China & Russia ‘Strengthen Ties’; Rafah Offensive | Top Stories | April 9. 2024

Catch up on the Top Stories of the day.

0:00 China and Russia top diplomats meet to deepen ties
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, with both sides committing to strengthen cooperation as Moscow's international isolation grows over its war in Ukraine. Russia and China have in recent years ramped up diplomatic ties, finding common ground in their confrontations with the West and the United States in particular.

0:24 Benjamin Netanyahu sets date for Rafah offensive as pressure grows
⁃ Israel's Prime Minister says he has set a date for a military offensive into Rafah, despite growing warnings that it could lead to high civilian casualties. More than a million Palestinians are sheltering in the southern city after being forced to flee their homes. With negotiations with Hamas still under way in Egypt, Israel is being pushed to agree a hostage-prisoner swap and ceasefire deal by many Israelis - as well as key international allies, including the US.