Chinese president inspects autonomous prefecture in SW China

Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited an autonomous prefecture in the southwestern Guizhou Province.

He learned about local efforts at social governance, preserving traditional culture, and advancing rural revitalization.

Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza

The Israeli military says it has carried out extensive strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.

Medics and witnesses in the strip reported casualties.

A senior Hamas official said Israel is unilaterally ending the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Trump says Iran to suffer dire consequences for further Houthi attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it will suffer dire consequences for further attacks from the Houthis.

He accused Iran of providing the Yemeni group with weapons, money and intelligence.

The U.S. has been targeting Houthi leaders and sites in airstrikes since the weekend.

The Houthis claimed attacks on a U.S. aircraft carrier group.

Residents have rallied in Sanaa to show opposition to the U.S. assault and support for Palestinians.

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council said maritime routes will remain a persistent source of regional tension under the Houthis' control over coastal regions.

The council's president urged the international community to adopt punitive measures against the Houthis and support Yemen's government in restoring authority over its territories.

U.S. consumers more hesitant on spending: data

Data from the U.S. commerce department shows that consumers are thinking twice before spending.

Retail sales edged up in February but stayed below forecast.

PLA drills "just and necessary" move to safeguard peace in Taiwan Strait: mainland spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesperson says the People's Liberation Army's drills near Taiwan are a "just and necessary" move to safeguard national sovereignty and peace.

The official from the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said the drills are also a countermeasure to Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's separatist action.

The spokesperson also condemned Lai for escalating restrictions on cross-Strait exchange, and for intensifying collusion with external forces.

China, UK pledge to jointly address climate change

China and the UK have agreed to step up cooperation in addressing climate change.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero reaffirmed ties during their meeting in Beijing.

Ding expressed China's readiness to work with the UK in financial services and low-carbon development.

Ed Miliband said the UK government hopes to enhance engagement with China, and is committed to developing a long-term and constructive bilateral relationship.

M23 pulls out of talks with DRC government because of sanctions

The M23 rebel group has pulled out of peace talks with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government scheduled in Angola.

M23 said it withdrew from what could have been the two sides' first direct negotiations because of sanctions from the European Union.

The DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, while Rwanda says the DRC military has allied with a rebel group accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Meanwhile, Rwanda has severed diplomatic relations with Belgium and given all diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.

Rwanda said it made the decision because of the conflict in the eastern DRC, which Kigali says Belgium has a historical role.