The United States has launched a major strike on Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation as Tehran warned it could target American business facilities if its energy infrastructure comes under attack.

China and Vietnam will hold their 10th border defense friendship exchange in mid-March, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday.

A long-range artillery sub-unit of the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the western area conducted a firepower strike drill on March 14, the DPRK's official news agency reported on Sunday.

A large number of flights in and out of the Middle East have been canceled, affecting more than 6 million passenger trips since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, remains open and under Iranian control, a senior Iranian commander said on Saturday, amid rising tensions with the United States and its allies.

The media event China in Springtime: Chinas Development Shared Opportunities for the World hosted by China Media Group, was held in New York on March 13.

A high-level dialogue between Chinese representatives and American business leaders was held in New York on Friday, March 13. The event, called China in Springtime: Chinas Development Opportunities for the World, focused on the outcomes of Chinas Two Sessions meetings and explored opportunities for cooperation between the United States and China.

The US is dismissing concerns that the Strait of Hormuz is going to be a problem. The strategic shipping lane off Irans coast has been effectively shuttered for two weeks now - roiling global energy and shipping markets.

Global South Voices: High-quality growth & global governance

A US federal judge temporarily blocked the administration ofDonald Trumpfrom ending humanitarian protections that allow about 1,100 immigrants fromSomaliato live and work in theUnited States.

The Beninese government has put in place arrangements to facilitate the return of its nationals stranded or residing in the Gulf region to the West African country, according to an official statement on Saturday.

IDF claims fifth Quds Force commander killed

Following the previous five rounds of economic and trade talks held in Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid and Kuala Lumpur between May and October 2025, China and the United States are set to hold a new round of talks, scheduled for March 14-17, in Paris, France, demonstrating that dialogue and cooperation remain the correct way forward for the two countries.

IRGC claims heavy missile and drone strikes on US bases in region

A record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 was approved by Japan's lower house on Friday evening with the backing of the ruling coalition's supermajority, amid criticism that the bill was pressed ahead despite controversies surrounding its contents and unusually shortened deliberations.

The US decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil is intended to help stabilize global energy markets, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

The United States on Friday updated waivers to Venezuela sanctions aimed at easing the way for investment and activities related to the country's oil and the export of fertilizer, as prices rise amid US strikes on Iran.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (20262030) for national economic and social development at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, setting a comprehensive framework for China's development over the next five years.

Iran: US army targeted Abu Musa and Kharg islands with its missiles

Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, said Friday it has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai and Doha until the end of March due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

China's high-quality development: Opportunities for Africa

Global households under strain as Iran war sparks historic oil shock

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified projectile eastward, with the exact number yet to be confirmed, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Saturday.

Missile strikes helipad in US embassy compound in Iraq, AP reports

The United States Treasury eased sanctions on Russian oil on Thursday to curb global energy prices driven by its war with Iran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated. Oil prices drop on Friday morning following the announcement.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a C$35 billion ($25.7 billion) plan on Thursday to boost Canada's defenses in the giant Arctic region as it tries to decrease its reliance on the United States.

An international passenger train from the city of Dandong in northeast China's Liaoning Province to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday.

A US KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, US Central Command said Thursday.

One of three victims in a shooting on the campus of Old Dominion University in the US state of Virginia has died, the university's police said on Thursday.

Iran strikes cost over $11B for US taxpayers

Watch live: Scenes from Middle East conflict hot spots

Reuters: China's mediation eases Pakistan-Afghan clashes

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone conversation with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla at the latter's request.

The African Union Commission urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a defiant statement on Thursday vowing revenge for the deaths of Iranians in ongoing US-Israeli attacks, while expressing support for keeping the Strait of Hormuz - a vital maritime passage for oil shipments - closed as a pressure tool against Iran's adversaries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from teachers and students of the Chinese language class at an international school in France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, extending his best wishes to them and to all teachers and students of the school.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said the government has increased subsidies to keep fuel supplies stable and affordable.