Xi reaffirms China's commitment to solidarity, cooperation with Africa

President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries.

He has held talks with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the phone.

Xi Jinping said China supports the DRC in playing its role as the rotating chair of the African Union (AU), and stands ready to work with the DRC to make a success of the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Felix Tshisekedi thanked China for its assistance in fighting COVID-19, calling on both sides to strengthen cooperation in various areas.

Chinese FM puts forward propositions for practicing true multilateralism

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is calling for win-win cooperation to practice true multilateralism.

He has chaired a high-level video conference of the United Nations Security Council.

Zheng Yibing has more.

WHO endorses China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, giving boost to global jab rollout

The World Health Organization has given its authorization for emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinopharm.

This makes it the sixth jab to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy and quality, opening the possibility that Sinopharm's offering could be included in the UN-backed COVAX programme.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expects it will boost global vaccine rollout.

"This expands the list of vaccines that COVAX can buy and gives countries confidence to expedite their own regulatory approval and to import and administer a vaccine."

The inactivated vaccine is produced by a subsidiary of Sinopharm in Beijing.

Biden says confident to hold summit with Putin in June

U.S. President Joe Biden says he is confident that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be arranged in June.

Speaking to the press on Friday, he also suggested Russia's military buildup along the border with Ukraine would not change his intention to meet with Putin.

The White House has confirmed that the discussions over the summit's location, timing, and agenda are still underway.

Washington and Moscow have been bitterly divided over Ukraine, human rights, cybersecurity issues, and they mutually accused the other of domestic political interference.

Over 100 injured in latest Palestine-Israel clash

About 170 people were wounded as Palestinian worshippers clashed with Israeli police on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City in East Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said most were wounded in the face and eyes by rubber-coated bullets and shrapnel from stun grenades.

It marked an escalation of weeks of violence in Jerusalem that has reverberated across the region.

Israel said six police officers were wounded.

Nadal defeated by Zverev in Madrid Open quarter

Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Madrid Open quarter-finals stage in straight sets by German Alexander Zverev.

The five-time winner in the Spanish capital was the favourite and top seed having lifted the Barcelona Open trophy last month but played below par on a sweltering spring day.

"I think Sasha (Zverev) played his game. He's a top player, so you can't expect another thing against a player like him. "

Zverev will take on third seed Dominic Thiem in the semi-final after the Austrian overcame John Isner in three sets.

Nepal refutes claims of COVID-19 cases at Mount Qomolangma

Nepal has refuted reports of a COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest.

Authorities also called on the media not to disseminate unsubstantiated information.