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The criminal trial of South Korea’s ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol began on Monday, with prosecutors accusing him of leading an insurrection by declaring martial law late last year, sparking months of unrest.

Prosecutors claimed Yoon lacked the legal authority to declare martial law and accused him of attempting to paralyze state institutions including parliament.

Yoon has stated that martial law was necessary to demonstrate how the main opposition party was engaging in "legislative dictatorship" by consistently obstructing his government's agenda, but he had no intention of crippling the nation, Reuters reported.

Although South Korea hasn't carried out an execution in decades, the impeached leader faces an insurgency charge that carries a life sentence or possibly death.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Donald Trump to visit his country ahead of any deal with Russia to end the war.

"Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead," Zelensky stated during an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes program, BBC reported.

The interview was conducted before to the deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, which left 117 people injured and 34 dead, including two children.

Trump called the incident "horrible," while Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, charged Russia of war crimes, according to BBC.

There was no quick formal response from Russia, whose forces over the border are thought to be preparing for a major onslaught.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong arrived at Noi Bai International Airport to greet General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, as well as a high-level Chinese delegation.

Two hundred members of the Drum Art Troupe welcomed the high-ranking Chinese delegation with special drum performances. There were also welcoming dances performed by 54 young women in traditional Vietnamese clothes, Xinhua reported.

This is Xi's fourth State visit to Vietnam as General Secretary and President of China; more importantly, it is the second visit by a Chinese leader to Vietnam in the same term.
The visit occurs in the backdrop of 2025 being a significant year, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2025).

This visit contributes to strengthening and deepening the framework of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, while the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future has strategic significance, elevating the two countries' relationship to new heights.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba has urged for the promotion of tourism in Nepal, highlighting its vast potential for the country's development and prosperity. 

She made this statement at a retreat organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Antu and Kanyam of Ilam for the heads of foreign missions in Nepal and representatives of various international organisations. "Nepal's unique culture, heritage and natural beauty are the major attractions to the world, and these invaluable assets are the basis of the country's development and prosperity."

Minister Rana praised Nepal's cultural and natural diversity, as well as its beauty, greenery, biodiversity and heritage, and mountain ranges.

 Explaining the importance of the Ilam region, she described Ilam as a land of tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and warm-hearted local people, and urged everyone to experience tea gardens, clean air, traditions, and lifestyle of the tourist destination, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She urged the world community to invest in tourism and infrastructure development in Nepal, noting that foreign investment could further unlock the country's potential.

Minister Rana urged the visiting diplomats to become “ambassadors” for the country’s tourism. “I urge you to take the inspiring stories and beauty of Ilam and Nepal as a whole to your countries and people when you return home, and do your best to promote it,” she said to the diplomats.

Also speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai requested people to experience and appreciate the unique cultural and natural beauty of Nepal. 

The event was attended by ambassadors from over 15 countries, including the UK, Japan, and Australia, and heads and representatives of various international organizations.

Co-organised by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Suryodaya Municipality of Ilam, the event aimed to showcase Nepal's warm hospitality, and its diversity, rich culture and natural beauty to the world community. 

The program was organized coinciding with Nepali New Year, 2082, seeking to highlight Ilam's significance as a tourist hub by introducing its natural and cultural beauty and locality to promote tourism in Nepal.