In 1942, in the first phase of the Battle of Java Sea, three Allied destroyers and a cruiser were sunk by the Japanese.

CNN: Friday,

They now have a breathing space of seven days in which to sue for peace before the next phase of the battle is due to start.

BBC: Scent of possible compromise

Even if this phase does mark an end to the fighting, civilians caught up in the battle still face a dicey future.

ECONOMIST: Sri Lanka