Monthly Archives: August 2022

China is set to conclude the unprecedented military exercises it launched in response to Nancy Pelosis visit.

Chinese and Taiwanese warships played high-seas cat and mouse on Sunday, according to a report, as Beijing wrapped up four days of unprecedented military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

The air and naval drills were launched in response to a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and involved test launches of ballistic missiles over the islands capital for the first time.

China, which considers self-ruled Taiwan a part of its territory, also cut off communication links with Washington.

The Reuters news agency, citing a person with knowledge of the matter, said some 10 warships each from China and Taiwan sailed at close quarters in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, with some Chinese vessels crossing the median line, the unofficial buffer separating the two sides.

As Chinese forces pressed the line, the Taiwan side stayed close to monitor and, where possible, deny the Chinese the ability to cross, the person told Reuters.

The two sides are showing restraint, the person said, describing the manoeuvres as high seas cat and mouse. One side tries to cross, and the other stands in the way and forces them to a more disadvantaged position and eventually return to the other side.

The islands defence ministry said in a statement that multiple Chinese military ships, aircraft, and drones were simulating attacks on the island and its navy.

It said its forces scrambled jets to warn away 20 Chinese aircraft on Saturday, including 14 that crossed the median line. It also detected 14 Chinese ships conducting activity around the Taiwan Strait. It added that its shore-based anti-ship missiles and its Patriot surface-to-air missiles were on standby.

The Chinese exercises, centred on six locations around the island that China claims as its own, began on Thursday and are scheduled to last until midday on Sunday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported last week. Chinas military said on Saturday the exercises, north, southwest and east of Taiwan, had a focus on land-strike and sea-assault capabilities.

The United States called the exercises an escalation.

These activities are a significant escalation in Chinas efforts to change the status quo. They are provocative, irresponsible and raise the risk of miscalculation, a White House spokesperson said.

They are also at odds with our longstanding goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is what the world expects.

China says its relations with Taiwan are an internal matter and it reserves the right to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Chinas claims saying only Taiwans people can decide their future.

China has also warned the US not to act rashly and create a greater crisis.

Referring to the response to Pelosis visit, the Communist Partys Peoples Daily newspaper said China had adopted effective measures that fully demonstrates that China is fully determined and capable of safeguarding national unity and safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As part of its response to Pelosis visit, China also halted communication through various channels with the US, including between military theatre commands and on climate change.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of taking irresponsible steps and moving away from prioritising peaceful resolution towards the use of force.

Speaking during a visit to the Philippines, Blinken said the US had been hearing concern from allies about what he called Chinas dangerous and destabilising actions, but Washington sought to avoid escalating the situation.

He said Chinas cessation of bilateral dialogue in eight key areas was a move that would punish the world.

Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday accused Blinken of spreading misinformation.

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China, Taiwan play high-seas cat and mouse as drills wrap up - Al Jazeera English

A warship of the navy of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducts operations during joint combat exercises and training around the Taiwan Island, Aug 6, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

The is no legal basis for or definition of "international waters" in international law, so the Taiwan Straits cannot be called international waters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular news conference on June 13 in reply to a question by a Bloomberg journalist.

Wang was right, because "international waters" is not a defined term in international law. To varying degrees and depending on the location, all ocean waters are open, and in a country's territorial waters, ships of all countries enjoy the right of (mark the term) "innocent passage".

Some foreign media outlets have said that given the intensifying disputes between China and the United States on the Taiwan question, making clear the legal status of the Taiwan Straits will help both sides have a better understanding of reality and enable them to focus on the issues of importance during discussions. It will also set guardrails for Sino-US relations, especially on the Taiwan question, they said.

'International waters' not a legal term

The term "international waters" which the Bloomberg journalist used is not a formal legal term in the international law of the sea; it is used informally by some countries to refer to the "high seas".

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does not define "international waters", but in Part VII, titled "High Seas", Article 86 says: "The provisions of this Part apply to all parts of the sea that are not included in the exclusive economic zone, in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of a State, or in the archipelagic waters of an archipelagic State." Thus, the waters covered in the law of the sea include the high seas, exclusive economic zones, territorial seas, internal waters and archipelagic waters, but not "international waters".

Situated between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan island (that is, the mainland and islands of a country), the Taiwan Straits connects the East China Sea and the South China Sea. True, many international ships sail through the Straits. But it is incorrect of Ned Price, spokesman for the US Department of State, to say that the "Taiwan Straits is an international waterway", because Article 37 in Part III of the UNCLOS, titled "Straits Used for International Navigation", states: "This section applies to straits which are used for international navigation between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone."

Geographical features clarify status of Straits

Since the UNCLOS only describes but does not give a clear definition of such a type of strait, the Taiwan Straits may be classified on the basis of its geographical characteristics and functionality. But the rule of navigation under this part does not apply in this case. According to Article 35, "Nothing in this Part affects the legal status of the waters beyond the territorial seas of States bordering straits as exclusive economic zones or high seas."

As Article 36 stipulates: "This Part does not apply to a strait used for international navigation if there exists through the strait a route through the high seas or through an exclusive economic zone of similar convenience with respect to navigational and hydrographical characteristics; in such routes, the other relevant Parts of this Convention, including the provisions regarding the freedoms of navigation and overflight, apply."

These provisions exclude the application of Part III of the convention to the Taiwan Straits. And due to the special situation of Taiwan, the Chinese mainland has so far only announced the baselines of the territorial waters of the mainland, the Xisha Islands and the Diaoyu Islands, but not the baselines of the territorial waters of the remaining places, including the Taiwan and Penghu islands.

Under the UNCLOS' provisions, "internal waters" means all waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea that form part of the territory of the state. The territorial sea extends to 12 nautical miles (22.22 kilometers) from the baseline of a coastal state. Within this zone, the airspace above the sea and the seabed and subsoil are part of the territory of the state which exercises full sovereignty over its internal waters and the territorial sea. The contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, but inside the zone the coastal state has control over customs, fiscal, immigration and sanitary matters.

Sovereignty over all internal waters

A state's exclusive economic zone is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, extending seaward to a distance of no more than 200 nautical miles from its coastal baseline. In the exclusive economic zone, the coastal state has sovereign rights "for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources" and for "the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone", as well as jurisdiction that includes the building and use of artificial islands, installations and structures; marine scientific research; and protection and preservation of the marine environment.

The Taiwan Straits is about 70 nautical miles at its narrowest and about 220 nautical miles at its widest. Under the UNCLOS and Chinese law, the Taiwan Straits' waters comprise China's internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

Also, states have different rights and obligations over different channels of waters, and different modes of navigation apply to different waters. For example, ships of all states, whether coastal or landlocked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea (Articles 17, 18 and 19); and according to Article 30," (I)f any warship does not comply with the laws and regulations of the coastal State concerning passage through the territorial sea and disregards any request for compliance therewith which is made to it, the coastal State may require it to leave the territorial sea immediately."

For another example, in a country's exclusive economic zone, all states enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight (Article 58). Similarly, Article 11 of the Chinese law that deals with exclusive economic zones and continental shelves states:" (A) ll states shall, on the premise that they comply with international law and the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, enjoy the freedom of navigation and overflight in its exclusive economic zone."

Who is breaking international rules?

When the final UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was presented in 1982, China was one of the first signatories. To date, more than 160 parties have signed it, with the United States being the most important exception. While there may be domestic political reasons for the US not joining the UNCLOS. But it is essentially its hegemonic mindset and pursuit of global maritime interests that has stopped it from signing the convention.

Incidentally, not being a party to the convention does not prevent the US from enjoying the rights the UNCLOS provides for other countries, but it does help it to circumvent its duties. For instance, the US can choose to ignore the convention's provision that" (t) he high seas shall be reserved for peaceful purposes" (Article 88), and in exclusive economic zones, "States shall have due regard to the rights and duties of the coastal State and shall comply with the laws and regulations adopted by the coastal State in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and other rules of international law insofar as they are not incompatible with this Part" (Article 58).

US warships have sailed through the Taiwan Straits on average once a month this year. Despite a large portion of the Straits falling within China's exclusive economic zone, the US has "freedom of navigation" but since the US is not a party to the UNCLOS, it can claim, without "regard to the rights and duties of the coastal State", that this represents the US' "commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region".

US freedom of navigation borders on provocation

Such freedom of navigation borders on provocation, not least because it supports Taiwan separatists and has been gradually hollowing out the "one China" principle that the US is obliged to adhere to according to the three Sino-US joint communiques it has signed. In fact, had it not been for the US' constant support for advocates of "Taiwan independence" for 70 years, the road to peaceful reunification across the Straits would not have been so tortuous.

In accordance with the UNCLOS and Chinese law, the Chinese government enjoys sovereignty and jurisdiction over the waters of the Taiwan Straits, although it respects the legitimate rights of other countries in these waters. If this question is deliberately manipulated using the false claim that China is violating the international law of the sea, China certainly needs to clarify what is right, and it has done so.

Courtesy: chinausfocus.com

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The author is a research fellow at the China Institutes for Contemporary International Relations.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.

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'Freedom of navigation' sailing in Straits provocative - Opinion - Chinadaily.com.cn - China Daily

New Delhi, August 8

A Pakistan Navy warship that crossed the maritime boundary line off the coast of Gujarat and entered Indian waters, was detected and forced to retreat by an Indian Coast Guard's Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft.

According to government sources, it happened in the high seas at the peak of the monsoon season in the first half of July, when Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Alamgir crossed the maritime boundary line between the two countries and went into Indian waters on its side.

Shortly after entering Indian waters, it was detected by an Indian Coast Guard's Dornier aircraft that was in the air after taking off from a nearby airport for ocean surveillance.

Indian agencies are very strict about maritime boundary laws and do not even allow their own fishermen to conduct fishing operations within five nautical miles of the border.

Dornier had informed its command centre about the presence of the Pakistani warship in Indian waters and continued to monitor it. According to sources, Dornier had issued a warning to the Pakistani warship about its location and was asked to return to its territory, but it did not respond.

Sources said Dornier kept hovering over PNS Alamgir, and also tried to establish communication with it over its radio to know its intentions, but the ships captain chose not to respond.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Air Force are keeping a watch along the Gujarat coast to prevent any misadventures. Pakistani activities, especially in the form of narco-terrorism, have increased in recent years.

Director General of Indian Coast Guard VS Pathania also recently visited the Porbandar area to review the preparedness of the fleet. He also inducted new ALH Dhruv helicopters for coastal surveillance. The forces hovercraft are also stationed in significant numbers in the area and conduct surveillance in both the high seas and shallow waters. IANS

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Indian Coast Guard's Dornier aircraft forces Pak Navy warship to return to its waters - The Tribune India

China and Taiwan are playing a military game of cat and mouse as tensions on the high seas remain high.

It follows U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi meeting with her Taiwanese counterparts in Taipei last week.

This visit infuriated China, as the nation regards the self-ruled island as its own territory.

Beijing has since responded by test launching ballistic missiles over Taiwans capital for the first time in history.

China and Taiwan each launched 10 warships in the Taiwan Strait, with some Chinese vessels crossing the unofficial buffer separating the two sides.

Speaking at a conference in Bangladesh, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says his countrys actions are legitimate and reasonable, aimed at protecting Chinas sacred sovereignty.

It must be borne in mind that Taiwan is not a part of the United States it is Chinas territory

Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump called out Pelosis visit.

What was she doing? She fails. The women brings chaos, Trump said at a conservative conference in Dallas, Texas.

Trump continued, adding [Pelosi] played right into [Chinas] hands, because now they have an excuse to do whatever theyre doing.

Trump was the star contributor at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday evening.

Read more here:

Urgent investigation underway as a fourth Muslim is killed in New Mexico - ticker NEWS

China and Taiwan are playing a military game of cat and mouse as tensions on the high seas remain high.

It follows U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi meeting with her Taiwanese counterparts in Taipei last week.

This visit infuriated China, as the nation regards the self-ruled island as its own territory.

Beijing has since responded by test launching ballistic missiles over Taiwans capital for the first time in history.

China and Taiwan each launched 10 warships in the Taiwan Strait, with some Chinese vessels crossing the unofficial buffer separating the two sides.

Speaking at a conference in Bangladesh, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says his countrys actions are legitimate and reasonable, aimed at protecting Chinas sacred sovereignty.

It must be borne in mind that Taiwan is not a part of the United States it is Chinas territory

Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump called out Pelosis visit.

What was she doing? She fails. The women brings chaos, Trump said at a conservative conference in Dallas, Texas.

Trump continued, adding [Pelosi] played right into [Chinas] hands, because now they have an excuse to do whatever theyre doing.

Trump was the star contributor at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday evening.

See more here:

Violence ends with a ceasefire in Gaza - ticker NEWS

Netflixhas an extensive library of movies. And as each week brings more to the service, it becomes an effort to sift through the best of the bunch.

To save you time, you'll find the highlights of the new movies below, as well as CNET's full list of best movie originals on Netflix.

Here are this week's highlights.

Read more: The Absolute Best TV Shows on Netflix

At time of writing, these films all score at least 70 on Metacritic.

The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)

The title of this comedy-drama might sound familiar, but its focus is an unconventional tale. The Forty-Year-Old Version follows Radha, a playwright and teacher who finds herself drawn to the forgotten passion of her youth: rapping. Inspired by writer, director and star Radha Blank's real life, this beautiful diary of a struggling artist will inspire and hit home, with relatable themes of failure and unfulfilled potential.

Tennis-playing buddies Michael (Mark Duplass) and Andy (Ray Romano) receive devastating news: Michael has terminal stomach cancer. Struggling to let go of his dying friend, Andy joins Michael's road trip in search of medication to end things before they get too painful. Folding comedy into melancholy, Paddleton eases the touching friendship at its core into deftly-affecting places.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Eddie Murphy returned from his acting break with a glorious performance as Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian who played a character called Dolemite in stand-up routines and blaxploitation films from the '70s. Dolemite Is My Name follows Moore from his job at a record store to the big screen. Tracking Moore's rise to fame and its bizarre and enthralling turns, Dolemite Is My Name does justice to both Moore's and Murphy's talents.

Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn starring in a comedy-drama with something to say about modern marriage? Private Life is a unique and relatable slice of a New York middle-age couple's struggles with different avenues to have a child. But because Hahn and Giamatti are in it, it sparkles with wit and charm. Add Kayli Carter to the mix as Sadie, a college dropout, and you have another layer to this compelling movie about the unpredictability of heading into a new stage of life.

Jake Johnson co-writes this comedy from prolific indie director Joe Swanberg (he was behind the Netflix anthology TV series Easy as well). Win It All follows Eddie, a gambling addict who agrees to stash a duffel bag of cash for a local thug heading to prison. Making one of many questionable decisions, Eddie dips into the funds. If you're a fan of simple, grounded storytelling with a focus on character, Win It All is a delight that brings out Johnson's humor and charisma.

The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)

The Meyerowitz Stories is a bittersweet comedy-drama told through Noah Baumbach's grounded lens. The titular stories concern dysfunctional adult siblings, played by Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller, trying to live in the shadow of their father. An effervescent cast, including Dustin Hoffman, play these intelligent, albeit miserable, characters as they weave their poignant tales.

This indie gem might have flown under the radar, so if you're looking for a modern romcom overflowing with charm, definitely give Tramps a watch. Callum Turner and Grace Van Patten star as Danny and Ellie, a sincere good kid and a streetwise girl who attempt to carry out a shady deal for a little cash. Tightly scripted and deftly avoiding hackneyed territory, Tramps will effortlessly win your heart.

Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)

Vampires vs. the Bronx is a unique comedy-horror in more ways than one. Set in the New York borough of the Bronx, it follows young Miguel Martinez, a big-hearted kid helping to raise money for his struggling local bodega. But it's not just new designer clothing stores threatening to move in: Creepy pale residents with a taste for blood are eating up people and their properties. A commentary on gentrification with goofy charm, twists and thrills, Vampires vs. the Bronx is a fresh, entertaining spin on the genre.

His House is a horror flick that, yep, hits close to home. Revealing its supernatural evils through a harrowing human story, it follows Bol and Rial, a refugee couple from Sudan, who struggle to adapt to their new life in an English town. Don't expect straightforward jump scares -- His House plays into the psychological specters of the past, adding even more corridors of torment. A heartrending, powerful piece.

This smart psychological horror is partially drawn from co-writer Isa Mazzei's experiences as a camgirl (or webcam model). Yet Cam is no documentary, following Alice Ackerman, a young camgirl who one day discovers an exact replica of herself has taken over her show. This unique thriller flashing red with the threat of technology is an excellent feature to hit play on.

One of the more successful Stephen King adaptations, this horror drama based on the novella 1922 is a slow burn with a mesmerizing performance at its core. Thomas Jane, who you'll also know from Boogie Nights and 2004's The Punisher, gives one of his career best performances as the ever proud Wilfred James, a farmer who makes the totally wise decision to murder his wife with the help of their teenage son. The consequences are harrowing on multiple levels (if you don't like rats, you really won't like rats after this).

If you were mesmerized by The Haunting of Hill House, then Mike Flanagan's adaptation of Stephen King novel Gerald's Game is a must-watch. A couple goes on holiday at an isolated lake house, where one thing leads to another... and Carla Gugino's Jessie ends up handcuffed to the bed with no visible escape. Gugino puts in an immense performance, packing out the enclosed bedroom setting. Expect narratively and emotionally satisfying conclusions, with melancholy-suffused horror that surges into quiet triumph for its haunted characters.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

More than a decade after her previous film, Bright Star, extraordinary filmmaker Jane Campion has unfolded the director's chair again to oversee The Power of the Dog. She ended up winning an Oscar, so it was a good move. The Western centers on Phil Burbank, a domineering rancher who uses the power of toxic masculinity to have his way, mocking his brother for falling in love. The Power of the Dog is a mesmeric exercise in the subtle shifts of emotion and power in relationships. Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst are immense, helping to bring Campion's masterful vision to life.

Paul Greengrass (Jason Bourne) directs Tom Hanks in this moving Western. Civil War veteran Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd discovers a young girl years after she was captured by Native Americans as a baby. While helping return her to her family, he does his usual job of traveling to towns and reading newspapers for a small fee. Don't expect high-octane action: This road movie is fueled by character development and the beautiful views. Still, you'll want to settle in for a comforting ride with pure sympathetic Hanks at the steering wheel.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Coen Brothers kick up the western dust with an anthology film that gives you six vignettes all set on the American frontier. One of them is about the titular Buster Scruggs, a chipper singing cowboy who casually sets off a shoot-up in a cantina. But there's a dark twist that keeps you on your toes. Sewing the rest of its stories together with a constant black humor, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Coen Brothers winner.

Rebecca Hall makes her directorial debut in magnificent fashion with her adaptation of Nella Larsen's 1929 novel Passing. It tells the story of two light-skinned Black women, one of whom chooses to "pass" as white. Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga embody the duality at the heart of this delicate story, shot in black and white. Gracefully handled, Passing is a tender portrait revealing powerful psychological depths.

Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021)

Andrew Garfield takes the spotlight for this biographical musical drama about Jonathan Larson, the late composer behind Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom! The movie, helmed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in his directorial debut, follows Larson's career and the time pressure he feels to leave a lasting impression. With joy-inducing music, a meaningful narrative about the creative process and a passionate performance from Garfield as Larson, Tick, Tick... Boom! is a graceful and feel-good tribute.

This fine British drama excavates a whole lot of buried treasure with a distinguished cast in Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James and Johnny Flynn. It's based on the true events around the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo, yielding a priceless trove of Anglo-Saxon artifacts hidden in a burial ship. Romantic, intellectual and moving, The Dig is a full sweep of elegance.

The Boys in the Band (2020)

The Boys in the Band sets a new stage for an ensemble cast who all performed the classic play-by-the-same-name's 2018 Broadway revival. Among them, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer. The movie brings new perspectives to a birthday party celebrated by a group of gay men in 1968 New York City. The party takes an unexpected turn when a visitor from the host's past calls in. With a cast that knows how to play off each other and compelling themes such as self-loathing and internalized homophobia, The Boys in the Band is a thought-provoking, engaging drama.

A black-and-white David Fincher tale about the unsung screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz who helped Orson Welles write Citizen Kane. Step back into Old Hollywood, with beautiful cinematography and take in the behind-the-scenes of how studio systems functioned in a different time. Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried are among the exceptional cast of this biographical drama filled with the lightness and darkness of its hero's life.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

An Aaron Sorkin drama based on a true story? The Trial of the Chicago 7 lives up to its pedigree, following the real-life trial of a group of anti-Vietnam War protestors charged with conspiracy to incite riots. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is both topical and full of compelling theatrical energy.

This sports drama from 2019 marked the second occasion director Steven Soderbergh used an iPhone to shoot a feature film (the first was 2018's Unsane). High Flying Bird tells the story of a sports agent facing the ax unless he pulls off a company-saving plan in 72 hours. Capturing the high tensions of professional sports through a unique shooting style, High Flying Bird is a fascinating piece put together with expert direction, editing and performances.

A movie about divorce might not sound like the best viewing experience, but Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story is a journey you'll want to take. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver give two of the best performances of their careers as Nicole and Charlie, a couple who embark on the emotionally and logistically complicated legal processes involved in prying a partnership apart. Painted with an emotional complexity that includes poignantly funny moments along with the painful ones, this is happy-sad at its best.

Set primarily in Vatican City, this biographical drama follows Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in the aftermath of the Vatican leaks scandal. It's as fascinating as it sounds. The Two Popes carves up a slice of real-life drama with a first-class two-hander featuring Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins.

Alfonso Cuaron's semi-autobiographical snapshot of the Colonia Roma neighborhood of Mexico City tells a small story with staggering prowess. Let Cuaron steer you through the ups and downs of a live-in housekeeper of a middle-class family. His lens captures intricately beautiful scenes in an album that quietly envelopes you with wonder and grace.

This Italian film has the seal of approval from Bong Joon-ho, so let's listen to the Oscar-winning director of Parasite and add it to this list. Written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher, Happy as Lazzaro is set in the '70s on a tobacco farm, where good-hearted young peasant Lazzaro dutifully works. When a nobleman convinces him to help him fake his own kidnapping, a story of friendship, innocence and social commentary unfolds. A gorgeously shot, cinematic fairytale.

This elegant Spanish film will steep you in its rich imagery and phenomenally good performances from its two leads. Susi Snchez and Brbara Lennie star as Anabel and Chiara respectively, an estranged mother and daughter who reunite for reasons that aren't as clear as they first seem. The precision of the filmmaking here is worthy of soaking up for those who are partial to deliberately paced meditations on pain, love and loss. Masterful.

The Kindergarten Teacher (2018)

Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a career best performance in The Kindergarten Teacher, a drama about, yep, a kindergarten teacher. Lisa is dissatisfied with her own life, which leads her to make some questionable decisions regarding one of her young students. When Jimmy exhibits child prodigy levels of poetry writing talent, Lisa may or may not take credit for it. The Kindergarten Teacher's slightly disturbing character study might leave you feeling conflicted, but there's no question about Gyllenhaal's mesmerizing performance.

Mudbound gives you a historical look at class struggle through the lens of a Black veteran and a white veteran who both still have one foot stuck in World War II. Dealing with PTSD and racism in the Mississippi Delta, with a cast that includes Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell, Mudbound's tempest will rivet you to the spot.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

A psychological thriller that dives deep into the surreal. I'm Thinking of Ending Things definitely won't be for everyone, but it connects you to the frustrations of the young woman (Jessie Buckley) at its heart, who grapples with breaking off her seven-week-relationship with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons). While it overstays its welcome a little, I'm Thinking of Ending Things always keeps you on your toes, with atmospheric cinematography and strong performances from Toni Collette and David Thewlis as Jake's fairly odd parents. Fans of director-writer Charlie Kaufman will be pleased.

Two movies named The Call came out in 2020. Watch the South Korean one, a time travel thriller revolving around, yep, a phone call. Twenty-eight-year-old Seo-yeon finds a phone buried in a closet in her childhood home. It rings -- and the caller, it turns out, is living in the same house 20 years earlier. Twists right up to the final moment, plus a wild cat-and-mouse chase that alters the past and present make this a must-watch.

This taut thriller set in the remote Scottish Highlands is far from an idyllic getaway. Prepare for a full-on nerve-wringing nightmare that its protagonists are desperate to wake up from. Vaughn and Marcus set out on a lads' weekend hunting trip, but after a night of drinking, they find themselves facing events they never could have planned for. Calibre lives up to its name, delivering a slick package of grim, gripping drama. Let the full force of this one wallop you.

First They Killed My Father (2017)

The fifthfilm on Angelina Jolie's directing CV turned out to be her best. Based on Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung's memoir, the biographical thriller recounts the horrors Ung suffered as a child under the rule of the deadly Khmer Rouge. With an empathetic lens framing a shocking story from the perspective of a child, First They Killed My Father is a unique war movie made with control and finesse.

I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

If you've had a bad day, this might be the movie for you. When the police refuse to help with a robbery, nursing assistant Ruth and her weird neighbor Tony take matters into their own hands. I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore spots the idiosyncrasies of everyday life, before escalating its story into dark places with even darker humor. With a touch of Coen Brothers' flair, its perfectly packed 96 minutes will leave you surprisingly emotional.

From Netflix's impressive stash of international films comes Spanish sci-fi horror The Platform. Its high-concept story centers on a tower that delivers food to people on each of its many levels via a platform. Those at the top snag the best and most abundant spread, which is devoured as the platform lowers down the levels. Social commentary rings throughout this dystopian thriller, which takes shocking, occasionally gruesome turns all the way to the bottom.

This YA movie tells the story of Ellie Chu, a shy Asian American discovering her sexuality in the remote town of Squahamish. A straight-A yet friendless student who has a side-hustle writing papers for her classmates, Ellie helps footballer Paul Munsky write a love letter to Aster Flores. But it turns out Aster is perfect for Ellie instead. A story of self-acceptance told with a delicate touch, The Half of It is a joy.

The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

The Incredible Jessica James introduces a delightfully self-possessed main character played by an equally delightful Jessica Williams. The confident and independent Jessica James goes on a blind date where she ends up talking about nothing but her ex. A fresh take on the breakup movie with an empowering lead, this is an easy hit for an entertaining night in.

The Sea Beast joins Netflix's collection of stellar family-friendly animated adventures. A young girl named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on the ship of sea monster hunter Captain Crow (Jared Harris), becoming wrapped up in a thrilling journey through uncharted waters. Bringing originality to the high seas and swashbuckling characters, The Sea Beast is a must-watch chapter of enchanting fantasy.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

One of the best family movies on Netflix. From some of the same people who made Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse comes this adventure to save the world involving Mom, Dad, the kids and their slobbery, bug-eyed dog. But amid the robot apocalypse, led by Olivia Colman's sinister Siri, really The Mitchells vs. the Machines is about a strained relationship between movie-loving daughter Katie and her technophobe father. The technology-inept parent gags are rife, the colors frenetic and the character growth moving. A near-perfect package with the timeless message that embracing your weirdness is a superpower.

This award-winning French film begins with asevered handescaping a refrigerator in a laboratory and embarking on a Paris-wide search for the rest of its body. What an opening! With a few flashbacks and elegant animation, this strange, satisfying story delves into loss, both physical and emotional, in the most poetic of ways.

2017's Okja comes from Parasite director Bong Joon-ho -- which should be incentive enough to watch it. Part cheeky dark comedy, part surreal environmental thriller, Okja follows a young South Korean farmer girl whose pet pal is a genetically enhanced super-pig. But Okja is the target of a big corporation that wants her delicious flesh. With an English supporting cast including the likes of Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal, Okja sucks you in with its sweetness before showing you a distressing close-up of the meat industry.

Spike Lee's fierce war drama follows a group of aging Vietnam War veterans who return to the country in search of the remains of their squad leader -- as well asburiedtreasure. With a frenzied energy coursing through it, Da 5 Bloods gives you a look at the Vietnam War through Black experiences, delivering an all-too-timely critique of racism and warfare.

Spanning the lives of its mobsters over multiple decades, The Irishman pulls off a 3-and-a-half-hour crime saga. But don't worry -- you can break up this tour de force if you need to. Always clever and entertaining, with Martin Scorsese favorites Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci commanding the screen, The Irishman creeps up on you, offering a haunting look at aging mobsters and the havoc they wreak.

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga gives you a sobering look at the life of a boy who becomes a child soldier in a West African country embroiled in civil war. Idris Elba stars as the ruthless Commandant along with the astonishing Abraham Attah as the young Agu. A confronting yet quietly hopeful snapshot of war from a human perspective, Beasts of No Nation needs to be on your radar if it isn't already.

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Netflix: The 44 Absolute Best Movies to Watch - CNET

Taiwan yesterday reiterated that it would not succumb to pressure from Beijing after China carried out its most provocative military drills in decades in retaliation for US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosis trip to Taiwan last week.

We will never bow to pressure. We uphold freedom and democracy, and believe Taiwanese disapprove [of] Chinas bullying actions with force and saber rattling at our door, Premier Su Tseng-chang () said yesterday.

China had arrogantly disrupted regional peace and stability, he said, calling on Beijing to not flex its military muscles.

Photo: Military News Agency

President Tsai Ing-wen () has also called on the international community to support democratic Taiwan and halt any escalation of the regional security situation.

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) military exercises started on Thurdsay. They included missile strikes on targets in the seas around Taiwan proper and aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

The exercises were set to end yesterday, although Beijing has announced fresh drills in the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean Peninsula, which are to run until Monday next week.

A Chinese state television report yesterday said that the PLA would from now on conduct regular drills on the eastern side of the median line of the Taiwan Strait, prompting condemnation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry urged China to stop its unreasonable behavior, which it said endangers the region, and even common global well-being.

Yesterday, Beijing conducted practical joint exercises in the sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan Island as planned, the Chinese Eastern Theater Command said.

The drills were focused on testing the joint firepower on the ground and long-range air strike capabilities, it said.

The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that China had dispatched planes, vessels and drones around the Taiwan Strait, simulating attacks on Taiwans main island and on ships in our waters.

Beijing also sent drones over Taiwans outlying islands, it added.

However, the ministry disputed Chinese state media reports saying that the PLAs Nanjing Type 052D destroyer had sailed into Taiwans territorial waters near Ho-Ping Power Plant in Hualien County, and urged Taiwanese not to be taken in by Beijings disinformation campaigns.

About 10 warships each from China and Taiwan sailed at close quarters in the Taiwan Strait, with some Chinese vessels crossing the median line, an unofficial buffer separating the two nations, a person with knowledge of the matter said.

As Chinese forces pressed the line, as they did on Saturday, Taiwan remained close to monitor and, where possible, prevent the Chinese from crossing it, the person said.

The two sides are showing restraint, the person said, describing the high-seas maneuvers as a game of cat and mouse.

One side tries to cross, and the other stands in the way and forces them to a more disadvantageous position, and they eventually return to the other side, the person said.

Taiwan said it mobilized a joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system to closely monitor the enemy situation, and dispatched planes and vessels.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that flights through Taiwans airspace had gradually resumed yesterday at about noon, as most notifications for Chinese military drills near the nation were no longer in effect.

However, Taiwan would continue to direct flights and ships away from a Chinese military drill off its east coast until 10am this morning, it said in a statement.

China has so far also cut off defense and climate talks with the US, and imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her family in retaliation for her visit.

While the administration of US President Joe Biden and Pelosi say Washington remains committed to the US one China policy, the US has criticized Beijings actions in the Taiwan Strait, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling them fundamentally irresponsible.

Theres no need and no reason for this escalation, Jean-Pierre said.

Singaporean Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean () said on Facebook on Saturday that the US-China tensions over Taiwan are an issue that can lead to conflict and war to the detriment of all parties involved, especially the people in Taiwan.

The tensions would have a negative impact on Southeast Asia, Teo said, adding: We hope that wisdom will prevail.

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Taiwan will never bow to pressure: Su -