First Aircraft Carrier Enters Service

It's a big day for China as the Asian nation's first-ever aircraft carrier is launched into service. The 300-meter carrier is actually a Soviet-era ship that was purchased from Ukraine and refitted in Liaoning—after which it was named. There are no operational aircraft aboard the carrier; it's being used for training right now, but the Chinese government intends for it to eventually be put to use to defend the country and its interests. The launch comes amid a dispute between China and Japan over some islands in the East China Sea, and Japan as well as other countries have recently expressed concern over China's growing Navy.