vijayawada l thursday l june 25, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION colombia in Round of 32, england made to wait Colombia became the latest side to secure knockout berth while England were held 0-0 by Ghana. A look... munoz, the hero for south americans croatia win in modric’s landmark outing Colombia beat stubborn DR Congo side to secure a 1-0 win. Victory in Guadalajara, courtesy of a 76th-minute goal from Daniel Munoz, took them top of Group K with six points. On the other hand, England were unable to find the invention needed to break through, creating hardly any chances that troubled the Black Stars | P11 ■ Croatia kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Panama. Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute strike made the difference ■ Croatia’s most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance. Panama, meanwhile, were eliminated and are still in hunt for their first point Today's matches (1:30AM): Curacao vs Ivory Coast, Ecuador vs Germany. (4:30AM): Tunisia vs NED, Japan vs Sweden. (7.30AM) Turkiye vs USA, Paraguay vs Aus All IST Friday | Live on United8 Sports & ZEE5 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 5th gen stealth fighter jet hits air Passport a travel document, pocket as GE triples engine price not citizenship proof: MEA Commercial negotiations with the US aerospace giant on hold; India mulls paring order size E x p re s s N e w s Servi c e J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi A passport is a travel document and not proof of citizenship, External Affairs Ministry officials said on Wednesday . “The passport remains a travel document, and not a document of citizenship, as it attests the nationality of Indians when they are abroad,” the officials sought to explain. A passport is among the accepted documents for the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ministry’s statement triggered debate on social media over what constitutes a conclusive proof of citizenship, an issue that remains a grey area as it has not been explicitly addressed by the Centre. Some of them pointed out that passports are not issued to non-citizens. Section 6(2)(a) of the Passport Act 1967 requires the issuing authority to refuse a passport if the applicant is not a citizen of India. It reads: “Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the passport authority shall refuse to issue a passport or travel document for visiting any foreign country under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 5 on any one or more of Negotiations to procure GE F414 engines that would power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall with the US aerospace giant seeking a whopping 300% increase in prices compared with earlier estimates. According to sources, the F414 engine was estimated to cost `70-80 crore per unit but GE is now quoting prices that are three times higher. Technical negotiations for F414 engines have already been completed but commercial discussions to fix engine price, technology transfer and manufacturing arrangements are now stuck, putting both costs and timelines of the flagship fighter programme at risk. The setback comes at a time when Pakistan is reportedly moving closer to inducting China’s J-35 stealth fighter, which could introduce 5th gen combat aircraft into the region before the AMCA enters service. The indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter is expected address the Indian Air Force’s Suspended CI SSVV Nagaraju being produced in court in Vijayawada on Wednesday I Prasant Madugula Sai Krishna died in police custody: SIT Phanindra Pa pa s ani @ Vijayawada The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which arrested suspended Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector SSVV Nagaraju in connection with the disappearance of rowdy-sheeter Gade Sai Krishna (24), produced him in the second additional judicial first class magistrate court in Vijayawada on Wednesday. In the remand report submitted to the court, SIT had clearly mentioned that Sai Krishna succumbed to injuries suffered during the custody in the Krishna Lanka police station. After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the judge sent Nagaraju for 14 day judicial remand till July 8. Later, the suspended CI was shifted to Rajamahendravaram Central Jail. It may be recalled here that the State government constituted SIT headed by IG rank officer M Ravi Prakash to probe the disappearance of Sai Krishna. During its investigation, SIT questioned more than 20 police officers, including Commissioner’s Task Force (CTF) Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) K Latha Kumari, inspectors working in CTF, office staff and personnel of Krishna Lanka police station. The remand report further stated that Sai Krishna was apprehended in Markapur on May 6, and brought to Krishna Lanka police station on the same day However, after being . taken into custody his wherea, bouts remained unknown. P4 Manufacturer’s leverage GE knows AMCA is built around the F414. Changing it at this stage would be difficult. That gives it leverage for negotiations F414 engine was initially estimated to cost around L 70-80 cr per unit squadron shortfall. The IAF currently operates 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5. The AMCA prototype programme requires 15 F414 engines. India has approved `15,000 crore for five flying prototypes. The F414 is also slated to power Tejas Mk-2 and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), taking the projected requirement to 200 engines. “The company knows the programme is built around the GE has now quoted prices almost 300% F414 and that changing engines now would be extremely difficult. That gives GE significant leverage during commercial negotiations,” a source said. Sources further said GE has sought around `6,000 crore for setting up a dedicated F414 assembly and manufacturing line in India, which would cater to future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2, initial AMCA production batches and the TEDBF. It is learnt that Indian negotiators are now considering the option of reducing the initial order quantity to ease the immediate financial burden. “The F414 has already been factored in to the design and development plans for the AMCA Mk-1 as well as the Tejas Mk-2. Any new engine would require fresh integration, software work, testing and certification,” a source said. “The AMCA design has been frozen. If another engine is eventually selected, it will have to be adapted to the aircraft’s existing configuration rather than the aircraft being redesigned around the engine.” The F414 was selected for the AMCA Mk-1 because it is a proven engine already powering several frontline fighter aircraft. Generating around 98 kN of thrust, the engine is seen as a critical component of India’s future combat aircraft plans. The AMCA Mk-2 is slated to be powered by a more powerful 110-120 kN class engine being developed through an international partnership. France’s Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce have emerged as the leading contenders for the programme. @ New Delhi The passport remains a travel document, and not a document of citizenship, as it attests the nationality of Indians when they are abroad — Senior MEA official the following grounds, and on no other ground, namely:-- (a) that the applicant is not a citizen of India.” Officials said, “a passport is issued after a lot of due diligence, and it is based on documents from several government agencies.” A total of 14.7 million e-passports have been issued since the chip-based documents were rolled out last year as part of the revamped Passport Seva Programme, according to the officials. The epassports, which contain an embedded antenna and a radio 21 temples earn `12.91 crore via Mana Mitra in one month 7 yrs on, border trade via Lipulekh with China from tomorrow The revival of trade is expected to provide a major The India-China border boost to the economy of the trade through the Lipulekh remote border villages, genpass will resume on June 26 erate local employment and after nearly seven years, in a support small businesses. Trade via this route was significant economic and strategic development for halted in 2019-2020 due to Uttarakhand’s frontier re- Covid-19 and border tengion. For the first time, In- sions. During the prolonged dian border traders will be closure, several shops in the able to travel by road in ve- old Taklakot market were rehicles up to areas close to the portedly allotted to Nepali and other traders. Lipulekh Pass. The local administration A new trade mart has now has received an encourag- been developed for Indian ing response, with 103 appli- and Nepali traders, where cations submitted for trade Indian traders will be allotpermits this year. In the first ted shops. Members of the trade phase, 26 trade passes have been issued, including those committee said the new for 17 traders and nine as- market is better organised sistants. A customs office than the earlier one and ofand other essential arrange- fers more space for storing ments have also been made goods. Traders have also sought concessional rent operational at Gunji. “After verification of the and improved logistics support. remaining applications, 25 In 2019, trade to 30 more t h ro u g h t h i s passes are route was worth likely to be isnearly `3 crore, sued in the including exnext two to p o r t s wo r t h three days,” around `1.25 Dharachula crore and imSub Divisional ports of apMagistrate Ashish Joshi told Trade via Lipulekh Pass was proximately suspended in 2019-2020 `1.90 crore. this newspaper. frequency identification (RFID) chip storing personal particulars and biometric data, account for around 10% of all passports issued so far. All new passports are now being issued in the chip-based format. The e-passports offer enhanced security and significantly reduce the possibility of unauthorised access or tampering, as well as the chances of obtaining the document through fraudulent means, the officials said. “It is more difficult to generate fake passports, and the epassports offer greater reassurance to immigration authorities abroad and make clearances faster,” the officials said. The chips used in the e-passports are sourced by the India Security Press in Nashik from overseas suppliers, the officials said. They added that international best practices were studied to ensure the Indian e-passports are robust and compliant with global standards. The ministry will organise a two-day Human Resource Mobility Forum on June 30 to highlight legal pathways for migration and facilitate networking between foreign employers and Indian nationals seeking jobs abroad, the officials said. S V i s w anath @ Vijayawada N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun CM Chandrababu Naidu examines gold at the inauguration of Jonnagiri Gold Mining Project in Kurnool district I Express CM launches Jonnagiri proj, terms it a new golden chapter in AP’s history K Madh u S u dhakar @ Kurnool Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the `405 crore Jonnagiri Gold Mining and Processing Project in Kurnool district, which is the first large-scale private gold mining project in the country renamed Jonnagiri , as “Swarnagiri”, and declared that a new “golden chapter” had begun in Andhra Pradesh’s history . The project, developed by Geomysore Services India Pvt Ltd, in association with Thriveni Earthmovers and Deccan Gold Mines Ltd, marks the commencement of commercial gold Project to produce 400 kg gold a year Jonnagiri Gold Mining and Processing Project is expected to 400 kg of gold annually in the initial stage, with output projected to increase to 900 kg and later up to 2 tonnes production in AP and is expect, ed to emerge as a major growth engine for Rayalaseema. The Chief Minister launched the first phase of gold production, and laid the foundation stone for the project’s second phase. The mine is expected to produce 400 kg of gold annually in the initial stage, with output projected to increase to 900 kg and later up to 2 tonnes. Naidu also flagged off ore transport vehicles and visited a training centre where women and youth are being trained to operate heavy mining machinery using advanced simulators. Addressing a public meeting, Naidu said the historic region once known as “Suvarnagiri” during the Mauryan era, is set to reclaim its past glory . Referring to the nearby Ashokan inscriptions at Yerragudi, and the region’s rich P4 mineral heritage. Andhra Pradesh’s pioneering Mana Mitra WhatsApp Governance platform is transforming temple services, and redefining the devotional experience for lakhs of devotees across the State. What starts with a simple “Hi” message on WhatsApp is now generating crores in revenue for major temples, while making pilgrimage easier, faster and more convenient. Designed to deliver citizen services directly through WhatsApp, Mana Mitra has emerged as a convenient digital bridge connecting devotees with temples. The platform has enabled devotees to seamlessly book Darshan and Seva tickets, tonsure services, and make e-Hundi donations from their mobile phones without the need to stand in long queues. The initiative has generated an impressive `22.26 crore income for 21 major temples under the Endowments Department (excluding Tirumala) since its launch. Remarkably `12.91 crore was , generated within a single month, between May 11 and June 11, reflecting the growing trust and adoption of the platP4 form among devotees. Special care Sooryavanshi to have separate changing room in Ireland, England E x p re s s ne w s s ervi c e @ Chennai/Bengaluru VAIBHAV Sooryavanshi is ready to set quite a few precedents during India’s tour of Ireland and England. If handed his senior international debut, the explosive 15-year-old batter from Bihar will surpass the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s youngest international cricketer. He will get a separate changing room as part of safeguarding protocols of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Ireland. “The Indian team have been given three separate rooms in the pavilion and safeguarding laws have been advised,” a Cricket Ireland official told this daily. “We’ll check all obligations have been met, but the BCCI will manage Mandar Pardikar things in accordance with UK law etc. Our procedures and policies are in line with best practice in the UK.” This will be the first time that an Indian cricketer will be changing away from colleagues. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Varma, who had toured the UK as teenagers, were above the prescribed age limit. As per existing procedures, Sooryavanshi will be permitted in the away dressing room during the game and can attend team talks. The restriction, however, applies only when he is getting changed before and after each match. It is learnt that the safeguarding officers from each venue are working closely with the liaison officer for the Indian team to ensure implementation of the procedures. The BCCI has also allowed Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany the player during the tour. India will play two T20Is in Ireland on June 26 and 28 before taking on England in the five-match T20I series starting on July 1. Two of the most high profile recent instances of this policy being applied pertained to two Arsenal youngsters — Ethan Nwaneri (2022) and Max Dowman (2025).