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Weeks before a new leader takes office, China chastises the US for allowing a ship to transit across the Taiwan Strait.

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Weeks before a new leader takes office, China chastises the US for allowing a ship to transit across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan, Taipei — Less than two weeks before the new president of Taiwan takes office, the Chinese military denounced the passage of an American destroyer across the Taiwan Strait, and Beijing and Washington are working incongruously to resume regular military exercises.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command spokeswoman, Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, charged that the United States had “publicly hyped” the USS Halsey’s passing on Wednesday. The command, which is in charge of operations near the strait, “organised naval and air forces to monitor” the ship’s passage, according to a statement made by Li.

The Halsey “performed a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” according to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

According to a statement from the military, the guided-missile destroyer passed through a strait corridor that is “beyond the territorial sea” of any coastal state.

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As a concept, it stated, “Halsey’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations.” “No one in the global society should be subjected to intimidation or coercion in order to forfeit their rights and liberties. Everywhere that international law permits, the US military operates and flies.

Beijing views the announcements as a way to retaliate against China’s claim to some degree of control over who can pass freely through the strait, so Beijing’s accusation that the transit was “publicly hyped”—basically meaning it was played up for maximum political effect—has become standard procedure. Neither that the Chinese response was any louder nor that the U.S. Navy had behaved any differently in this most recent instance.

The Defence Ministry of Taiwan declared that it was adequately informed of the destroyer’s passing.

According to the ministry, “the Taiwanese military was closely monitoring the surrounding sea and airspace throughout the transit, and the situation remained normal.”

The last time such a passage occurred was on April 17, the day after the defence chiefs of the United States and China met for the first time since November 2022 in an attempt to ease tensions in the area. After then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, Beijing halted all military-to-military communication, causing the relationship to come to a standstill. In retaliation, China launched missiles over Taiwan and intensified its military exercises, appearing to be a practice run for an island-wide navy and air defence.

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China and Taiwan, the democratic self-governing island nation where President-elect William Lai Ching-te will take office on May 20, are separated by the 160-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait. The Democratic Progressive Party of Lai is in favour of Taiwan’s de facto independence, which allows it to have close unofficial ties with the United States and other major countries.

Around critical dates, like the presidential and legislative elections in January of this year, Taiwan’s military raises its state of alertness, fearing that China would try to intimidate voters and sway public opinion in favour of Beijing’s insistence that unification between the sides is inevitable by using its far more powerful military.

The two sides divided after a civil war in 1949, and in a futile attempt to prevent voters from supporting candidates they disliked, China fired missiles close north and south of the island and conducted military drills as recently as 1996. Since then, China has mostly avoided the spotlight when it comes to elections, preferring to gain the favour of business associations and provide lawmakers and local authorities who are interested in unity sponsored trips to the mainland.

China views the passage of warships from the United States, Britain, and other countries as a challenge to its sovereignty, despite the fact that the often traversed Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and essential to world trade.

China attempts to weaken Taiwan’s defences and scare its 23 million people—many of whom solidly support its de facto independence—by sending military ships and warplanes into the strait and other regions surrounding the island virtually every day.

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China nearly daily sends military ships and aeroplanes into the Taiwan Strait and other nearby regions in an attempt to erode Taiwan’s defences and intimidate its 23 million citizens, many of whom firmly support the island’s de facto independence.

The U.S. Navy not only crosses the Taiwan Strait but also engages in what it refers to as freedom of navigation operations, sailing and flying close to South China Sea features that are held by China. Many of these features are man-made islands that have been “militarised” over time with radar stations, air strips, and other equipment.

China reacts angrily to such actions, blaming the United States of destabilising the region, and claims almost all of the South China Sea, a major maritime route for international trade. It frequently uses its own resources to follow American ships and aircraft and demands that they leave the region right away. China’s claims have been rejected by an arbitration tribunal supported by the United Nations, a decision Beijing has disregarded, while the United States maintains that it has the legal authority to sail in the area.

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Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, was pronounced dead in a helicopter accident. top updates

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According to Iranian sources cited by Reuters, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian have been pronounced dead following the Sunday helicopter accident that carried them.

Monday morning, more than 12 hours after the rescuers had discovered the helicopter wreckage, the local media said that they had found “no sign of life” at the accident scene.

The latest information on the helicopter accident

About 600 kilometres (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the capital of Iran, is the city of Jolfa, which is bordered by the country of Azerbaijan. This is where the helicopter accident event occurred.

Raisi was supposedly on his way back from adjacent Azerbaijan.

Nine people were reportedly on board the helicopter, including the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem, the leader of Tabriz’s Friday prayers, a pilot, a copilot, a head of security, and an additional bodyguard.

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The helicopter accident was attributed by the local media to wind, fog, and intense rain; some even called it a “hard landing.”

The chief of staff of Iran’s army directed all army and elite Revolutionary Guards resources to be employed in search and rescue operations after hearing about the accident on Sunday. In the wee hours of Monday, a number of images appeared on social media showing a search squad in bright jackets and head lamps gathering around a GPS unit while they scoured a snow-covered, pitch-black slope on foot.

In an effort to calm Iranians, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word over all foreign policy decisions including the country’s nuclear project, promised that state affairs would not be disrupted.

A number of world leaders voiced their worry over the chopper accident and volunteered to assist with the rescue efforts. Iraq, Syria, Russia, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union were among the nations who extended their assistance. To help with the hunt, the EU also turned on its fast reaction mapping service.

The Bell 212 helicopter is utilised by law enforcement, emergency medical services, military personnel, the energy sector, and firefighting. It can transport up to 15 passengers, including the crew, per its type certification documentation with the European Aviation Safety Agency, according to Reuters. Originally designed in the late 1960s as an improvement for the UH-1 Iroquois, it was intended for use by the Canadian military.

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As Biden attempts to win back Black voters, he encounters nonverbal dissent at Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. University.

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While giving a graduating speech at Atlanta, Georgia’s historically Black Morehouse College, U.S. President Joe Biden ran into a small gathering of graduates who were silently protesting his position on the Gaza crisis. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, attended Morehouse College.

A number of graduates turned away from Biden, one raising a fist and others waving Palestinian flags. Others covered their gowns with keffiyeh scarves to show support for widespread university demonstrations against Israel’s military operations in Gaza in the wake of October 7 strikes by Hamas.

Directly addressing the demonstration, Biden emphasised his support for nonviolent protests. “I am in favour of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Dressed in the maroon and black colours of the school, he remarked, “Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them.” This address was Biden’s most direct interaction with students in the midst of the continuing protests in Gaza, which have presented serious political obstacles in front of his anticipated rematch with Donald Trump in the election.

When speaking about the Gaza crisis, Biden recognised the situation’s emotional toll and complexity. “This is among the world’s most difficult and intricate challenges. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s really frustrating and heartbreaking,” he said.

First Lady Jill Biden is said to have previously pushed the president to address the growing number of civilian fatalities in Gaza, despite his lack of details. The event went on as planned, even though some Morehouse students called for him to cancel because of the tension.

Biden referred to the Gaza situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and reaffirmed his desire for a “short-term ceasefire to end hostilities and allow the hostages to return.” He promoted an independent Palestinian state as the “only solution,” highlighting the necessity of a “lasting, durable peace” in the Middle East.

“I know that many of you—including my family—are irritated and frustrated by it, but above all, I know that it hurts your feelings. It also hurts my heart.”

Over the weekend, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan travelled to Israel and Saudi Arabia with the goal of establishing a ceasefire and promoting normalisation between the two countries.

At the same time as Biden’s address, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the valedictorian of Morehouse College, also called for a truce, highlighting the significant deaths that both sides had sustained since October 7. “This is what we’re up against — extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse,” Biden stated.

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Biden’s willingness to take on difficult subjects was praised by Morehouse President David Thomas, who said, “You spoke to the hard issues confronting our nation and the world at this moment.”

As seen by subsequent surveys, Biden’s attempt to win back Black voters was part of his larger strategy, which included the speech.

Biden emphasised the historic selections made by his administration, such as the first Black female justice on the Supreme Court and Vice President Kamala Harris. He presented his outreach efforts as essential to averting Trump’s return to power and issued a warning about the increased threat posed by a possible second term for the president.

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After being diagnosed with cancer, King Charles III is prepared to leave the United Kingdom for the first time.

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According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III will be visiting and commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Friday, marking his first trip outside of the United Kingdom.

According to the announcement, on June 6, the 75-year-old British monarch will be present at a festive celebration hosted at the British Normandy Memorial in northern France.

Charles has started appearing in public again.

The King’s illness was revealed by the Palace in February, which sparked a period of conjecture about his health and capacity to attend such functions.

Charles acknowledged that the disease had taken away his sense of taste.

It has been announced that King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William would participate fully in the D-Day ceremonies, in spite of these worries.

The royal three will attend a ceremony in Portsmouth on June 5 before departing for France. This event is a sombre commemoration of the World War II Allied landings, which were essential in freeing France from Nazi domination.

Princess Anne will present a monument to recognise Canadian military personnel.

Princess Anne will present a monument in Normandy to commemorate the significant role played by Canadian soldiers in the D-Day operations.

Following the unveiling, she will take part in a memorial ceremony at the Bayeux Cathedral.

On June 6, the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, France, will host a ceremony that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be attending. The names of more than 20,000 troops who fought for Britain and gave their lives in the Battle of Normandy are inscribed on this memorial.

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Additionally, Prince William, 41, is scheduled to attend a ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint Laurent sur Mer, where it is expected that 25 heads of state will be in attendance. Kate Middleton, the spouse of Prince William, won’t be present, though, as she continues to heal from her own cancer diagnosis.

The 42-year-old Princess of Wales is recuperating at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor while receiving prophylactic chemotherapy.

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