China has sent 74 warplanes toward Taiwan between late Thursday and early Friday, 61 of which crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait unofficially dividing the sides.

China's military has called a British warship's recent passage through the Taiwan Strait a disruptive act of "intentional provocation" that "undermines peace and stability". The British Royal Navy says the HMS Spey's patrol on Wednesday was part of a long-planned deployment and was in accordance with international law.

China sent the most warplanes toward Taiwan since October, a move that follows US lawmakers visiting a top military figure and both the UK and Japan sailing warships through the strait separating the island from the Chinese mainland.

A serial rapist who was convicted of raping 10 women in the United Kingdom and China has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years.

New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China

New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials in Wellington said Thursday