Responding to Trump administration's national security strategy based on Trump's 'America First' vision, singling out of China and Russia, China's defence ministry said the United States has created 'sensational hype' over China's military modernisation. China says its expansion of islets in the South China Sea is for peaceful purposes and no nation has the right to question it.
Congress begins analyses of Gujarat results
Congress began an exercise to analyse the electoral outcome at a three-day conclave that will be joined by party president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday. Rahul, who campaigned extensively in the state for the Assembly elections, will address a gathering after the 'chintan shivir'. The Congress performed well in rural areas of Gujarat but failed to make a significant mark in the urban pockets.
North Korean soldier defects to the South
South Korean military said a North Korean soldier defected through its military general outpost in the centre-western region during thick fog. The soldier escaped unhurt as no shots were fired at him. South Korean guards fired up to 20 warning shots at North Korean troops searching for the defected soldier. Two North Korean civilians found in a fishing boat have also sought to defect. The latest defections came about five weeks after a North Korean soldier suffered critical gunshot wounds during a dash across the border on November 13.
Catalonia goes to the polls for historic vote
Catalonia holds a regional election following dispute over independence from Spain. All indications are that the outcome will not solve the region's political crisis. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy hopes that people will reject separatists.
NASA to send probe to Titan or a comet
NASA announced the concepts for a solar system mission planned to launch in the mid-2020s after an extensive and competitive peer review process. The two concepts are a comet sample return mission and a drone-like rotorcraft that would explore potential landing sites on Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Both missions will receive funding through the end of 2018 to further develop and mature their concepts. The final choice between the two concepts will be made only in 2019.