"Convoy was stopped and gunfire was distinctly heard for a few minutes but the convoy was not in immediate danger. The agency doesn’t have any other information about the incident,” they said.

"The hypothetical use of nuclear weapons is clearly limited by extraordinary circumstances within the framework of strictly defensive purposes."

China has been ramping up its economic, diplomatic and military activities, encouraged by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Germany's far-right AfD Party tweeted that "the Evangelical Church has completely distanced itself from the Christian faith" after the speech.

The lawsuit charged that NSO Group "destroyed Elatr's life, forcing her to live in fear and isolation, never able to safely return...or have a normal life."

Gates stepped down from Microsoft's board in 2020 to focus on philanthropic works related to global health, education and climate change.

"If it is signed now, it will be a colossal failure by the government," Lapid charged, calling on Netanyahu to go to Washington to prevent the deal.

The Foreign Ministry said that the building complex will include a residence for Russian diplomats and a conference hall.