In the past few minutes the president elect Peter Pellegrini had this update from the hospital where roberto fico is receiving treatment. Translation the Prime Minister is now facing the most difficult and challenging days. Ours, minutes, in orderfor him to challenging days. Ours, minutes, in order for him to survive and i hope that everything will work out for the best. I really hope for us all to see his soon recovery and coming to see his soon recovery and coming to full strength. Lets speak to bethany bell, our correspondent in bratislava. An update there, tell us more, bethany. An update there, tell us more, bethan. ~. ,. , bethany. Well, roberto fico remains in a Critical Condition bethany. Well, roberto fico remains in a Critical Condition in bethany. Well, roberto fico remains in a Critical Condition in hospital, in a Critical Condition in hospital, earlier we heard from the deputy Prime Minister saying that the next few days would indeed be critical and that he was not Out Of The Woods yet. That he has sustained what they call it extensive and complicated injuries. He was shot at very close range in the stomach among other places. We have heard from across the political spectrum here in slovakia which is for roberto ficos speedy recovery. There is a sombre mood in the country. There is also a sense of polarisation, political turmoil and confusion. We have also heard calls from mr pellegrini and also from the outgoing president of slovakia zoos and cut it over calling for calm as they continue with their investigations. What calling for calm as they continue with their investigations. What more do we know about with their investigations. What more do we know about the with their investigations. What more do we know about the suspect with their investigations. What more do we know about the suspect and i with their investigations. What more do we know about the suspect and a| do we know about the suspect and a possible motive . We do we know about the suspect and a possible motive . Do we know about the suspect and a possible motive . We dont know very much about possible motive . We dont know very much about the possible motive . We dont know very much about the suspect, possible motive . We dont know very much about the suspect, very possible motive . We dont know very much about the suspect, very few much about the suspect, very few details have been released but what of the Interior Minister said a little bit earlier today is that he appears to have been working alone, he was, in the words of the Interior Minister, a lone wolf, somebody who opposed the government, someone who had attended Anti Government protests. Also, that at the moment the details are very sketchy indeed that we have been given about this person and they have charged him with attempted premeditated murder. This was something he had planned to do in the words of the Interior Minister. �. , do in the words of the Interior Minister do in the words of the Interior Minister. ,. ,. , ~ minister. Bethany, for now, thank ou. Minister. Bethany, for now, thank yom lets minister. Bethany, for now, thank you. Lets return minister. Bethany, for now, thank you. Lets return to minister. Bethany, for now, thank you. Lets return to the minister. Bethany, for now, thank you. Lets return to the hague minister. Bethany, for now, thank i you. Lets return to the hague where south africa is asking the Uns Highest Court to instruct israel to stop its offensive in rafah. These are live pictures from the International Court ofjustice, the hearing is the latest intervention by the South African Government in its legal case against israel. It says as well as direct Military Attacks israel is starving palestinians in gaza by obstructing deliveries of food, fuel and medicines. Israel has insisted that it is acting in accordance with International Law and dismiss the attack has a baseless libel. And dismiss the attack has a baseless libel. ,. ,. , baseless libel. Israel is escalating its attacks on baseless libel. Israel is escalating its attacks on palestinians baseless libel. Israel is escalating its attacks on palestinians in baseless libel. Israel is escalating its attacks on palestinians in gaza and in so doing is wilfully breaching the binding orders of this court. Israel is similarly reaches the binding resolutions of the United Nations security council, erroneously believing from the lack of countermeasures by the International Community that it is exempt from having to respect International Law. We exempt from having to respect International Law. Exempt from having to respect International Law. We have heard assurances International Law. We have heard assurances that International Law. We have heard assurances that israel International Law. We have heard assurances that israel was International Law. We have heard assurances that israel was doing | assurances that israel was doing everything in its power to avoid civilian everything in its power to avoid civilian deaths as it exercised its claimed civilian deaths as it exercised its claimed right of self defence. We have heard boasts that israels army is the have heard boasts that israels army is the most have heard boasts that israels army is the most moral army in history and we is the most moral army in history and we have is the most moral army in history and we have heard denials that there is famine and we have heard denials that there is famine in and we have heard denials that there is famine in gaza. Four months people. Is famine in gaza. Four months people, particularly in the west, have people, particularly in the west, have appeared unwilling to accept that the have appeared unwilling to accept that the accusations are true. How could that the accusations are true. How could people who look like us and sound could people who look like us and sound like could people who look like us and sound like us possibly engage in anything sound like us possibly engage in anything like genocide . We were listenin anything like genocide . We were listening to anything like genocide . We were listening to more anything like genocide . We were listening to more of anything like genocide . We were listening to more of those listening to more of those proceedings in just a listening to more of those proceedings injust a moment but lets get the latest from our correspondent in the hague and following all the developments there. Lets remind ourselves of why south africa is bringing this case. Any country which has a member of the convention has a responsibility to ensure that there are no violations of that convention but secondly, south africa sees parallels between apartheid in south africa and the situation that palestinians in gaza are facing right now. We are an hour into this hearing and, as you heard, south africas legal team are laying out their arguments. They are basically asking for thejudges their arguments. They are basically asking for the judges here at the Uns Highest Court, the world court as it is often referred to, to issue three emergency rate measures. You cannot hear protesters this time round although it is the fourth time that south africa has made this request to the court for an order for israel to cease hostilities and to immediately withdraw. That is because this hearing was held up so quickly which is an indication of how seriously thejudges quickly which is an indication of how seriously the judges here are taking this. As well as asking the court to order israel to immediately withdraw from rafa, the south african legal team has said that un investigators, humanitarian aid organisations and journalists must be allowed in to ensure the provision of food, water and medical supplies. And also if there are any violations of the Genocide Convention taking place that evidence can be gathered for any future trials. They have also asked the judges to order israel to report back to the court within a week in how it is in preventing any measures and ijust want how it is in preventing any measures and i just want to give you how it is in preventing any measures and ijust want to give you some of the details that we have heard in court from the lawyers for south africa. Israels actions in rafa are part of the endgame this is the last step in the destruction of gaza. They also talked about apartheid and also made a link between what is happening now in rafah and what happened in srebrenica insofar as rafah is being seen as the last safe zone for palestinians in gaza. South africa says that if rafah is not protected it will make it very difficult if not impossible to rebuild gaza and preserve palestinian life in gaza. Now and in the future. Israel, of course, we should say well have a chance to defend itself in Court Tomorrow and will also have two hours and israels legal team is in court and you can probably hear the rumble of engines outside the peace palace are now waiting to take people away. This is a hugely contentious case, it is properly the most sensitive case that the icj has ever dealt with and that is why it is generating so much attention full stop south africa has said that there is no other option, this is there is no other option, this is the last hope and that is why they are applying to judges here at the icj to issue these Emergency Measures to protect the palestinian life in gaza. �. Measures to protect the palestinian life in gaza life in gaza. Anna, thank you very much. Life in gaza. Anna, thank you very much lets life in gaza. Anna, thank you very much. Lets listening life in gaza. Anna, thank you very much. Lets listening now life in gaza. Anna, thank you very much. Lets listening now to life in gaza. Anna, thank you very | much. Lets listening now to those proceedings, a lawyerfor south africa is making further arguments. {iii africa is making further arguments. Africa is making further arauments. ,. ,. , arguments. Of every palestinian who is suffering arguments. Of every palestinian who is suffering at arguments. Of every palestinian who is suffering at the arguments. Of every palestinian who is suffering at the hands arguments. Of every palestinian who is suffering at the hands of. Who is suffering at the hands of israels relentless Genocidal Campaign. Indeed, this court has held in Bosnian Genocide that quote it is sufficient to examine those facts that would illuminate the question of intent or illustrate the claim by the applicant of a pattern of acts committed against members of the group such as to lead to an inference from such a pattern of the existence of a specific intent. End quote. In these submissions, i show that israels genocidal acts against palestinians in rafa form part of a continuing escalating pattern of conduct across gaza that provides persuasive and consistent evidence of israels genocidal conduct. In light of these new facts, south africa seeks an order from the court, the only order, that will clearly protect what is left of palestinian life in gaza. It seeks an explicit order that israel cease its military activities, not only in rafah but throughout gaza. Turning then to the genocidal acts, in my remaining time before you i will highlight the following features of the Genocidal Campaign by israel. First, israel has continued to kill palestinians in gaza including women and children at an alarming rate. Second, as a result of israels onslaught, palestinians in gaza are facing what the Anderson Industry General of the union described as the worst humanitarian crisis as he has seen in more than 50 years. Third, israels systematic targeting and bombardment of hospitals and medicalfacilities and and bombardment of hospitals and medical facilities and its throttling of humanitarian aid has pushed gazas medical system to collapse. Fourth, israels direct attack and siege of gazas biggest hospitals has led to the Uncovering Of Mass Graves evidencing Israeli Massacres of palestinians seeking shelter and medical treatment. Finally, most recently, israel has intensified its attacks in the north while pressing on with its rafah offensive. Leaving displaced palestinians nowhere safe to go. I will take these in turn. The first feature of the genocidal conduct, killing. Since south africa appeared before the court on 11 january, 2024, at least 11,500 palestinians have been directly killed by israel. The majority of these casualties are women and children. In an enclave where nearly 50 of the population are children. This onslaught has occurred despite the binding orders issued by this court. And the Binding Security Council resolution on 25 march, 2024, demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of ramadan. In fact, immediate ceasefire for the month of ramadan. Infact, as immediate ceasefire for the month of ramadan. In fact, as unicef pointed out, a double digit number of children were killed within hours of that resolution. Two mothers and four children are killed every hour. Owner ahead philippe lazzarini, says there are no words left that can do any justice to the there are no words left that can do anyjustice to the people of gaza. The numbers of dead and Injured Defy Comprehension at least 35,000 palestinians killed and 79,000 injured with 10,000 more reportedly missing or beneath rubble. Up to 1. 7 million displaced, most multiple times, and more than 70 of all Housing Stock in gaza and more than 80 are in parts of the northern region, damaged or destroyed. That is where we region, damaged or destroyed. That is where we are region, damaged or destroyed. That is where we are going to leave proceedings at the International Court ofjustice, just a reminder that israel will have its time to respond tomorrow. If you would like to continue to watch that coverage, just head to our website, you will find our live page on the case and you can watch the Court Proceedings live in and interrupted. 0r you can watch the Court Proceedings live in and interrupted. Or you can watch them in their entirety as well. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. China and russia have put on a display of unity and mutual support during a meeting of the two leaders in beijing. There were smiles, handshakes and warm words from both xi jinping and Vladimir Putin at the start of the russian leaders two day visit to china. Our correspondent laura bicker sent this report from beijing. In the west he is seen as a pariah, but in china, President Putin is a key partner, as beijing seeks a new world order, one not led by the united states. The red carpet was rolled out complete with a Red Army Band welcome, as they walked together in a show of defiance against western pressure. Mr putin needs china. Its become an economic lifeline for an isolated and heavily sanctioned russia. Translation china will always be your Good Neighbour and good friend of mutual trust with russia. Mr putin said he would inform president xi about the situation in ukraine. And he said he would welcome chinas role as peacemaker. Beijing put forward a 12 point peace plan more than a year ago, but it received a lukewarm welcome from both ukraine and russia. But while mr xi is trying to play peacemaker, hes also accused of helping to fuel russias war. If the west wants to stop russias advances in ukraine they know here is one place they can do that. Beiking is not supplying moscow with weapons, but the west believes it is supplying russia with components that it can use in its war machine. The us has a raft of new sanctions at the ready, this time to target chinese banks, so president xi has a decision to make. Beijing does need moscow. Russia supplies it with cheap oil and gas. This Soaring Trade also helps shield mr putin from western sanctions. But there are ukrainians sheltering in beijing whose voices are growing louder. This woman translates news from her home country and puts it on social media. Just let them know the truth about this war. It was tough emotionally, to be honest, and it took a lot of time, but 100 people were working hard to translate official news and speeches of president zelensky, so we decided to do this work, because who else . Beijing is not likely to make any policy shifts. Instead, the two pledged to deepen their partnership, but mr xi will be calculating just how much hes willing to pay for mr putins war. Laura bicker, bbc news, beijing. Donald trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen will soon return to the stand for another day of testimony at a new york court in the former president s hush money trial. Hes already been giving evidence for two days with the defence attacking cohens credibility, bringing up his many social media comments bashing trump. Lets speak to jessica roth, Professor Of Law at Cardozo School of law. Shejoins us from she joins us from new york, welcome to you, thank you being with us. Take us through what we have heard for the pa