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13 killed in Indian thunderstorms

At least 13 people were killed Wednesday (9) as thunderstorms battered northern and eastern India, officials said, a week after a deadly dust storm ravaged large swathes of the country.

Nine people were killed in northern Uttar Pradesh after a storm and high winds struck parts of the state late Wednesday, disaster management authorities said.


Most of the deaths were caused by falling walls or trees in Etawah and Mathura districts, an official at the authority told a news source.

A teenager was hit by a lightning bolt in Hathras and another was crushed under a tree in neighbouring Agra district.

"Four to five people were injured in freak accidents caused by winds that was followed by rain or hail at several places," the official said.

Agra - home to Taj Mahal - was the worst affected in the deadly dust storm that left nearly 150 people dead across six Indian states in early May.

Emergency officials said four people were killed by lightning and thunderstorms in northeastern Assam state on Wednesday.

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

Highlights

  • A Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering reviewing its support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands.
  • Downing Street said sovereignty "rests with the UK" and the islanders' right to self-determination is "paramount".
  • Report emerged just three days before King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet Trump at the White House.
A report suggesting the US may be rethinking its position on the Falkland Islands has sparked a strong response from Downing Street, coming just days before King Charles and Queen Camilla head to Washington to meet president Donald Trump.
An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters, suggested the US was looking at ways to put pressure on Nato allies it felt had not supported its war in Iran.
One of the options discussed was a review of American backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.
No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance.
"Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount," he told BBC, adding that this had been "expressed clearly and consistently to successive US administrations."
He was firm that "nothing is going to change that."
The Falkland Islands government backed London's position, saying it had "complete confidence" in the UK's commitment to defending its right to self-determination.
Previous US administrations have recognised Britain's administration of the islands but have stopped short of formally backing its sovereignty claim.

Political reaction grows

The report triggered sharp reactions from across British politics. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the reported US position "absolute nonsense", adding: "We need to make sure that we back the Falklands.

They are British territory." Reform UK's Nigel Farage said the matter was "utterly non-negotiable" and confirmed he would raise it with Argentina's president Javier Milei when they meet later this year.

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