Chinese, U.S. climate envoys meet in Washington

Climate envoys from China and the United States have held in-person talks in Washington.

The two sides discussed issues such as ways to phase down coal consumption and the development of emission reduction technologies.

China's automobile manufacturing industry logs steady growth in Q1

China's automobile manufacturing industry witnessed strong expansion in the first quarter of this year.

Latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows its industrial added value rose 9.7 percent.

Over the period, the combined operating revenue came in at 2.2 trillion yuan or about 317 billion U.S. dollars, up 6.2 percent from a year ago.

Shoigu to step down as Russian defense minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin is replacing his close ally Sergei Shoigu as defense minister.

Papers published by the upper chamber of the parliament show the 68-year-old will be succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.

Belousov earlier served as the country's economy minister and presidential adviser.

The Kremlin says Shoigu will take over from Nikolay Patrushev as secretary of the national Security Council.

The reshuffle still pending parliamentary approval is one of the most significant political moves President Putin has made in recent years.

Spain Socialists win Catalan vote as separatists lose ground

Separatists in Catalonia are in danger of losing their decade-long grip on power after the Socialist Party won the most votes in the regional election on Sunday.

The Socialists led by former Health Minister Salvador Illa claimed 42 seats, up from 33 in 2021.

It is the first time they have led a Catalan election in both votes and seats won.

But Illa still needs the backing of other parties to be fully in charge.

According to one survey, support for Catalan independence has dropped to 42 percent from 49 percent in 2017.

Israeli tanks roll into Jabalia in northern Gaza

Israel has sent tanks into eastern Jabalia after heavy fighting overnight.

The northern Gazan city is home to one of the largest refugee camps in the region, where more than 100 thousand people are believed to be sheltering.

Local residents are fleeing the scene en masse following an evacuation order.

Meantime, Israel continues its ground operation in the southern city of Rafah.

It is urging civilians to leave as soon as possible.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees estimates the new evacuation order will affect 300,000 people.

Afghanistan floods kill 315, wound over 1,600

Heavy rains and flash floods in northern Afghanistan have killed at least 315 people and injured more than 1,600 others.

The Taliban-run refugee ministry says thousands of homes have been damaged as streets are left coated in mud.

The country is urging humanitarian agencies and private business to provide support for those in need.

Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters.

The United Nations considers it among the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change.