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Chinese President Xi Jinping called for stronger industrial and supply chain cooperation with Vietnam and wider collaboration in emerging fields, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, amid heightened trade tensions prompted by hefty U.S. tariffs, Reuters reported.

Xi starts a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia this week, beginning his state visits with Vietnam from April 14 to 15.

China hiked its levies on imports of U.S. goods to 125% on Friday, hitting back at U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to single out the world's No. 2 economy for higher duties.

Xi also urged strengthening coordination and cooperation through regional initiatives such as the East Asia Cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the ministry said, citing an article by the Chinese leader published in Vietnam media, according to Reuters.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday bore down on his administration's latest message that the exclusion of smartphones and computers from his reciprocal tariffs on China will be short-lived, pledging a national security trade investigation into the semiconductor sector, Reuters reported.

Those electronics "are just moving to a different Tariff 'bucket,'" Trump said in a social media post. "We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations."

The White House had announced the exclusions from steep reciprocal tariffs on Friday.

Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, earlier on Sunday said that critical technology products from China would face separate new duties along with semiconductors within the next two months.

The exclusions announced on Friday were seen as a big break for technology firms such as Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab and Dell Technologies (DELL.N), opens new tab that rely on imports from China, according to Reuters.

Trump's back-and-forth on tariffs last week triggered the wildest swings on Wall Street since the COVIDpandemic of 2020. The benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 index (.SPX), opens new tab is down more than 10% since Trump took office on January 20.

A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed 34 people - including two children - and injured 117 others, has been strongly condemned by Kyiv's Western allies, BBC reported.

Two ballistic missiles struck the city centre mid-morning on Sunday, exploding near the state university and congress centre, leaving bloodied bodies scattered in the streets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack "horrifying" while Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, accused Russia of committing a war crime.

There was no immediate official comment on the attack from Russia, whose forces across the nearby border are said to be preparing for a major offensive, according to BBC.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government alone is not enough to realize the common aspirations of a prosperous nation. "We can achieve success only with the joint efforts, hard work and contribution of all Nepalis inside and outside the country.”

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the New Year 2082 today, Prime Minister Oli has said that in the new year we seek new energy new resolutions and new possibilities, and I am confident that this year will inspire us all to develop hope, enthusiasm and positive thinking for our common resolve to make the country prosperous and the people happy.

Describing ethnic, regional, cultural and religious diversity as common assets of our nation, he has emphasized that we should move forward by developing unity between them as a strength and not as opposing forces.

In his message, the Prime Minister has said that the youth generation is the potential of the nation and in order to bring their passion, energy and creativity into the mainstream of nation building the government has adopted a policy of making the youth self-reliant and confident through entrepreneurship, technology, education and self-employment.

“We should embrace the changes brought about by the country’s democratic system and resolve to move forward in a more positive direction. We should overcome the tendency to spread despair and instead move forward with faith in patriotism, unity and progress.”

President Ram Chandra  Paudel has appealed to all to come together with enthusiasm for the progress and prosperity of the nation and move forward with a common resolve. 

In a message of best wishes on the auspicious occasion of the New Year 2082 today, he has said Nepalis consider the New Year as an auspicious occasion to review the past and make promises and resolutions for the coming days. “It is our tradition to set life goals on special occasions and days and to remain committed to fulfilling them throughout our lives. Hence, the New Year is a day for us to set a common national goal for the country and resolve to achieve it,” he has said in the message.

Stating that Bikram Sambat is a Shaurya Sambat based on ancient Hindu tradition and Vedic chronology, he said that this Sambat represents our civilization, social life and traditions, reminds us of Nepal's glorious past and inspires us to move forward towards a prosperous future.

President Paudel has emphasized the need to work for the development of agriculture, tourism and water resources to achieve prosperity, while expressing the confidence that today will inspire us all to become more democratic, just and result-oriented.

The District Administration Office, Parsa, has lifted the curfew imposed in the Birgunj metropolis area from Sunday midnight.

Chief District Officer of Parsa, Ganesh Aryal, shared that the curfew was lifted from 12:00 pm after analyzing the overall law and order situation in Birgunj, which has seen a gradual improvement and based on the decision taken at the all-party meeting. 

However, a prohibitory order has been imposed putting a ban on any kind of gatherings, meetings, processions and demonstrations with effect from April 14 and until further notice, he added. Those violating the order will be taken into custody and action will be taken according to the law. 

The DAO had imposed the curfew order with effect from 6:30 pm on Saturday after a clash between two groups took a violent turn in the Birgunj municipal corporation area on the same afternoon.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba and 15 ambassadors of different countries to Nepal have arrived at Kanyam in the district on the occasion of New Year, 2082BS.

They arrived at Kanyam this afternoon as part of the visit organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal Tourism Board and in coordination with Suryodaya Municipality of Ilam on the occasion of the New Year.

Under the leadership of Minister for Foreign Affairs Deuba, 45 high ranking officials including Secretary at the Ministry, Amrit Rai, employees of the Board, ambassadors of 15 countries and other senior officials reached a popular tourist destination, Kanyam. 

The diplomatic persons were welcomed by the municipality and taken to Shreeantu. The guests were welcomed with panchebaja (traditional Nepali folk musical instruments). 

The Ministry took the ambassadors to the tourist destination of the country as part of the annual program.

The entourage includes ambassadors of Egypt, South Korea, the UK, Switzerland, Thailand, Australia, France, Israel and Japan, among others. 

The 'Nagarkot Visit Year-2082 BS' is kicking off tomorrow. The visit year is launched in a bid to promote culture, nature and history of Nagarkot area. 

Changunarayan Municipality, Mandandeupur Municipality, Banepa Municipality and Shankharapur Municipality are jointly organizing the visit year event at Batasedanda of Nagarkot. 

The visit year is expected to draw a huge number of tourists- both foreign and domestic ones.

The visit year is organized with the coordination and collaboration with Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Development Committee, Bagmati Province government and Nepal Tourism Board. 

Mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, Jeevan Khatri, said that the campaign would be celebrated in Nagarkot by highlighting eco-tourism, agriculture tourism, ethnic costumes, festivals and cultural identity of all the four municipalities.