Israel claimed it had killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as multiple conflicts involving Iran-backed militant groups heated up.

The US says it has carried out "precision strikes" against five weapons storage locations in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were part of the operation that targeted hardened underground facilities housing missiles and other munitions that the Iran-backed group had used to attack civilian and military ships.

The strike was a major escalation in the American response to the rebels’ attacks on Mideast shipping lanes. It appeared to be a warning to Iran as well.

China's economy expanded at an annual rate of 4.6% in the July-September quarter, the government said Friday, in the latest evidence that recent efforts to rev up growth have yet to take hold. The world’s second largest economy slowed from 4.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Friday reported third-quarter GDP growth of 4.6% year on year, slightly beating expectations.

China reports its economy grew at a 4.6% annual rate in the July-September quarter, below the government'S 5% target