me.” The writer next proposed that the country provide reassurance by sending a signal from its complex in Washington over Memorial Day weekend. Writing from an encrypted Proton mail account, “Alice” said the signal had been received and agreed to drop the material at the location chosen by the undercover operative — a mistake in tradecraft, some experts said. “It was somewhat surprising that someone who has studied submarine warfare follows the FBI’s direction to surface for these supposedly clandestine drop-offs,” said Michael Atkinson, a former inspector general for the intelligence community. The willingness on the part of the country to convey the unspecified signal suggests its cooperation with the United States throughout the investigation. Atkinson said it was very unusual for a foreign country to allow its embassy or other facility to be used to send a signal to a suspect being pursued by the FBI. Atkinson, now a partner at the law firm Crowell & Moring, said a similar false flag operation by the FBI involving a government scientist trying to sell secrets to an ally resulted in a prison sentence of 13 years after a plea bargain. At the Key School, where Diana Toebbe taught, and in their Annapolis neighborhood, colleagues, students and neighbors tried to process the arrest of the couple and the accusations against them. Luke Koerschner, 20, a 2019 Key School graduate now at Michigan State University, was in Toebbe’s advisory group for four years. He described her as “very friendly and welcoming,” an outgoing teacher who loved to cheer on her students in the school’s cornhole tournaments. Matthew Nespole, head of the Key School, said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn of the charges against the Toebbes and that the school “supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation.” The Key School placed Diana Toebbe on leave indefinitely.

A babysitter and a band-aid wrapper: Inside the submarine spy case

A US Navy nuclear submarine hit an underwater, unidentified object while in South China Sea, as per news reports. However, the US Navy has chosen to say that the submarine was in 'Asia-Pacific region' when the incident took place.

The USS Connecticut, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, "struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region," the navy said in a statement as well as in tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement regarding <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USSConnecticut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USSConnecticut</a> (SSN 22): 
 
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USNavy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USNavy</a> Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine struck an object while submerged on Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. There are no life threatening injuries. 
 
More: <a href="https://t.co/2ojR5arcd4">https://t.co/2ojR5arcd4</a> <a href="https://t.co/VNSQI5XJet">pic.twitter.com/VNSQI5XJet</a>
— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) <a href="https://twitter.com/USPacificFleet/status/1446189911686582313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The navy said that there were no life-threatening injuries. USNI News, a site that specialises in navy news, said that about a dozen soldiers were hurt "with moderate to minor injuries." USNI News also said that the submarine was operating in South China Sea.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-troops-secretly-training-taiwanese-since-last-year-report-418966">US troops secretly training Taiwanese since last year: Report</a>

The navy said the extent of the damage is being examined and the incident investigated.&nbsp;

"The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational," it said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-eight-russians-from-its-mission-claiming-they-were-working-as-intelligence-officers-418899">NATO expels eight Russians from its mission, claiming they were working as intelligence officers</a>

South China Sea is the theatre witnessing increasingly assertive moves by China who claims that the entire water body comes within its territorial waters. The claim has been made using the so-called 'nine-dash line'. China has been building artificial islands and runways in South China Sea and has been assertively contesting claims by other smaller nations in the region. China faces international criticism for not allowing freedom of navigation in South China Sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

A US Navy nuclear submarine hit an underwater, unidentified object while in South China Sea, as per news reports. However, the US Navy has chosen to say that the submarine was in 'Asia-Pacific region' when the incident took place.

A US Navy nuclear submarine hit an underwater, unidentified object while in South China Sea, as per news reports. However, the US Navy has chosen to say that the submarine was in 'Asia-Pacific region' when the incident took place. The USS Connecticut, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, "struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region," the navy said in a statement as well as in tweet. Statement regarding #USSConnecticut (SSN 22): The #USNavy Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine struck an object while submerged on Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. There are no life threatening injuries. More: https://t.co/2ojR5arcd4 pic.twitter.com/VNSQI5XJet — U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) October 7, 2021 × The navy said that there were no life-threatening injuries. USNI News, a site that specialises in navy news, said that about a dozen soldiers were hurt "with moderate to minor injuries." USNI News also said that the submarine was operating in South China Sea. Also Read | US troops secretly training Taiwanese since last year: Report The navy said the extent of the damage is being examined and the incident investigated. "The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational," it said. Also Read | NATO expels eight Russians from its mission, claiming they were working as intelligence officers South China Sea is the theatre witnessing increasingly assertive moves by China who claims that the entire water body comes within its territorial waters. The claim has been made using the so-called 'nine-dash line'. China has been building artificial islands and runways in South China Sea and has been assertively contesting claims by other smaller nations in the region. China faces international criticism for not allowing freedom of navigation in South China Sea. (With inputs from agencies)

US Navy nuclear submarine hits underwater 'object' in South China Sea: Report

The quiet French coastal city of Cherbourg has suddenly become the epicenter of an international trade dispute. This after Australia revealed that it is scrapping the 40 billion dollar submarine border.

Stabbed in the back? Australia terminates $40 billion submarine deal with France

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