China, U.S. hold candid, in-depth, constructive talks on economic, trade issues

The Chinese and U.S. delegations held candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges and consultations here from Sunday to Monday on economic and trade issues of mutual concern, including tariff arrangements, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and maintaining existing consultation consensus.

During the talks, which are guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the two sides reached some new consensus and agreed to continue consultations.

Under the strategic guidance of the important common understandings between the two heads of state, and following five rounds of economic and trade consultations last year, China and the United States have reached a series of outcomes in the economic and trade area, said Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks with U.S. lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

U.S., Iranian officials reactivate direct contact in recent days

A direct communications channel between U.S. and Iranian officials has been reactivated in recent days, according to a report from U.S. online media outlet Axios on Monday, citing a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.

The communication between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is the first known direct contact between the two countries since the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, said the report.

The U.S. official told Axios it was Araghchi who was attempting to engage, but said the U.S. "is not talking" to Iran.

Trump says he thinks war with Iran will continue through this week

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he does not think the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran could finish this week, while repeating his earlier claims that the conflict will come to an end "soon."

Asked by a reporter at the White House if the war could end this week, Trump said: "I don't think so. But it'll be soon."

"Won't be long," Trump added. "It'll be wrapped up soon."

The president also said that he will "soon" announce countries that have agreed to join the White House-proposed coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about 20 percent of the world's oil passes.

EU has "no appetite" to expand naval mission to Hormuz

The European Union (EU) has no appetite for expanding its naval mission "Aspides" to the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday.

After a foreign ministers' meeting, she said the EU ministers had discussed options to better protect shipping in the region, with a focus on de-escalation and the freedom of navigation.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

U.S.-Israeli strikes kill 226 women, 204 children in Iran

The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have killed 226 women as well as 204 children, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday, citing Fatemeh Mohajerani, a government spokesperson.

Mohajerani said that 17 medical workers and 206 teachers and students were killed in the strikes, according to the report.

She added that more than 61,000 civilian facilities in Iran have been damaged since the start of the conflict, including over 18,000 residential and commercial units in the Iranian capital Tehran, the report said.

About 200 U.S. troops injured since start of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

About 200 U.S. troops have been injured since the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran more than two weeks ago, a spokesperson with the U.S. Central Command said on Monday.

The injuries happened across seven Middle East countries, namely Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to U.S. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins.

Among the injured, 10 service members were seriously wounded and over 180 others have been treated and returned to duty, said Hawkins.

Israel begins "targeted" ground operations in S. Lebanon

Israeli forces launched ground operations on Monday against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, opening a new front in a widening regional conflict.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the operation aimed "to remove threats and protect the residents of the north." He added that hundreds of thousands of southern Lebanese residents evacuating homes south of the Litani River would not be allowed to return until northern Israeli communities were secured.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to destroy the terror infrastructure in the Lebanese border villages, just as it was done against Hamas in Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and the terror tunnels in Gaza," Katz said, warning that Israel could target Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem.

Afghanistan says Pakistan bombs Kabul

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Monday the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes on Kabul.

Mujahid said in a post on X the airstrikes targeted a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul that provides treatment for drug addicts, resulting in a large number of casualties.

Thailand's parliament set to elect new PM on March 19

Thailand's House of Representatives is set to hold a session on March 19 to vote for a new prime minister, Secretary-General of the lower house of parliament Sirote Paetphan said on Monday.

The announcement followed a royal endorsement of Sophon Zaram as the new House speaker, setting the stage for the lower house of parliament to convene for the election of the prime minister after the February general election.

Under the Thai constitution, a candidate is required to receive a simple majority of votes cast by the lower house to become the prime minister.