At least 90 people have been killed in a severe storm accompanied by hail and lightning across Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The storm uprooted trees and billboards, damaged electricity poles, and destroyed hundreds of homes. According to a state relief official, several deaths occurred when trees and walls collapsed, though no immediate details of rescue operations were provided. Police said early Thursday that administrative officials were inspecting the affected areas.

The storm also disrupted air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after rainfall hit parts of the capital. Government data showed that Prayagraj reported 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, while two people each died in Chandauli and Kushinagar, and one in Sonbhadra. Separate lightning incidents were also reported in Kanpur Dehat and Deoria.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of damage and losses across the state as relief efforts proceed.

Taiwan has expressed optimism about continued support from the United States, stating that Washington has repeatedly reaffirmed its 'clear and firm' backing. The statement was made by Taiwanese cabinet spokesperson Michelle Li during a press briefing, coinciding with the Trump-Xi summit taking place in Beijing.

The position of Taiwan has emerged as one of the most sensitive topics in the discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing continues to claim the self-governed island of 23 million people as an inseparable part of its territory, while Taiwan’s current government considers itself an independent and sovereign state.

Analysts cited in the report note that any comment or policy shift by Trump regarding Taiwan could significantly affect regional stability. In this context, Taiwan’s assertion of US support carries notable international significance, especially as geopolitical tensions remain heightened during the summit.

Analysts believe that the ongoing discussions between the United States and China are unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs. However, limited, pragmatic, and transaction-based agreements may emerge from the talks. According to Professor Nick Bisley of La Trobe University, China’s main interest lies in reducing tariffs on its exports to the U.S., though it remains uncertain whether such concessions will be achieved.

Bisley told Al Jazeera that purchase-related agreements could receive the most attention. China may announce large-scale soybean purchases from the U.S., offering relief to American farmers affected by the Iran war’s economic impact. Additionally, Beijing might place new aircraft orders with Boeing. The formation of a joint trade board between the two nations is also reportedly under discussion.

Despite these possibilities, Bisley cautioned that expectations for major success are low. He described the meeting as a face-saving effort, allowing both sides to present the outcome domestically as a diplomatic achievement, while significant tariff reductions remain unlikely.

U.S. President Donald Trump described his first round of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'excellent' following their meeting in Beijing. He made the remarks during a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven, where reporters asked about the progress of the discussions. Trump said the talks went very well but did not elaborate on specific topics.

According to the Associated Press, Trump declined to comment on whether the sensitive Taiwan issue was discussed. While he characterized the meeting as positive, no details of the conversation between the two leaders have been made public. The encounter has drawn global attention due to the significance of U.S.-China relations.

Observers noted that Trump’s brief remarks suggest the initial dialogue took place in a cordial atmosphere, though the substance of the discussions remains undisclosed.

The government of West Bengal has issued new and stricter regulations on animal slaughter, banning the public slaughter of cattle and all other animals across the state. According to the directive, anyone wishing to slaughter cattle or other animals must obtain official approval and a fitness certificate from a government veterinarian. Violations of the new rules may result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The notification, reported by NDTV, specifies that animals such as cows, bulls, oxen, and buffaloes can only be slaughtered after receiving joint certification from local authorities and government veterinarians. Only animals older than fourteen years or those unfit for work or breeding may be approved for slaughter. Animals suffering from severe injury, disability, or incurable disease may also be permitted for slaughter, provided the certificate clearly states the reason.

The directive further mandates that approved animals must be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouses or officially approved locations. Open or public slaughter is completely prohibited, and obstruction of inspections by authorized officials will be treated as a punishable offense.

A fire broke out early Thursday at a shoe manufacturing factory in the Gazibari Bou Bazar area of Tongi, Gazipur. According to local residents, the blaze started around 5 a.m. in a five-room factory. Two units from the Tongi Fire Service arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control after about an hour of effort.

Md. Shahin Alam, Senior Station Officer of Tongi Fire Service, stated that the factory was operating illegally without any official approval or fire safety license. Initial assessment suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. The extent of the damage will be determined following an investigation.

Authorities are expected to conduct further inquiries into the factory’s operations and safety compliance, as the incident highlights ongoing concerns about unlicensed industrial facilities in the area.

Television viewership in Mymensingh has been steadily declining as mobile phones and social media platforms become the dominant sources of news and entertainment. Local cable operators report a significant drop in dish connections, with many households canceling their subscriptions. Some residents now use their television sets only as CCTV monitors rather than for watching programs.

Retailers and media professionals in the city note that television sales have fallen sharply, as people increasingly rely on smartphones for short-form videos, news, and entertainment. Viewers also express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of reliable and objective news on television, claiming that political bias has eroded trust in traditional channels. As a result, audiences are turning to online content and social media for real-time updates.

Analysts and cultural workers warn that unless television content improves in quality and relevance, the medium may continue to lose its audience. They emphasize the need for creative, factual, and socially meaningful programming to restore public confidence and engagement.

An eleven-year-old girl named Reshmi Akter, who was injured by gunfire from miscreants in Chattogram, has died at a hospital. The incident occurred on May 7 in the Roufabad Bihari Colony area under Bayezid Police Station. Doctors reported that her brain had become nearly nonfunctional, and she was kept on life support in the ICU before passing away on Thursday morning.

Reshmi was initially taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital after being shot. Due to the unavailability of an ICU bed, she was later transferred to a private hospital. According to her family, she was the youngest of five siblings and a fourth-grade student at a local school. She was shot while going to buy betel leaf for her mother on the night of the incident.

The report did not mention any arrests or official statements regarding the shooting, leaving the motive and identity of the attackers unclear.

The education program at BKMS Secondary School in Kulbaria village under Atlia Union of Dumuria upazila, Khulna, has been shut down due to pressure from nearby brick kiln owners. The school, established in 2005 and located about five kilometers from Kathaltala Bazar, has not held classes for two years. Because of the closure, students from four surrounding villages—Bagachra, Kulbaria, Murabunia, and Sundarbunia—must now travel five to six kilometers to attend other schools.

Within one kilometer of the school, five brick kilns operate along the Ghengrile River under Water Development Board’s 17/2 polder area. Despite previous raids and fines by the Department of Environment, the kilns continue production, causing severe air pollution, soil degradation, and health problems for residents. Locals allege that toxic smoke and heavy vehicle movement have made the area unsafe, while farmland and fisheries have suffered.

Local authorities, including the union parishad chairman and the upazila executive officer, have pledged to investigate and take action to protect the school and enforce environmental laws, which prohibit brick kilns within one kilometer of educational institutions.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, U.S. President Donald Trump offered high praise for his Chinese counterpart. Speaking directly to Xi, Trump called him a great leader and said he did not care about criticism of his remarks because he believed them to be true.

The report notes that Trump’s admiration for Xi is not new but part of a long-standing pattern spanning nearly a decade of personal and political interactions. In 2017, during his first state visit to China, Trump described Xi as a very special, talented, and good person. He has also spoken positively about Xi in various interviews, including a 2023 Fox News appearance where he called Xi smart and an extraordinary individual.

Political analysts cited in the report observe that despite trade wars and geopolitical tensions, Trump has consistently maintained a tone of personal respect toward Xi, a stance that continues to spark debate within U.S. political circles.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day state visit to China, receiving a grand welcome led by Vice President Han Zheng. During the trip, Trump is scheduled to hold several key meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, focusing on the Iran war, Taiwan, trade, and technology. The visit marks Trump’s return to China nearly a decade after his first trip in 2017, when he was lavishly received.

The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since then. Xi Jinping, now in his third term, is advancing plans to build “new productive forces” through major investments in renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Trump faces declining popularity due to the Iran war and rising global prices, raising concerns about his party’s prospects in upcoming midterm elections. Analysts note that China now appears more confident and less eager to prove parity with the U.S.

Trump is accompanied by top executives from major American technology firms, including Apple, Tesla, and BlackRock, underscoring the visit’s economic and technological importance. He is also expected to seek China’s help in partially ending the Iran war through a potential agreement with Tehran.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Thursday ordered the imprisonment of former minister Dr. Dipu Moni, journalist Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa in connection with a crimes against humanity case linked to the Shapla Chattar massacre during Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally. The order was issued around 11:30 a.m., and the court directed that the three accused be produced again on June 7, the date set for submission of the investigation report.

Earlier in the morning, the three were presented before the tribunal. They were already in custody as accused in the July killing case and have now been shown arrested in the Shapla Chattar case as well. With their inclusion, the total number of detained accused in this case has risen to nine, including former state minister Shamsul Haque Tuku, former IGP Shahidul Haque, and ex-army officer Ziaul Ahsan.

According to the chief prosecutor, 58 people were confirmed killed in the Shapla Chattar incident across four districts. The case is expected to name 30 accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Iran’s military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated on Wednesday in Mashhad that Iran will not allow any country to transport U.S. weapons through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the strategic importance of the waterway, noting that it is currently under the control of Iran’s armed forces.

According to Akraminia, the western part of the strait is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, while the eastern part is under the Iranian Navy. He described this coordinated control as a key factor in strengthening Iran’s surveillance and dominance over the region. The spokesman also claimed that such control could generate revenue nearly double Iran’s oil income.

Akraminia warned foreign powers that Iran would prevent any attempt to move American weapons through the strait and added that most of the weapons previously stored in regional bases had already been destroyed.

Police in Teknaf have arrested Shaker Majhi, identified as the main suspect behind a human trafficking operation linked to a trawler sinking in the Andaman Sea while attempting to smuggle people to Malaysia. The arrest took place on Wednesday evening in the Mundar Deil area of Teknaf’s Sabrang Union following an hour-long operation based on secret intelligence and technological assistance. Shaker Majhi, aged 42, is the son of Kabir Ahmed from the same locality.

According to Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam, the detainee is considered one of the top human traffickers in the region. Local reports and social media discussions have long identified him as the key figure behind the Andaman Sea boat tragedy. Police confirmed that he faces a total of 11 cases involving human trafficking, drugs, weapons, and smuggling.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the ongoing investigation or potential additional arrests related to the case.

Inter Miami secured a dramatic 5-3 win over FC Cincinnati in an eight-goal Major League Soccer clash at TQL Stadium on May 14, 2026. Lionel Messi was at the heart of the victory, scoring twice, providing one assist, and inspiring a comeback after Miami trailed 3-2 until the 64th minute. His first goal came in the 24th minute from a defensive error, setting the tone for a night dominated by his brilliance.

Cincinnati fought back strongly to take the lead, but Messi’s influence turned the match around. He netted his second goal in the 55th minute from a Luis Suárez pass before Miami sealed the win with three late goals. An 89th-minute effort from Messi was initially thought to be his hat-trick but was later ruled an own goal. The Argentine now has 12 goals this MLS season, ranking second among top scorers, and his career totals stand at 910 goals and 411 assists.

The performance reinforced Messi’s enduring impact in American soccer and his continued dominance despite advancing age.