Tensions between China and the Philippines continue to sour due to a recent escalation in the South China Sea. Beijing has warned Manila against further provocations after an incident near a Philippine-flagged grounded warship. This comes as Manila bolsters military ties with Japan and the US, rivalling Chinese influence in the region.

Metro Manila

Tensions between China and the Philippines have intensified due to an ongoing dispute over territorial waters in the South China Sea. The recent strain arose after an incident near a Philippine-flagged grounded warship, prompting a warning from Beijing to Manila against further provocations. The backdrop of this tension is Manila's efforts to strengthen its military relationships with Japan and the United States, challenging China's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.



Beijing, Manila relations strain over maritime border dispute

A long-running dispute showing no signs of ending. Tensions in the South China Sea have flared up, ramping up the territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila. We demand that the Philippines stop all acts of infringement and provocation. China will, as always, take firm and decisive measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. In late March, the Philippines claimed the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannon at a supply vessel heading to the Sierra Madre, a Second World War-era ship grounded deliberately by Manila in 1999 against Beijing's expansionist policies in the contested shallow waters. It's currently a shipwreck and China wants it removed. China's undisputed sovereignty over the Sparta Islands, including Second Thomas Shoal and the surrounding maritime areas. This has sufficient historical and legal basis. One of the world's busiest shipping routes, the South China Sea is strategically important and is rich in oil deposits and fishing stocks. Beijing claims much of the sea as its own territory and has set up military outposts with Navy and Coast Guard vessels patrolling the area. China's sovereignty claims are disputed by Southeast Asian states, including the Philippines and Indonesia. It is unfortunate that despite the clarity provided by international law, provocative, unilateral and illegal actions continue to infringe upon our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, our jurisdictions. This pattern of aggression obstructs our path towards ASEAN's vision of the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and of prosperity. In 2016, an international court in The Hague ruled against China in a case brought by the Philippines that challenged Beijing's claims in the area. But ignoring the ruling, China continues to insist on its sovereignty claims, occasionally blaming US interests in the region for the continuing disputes in the South China Sea.

Russian forces have captured five villages as part of a renewed ground assault in Ukraine’s northeast, the country’s Defence Ministry said. 

Ukrainian journalists reported that Russian troops took the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha, all of which lie in a militarily contested “grey zone” on the border of Ukraine's Kharkiv region and Russia.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia claims capture of five villages in northeast Ukraine

A report by the Biden administration on whether Israel’s use of U.S. supplied weapons violated international humanitarian law is “self-contradictory” and full of gaps two former State Department officials told Reuters.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Critical U.S. report on Israel arms use 'self-contradictory'

Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. The Frenchman, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid. The 25-year-old officially announced his PSG exit after it was revealed in February he would be leaving the French champions.

Paris

Kylian Mbappe confirms Paris Saint-Germain exit at end of season

The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.

London

Intense solar storm brings northern lights displays across the globe

Dramatic footage of a rare tornado that tore through the Western Australian city of Bunbury shows it travelling quickly as it destroys rooftops and damages homes. Two people were injured amid falling debris.

Bunbury

Video captures freak tornado hitting Bunbury

The Albanese Federal Government has announced an $11.3b plan as part of next week's budget to help accelerate the supply of new homes, combat homelessness, and assist those fleeing domestic violence with crisis accommodation.

Canberra

Multi-billion dollar plan to combat housing crisis

The General Assembly has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member. The resolution calls on the Security Council to reconsider and support the matter - a move that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state.

New York

UN General Assembly backs Palestine membership

Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region after Russia launched both drones and a ground attack. Analysts say it could be Russia's attempt to stretch Ukraine's already-thin resources.

Kharkiv

Russia launches surprise ground offensive near Kharkiv

Protesters opposed to expansion of U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla's plant in Grunheide near Berlin clashed with police as some of them attempted to storm the facility. About 800 people took part, according to the organizing group, which says expansion of the plant would damage the environment.

Grünheide (Mark)

Protesters try to storm Tesla plant in Germany

Russia has launched a surprise ground offensive into Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, putting its forces on the attack in a border zone Moscow's troops were pushed back from nearly two years ago.

Russia launches surprise ground offensive in Kharkiv

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said it was temporarily shuttering its east Jerusalem headquarters after "Israeli extremists" set fire to the perimeter following weeks of repeated attacks.

Jerusalem

UN aid agency closes East Jerusalem headquarters after arson

There are hopes that budget airline Bonza can be saved, after a creditors meeting including investors and administrators. The Queensland government is considering helping the low-cost carrier if a new owner is found. Flights were cancelled after the airline was repossessed.

Melbourne

Hopes Bonza airline can be saved

Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been ordered to pay most of Ten Network's legal fees, after his defamation loss against the network. The Federal Court heard that Mr Lehrmann may not be able to afford costs order.

Council of the City of Sydney

Bruce Lehrmann to pay Ten's legal costs

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suspended 9.5 billion dollars’ worth of trade with Israel, in response to the country’s war on Gaza. Many in Turkiye believe the measure is intended to push other nations to act against the Israeli government.

İstanbul

Turkey cuts trade ties with Israel worth $9.5 billion

Donald Trump’s lawyers attacked adult film star Stormy Daniels's credibility during her second day on the stand at the former president's hush money trial. Trump’s team said her story has changed over time and the salacious details of their alleged affair have nothing to do with the charges against Trump.

Trump lawyers attack Stormy Daniels's credibility in cross examination

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West on Thursday (May 9) of risking a global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten the world's biggest nuclear power as Russia marked the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Moscow

Putin warns of global clash as Russia marks WWII victory

U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement that he would withhold arms supplies if Israel went through with its assault of Rafah drew a defiant reaction alongside unease at the possible longer-term fallout from the open clash with Israel's most vital ally.

U.S. pause on bomb shipment prompts Israeli defiance

An Australian national remains in custody in Bali, Indonesia after he was charged with allegedly importing with methamphetamine. Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln was arrested late last month, with authorities finding a parcel with 3.15 grams of the drug.

Kuta

Australian man facing drug importation charges in Bali

One of the three Mexican nationals accused of murdering two Australian brothers has faced court, amid revelations he admitted the killings to his then-girlfriend. The family of Jake and Callum Robinson are now preparing to take their bodies home to Perth.

Baja California

Accused killer of Perth brothers faces court

President Joe Biden publicly warned Israel for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplying weapons if Israeli forces make a major invasion of Rafah, a refugee-packed city in southern Gaza. Biden also acknowledged that American bombs provided to Israel have killed civilians in Gaza.

Biden vows to deny Israel weapons if Rafah attacked

New storms are forecast for Brazil's flooded Rio Grande do Sul region. Authorities say the expected rain will make rescue efforts difficult. More than 100 people have been killed so far by the devastating floods.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil flood death toll hits 100 as government pledges aid

The final stop on President Xi's trip to Europe is Hungary. China has invested close to 10 billion dollars in manufacturing and infrastructure in the country and Prime Minister Viktor Orban is keen to maintain good ties with a major economic partner.

Budapest

Xi Jinping ends European tour in Hungary

The Federal government has revealed its forecast for household disposable incomes, projecting an increase of 3.5% for the next financial year. This positive outlook is ascribed to wages rising at a rate faster than inflation.

Government predicts household incomes to improve

Bonza, the Australian airline that commenced operations in January last year, has initiated a significant step by deploying the first of its 737 fleet to Hawaii from Sunshine Coast Airport.

Seized Bonza jets flown to Hawaii

A 45-year-old man has been arrested after a 39-year-old woman was stabbed in a gym car park in Sydney's inner south on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged attacker was the subject of an AVO order put in place last month to protect the woman.

Alexandria

Man arrested over gym car park stabbing

Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones in one of its largest barrages against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The attacks were directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion.

Russia targets Ukraine energy infrastructure in barrage of attacks

Five asylum seekers have been detained after arriving on Saibai Island, just off the northern tip of Australia in the Torres Strait, originating from West Africa. Traveling approximately 14,000km using forged documents, their journey included stops in Indonesia and PNG.

Cape York

Asylum seekers arrive on boat from PNG

April was the eleventh consecutive month to break its own heat record, the European Union climate monitor Copernicus said, while ocean temperatures have been off the charts for even longer.

Brussels

Climate Crisis

Hottest April on record extends global temperature streak

The death toll continues to rise in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul, in the wake of torrential rains and floods. At least 138 people have died and thousands lack water and electricity as floodwaters inundate entire towns.

‘Desperate’ rescues under way as Brazil floods kill hundreds

The grief-stricken parents of murdered Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson have spoken for the first time since the pair were killed in Mexico. In an emotional statement on a San Diego beach, Debra and Martin Robinson confirmed they had identified their sons bodies, and are now planning to bring them home.