Xi, Indonesian president exchange congratulations over 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto over the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President Xi said China and Indonesia are both large developing countries and important forces in the "Global South", and their cooperation is of strategic significance and global impact.

He said he is willing to work with his Indonesian counterpart to further deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and strengthen multilateral strategic coordination.

Subianto called for strengthening ties between the two countries and making positive contributions to world peace and stability.

Iran says talks with U.S. "constructive," further negotiations set for April 19

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says Iran and the United States have concluded their "indirect" talks in the Omani capital.

It said the two sides will hold the second round of negotiations on April 19.

It said the two-and-a-half-hour talks centered on Tehran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff were in Muscat for the talks on Saturday.

The White House said the two sides had "very positive and constructive" discussions.

U.S. exempts smartphones, computers from "reciprocal tariffs"

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will provide an update on semiconductor tariffs on Monday.

This follows the U.S. government's recent tariff exemptions on smartphones, computers and other electronics.

The exemptions, published late on Friday by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, include various electronic goods entering the U.S. from China, which are subject to tariffs of up to 145-percent.

China vows to uphold multilateral trading system: commerce minister

Beijing remains committed to safeguarding an open and non-discriminatory global trading system.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao made the pledge while speaking with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization.

The commerce minister warned Washington's so-called "reciprocal tariffs" will seriously harm the developing world and could even lead to humanitarian crises.

He called on WTO members to stand up to protectionism and bullying acts by strengthening cooperation.

Echoing the Chinese minister's call, Okonjo-Iweala said escalating trade tensions have posed serious challenges to global trade and economic growth prospects.

In response to the U.S. tariffs, Beijing has capped its levy on American goods coming into the country at 125 percent.

China's commerce ministry to help exporters affected by US tariffs

The Chinese Commerce Ministry says it will help foreign trade companies facing export challenges tap into the domestic market.

Seven industry associations, including the China General Chamber of Commerce, jointly issued an initiative to expand the domestic market and promote the linkage between domestic and international trade.

Global shipping strikes landmark emissions deal

Following years of intense negotiations, nations have reached a landmark agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping.

The framework is the first to combine mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing across an entire industry sector.

The measures will apply to large ocean-going vessels exceeding 5,000 gross tonnage.

These vessels are responsible for 85 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from the global shipping fleet.

The framework, approved by the International Maritime Organization, is scheduled for formal adoption in October 2025.

British parliament passes emergency law to save British Steel

The British Parliament has passed an emergency law granting the government sweeping powers to take control of British Steel.

The facility supplies the vast majority of the country's rail tracks. The legislation was introduced in response to British Steel's plan to shut down its blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, citing unsustainable financial losses.