May 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine-launched drone attack sparked fire and damaged several oil tanks at a refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, the region's crisis administration said on Thursday. About six drones were destroyed, but debris fell on the refinery near the village of Yurovka, sparking fire, the administration said on the Telegram messaging app. Several tanks were damaged, the administration...

BEIJING, May 9 (Reuters) - China's eastern metropolis of Hangzhou, among the country's most thriving cities, on Thursday said it will lift all home purchase restrictions to shore up its real estate market, raising the prospect of other cities following suit. As of May 9, Hangzhou's government will no longer vet the eligibility of potential buyers, the city housing authority...

(Adds historical information) THE HAGUE/WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - The United States has suspended a shipment of weapons to Israel, including heavy bombs the U.S. ally used in its campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians. The suspension comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues a military assault on the Palestinian city of...

SYDNEY, May 9 (Reuters) - Australia's Labor government on Thursday laid out a strategy to boost natural gas development even as it remains committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, highlighting demand from key Asian trade partners. Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and Resources Minister Madeline King said gas would be...