tirupati l wednesday l june 17, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION El Nino to hit 12 states severely, govt calls for contingency plan The impact of El Nino weather phenomenon, linked with a weaker monsoon in India, is likely to be “severe” in 12 states, including UP and TN weak monsoon across majority of states reliable inputs critical for farmers El Nino is a climate phenomenon linked to weaker monsoons. As per IMD, El Nino conditions are present over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and expected to strengthen during the southwest monsoon season. Other states likely to be impacted are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, MP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra ■ ■ Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed states to identify vulnerable districts and prepare crop-wise contingency plans so that farmers can be provided with options, advice and assistance Chouhan said the government’s priority is to ensure farmers receive “reliable, and solution-oriented messages based on scientific inputs” 20% cut in Mumbai water supply for commercial usage due to low storage CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI G7 Summit Israel’s war on Lebanon has gone too far, says Trump A g e n c i e s @ Evian-les-Bains (France) A day after the US and Iran announced an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday panned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his aggressive military campaign in Lebanon causing civilian casualties, urging him to be “more responsible” in the way he fights Hezbollah. “You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody There are lots of . people in those apartments… and they’re not all Hezbollah,” he said. Speaking to reporters in France at the G7 Summit, Trump said Israel’s war with Hezbollah has gone too far and “too many people are being killed.” Without the According to United Iran, the peace States, there deal includes would be no Israel. Israel’s exit from Lebanon. Without me, there would Israel’s contin- be no Israel, ued attacks on because no Lebanon could other jeopardise the president pact, which is was willing scheduled to be to do what I did signed in Switz e r l a n d o n Donald Trump Friday . Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal. Netanyahu, who is under tremendous pressure ahead of elections in October, has rejected the peace deal saying Israel is not part of it. Cautioning Netanyahu against defying his directions, Trump said: “Without me, there would be no Israel… no other president was willing to do what I did. Israel would have been blown up a long time ago, had I not gotten involved.” Terming Hezbollah threat ‘minor’, Trump described the Iran-backed militant outfit in Lebanon as “the little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head”. Terming Hezbollah threat ‘minor’, Trump described the Iran-backed militant outfit in Lebanon as “the little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head”.  P9 PM plain speak CM invites Singapore investors to AP on trust deficit, lack of respect for global law J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told G7 leaders that global partnerships can succeed only when they are founded on trust, stressing that the world today suffers not from a shortage of resources but from a shortage of trust. Calling for renewed international solidarity in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, Modi said mutual trust is the most important strategic asset and warned that disregard for international law remains the biggest obstacle to building global cooperation. He highlighted that dialogue and diplomacy must be prioritised to ensure peace, stability and stronger international partnerships. The remarks came shortly after Modi was seen exchanging a handshake and a brief conversation with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit. The interaction, ahead of a scheduled bilateral meeting between the two leaders on Wednesday, drew attention amid ongoing discussions on trade, technology , security and geopolitical challenges. Addressing the Outreach Session on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity ,” Modi, seated next to Trump, said that while global interdependence has increased, confidence among nations has eroded. “In a world that is getting more interconnected and interdependent than ever before, this subject becomes all the more vital. But partnerships can succeed only when they are founded on trust,” Modi said. A major focus of Modi’s address was the need to redefine engagement with developing countries and the Global South. He said nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America were looking for equal partnerships rather than traditional aid arrangements. “The Global South has immense expectations from the world. More than support, it seeks partnership. We must move beyond the donor-recipient mindset and work as equal partners. We must walk together and not merely alongside one another. Partnerships must be linked to dignity not dependency he said. , ,” For nearly 180 tribal families of Panukurathipalem village in Addateegala mandal of Polavaram district, crossing the Yeleru river remains a daily struggle as a long-pending bridge project over it has not materialised yet despite sanction of funds. Tribals say a permanent bridge between Vetamamidi and Panukurathipalem will provide a safe and more reliable route to several villages. During the previous government, efforts were made to provide road connectivity through the forest, but the project has remained incomplete. Tribals contend that the proposed route is longer and less practical, while a bridge across the river will offer direct access and significantly reduce travel Hurdle to solidarity Modi identified the “lack of respect for international law” as the biggest hurdle to building international solidarity. “We, in India, view the world as one family. Our experience shows that development is most effective when it is connected to the aspirations of people.” Strategic asset “Mutual trust is the most important strategic asset today. But, sadly, today, the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources — it suffers from a shortage of trust. And the future of our partnerships depends on rebuilding this trust,” PM Modi said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu takes part in the World Cities Summit in Singapore on Tuesday | Express Telegram app banned till NEET-UG re-exam to curb cheating, rumours R a k e s h K u m a r @ New Delhi THE government on Tuesday temporarily restricted access to the Telegram messaging app ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) saying the measure was aimed at tackling cheating rackets and misinformation. Interestingly, the government has directed Apple and Google to remove the messaging app from their app stores rather than merely disable it. This means users will not be able to download Telegram from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store until further orders. Indians top users of app Founded by Pavel and Nikolai Durov in 2013 and headquartered in Dubai, Telegram is used by roughly 40 million Indians, accounting for about 10.4% of the platform’s global user base NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the restriction on Telegram till June 22 was part of efforts to ensure that the June 21 re-test is conducted without malpractice. “We will not let anything go wrong,” Singh told PTI. According to NTA, some channel administrators allegedly misused the message-editing feature and inserted actual question papers while retaining the original timestamp, thereby creating misleading “evidence” of pre-exam paper leaks. Industry experts see the move as an attempt to shut down Telegram. According to the Internet Freedom Foundation, “switching off Telegram is a deflection from repeated failures, which will continue while media attention is directed towards the ban.” E x p r e s s Re a d AP recorded 14% drop in crime rate: HM Vijayawada: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the NDA government has undertaken comprehensive reforms over the last two years, achieving notable progress in law and order. The overall crime rate in the State has declined by 14.1% due to improved surveillance systems, she said | P4 Centre responds to Godavari clean proj Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister (Forest, Environment and Science & Technology) Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday said the Centre has extended support to eight proposals submitted by AP, including the ambitious Mission Godavari Clean Project aimed at tackling pollution in the Godavari for ensuing Pushkarams | P4 Govt bans sale of cough syrups without prescription K A V ITA B A J ELI - DATT @ New Delhi Howdy trump Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with US President Donald Trump before the plenary session at the G7 summit in France on Tuesday | AP 180 tribal families risk Yeleru crossing daily K V S a i l e n d r a @ Rajamahendravaram tribution to the development of Hyderabad earlier, and its Highlighting the investor- pivotal role in preparing the friendly policies, abundant re- master plan for Amaravati afsources and world-class infra- ter the bifurcation of AP . structure, Chief Minister N “Singapore has designed a Chandrababu Naidu has urged remarkable blue-green capital Singapore industrialists to city plan for Amaravati. We make Andhra continue to work Pradesh their preclosely with Singaferred investment pore on urban infradestination. structure developAddressing the CII ment. AP is one of Partnership Summit AP is one of the best the best destinations destinations for Roadshow in Singafor investment, and I investment, and I pore on Tuesday invite Singaporean invite Singaporean ahead of the upcomentre preneurs to entrepreneurs to ing Partnership Summake Amaravati and make AP their mit in VisakhapatAP their second second home nam, the Chief home,” Naidu said. Naidu, CM Minister described He emphasised AP as a model State that AP has institufor investment and economic tionalised the “Speed of Dogrowth. He said AP enjoys a ing Business” model that enlong-standing and productive sures rapid approvals, efficient relationship with Singapore. administration and seamless P4 He recalled Singapore’s con- project execution.  S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada time. In the absence of a permanent structure, villagers are now using a makeshift wooden bridge built with logs and planks to cross the river. Though the wooden bridge serves their purpose during normal times, using the makeshift structure is not safe during the rainy season and when the river is in spate. Although the NDA government had sanctioned `4.61 crore for the construction of a bridge over the river, the project has reportedly remained stuck at the tender stage. Speaking to TNIE, Rampachodavaram MLA Miriyala Sireesha Devi said, “The issue has been taken to the notice of the Tribal Welfare Department. I will ensure that the bridge is constructed this year.” THE Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has amended rules to prohibit sale of cough syrups without a doctor’s prescription. The decision comes months after contaminated cough syrups caused deaths in India and abroad. “The measure is expected to promote responsible distribution and sale of cough syrups while ensuring greater compliance with regulatory standards,” officials said. Welcoming the gover nment’s decision, Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, associate direc- tie, tie... let’s go: Big upsets draw attention This World Cup has thrown quite a few early surprises with lower ranked teams showing more resistance and spunk than their more illustrious counterparts. Though 5 days and 16 matches of football until June 16 morning, underdogs are the flavour of the week. Here are a look at some talking points... 0-0 2-2 1-1 The biggest win (figuratively) of all saw Cape Verde managing to thwart Spanish attack and secure 0-0 draw. Spain are ranked 2 and are considered as one of the favourites while Cape Verde are ranked No 67 New Zealand, at No 85, are the lowestranked team out of the 48 qualifiers, but they held No 20 Iran to a draw 4 Cough syrups will no longer be sold over the counter | p RAVIKUMAR tor, pulmonology and critical care at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said: “A cough can be a symptom of other serious Ronaldo in action Cristiano Ronaldo will be in action, his sixth World Cup, late on Wednesday when Portugal takes on Democratic Republic of Congo. They are in Group K along with Colombia and Uzbekistan. England, one of the favourites World Cup, will open campaign against Croatia. No 61 Saudi Arabia held No 16 Uruguay 1-1 No 29 Egypt tied No 9 Belgium 1-1 All four matches on Monday/Tuesday (India time) ended in draws -the most in a single day of men’s WC play since 1958 Today’s matches (IST): Group L: England vs Croatia (1:30AM); Ghana vs Panama (4:30AM). Group K: Portugal vs DR Congo (10:30 PM); Uzbekistan vs Colombia (7:30AM). New Zealand players celebrate with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during Group G match against Iran at Los Angeles Stadium conditions, such as infections, asthma, and allergies. Prescription-based access encourages proper evaluation, accu- rate treatment, and safer medication use.” Dr Mohsin Wali, senior consultant and head of preventive cardiology at Pacific One Health, said some African countries reported deaths due to cough syrups from India that contained industrial solvent. “This brought a bad name to our country he said. ,” Dr Meena J, senior consultant, paediatrics and neonatology at Aakash Healthcare, Delhi said making syrups prescription-only will encourage parents to consult a doctor before giving their children medicines. Talliki Vandanam aid in third week of July E x p r e ss N e w s S e r v i c e @ Vijayawada Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh has directed officials to ensure the speedy implementation of the Talliki Vandanam scheme, and provide financial assistance to every eligible student studying in government and private schools across the State. Holding a review meeting with School Education Department officials at his Undavalli residence on Tuesday, Lokesh assessed the progress of several flagship education initiatives, including Talliki Vandanam, Badi Pilustondi, Shining Stars, Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), Yogandhra, and the conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The HRD Minister sought details of student admissions in government schools, and instructed officials to take special measures to increase enrolment. Officials informed him that the Aadhaar verification process for mothers under the Talliki Vandanam scheme is nearing completion, and that all arrangements are being made to roll out the scheme by the third week of July . The meeting also finalised plans to conduct the Shining Stars programme on June 29, and organise Mega PTMs in the third week of July Ration. alisation and deployment of surplus teachers to ensure optimal utilisation of teaching staff were also discussed.  P4