Putin to pay state visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China on Thursday and Friday.

This will be Putin's first state visit after he was sworn in as Russian president for a new term.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says President Xi Jinping and President Putin will exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of common concern.

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hike on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China has expressed firm opposition to additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.

The White House has unveiled new tariffs on electric vehicles, solar cells, and other clean-energy products from China.

According to the plan, the tariffs on Chinese EV imports will jump from 25 percent to 100 percent.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the U.S. is politicizing trade issues and misusing the Section 301 review process for domestic political purposes.

The ministry has urged the U.S. to reverse these tariffs.

It said China will safeguard its own rights and interests.

Israeli army enters center of Rafah: source

Israeli tanks are rolling towards the center of Rafah in southern Gaza as tens of thousands of residents flee ahead of an Israeli ground offensive.

The advance followed hours of intense air and artillery bombardment on Monday night.

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement said their militants had targeted Israeli forces in Rafah.

The UN Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees says the conflict has displaced nearly 450,000 people from Rafah since May 6.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians arrive in Deir al-Balah

Deir al-Balah in central Gaza has offered refuge to displaced Palestinians, as Israeli forces escalate operations across the enclave.

Thousands of displaced civilians have set up sprawling tented settlements in the city.

Floods leave 40,000 children homeless in Afghan province: charity

A global charity says about 40,000 children have lost their homes in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan Province as heavy downpours and floods lashed the region on Friday.

The charity Save the Children made the remarks on Monday.

More than 330 people were killed across the country, mostly in Baghlan.

Global organizations and Afghan officials have warned of infectious diseases following the floods.

The World Health Organization said it had sent eight emergency response teams to the flood-affected region to monitor the risk of infections.

U.S. ban on Russian uranium imports "not critical" for nuclear sector: Kremlin

The Kremlin says the recent U.S. ban on uranium imports from Russia is not expected to seriously impact the Russian nuclear industry.

On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill prohibiting U.S. imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium from Russia.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the legislation aims to reduce the country's reliance on Russia for civilian nuclear power.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the U.S. is finding it difficult to compete with Russia in the international arena and is consequently resorting to measures that distort all norms and principles of international trade.

Means of production prices mostly rise in China

The majority of capital goods monitored by China's statistical authorities registered higher prices in early May compared with late April.

Of the 50 major goods classified in nine categories, including gasoline, fertilizer, and some chemicals, 29 reported higher prices in the period.

Twenty of them saw price declines, and one recorded an unchanged price.

Released every 10 days, these figures are based on a survey of nearly 2,000 wholesalers and distributors across the country.

China-Europe freight train service connects northern Chinese port, Moscow

A new international freight train route linking Huanghua Port in Hebei Province with the Russian capital has begun operations.

Huanghua Port is a major shipping hub in northern China.

Currently, it has maintained trade with more than 200 ports in over 40 countries and regions around the world.

Shanghai International Film Festival to feature French film week

The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival will include a French film week.

The festival will run from June 14 to 23.

This year's festival will also feature a sci-fi film week centering around artificial intelligence.