tirupati l wednesday l july 15, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late 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 hearing in 3 wks Turkmenistan Caspian Sea Seafarer killed in Iran strike on UAE Jr NTR’s office tankers, India lodges strong protest denies affiliation Turkey @ New Delhi Vijayawada: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the deadline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh by 10 days, allowing the ongoing enumeration exercise to continue until July 24 | P4 Veteran Kapu leader Mudragada passes away Kakinada: Veteran politician and Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham, who was known as Padmanabha Reddy in his later years, passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday after battling pulmonary and kidney-related ailments | P4 S ea EC extends AP voter roll revision till July 24 ed eR express read 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 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. He said the high court order had ousted Muslims from a site where prayers were offered for nearly 800 years. 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 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 S U B H E N D U M A I T I @ 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 an 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, 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 the 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 J ayanth J a c o b @ New Delhi S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y Afghanistan SC declines Syria namaz plea in disputed 10 other mariners hurt, 2 of them serious; MEA summons Tehran’s Deputy Chief of Mission Bhojshala site Israel 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. with ‘RAW NTR’ E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Tirupati Speculation regarding Jr NTR’s entry into active politics intensified across the Telugu States ahead of a proposed event in Tirupati, prompting a swift and categorical denial from the actor’s office on Tuesday . The rumours erupted on social media following the announcement of the ‘RAW NTR Ooru Vaada’ programme scheduled for July 18 in the temple town. The campaign fuelled discussions that the social service platform was being used to mobilise the actor’s fan base as a foundation for a future political launch, drawing comparisons to recent film-topolitics transitions in South Indian cinema. Distancing the actor entirely from the controversy, Jr NTR’s office issued an official statement clarifying that he has no association, affiliation, or involvement with the “RAW NTR” organisation or its upcoming programme. “It has come to our attention that an organisation operating under the name RAW NTR has been carrying out activities that may create an impression of being associated with NTR. The organisation is neither authorised to represent NTR nor to communicate on his behalf in any capacity,” the statement said. It emphasised that any legitimate public welfare activities, charitable initiatives, or official communications involving Jr NTR would only be routed through his of fice or verified channels. Describing the press note as their “final communication” on the matter, the Jr NTR’s office urged the media, digital platforms, and fans to ignore unverified social media reP4 ports.