The Top Story China Plus

Iran releases the first investigation of the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and 7 others. Closure at border crossings into Gaza forces UN relief agency to its knees. The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command continues its drills around Taiwan.

General election campaigns begin in Britain after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a snap election to be held on July 4. The Colombian President orders the opening of an embassy in Palestinian territory. Six cities from China and the U.S. form three pairs of tourism city partners.

The British government says victims of an infected blood scandal will start receiving their final compensation payments this year. The Israeli army steps up attacks on the Gaza Strip. Donald Trump says he will not testify in his hush money trial in New York City.

Both Israeli and Hamas leaders denounce a decision by the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for them. Iran declares five days of national mourning and announces multiple funeral ceremonies for President Ebrahim Raisi. The prosecution rests its case in Donald Trump's hush-money trial after the former US president's one-time lawyer finished his testimony.

Iran mourns the death of its president, foreign minister and other officials in a helicopter crash. At least 31 Palestinians are dead and 20 are injured in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip. The army in the Democratic Republic of the Congo says it has foiled a coup attempt and arrested the perpetrators.

South Africa urges the UN's top court to order a halt to Israel's offensive in Rafah. Slovak authorities charge the suspect in the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico with attempted murder. Chinese and Russian leaders discuss cooperation, peace and common development as Vladimir Putin continues his state visit to China.