Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a conciliatory tone during a state banquet for US President Donald Trump in Beijing, saying China’s national rejuvenation and Trump’s “Make America Great Again” vision could progress together. Xi stressed that the United States and China should be “partners rather than rivals” and warned both nations would lose from confrontation. Trump responded by praising the long history of US-China ties and invited Xi for a White House visit on September 24. The two leaders also agreed to build a “constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability” amid global economic and geopolitical tensions between the world’s two largest economies. (PC: India Today)

“Absolutely. I will bring Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and many others. Why should I stop?” football event organiser Satadru Dutta said months after the controversial Lionel Messi event in Kolkata triggered criticism and legal scrutiny. Dutta said organising international football events remains his “core competence” despite the backlash over crowd management and security concerns during Messi’s visit. He defended the event’s high ticket prices, saying such global tours involve huge costs and international payments. Dutta also claimed political interference worsened the Kolkata situation and insisted he was unfairly blamed for the controversy surrounding the event. (PC: X)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a two-day work-from-home policy for government employees each week as part of fuel-saving measures. The Delhi government will also promote online meetings, reduce the use of official vehicles and discourage foreign travel by officials. Private companies have been advised to adopt similar work-from-home arrangements, with the labour department monitoring compliance. The measures follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce petroleum consumption as tensions in the Middle East disrupt oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over a possible energy and fuel crisis. (PC: HT)

Indian-origin philanthropist Anil Kochhar surprised 176 graduating students at North Carolina State University by announcing he would pay off all their final-year education loans. The emotional announcement came during the Wilson College of Textiles graduation ceremony in Raleigh and drew a standing ovation from students and families. Kochhar said the gesture honoured his late father, Prakash Chand Kochhar, who came from Punjab to study at the university in 1946. Students said the support would change their lives and reduce financial pressure. Kochhar urged graduates to pursue their dreams freely and build meaningful futures without the burden of debt. (PC: X)

An Indian cargo ship, Haji Ali, sank off the coast of Oman after a suspected drone or missile strike early Wednesday, raising fresh concerns over maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz. The Gujarat-registered vessel was carrying livestock from Somalia to Sharjah when it caught fire near Limah, Oman. All 14 Indian crew members escaped in lifeboats and were rescued safely by the Oman Coast Guard. India called the attack “unacceptable” and urged protection of civilian shipping routes. The incident comes amid rising regional tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict and marks the second Gujarat-linked vessel loss within a week. (PC: India Today)

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted US President Donald Trump at a state banquet in Beijing after nearly two hours of high-level talks on Iran, oil supplies, trade tensions and Taiwan. Trump described the discussions as “great”, while the White House called the meeting constructive. However, differences remain over tariffs, export controls and Taiwan, which Beijing warned could become a source of conflict with Washington. China rolled out a grand ceremonial welcome for Trump, including a gun salute, cultural events and a joint visit to Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven. (PC: BBC)

The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 16 states and three Union Territories, including Delhi and Maharashtra. The exercise will cover nearly 36.73 crore voters, with over 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers conducting door-to-door verification between May 30 and October 14. The EC said the revision aims to remove duplicate, bogus and ineligible entries from voter lists. After Phase 3, the entire country will be covered under SIR except Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. (PC: HT)

The West Bengal government has issued fresh rules making fitness certificates mandatory before the slaughter of cows, bulls, buffaloes and related animals. Authorities said slaughter will only be allowed if the animal is over 14 years old or permanently unfit due to injury, disease or age. The order also bans slaughter in public places and directs that certified animals be taken only to authorised slaughterhouses ahead of Bakrid later this month. Officials have been empowered to inspect premises without obstruction. Violators can face up to six months in jail, a fine of ₹1,000, or both under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. (PC: X)

The BJP-led governments in Bihar and West Bengal have begun linking welfare benefits with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, aiming to remove duplicate, deceased and ineligible beneficiaries. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said people deleted from voter lists would lose access to ration and welfare schemes, while West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced stricter verification for social benefits. The move has triggered political controversy, with opposition leaders questioning whether deletion from electoral rolls should determine access to government welfare schemes and citizenship-linked entitlements. (PC: India Today)

At least 89 people were killed and 53 injured after powerful storms, heavy rain and hailstorms swept across several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. The worst-hit areas included Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Fatehpur and Badaun, where houses collapsed, trees and electric poles were uprooted, and lightning strikes claimed multiple lives. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to provide relief and compensation to affected families within 24 hours. Authorities have also ordered surveys to assess crop and property damage caused by the unseasonal weather across the state.