Air China restarted direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday after a six-year hiatus, another sign isolated North Korea is gradually opening up following the resumption of train services between the capitals.

Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host "meaningful talks" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran said it is ready to respond if the United States moves in with soldiers on the ground.

A Russian tanker full of crude oil has entered Cuban waters and was expected to reach port on Monday, possibly granting a lifeline to Cuba as US President Donald Trump appeared to relax a de facto oil blockade on the Caribbean island.

Pope Leo said on Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have "hands full of blood", in unusually forceful remarks as the Iran war entered its second month.

Organizers said "at least 8 million people gathered today at more than 3,300 events across all 50 states," from big cities and small towns. US authorities provided no national crowd estimate.

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Cuba reached Havana on Saturday after disappearing during a longer-than-expected journey from Mexico that triggered a search-and-rescue operation.

The Ford, America's newest and the world's largest carrier, was operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury when a non-combat fire broke out in its main laundry room on March 12, injuring three sailors.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory response in the Gulf have sent global oil prices soaring, with Iran maintaining a hold on the vital waterway.

The Philippines and China have resumed high-level talks this week over the disputed South China Sea, exploring preliminary steps toward oil and gas cooperation while addressing energy and fertilizer supply issues amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Philippine foreign ministry said.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels joined the month-old Middle East war, claiming two missile attacks on Israel that raised concern on Sunday about the war spreading to the Red Sea.

Pakistan has conveyed to Tehran a US proposal for ending the war and offered to host talks, with Iranian officials indicating any negotiations could take place in Pakistan or Turkey.

His administration has opened up negotiations with elements of Cuba's leadership in recent weeks, while Trump himself has hinted that kinetic action could be possible.

The diplomatic hopes came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio left G7 talks in Paris to declare Washington expects its military campaign to prove victorious within weeks.

At least 77 people were killed in the anti-corruption youth uprising on Sept. 8 and 9, 2025, which began over a brief social media ban, but tapped into longstanding fury over economic hardship.

During the private meeting, both leaders agreed to intensify diplomatic efforts to ease tension in the Middle East, while underlining the importance of global supply chain continuity, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Speaking on national television, Anwar said he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as Egyptian and Turkish counterparts and other leaders in the Gulf region.

A cyclone off Australia triggered outages at two of the world's largest LNG plants, energy giant Chevron said Friday as Middle East turmoil stoked soaring demand for the fuel.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he would sign an order instructing the Department of Homeland Security to pay airport security officers who have been working without salary amid a budget standoff on Capitol Hill.

Iran is letting Malaysian tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iranian, Turkish and other regional leaders, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump said he will extend a pause on attacks against Iran's energy plants into April and that talks with Iran were going "very well," but an Iranian official said a US proposal for ending the war as "one-sided and unfair."

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to visit Tokyo and Seoul early next week for bilateral meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the invitation of Indonesia’s two strategic partners in East Asia.

During the meeting, both leaders are expected to ‘intensify diplomatic efforts’ to ease tensions in the Middle East and ensure the continuity of global trade and supply chains that are critical for Indonesia and Malaysia.

KF-21 is a symbol of South Korea’s transformation from a buyer of foreign arms to a developer of advanced weapons.

The extensive use of interceptor missiles by the United States, Israel and the Gulf states to counter Iranian retaliatory attacks has raised concerns about stockpile sizes.

The Bangchak Corporation-owned tanker crossed the strategic waterway on Monday after successful talks between Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Iran's ambassador to Thailand.

Reuters first reported on March 18 that Trump's administration was considering deploying thousands of additional US troops, a move that would expand options to include deployment of forces inside Iranian territory. Such an escalation could dramatically raise the stakes in the conflict, which is already in its fourth week and has roiled global markets.

The Maguro shrimp fishing boat docked in Havana three days later than hoped after battling strong winds, currents and a pesky battery during its journey from Mexico.