China, U.S. should work together for world peace, prosperity: Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that in this new era, China and the United States should work together for world peace and prosperity, tackle global challenges and shoulder their due responsibilities as major countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while holding a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Wang said to ensure that the two giant ships of China and the United States move forward together without deviating from their courses or losing speed, it is necessary to adhere to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state without compromise.

Countries hosting Hamas could be Israel's next targets: Israeli PM

Countries hosting Hamas leaders or other groups regarded by Israel as enemies could themselves become targets if they failed to act against the groups, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday, a day after Israel's Doha strike that drew swift and broad international condemnation.

"I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice ... because if you don't, we will," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Qatar says working with U.S. to prevent further Israeli attacks

Qatar condemned the Israeli strike on Doha as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, and said it is working with the United States to prevent a recurrence.

In a program aired on Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had shown "absolutely no respect for his partners and allies," making it clear that mediators in the peace efforts would be scapegoated rather than protected. He stressed the attack would not deter Qatar from continuing to reach a peace deal.

Israel strikes Gaza City tower, vows to pursue Hamas leaders after Qatar attack

The Israeli military struck another multi-story building in Gaza City on Wednesday, as Israeli officials vowed to continue targeting Hamas leaders even if Tuesday's airstrike in Qatar failed to kill them.

The military expanded its offensive in the city, home to nearly 1 million people. Photos showed the Tayba II Tower, a residential building near the Rimal neighborhood, reduced to rubble after the attack.

The military confirmed it had struck the building, claiming Hamas had installed intelligence-gathering equipment there.

Judge blocks Trump from firing Fed chair Lisa Cook

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked U.S. President Donald Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and ruled she must be immediately reinstated, local media reported.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that Trump's effort to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud that predated her time on the Fed board violated a federal law meant to insulate the interest-rate-setting body from political pressure.

Only Cook's conduct on the job could be grounds for removal, Cobb ruled. "The public interest in Federal Reserve independence weighs in favor of Cook's reinstatement."

Israel strikes multiple targets across Yemen's capital

Israel conducted airstrikes against Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday, targeting the Houthi-controlled Defense Ministry, headquarters of the Houthi military spokesman, military camps, and a fuel storage complex, eyewitnesses told Xinhua.

The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that the Israeli attack targeted a medical facility run by the Houthi-controlled Yemeni Oil company in the al-Sitteen street, southwest of Sanaa.

Residents reported hearing a series of powerful explosions that shook the city, accompanied by the roar of jets flying overhead at full throttle. Ambulances were seen rushing to multiple sites across the city.