vijayawada l sunday l october 27, 2024 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late city EDITION Rajnath Singh to celebrate Diwali with troops in Arunachal Pradesh The defence minister will celebrate the festival of lights with soldiers in Tawang, which saw the first artillery fire from China side during the 1962 war IAF-Uttarakhand War Memorial car rally Tawang visit amid Sino-Indian thaw Singh’s visit also coincides with the flag-in of Indian Air Force-Uttarakhand War Memorial car rally in Tawang on October 30, in the presence of Arunachal CM Pema Khandu and deputy CM Chowna Mein. In October 2023, the defence minister had carried out Shastra Puja with the troops at Tawang and also interacted with those deployed in the frontline locations along the LAC ■ ■ Tawang is a base for men in uniforms including those of the Indian Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) The Tawang trip comes at a time when India-China relations have just begun to thaw following disengagement of troops in Ladakh. China gets worked up whenever an Indian minister visits Arunachal Pradesh 50,000 Estimated number of people living in Tawang, which China CALLS LITTLE tIBET 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 media told Israel hits Iran’s Social content on to purge military sites hoax bomb threats Nuclear sites, energy infrastructure spared; two Iranian soldiers killed The first wave of attacks targeted Iran’s air defence capabilities to ensure the IDF’s freedom of operations during Saturday’s sorties, and to lay the ground for further strikes, should Iran retaliate November 26 Spl Parliament session to mark 75th anniv of Constitution Drone, missile sites hit The second and third waves of attacks targeted Iran’s drone and ballistic missile manufacturing sites as well as sites used to launch such weapons RAJE S H KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi The BJP-led NDA government is reportedly planning a special joint sitting of Parliament on November 26 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India. The joint session will be held in the historic Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan (old Parliament building), the venue where the first Constituent Assembly had adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, after which it came into effect on January 26, 1950. Sources indicated that a formal call on the joint session will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs shortly Traditionally, the win. ter session of Parliament begins in the last week of November or the first week of December. But this year, it appears the session may follow shortly after the Constitution Day is observed. This year’s event is particularly significant, as the ruling alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc are at odds regarding constitutional matters. The joint session on November 26 is expected to feature discussions on the Constitution’s enduring relevance and its role in shaping Indian democracy, with participation from leaders of various political parties reflecting on the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity President Droupadi . Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries are expected to address the joint session. From the next calendar year, November 26 will be observed annually as Constitution Day . Objectives achieved, says IDF IDF spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said the goals of the overnight attack on Iran were achieved successfully. “The reprisal strike was completed,” he told reporters host, display publish, store, up, date, or share any unlawful or With hoax bomb threats false information, the advisory against airlines continuing un- said. abated, the Ministry of ElecOver 275 Indian carrier tronics and Information Tech- flights received bomb threats in nology issued an advisory 12 days, mostly via social medirecting social media plat- dia. On Saturday at least 10 ho, forms to promptly remove tels in Gujarat’s Rajkot resuch misinfor mation ceived hoax bomb threats. and refrain from hostAnd a 25-year-old man ing similar content. based in Delhi was arStating that such rested for allegedly hoax bomb threats posting threat messagpose a potential threat es to a flight. to public order and The ministry also distate security, the minrected intermediaries istry warned that interto provide information mediaries, including or assistance to governAll the social media platforms ment prove agencies intermediaries like X (formerly Twit- including social within 72 hours. ter), Facebook, TeleCiting IT rules 2021, media gram, and other apps it said it is mandatory intermediaries that fail to exercise due for the intermediaries must make reasonable diligence will be liable to provide information efforts to for action under the IT under their control or disallow such Act and the Bharatiya extend assistance to the malicious acts Nyaya Sanhita 2023. g ove r n m e n t p r o b e As part of their due agencies or cyber secuGovt advisory diligence obligations, it rity activities for verifiis the responsibility of cation of identity or for , concerned intermediaries, in- the prevention, detection, including social media platforms, vestigation or prosecution of to promptly take necessary ac- such elements as soon as possition by not allowing any user to ble but not later than 72 hours. R a k e s h K u m a r @ New Delhi tHREE wAVES of STRIKES Flight radar data shows airspace over Iran, Syria, and Iraq closed amid Israeli strikes on Saturday Ag e n c i e s ISRAEL on Saturday launched retaliatory strikes against Iran, 25 days after the Tehran attacked Tel Aviv with nearly 200 missiles and drones. Israel’s airstrikes started around 2 am Iranian time on Saturday and ended by 6 am. Only military sites were hit. The Israeli military termed its attack ‘precise and targeted’ strikes to knock down Iran’s air defence systems and other defence capabilities. Owing to US pressure, Israel did not target Iran’s nuclear or energy facilities, which were initially seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s October 1 attack. The extent of damage the Israeli strikes caused was not immediately known, though some reports quoting anonymous Israeli officials said 20 targets were hit. Iran’s state-run media reported that blasts could be heard in Tehran and some of the sounds came from air defence systems around the city . According to US media reports, the Iranian military complex at Parchin near Tehran was hit. Iran confirmed the attack, saying two of its soldiers were killed. It claimed its forces thwarted damage to its military sites. Iran’s military said the Israeli strikes targeted military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces and caused ‘limited damage’, without elaborating. Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying the country has a responsibility to defend itself, but added Iran “recognises its responsibilities towards regional peace and security”, signalling it would not strike back. Reports said Israel’s strike was designed to minimise casualties and to give Iran a face saver. Some reports also claimed that Iran was tipped off ahead of the attack, to ensure the damage was limited. Saturday’s retaliatory strike marked the first time Israel’s military has openly attacked Iran, which hasn’t faced a sustained barrage of fire from a foreign enemy since its 1980s war with Iraq. In response to the latest attack, several countries, including India, called for an end to the cycle of confrontation. The US termed the Israeli attack as an act of self-defence and warned Iran against targeting Israel again. India said it was deeply concerned and urged all sides to take the diplomacy route. “We reiterate our call to all concerned to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy The ongoing hostilities are to . nobody’s benefit, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer,” the Ministry of External P9 Affairs said.  Asserting that Andhra Pradesh is set to witness rapid development through Artificial Intelligence (AI), HRD (Human Resource Development), IT (Information Technology) and Communication Minister Nara Lokesh highlighted the investment opportunities and investorfriendly policies initiated in the State. During a meeting with industrialists in San Francisco as part of his visit to the US, Lokesh observed that revolutionary changes will be seen in India in the next 25 years. The TDP leader said the Andhra Pradesh government is focusing on extending better services to the people expeditiously by making use of AI in administration. “While the IT sector witnessed swift development in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru because of the Y2K boom, Andhra Pradesh is focusing on making use of AI, which is in trend at present,” he noted. Stressing that opportunities are aplenty in manufacturing, S G u r u S r i k a n t h @ Vijayawada A day after the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) allowed Discoms (power distribution companies) to recover Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) of `6,072.86 crore from consumers, Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar squarely blamed the previous government, led by YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for the inevitable increase in power tariff. Speaking to mediapersons at the Secretariat on Saturday, Ravi said the Discoms’ proposals for FPPCA two years ago to the APERC was not accepted. Stating that the TDP-led NDA government is “forced to pay for the sins of the previous administration”, the Minister said, “Even when the proposal was made in March 2024, no decision was taken in view of the elections that were just weeks away. However, people should take note of the fact that before demitting office, Jagan request- renewable energy bio-energy , , aqua and petrochemical sectors in the residual State of Andhra Pradesh, he highlighted that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has initiated P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) concept to eradicate poverty by developing the industry sector. He said the government is proceeding ahead by setting targets for every 100 days for the comprehensive developP4 ment of the State.  Reforms have been rolled out in the education sector to ensure employment opportunities to youth. The government is focusing on skill development to provide human resources as per the need of the industry — Nara Lokesh, IT & HRD Minister HRD & IT Minister Nara Lokesh, who is on a tour to the US till November 1, interacting with industrialists in San Francisco on Saturday | Express Duodecennial defeat: India’s fortress breached by New Zealand THE oxygen had been sucked out of the place. A cheery afternoon crowd were refusing to believe what was unfolding. The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium was bearing witness to the death of a dynasty, a kingdom being knocked down in front of their eyes... an end of an incomparable era. Shortly after Tea on Day 3, as Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin tried to string together a couple of commas towards achieving the improbable, there was a cer- tain element of tragicomedy. The two spinners, so often who have bowled India to victory in these conditions to preserve their proud home record, were merely delaying the inevitable. Even as hundreds of fans started making their way to the exits, the two veterans fought gamely for 44 minutes. Once Ashwin fell to Mitchell Santner, the Kiwi picking up his 13th scalp of the Test, any sense of a miracle evaporated. The Black Caps, the inaugural World Test Championship champs, had mastered one of the hardest New Zealand players celebrate Rohit Sharma’s wicket in Pune on Saturday | pti TDP membership drive launched Vijayawada: TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the party membership drive at a programme held at the TDP Central Office, Mangalagiri on Saturday. Describing the TDP as a political university, Naidu said the roots of several Telugu politicians in the present era were in TDP | P4 road accident Six devotees killed in Anantapur dist Anantapur: Six people lost their lives in a road accident at Nayanapalle Cross in Anantapur district. The deceased were identified as Hare Krishna devotees from ISKCON temple in the district. All six passengers in their vehicle died on spot | P3 WITH THIS ISSUE The New Don PLUS 12 PAGES ed APERC to accept proposals of the Discoms. However, the decision was taken in October.” Further, he accused the previous YSRC government of taking ignorant and illogical decisions in the five years, which have now burdened the people of the State with an increased power tariff. He charged Jagan and former energy minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy with taking kickbacks and resorting to irregularities in power and P4 coal purchase.  Papikondalu trip resumes after 4 months K V S a i l e n d r a @ Rajamahendravaram hi s t o r i c o ut c o m e S w a r o o p S w a m i n at h a n @ Pune naidu sets high target Min defends `6k cr power charges Lokesh hard sells Andhra to investors in the US S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada express read challenges in the sport; win a Test series in India. The most unlikely team to end more than a decade of dominance. It’s hard to put into words the enormity of this upset for a few reasons. Since the beginning of 2013 till the end of the Bangladesh series earlier this month, the hosts had played 53 Tests at home and won 42 (16 of them by an innings). The Kiwis had won only two away Tests since the beginning of the 2019 WTC cycle till two weeks ago. Put it this way — a team that seldom wins away from home beat the team that always wins at home 2-0 in 10 days. It will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest shocks the sport has known this century. However, skipper Sharma refused to do any immediate ‘postmortem’ following the loss. “This is the first time we have had collapses,” he said. “We are not able to bat properly. So, it is allowed once in 12 years. If it had been happening for 12 years, we would not have won. But, we have high expectations in India. We have to win all the More on p11 matches.” After a hiatus of four months, boat operations to Papikondalu commenced from Gandi Pochamma temple boating point at Gonduru village in Devipatnam mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Saturday. The boating point is 35 km from Rajamahendravaram. Tourism Department divisional manager Ch Pavan Kumar explained that the first tour was launched after four months due to monsoon and cyclone. Tourists are picked up from Rajamahendravaram at 7.30 am so they can reach the boating point at 9.30 am. The day tour to Papikondalu includes eight hours of sailing in the River Godavari. Kumar explained that mock drills were conducted on Friday to check safety guidelines P4 at the boating point.