Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said his government had already implemented several austerity measures, including reducing convoy sizes, cutting salaries of ministers and MLAs, and promoting the use of electric vehicles for official travel.

Speaking to reporters in Mandi, Sukhu welcomed recent efforts to reduce official expenditure and said the state administration had been pursuing similar measures for some time.

“I have already reduced the size of my convoy vehicles. It is a good thing that the governor has also reduced his convoy,” the chief minister said.

He added that the state government had cut ministers’ salaries by 30 per cent and reduced the salaries of MLAs by 20 per cent as part of wider cost-saving initiatives.

“We have tightened finances and taken several such decisions,” Sukhu said, adding that officials had also been directed to further scale down his convoy.

Highlighting the government’s emphasis on sustainable transport, the chief minister said he personally travelled in a small electric vehicle.

“I travel in a small electric car,” he remarked.

Sukhu also took aim at the opposition BJP, accusing the previous administration of wasteful spending on infrastructure projects with limited practical value.

“They constructed buildings worth thousands of crores, but many of them are not useful today,” he said.

The chief minister further stated that the state government would review the court verdict concerning KNH Hospital before deciding on future action.

Escalating his criticism of the BJP, Sukhu accused the party of failing to adequately support the people of Himachal Pradesh while still seeking to regain power in the state.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he questioned the status of financial assistance previously announced for Himachal Pradesh.

“Prime Minister Modi had announced Rs 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh, but BJP MPs and leaders do not have the courage to ask where that money is,” Sukhu said.

He added that his government remained committed to fulfilling its promises and strengthening the state’s economy through self-reliance.

The remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Modi reportedly directed that the number of vehicles in his official convoy be reduced by 50 per cent in an effort to lower fuel consumption amid global economic and energy concerns.

The prime minister has also instructed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to increase the use of electric vehicles within his security fleet, while making it clear that no new vehicles should be purchased specifically for the transition.

With IANS inputs

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday urged the Uttar Pradesh government to intensify relief and rescue operations on a “war footing” after severe storms and rain-related incidents claimed at least 56 lives across the state.

In a post on X, the Samajwadi Party chief described the devastation caused by strong winds and heavy rain as “extremely saddening” and said districts including Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra and Badaun were among the worst affected.

“Fifty-four people have died due to severe storms and strong winds, while lakhs of people have been badly affected after houses, trees and walls collapsed,” Yadav said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded immediate medical assistance for the injured and called on the government to ensure adequate arrangements for food, drinking water and temporary shelter for affected families.

He also urged authorities to conduct a swift assessment of losses to lives, homes, crops and vehicles so compensation and insurance claims could be processed without delay.

“Proper and dignified last rites should be conducted for those who lost their lives,” Yadav said, while extending condolences to bereaved families.

Appealing to party workers to step in, the Samajwadi Party leader asked cadres in unaffected areas to assist victims “in every possible manner” during the crisis.

The appeal came amid widespread destruction caused by unseasonal storms and heavy rain across Uttar Pradesh, where uprooted trees, collapsed structures and lightning strikes disrupted normal life in multiple districts.

With PTI inputs

India has imposed a ban on sugar exports until 30 September 2026 in a bid to safeguard domestic supplies and keep prices under control amid concerns over lower-than-expected production.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced the decision through a notification revising the country’s export policy for sugar.

Under the new rules, the export status of raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar has been changed from “restricted” to “prohibited”. The restrictions will remain in place until the end of September next year or until further government orders are issued.

The government said the move was aimed at ensuring adequate domestic availability of sugar in one of the world’s largest producing and consuming nations.

However, exports to the European Union and the United States under existing CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will continue through established procedures outlined in official public notices.

Authorities also clarified that exports carried out under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) would still be permitted in line with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the associated Handbook of Procedures.

India, the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil, had previously approved exports of around 1.59 million metric tonnes after estimating that production would comfortably exceed domestic demand.

The latest restrictions are expected to tighten global sugar supplies and could support international raw and white sugar prices. Analysts believe the curbs may create opportunities for competing exporters such as Brazil and Thailand to increase shipments to markets across Asia and Africa.

The announcement comes shortly after an industry report showed that sugarcane production in India had risen by roughly 10 per cent compared with the previous year, providing support for both sugar manufacturing and ethanol production.

However, the report noted that growth across the sector remained uneven, with stronger gains largely concentrated among mills that have integrated ethanol production facilities.

With IANS inputs

US President Donald Trump entered high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday amid growing political pressure at home to adopt a tougher stance on China over trade, human rights, Taiwan and national security.

The summit, taking place at the Great Hall of the People during Trump’s three-day visit to China, marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since their encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea. The discussions are expected to focus heavily on trade tensions, technological rivalry, the war involving Iran and regional security issues.

Before the meeting, Trump received a ceremonial welcome featuring military honours, national anthems and greetings from children waving Chinese and American flags. Opening the talks, Trump described Xi as a friend and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries.

“It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said.

The summit comes as bipartisan voices in Washington intensify demands for stronger action against Beijing. In one of the most prominent appeals, Congressman James Walkinshaw and Senator Tim Kaine urged Trump to confront China over its treatment of North Korean refugees.

The lawmakers accused Beijing of violating international obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention by forcibly repatriating North Koreans despite the severe risks they face upon return, including torture, imprisonment, forced labour and execution.

Their intervention followed reports from the Congressional-Executive Commission on China alleging that Chinese authorities deported around 600 North Korean refugees in October 2023 — described as the largest such operation on record — followed by a further 200 in April 2024.

The appeal drew support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, alongside Representatives Ami Bera, James McGovern and Suhas Subramanyam.

Trade disputes also remain central to the talks. Republican lawmakers led by Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington called on the administration to push for the removal of China’s 10 per cent tariff on American cotton, arguing that Chinese retaliation had caused US cotton exports to China to plunge by 87 per cent this year.

The lawmakers stressed China’s importance to global textile production, noting that China and India together account for more than half of worldwide textile mill consumption.

Meanwhile, senior Senate Democrats accused Trump of weakening America’s strategic position ahead of the summit. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the administration’s handling of export controls, alliances and efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer warned against any concessions that could undermine US manufacturing, semiconductor development or Taiwan’s security.

“Donald Trump may have no interest in helping the American people get ahead, but he certainly seems willing to give China a leg up,” Schumer said.

At the same time, the US House of Representatives prepared to vote on a resolution urging Trump to raise the cases of political prisoners during the talks. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith, highlighted jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, detained religious leaders, Uyghur detainees and imprisoned American citizens in China.

“America will not be silent while the Chinese Communist Party imprisons the innocent and reaches across borders to threaten their families,” Smith told lawmakers during debate on the measure.

Beyond trade and human rights, the summit is expected to address the escalating conflict involving Iran and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and global commodities. Trump is reportedly seeking Chinese cooperation in efforts to stabilise the region and restore secure maritime passage.

Taiwan and technological competition, particularly in artificial intelligence and semiconductor development, are also expected to dominate discussions.

Some analysts believe North Korea may feature in the talks as well, given Trump’s repeated interest in reviving diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and China’s continued influence over Pyongyang.

Following Thursday’s formal meetings, Trump and Xi are scheduled to visit Beijing’s Temple of Heaven before attending a state banquet. Further discussions are planned over tea and a working lunch on Friday before Trump departs for Washington.

With IANS inputs

At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite an ongoing ceasefire, UNICEF said, warning of escalating physical and psychological suffering among children caught in the conflict.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect between 16 and 17 April. Since 2 March, the total child toll has risen to 200 dead and 806 injured.

The warning came as Israeli strikes intensified across southern and central Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least 33 people, including women and children, according to Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center and local media reports.

“Children are being killed and injured when they should be returning to classrooms, playing with friends, and recovering from months of fear and upheaval,” said Edouard Beigbeder.

Beigbeder said the ceasefire agreement had failed to shield children from repeated violence and trauma, cautioning that the psychological scars could have lifelong consequences.

UNICEF said more than 770,000 children across Lebanon are grappling with severe emotional distress caused by repeated displacement, bombardment and loss. Reported symptoms include anxiety, fear, nightmares, insomnia and feelings of hopelessness among both children and caregivers.

Meanwhile, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said a series of drone explosions near and inside its positions in southern Lebanon endangered peacekeepers and damaged UN infrastructure.

In a statement, UNIFIL said several presumed Hezbollah drones detonated on Monday and Tuesday near its headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura, an area where Israeli troops were believed to be operating nearby.

Three drones exploded within metres of the headquarters on Monday evening, followed by another blast in the same area on Tuesday. Minutes later, an additional drone detonated inside the compound, damaging several buildings. No injuries were reported.

UNIFIL expressed growing concern over the activities of both Hezbollah operatives and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, saying it had formally protested the movement of Israeli military vehicles near its headquarters as well as the presence of non-state armed actors around peacekeeping sites.

With IANS inputs