visakhapatnam l wednesday l september 09, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION SC to consider issues related to Delhi hostel collapse on Sept 10 The Supreme Court was hearing a plea seeking a direction for a time-bound inspection and safety audit of PG accommodations in Delhi sc likely to transfer case from delhi hc amicus curiae files status report An SC bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahdevan said it may transfer the case being dealt with by the Delhi HC. On Monday, the HC ordered a high-level inquiry into the tragedy. The SC bench on Tuesday said the issues dealt with by the Delhi HC are “serious” and overlap with the case already being heard by it on a pan-India basis ■ ■ Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, amicus curiae in the matter considered by SC, said she has inspected the site along with a professor from IIT and MCD officials and filed a status report in this regard Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, termed the Sunday tragedy as “most unfortunate” 2022 Another satya niketan building collapse had left two people dead 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 Modi-Putin meet to lend big push to def, trade ties Bilateral meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on Friday ahead of the BRICS Summit, their second bilateral in weeks, with the talks set to give fresh momentum to the India-Russia par tnership across energy, defence, trade and strategic cooperation. The meeting comes amid record levels of Russian energy supplies to India, discussions on expanding defence cooperation and efforts to address longstanding payment issues in bilateral trade. Putin will attend the BRICS Summit on September 12-13. Ahead of the visit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said India-Russia energy cooperation was continuing to reach new highs. “Every month we have a new record,” Peskov said, while declining to disclose figures. Defence cooperation is also expected to feature prominently with Russia signalling readi, ness to discuss the supply and possible technology transfer of flag meeting India, China hold talks in Arunachal J a v a r i a Rana @ New Delhi INDIA and China have held their first Corps Commanderlevel flag meeting in the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with the first engagement taking place at Wacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday and the second talk at Damai on the Chinese side on Monday , the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday . The engagement, described by MEA as the first “Senior Highest Military CommanderLevel Flag Meeting” in the eastern sector, comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS summit later this week, as New Delhi and Beijing seek to consolidate the thaw in ties following the 2020 military confrontation in eastern Ladakh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the meetings followed understandings reached between the two countries in August last year and last month, and subsequent discussions held in Beijing and New Delhi in May and August this year. Lt Gen Girish Kalia, commander of the Army’s III Corps, led the Indian delegation. The Wacha-Damai engagement was held at a point in the Kibithoo sector, sources said. A file photo of PM Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin | express Man fakes PMO ID card Mumbai police arrested two men at a PM Modi event venue after one of them, Rohan Parekh, used a forged PMO identity card to enter with bodyguard Dilip Kundre, carrying a licensed gun. The lawyer of the accused said his visit was only a “private” affair advanced platforms, including the Su-57 fighter and S-500 air defence system. “We have very good military equipment and are willing to offer it to the Indian side,” Peskov said. He indicated that Moscow was pre- pared to discuss India’s demand for technology transfer in connection with the Su-57. Peskov also suggested that the two countries could deepen joint defence production, citing the BrahMos programme as a model. The two sides are also working to resolve accumulated rupee balances arising from bilateral trade, while exploring closer cooperation in rareearth exploration, an area with growing strategic significance for both countries. Peskov also said Moscow broadly shares India’s position that the conflict must be resolved peacefully “We do want . a solution of the Ukrainian conflict by peaceful means.” The leaders are also expected to discuss security counterter, rorism, drugs and space cooperation. India has separately raised the issue of its nationals serving in the Russian military . Peskov said a list was being compiled and those identified would be sent home. On BRICS, Peskov rejected the characterisation of the group as antiWestern, saying it was based on trust, respect and benefit. HC: Sell shrimp feed at June 12 prices till Sept 30 E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada In a major relief to aquaculture far mers, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued interim orders directing the Shrimp Feed Manufacturers Association to sell shrimp feed at the prices specified in the circular issued on June 12, 2026 until further orders. Justice N Harinath passed the interim orders, while hearing a petition filed by aquaculture farmers Malla Tulasiram and Veravalli Chandrasekhar of West Godavari district, challenging the decision of the association to raise the price of Vannamei feed by `9,000 per tonne, and Tiger shrimp feed by `12,000 per tonne. The court stated that the interim orders will remain in force until the next hearing on September 30. Appearing for petitioners, advocate KLN Swamy contended that under the AP State Aquaculture Development Authority Act, 2020, the authority concerned is responsible to determine the prices of aquaculture inputs. Vizianagaram Zilla Parishad Chairman Majji Srinivasa Rao joins the TDP, along with his daughter Siri Sahasra, in the presence of CM Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday | Express Botcha’s nephew ED seeks fresh FIR Chinna Srinu quits against Pinarayi in YSRCP, joins TDP CMRL bribery case Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, TDP national working president and HRD Minister In a major setback for the YS- Nara Lokesh, Home Minister RCP in Vizianagaram as well as Vangalapudi Anitha, MSME North Andhra, Vizianagaram Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, Zilla Parishad Chairman, neph- Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Apew of Leader of Opposition in palanaidu, MLAs Kimidi Kala the AP Legislative Council Venkata Rao, Kondru Murali Botcha SatyanarayaMohan, and RVSKK na, and senior YSRangarao (Baby NayReason for RCP leader Majji ana) and TDP district sudden exit Srinivasa Rao, popupresident Kimidi Botcha larly known as ChinNagarjuna. Satyanarayana’s na Srinu, submitted Naidu formally inannouncement of the ducted Chinna Srinu his resignation to the candidature of his party primary meminto the party at his daughter Anusha for bership on Tuesday . Camp Office by drapthe Zilla Parishad He sent his resiging the traditional chairperson post in nation letter to YSyellow scarf. the ensuing elections RCP chief YS Jagan The TDP supremo is said to be the Mohan Reddy . extended a war m reason for Chinna Chinna Srinu, who welcome to Chinna Srinu’s sudden quit the posts of YSSrinu and his followdecision to quit RCP district presiers. Siri Sahasra also the YSRCP dent and Bheemili joined the TDP on party incharge, citthe occasion. ing personal reasons, expressed Speaking to mediapersons afhis gratitude to Jagan for en- ter joining the TDP, Chinna trusting him with significant po- Srinu said the rapid pace of delitical responsibilities and posi- velopment and welfare initiations over the years. tives spearheaded by Chief MinLater, Chinna Srinu, along ister Chandrababu Naidu and with his daughter Siri Sahasra, the double engine circar in Andjoined the TDP in the presence hra Pradesh inspired him to join P4 of TDP national president and the TDP.  E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vizianagaram E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada Risky Rescue op Video clip of a leopard knocking a forest dept official to the ground during a rescue mission in Karnataka’s Davanagere. The animal was hurt after it was hit by a car on a highway. The official’s team members quickly intervened and saved him | Express Asiad: Indian hockey teams to wear blue jersey New Delhi: The Indian hockey teams will revert to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games. They had earlier shifted to a orange coloured kit during the World Cup, leading to a massive controversy. Now, in line with the contingent, Indian teams will stick to blue as their primary jersey colour for the Asian Games. Nellore: Lemon prices have soared at the Gudur wholesale market due to rise in demand amid intense heat and humidity under the influence of El Nino. The price of lemons at the market, which was around `100 a kg last month, has now doubled to nearly `200 | P4 the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Kerala Police to register a separate corruption case against Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his son-in-law and MLA P A Mohamed Riyas, and daughter T Veena over alleged bribe transactions linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). The agency has forwarded its findings and supporting evidence from the money-laundering probe to State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar, seeking registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant provisions. Chandrasekhar told TNIE that he had received ED’s communication. “We are assessing the report and will seek legal opinion.” Though no formal announcement has been made, the government has, in-principle, decided to hand over the matter to the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB). Sources said legal opinion has been sought on whether the VACB can directly register a case under the PCA or it should conduct a preliminary inquiry before registering an FIR. Since Pinarayi and Riyas are public servants, a prior approval from the state government is required to conduct a probe against them. Government sanction is also required to register an FIR against them. The ED’s recommendation marks a major expansion of its CMRL-Exalogic probe, which initially focused on payments totalling `2.78 crore made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company owned by Veena. The payments were shown as being towards IT and consultancy services, which the ED alleged were bribe money . Govt to sell essential commodities at 30% less than open market prices Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar has said essential commodities will be sold at 30% less than open market prices in the State. Speaking to the media in New Delhi on Tuesday, Manohar said, “The State government is continuously reviewing the prices of essential commodities in the open market, and taking steps to make the goods available to people at affordable prices. As part of E x p r e s s Re a d Heatwave results in rise in lemon prices J O S E K J O S E P H & S H A N A S @ Kochi/T’Puram Promote schemes, fight false claims: CM Vijayawada: Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has called upon party leaders to aggressively publicise the government’s development programmes while effectively countering the false information being spread by the Opposition | P4 this, onions will be sold at `32 a kg through 115 Rythu Bazaars and mobile counters across the State from next week.” The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India have respond- ed positively to AP’s request to supply onions, red gram and palm oil at subsidised prices. “Prices in the open market have increased due to El Nino conditions and other factors. Hence, we are striving to ensure that the gover nment stands by the people. We held discussions with Central officials to bring essential commodities within the reach of consumers,” he said. Using the Centre’s Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), onions will be sold at `32 a kg from next week, Manohar said.  P4 Eiffel Tower reopens after 1-day strike The monument was closed for a day after its staff went on strike over women being asked to leave during a visit by BAPS delegation | P7 Cabinet nod awaited Decks cleared for satellite broadband services in India R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi IN a move that could bring satellite communication services closer to commercial launch in India, the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), the apex decision-making body for telecommunications and digital policies at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has approved a spectrum usage charge of 5% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) for satellite communication services. Service providers await security clearance The Digital Communications Commission’s decision paves the way for the govt to allocate spectrum to Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, subject to them meeting security and other regulatory clearances With this decision, the government can now move ahead with spectrum assignment for satellite communication companies such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Amazon Leo to launch commercial services in India. The charge will be lower at 4% of AGR for operators providing services in rural and remote areas. DoT will now move the proposal through the Inter-Minis- terial Committee and then seek Cabinet nod. The DCC has also approved spectrum assignment for five years with an option for a twoyear extension. Telecom regulator Trai had recommended 4% of AGR spectrum usage charge, along with an additional `500 per urban subscriber per year for nongeostationary satellite orbitbased satellite services with rural and remote subscribers being exempt from the additional levy . However, the DoT rejected the per-subscriber charge, citing difficulties in distinguishing between rural and urban users. It also rejected the proposal to subsidise rural users.