Philippines cuts Chinese barrier and issues warning as row over disputed waters heats up

News Snapshot:

Tensions are growing between the Philippines and China as a dispute over a fiercely-contested fishing area in the South China Sea escalated on Tuesday. The Philippines has said it will not back down as Beijing attempts to block its fishermen from the shoal, with Beijing warning not to "cause trouble". But in an act described as a "special operation" by Manila, the Philippines on Monday cut a 300m (980ft) floating barrier installed by the Chinese. The Scarborough Shoal, the fishing spot about 200km (124 miles) off the Philippines coast and within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), has been a disputed...