KOLLAM l wednesday l july 15, 2026 l `10.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION India seeks freedom of navigation, unimpeded trade in South China Sea 14 other nations back tribunal ruling New Delhi’s remarks came two days after the US, UK and a dozen other countries reminded China about the tribunal’s landmark verdict that its expansive claims on the resource-rich region are illegal. The ruling came on a case filed by the Philippines in 2013 in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague challenging China’s claims and activities in South China Sea India on Tuesday reiterated its support for the 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruling that rejected China’s territorial claims over the South China Sea Beijing’s ‘nine-dash line’ claims rejected ■ ■ ■ At the centre of the dispute is the ‘nine-dash line’ — a vague depiction by China of its claims over 90% of the South China Sea Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims over the disputed resource-rich region India has been pitching for a rules-based maritime order | P7 July 12, 2016 When The Permanent Court of Arbitration released the ruling 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 Turkmenistan Caspian Sea Seafarer killed in Iran strike on UAE GTECH steps in tankers, India lodges strong protest to support sacked ANNOUNCEMENT Turkey Dear readers, The continued steep rise in input costs has compelled us to increase the cover price of The New Indian Express to `10, with immediate effect. Afghanistan 10 other mariners hurt, 2 of them serious; MEA summons Tehran’s Deputy Chief of Mission Israel —Editor hearing in 3 wks The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to expeditiously examine the Muslim parties’ challenge to the Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict declaring the Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, but declined to allow namaz inside the disputed site on Fridays. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the Centre, the Madhya Pradesh government and the Archaeological Survey of India. The court refused to restore the status quo ante under which Muslims were allowed Friday prayers at the site. However, it suggested that an open area adjacent to the premises could be earmarked for the Muslim community to offer prayers on Fridays between 1 pm and 3 pm. The bench described the arrangement as purely ad-hoc, subject to the final outcome of the case and without prejudice to the rights of either party It . also restrained the ASI from carrying out any structural changes to the complex without the court’s permission. Noting the sensitivity of the matter, the Bench said, “We have to be very careful about every expression used.” It added that it did not wish to pass any order that could create tension or law and order problems. The court said it was willing to hear the matter expeditiously and indicated the hearing could begin in three weeks. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, for the Muslim petitioners, said the arrangement since 2003 — worship by both communities on designated days — should continue till final adjudication. express read Anil Menon embarks on sojourn to Int’l Space Stn Washington: Anil Menon, a NASA astronaut of Malayali origin, on Tuesday lifted off onboard a Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from Kazakhstan on an eight-month mission to International Space Station. Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina are his crewmates | P9 S ea @ New Delhi ed eR SUCHITRA KALYA N MOHA N TY India on Tuesday summoned Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, and lodged a strong protest after Iranian strikes on two UAE-linked commercial tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz killed an Indian seafarer and injured several others, including Indian nationals. The diplomatic protest came amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after Iran targeted commercial shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy corridors through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. The External Affairs Ministry condemned the attacks and confirmed casualties among Indian crew. “India is deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today Both the vessels were car. rying 30 Indian seafarers among their combined crew of 46,” the MEA said. One Indian national onboard MT Al Bahiyah was Iraq U.S. strikes along Iran coast Kuwait Third consecutive day of attacks on Iranian targets. Tehran responded with strikes on Bahrain, Jordan and 3 tankers travelling through the strait Bushehr Areas attacked by US IRAN Bandar Abbas Th SC declines namaz plea in disputed Bhojshala site J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi About 148 seafarers are onboard 7 Indian-flagged qatar vessels in the Persian Gulf. Given the current situation, they are not planning to come out of the region as of now Indian govt official Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are two of the most in-form players currently and England are still alive thanks to them. The pair, between them, has registered 12 goals and two assists. Like Messi, they have come up with big moments when needed Today’s match Saudi Arabia killed while another was injured. On MT Mombasa, nine Indian crew members sustained injuries, including two who are reported to be seriously hurt. “The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this Yemen morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him,” the statement said. India alsoof Aden for Gulf called an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and urged Kane-Bellingham influence battle for supremacy In the second semifinals, England stand between Argentina and another WC final. A look... Abu Musa UAE It’s impossible to look beyond Argentina games without mentioning the 39-year-old. If they lose, it could easily be his last ever meaningful game for Albiceleste. His eight goals in the tournament have helped in taking defending champions this far | P11 England vs Argentina 12.30 AM* | IST Thursday SC slaps `3 lakh fine on Raina, Allahbadia for flouting orders E x p r e s s ne w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi Frame new statute: SC To protect the dignity of the disabled, the apex court asked the Centre to consider framing a statute to make derogatory remarks ridiculing persons with disabilities and rare genetic disorders a penal offence on the lines of the SC-ST Act Poetic justice Taslima to return to Kolkata after 19 yrs SUBH E N DU MAITI @ Kolkata Nineteen years after she had to flee Kolkata amid violent protests over her controversial writings, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin is gearing up to return to the city next month. Announcing the decision through social media, Nasrin said on Tuesday that she would be in Kolkata on August 1 to participate in an anti-fundamentalism literary event. The development makes a strong political statement for the BJP government in the state, given that she was quietly moved out by the erstwhile Left Front government in 2007 due to pressure from Islamic groups and was not allowed to come back by the subsequent Trinamool Congress gov- Taslima Nasrin ernments. Sources said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will attend the programme. The writer has been invited by Paschimbangar Jonno, Secular Mission, and the Human Rights and Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Foundation. The organisers said the invitation is in recognition of Taslima Nasrin’s long-standing stand against fundamentalism and her advocacy of freedom of expression. Konarak Chabahar Oman all sides to return to dialogue. “We strongly condemn these attacks... We reiterate our deep concern over the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy .” The UAE Ministry of Defence said the strikes triggered fires and caused material damage to both vessels, though the blazes were later brought under control. Describing the in- Eyes on Messi takings given before this court,” the bench said while imposing the costs. THE Supreme Court on TuesThe SC was hearing a plea day slapped a fine of filed by Cure SMA In`3 lakh each on comedia Foundation allegdian Samay Raina and ing that Raina made YouTubers Ranveer insensitive remarks Allahbadia and Ashover the high cost of ish Chanchlani for not treatment for SMA and complying with its earalso allegedly ridilier order in connecculed a person with tion with a case on insuch a disability . s e n s i t ive re m a rk s The CJI remarked Samay Raina about persons with that these influencers disabilities. think sitting outside A bench of Chief the country they are Justice Surya Kant beyond jurisdiction. and justices Joymalya “Let them suf fer Bagchi and V Mohana now. If this is not arropassed the order after gance, then we have to learning that Raina change the Oxford dichad not invited any tionary also.” disabled persons to his Ranveer Allahbadia The SC had directed show despite directhe influencers to intions by the apex court. vite specially abled persons on “Samay Raina has taken the their podcasts to help generate court for a ride. He is in brazen treatment funds for those sufviolation of statements/ under- fering from rare diseases. Jask There is no politics behind this event. But her security is a major issue. The state govt has offered security arrangements Mohit Roy of Paschimbangar Jonno Trump U-turn on 20% Hormuz toll US President Donald Trump on Tuesday did a U-turn on plans to charge a 20% toll on cargo going through the Hormuz, saying West Asia will instead make trade deals with the US. “Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% US Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals,” he said | P9 Pakistan We request your understanding and thank you for your continued patronage. Syria cident as a “serious violation of international law,” the ministry said that the attacks posed a Arabian threat to regional secugrave Sea rity and stability . The attacks came hours after the US carried out strikes on Iran following President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington was “reinstating” a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hor muz. Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan and the two UAE-linked tankers. CorroHealth staff E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e GTECH members @T’Puram The Group of Technology Companies, or GTECH, has members from Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Infopark in Kochi, Cyberpark in Kozhikode and others. Major firms like TCS, IBS Software, Infosys, Tata Elxsi, Wipro, Cognizant & Allianz are among its members. GTECH, a collective of IT companies in Kerala, has announced its intent to support the 800-odd employees of CorroHealth Infotech, who were laid off from its Kochi and Kozhikode centres earlier this month, by way of upskilling and considering eligible candidates for openings in member firms. Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty and GTECH office-bearers made the announcement at a joint press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday . GTECH has requested CorroHealth to share the profile of 800-odd professionals laid off, said Jijo John, the chairman of the group. “We will extend maximum support to them. Eligible candidates among them will be considered for openings in GTECH companies,” Jijo said. “CorroHealth will share the profiles through an internal platform of GTECH. Some candidates would require upskilling which will be offered through GTECH’s MuLearn and government’s skill development agencies. The recruitment offer is not a guarantee but we will try our best,” he said. MuLearn is an industryenabled learning platform which has helped about 65,000 students in skill development. Welcoming GTECH’s offer, Kunhalikutty said this reflected the state’s culture. “GTECH’s is a commendable initiative. Companies are volunteering to help those among them who face a problem. This is Kerala’s culture,” ● More on P4 he said.