TRANSCRIPT:
- China launches 'strong punishment' military drills around Taiwan
- The International Court of Justice to rule on a demand for Israel to end Gaza war.
- Novak Djokovic celebrates a win in Geneva.
China has launched what it calls 'punishment' military drills around Taiwan in response to what it's labelled the island's 'separatist acts'.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army says the drills involving heavily armed warplanes are being conducted around the main island and will include Taiwanese islands close to China’s coast.
The action comes just three days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has been labelled a 'dangerous troublemaker' by Beijing.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Wenbin says Taiwan's independence is doomed to fail.
"All secessionist acts of Taiwan independence will be met with a head-on attack by the 1.4 billion Chinese people, and all separate forces of Taiwan independence will be shattered in the face in front of the unstoppable trend of China’s reunification."
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The International Court of Justice will make a ruling today on South Africa's request to order a stop to Israel's Rafah offensive in Gaza.
Last week, South Africa asked the ICJ to order a halt to Israel's offensive in Gaza, and in Rafah in particular, saying this was necessary to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people.
The demand for such an emergency measure is part of a larger case brought before the Hague-based court by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide.
Ahead of the decision in Jerusalem, an Israeli government spokesman, said no power on Earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza.
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United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Labour Party rival Keir Starmer have hit the campaign trail, with each man arguing that only they can snap the country out of its economic and political unease.
Brits will be heading to the polls on July the 4th after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a general election.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak is on a tour of the UK, trying to sell his message that his economic plans are working.
But the focus so far has been on his controversial 'stop the boats' policy that would see some asylum seekers deported to Rwanda.
The Conservative leader says border security is critical.
"So I've got a clear plan. You've already seen, hopefully some pictures in the papers and on television. We've started detaining people. I can tell you the flights are booked for July. Airfields on standby. The escorts are ready. The caseworkers are churning through everything. So all that is happening. And if I'm re-elected as your prime minister, those flights will go to Rwanda. We will get that deterrent up and running."
Up to 12 Australians remain in hospital in Bangkok, with three of them receiving intensive care treatment after their Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence.
They're among more than 50 passengers still being treated for injuries, sustained when the aircraft suddenly dropped mid-air.
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A stage has collapsed at a Mexican election campaign rally, killing nine people and injuring dozens as high winds tore apart the large, concert-style structure, scattering politicians and attendees.
At least 63 people were injured at the rally for the Citizens' Movement party in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.
The victims were eight adults and one child.
Many of the injured are being treated at local clinics, including three people in surgery.
Officials say a gust of wind caused the stage to collapse at the event.
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A mystery single entry from South Australia has won the $150 million Powerball jackpot - the third-biggest lotto prize in Australian history.
Lottery officials say the winning entry was bought in-store from a lottery outlet in Adelaide.
The ticket holder or holders were not registered to a card or online account, their identity remains unknown.
In tennis,
Novak Djokovic has beaten Dutch man Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 6-1 to reach the Geneva Open semi-finals, making him a step closer to ending his title drought for this year.
The world Number one, accepted a late wildcard to compete at the ATP 250 tournament ahead of defending his French Open title, got himself out of a hole last night [[on Thursday 23 MAY]] as he saved four set points from 0-40 down in the 10th game before breaking his opponent for a 6-5 lead.
The 24-time grand slam winner will face Czech Tomas Machac in the semi-finals.
