hubballi l wednesday l june 25, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION five hundreds to india, 1st test match to England Despite Indian batters scoring five hundreds in the two innings, they lost the first Test against England by five wickets at Leeds Ben Duckett (left) and Joe Root help England beat India on Tuesday | AP Duckett, Root guide England home India prefer batting depth to bowling As he ever so often does, Ben Duckett came to the fore for England with a sensational second innings hundred. He smashed a stellar 149 and, along with Zak Crawley set up the chase before Joe Root took over. Even as wickets kept falling at other end, Root held fort (53 n.o from 84 balls) to take England over 371-run target with five wickets in hand ■ ■ In what was one of the driest springs in England, India’s team management decided to go with Shardul Thakur as their fifth bowler instead of adding one more spinner — Kuldeep Yadav It backfired and India did not use Thakur enough in both the innings. The second Test will be begin on June 2 | More on P11 Seven india have now lost seven of their last nine test matches 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 Cavities, cracks pose a From July, rail fares may go up threat to Kabini dam r a j e s h k u m a r t h a k u r @ New Delhi K S h i v a K u m a r @ Mysuru The brimming Kabini reservoir, which is the lifeline of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, has developed minor cracks and cavities in the stone structure, pressing the need to protect the 50-year-old dam. Though experts ruled out an immediate threat to the structure, they said any neglect or delay in filling up the cavities and cracks would weaken the structure. The irrigation officials had deployed robots and also underwater cameras when they found out the problem. The crack and cavities are 40 to 50 cms and will increase if not filled, the experts said. Based on the findings and a report from the authorities of Cauvery Niravari Nigam Ltd, the state cabinet at its special meeting at Male Mahadeshwara Hills on April 24 approved Rs 32.35 crore for the dam repair work. Despite the technical approval, officials could not take up the project because of increased inflows into the reservoir this monsoon, and high turbidity in the water that has reduced visibility . The dam safety review team and the dam safety panel, comprising former chairmen of the Central Water Commission, have inspected the reservoir. Sources said there has been a minor crack in the dam for the last 12 years and it had not been given priority like the KRS dam. Irrigation Department Superintendent Engineer Mahesh admitted that there is a crack and cavity in the dam. He said they are planning to invite tenders to take up the work in November. He said turbidity in water should reduce for professional divers to go into the water and fill up cracks. “We are preparing a project report of Rs 85 crore and presenting it to the Union government to take up the dam strengthening work. We are confident that the Centre will approve it as the Kabini reservoir is placed under Category 2, which needs immediate attention,” he said. There is, however, no immediate threat to the dam’s safety , he added. Lokayukta Vigilance Wing set up to fight internal corruption Yat h i r a j u @Bengaluru With no positive response from the state government on the constitution of the Vigilance Wing at the Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog has gone ahead with setting up of a division to fight corruption and maladministration within its own institution. To set up the vigilance wing, Lokayukta Justice BS Patil had requested the state government to create 24 posts, including a sitting District Judge to lead the wing along with one SP one DySP two inspectors and others. , , “Apart from that, we had also written to the government to sanction 339 posts last October for the entire Lokayukta. Awaiting the government’s response, we have constituted the Vigilance Wing to be headed by the Registrar,” said Justice Patil. The institution is handling nearly 25,000 cases, both under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. As against 1,929 sanctioned strength, its working strength is 1,309.  CONTINUED ON P2 After HC order, Ax-4 mission govt to repay launch today The Axiom-4 mission to the `800-1,000cr International Space Station to power users is expected to liftoff at 2.31 am ET (12.01 IST) on B o s k y K h a n n a @Bengaluru The state government will soon have to cough up around Rs 800-1,000 crore which the energy department had collected as taxes from consumers on the minimum tariff (fixed charges) from 2003 to 2013. The Karnataka High Court on June 20 issued an order stating that tax on minimum tariff is unconstitutional, and petitioners can seek claims for the amount paid, with proper documents. Following this, industries, low-tension and high-tension consumers are collating their bills to seek their refund. Some are also preparing applications to file before energy supply companies (Escoms), seeking bill details. MG Balakrishna, president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) said it is a landmark judgment, and the government should note that it cannot levy unnecessary charges on consumers. Now, industries will file an appeal before court seeking refund, using this order. The industries body had fought a 17-year long battle.  P4 Wednesday. The targeted docking for the satellite to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for 7 am ET (4.30 pm IST) on Thursday, NASA said | P5 THE Railway Ministry is considering increasing fares of non-AC class in Mail/Express trains by 1 paisa and AC classes by 2 paise per kilometre from July 1, 2025, officials said on Tuesday . There is no fare hike being planned for suburban trains and monthly season tickets in the interest of daily commuters. “There is a strong chance of no fare hike for ordinary second class tickets for journeys up to 500 km... after crossing 500 km, the railways may charge half-paisa per km,” a well-placed source said. He added that the slight in- crease of 1 paisa per kilometre being considered for non-AC classes, and 2 paisa per kilometre for all AC classes is being done keeping in mind passenger interests. This hike, if implemented, would be the first since the pandemic and could generate additional annual revenue of around `10,000 to `12,000 crore. According to sources, the hike is being planned to ensure it does not cause a burden to passengers. “The revision for the slightest addition in the fare is likely to come as part of the Railways’ ongoing efforts to manage operation- al costs without burdening passengers, especially re gular commuters and those travelling short distance,” said the senior official, suggesting an formal notification may be issued soon. On average, 2.5 crore passengers travel daily on more than 13,000 trains, including 4,111 Mail and Express trains, covering 69,000 kilometres, managed under 17 zones and 69 divisions. “Railways is leaving no stone unturned to provide infrastructure, safety and comfort. For all these, the revenue rise is needed,” said a source. Explosions in Tehran as Israel hits radar station Trump bristles at violation of peace pact Shaky start to Trump ceasefire as Iran, Israel hold off for now Agencies The dramatic ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday had a rocky start as both Iran and Israel traded attacks and blamed each other for flouting the truce pact. Trump later claimed the truce pact was operational. T r ump’s unilateral announcement came a day after Iran fired a handful of interceptable missiles at a US military base in Qatar, without harming anyone or damaging anything, in retaliation for the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday . Shortly after Trump announced the peace deal through his social media platfor m Truth Social, Israel’s air defence systems were activated to intercept missiles from Iran. The Israel Defense Forces said two missiles were shot at the country’s north around 10.30 am, three hours after the ceasefire ought to have begun. Israel retaliated by striking an Iranian radar installation near Tehran but backed out from further attacks after Trump expressed displeasure at the ceasefire violation. An angry Trump used an expletive on live television when reporters asked him about the fresh flare-ups. Speaking to the media at the White House before leaving for The Hague to attend a NATO summit, he said the two countries have been “fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing”. Castigating both Iran and Israel for violating the ceasefire, Trump said he is even more unhappy with Israel for its reckless behaviour. Later, he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following this, I’ve got to get Israel to calm down... as soon as we made the deal, Israel dropped a load of bombs the likes of which I’ve never seen before Israel “refrained” from further strikes after a call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreement either US President Donald Trump Netanyahu’s office Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian Israeli soldiers from the Home Front Command unit work at the site struck by an Iranian missile, in Beersheba on Tuesday | ap Trump stated: “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt.” Rejecting Israel’s accusations, Iran said it did not launch any attack after the ceasefire was announced, adding that it will stand down as long as Tel Aviv respects the peace pact. Iranian officials said their immediately priority is rebuilding the residential areas and public infrastructure damaged in the air strikes. “We witnessed attacks on residential areas, as well as on scientific centres, research institutes, healthcare facilities and civilians... We are facing a major task ahead in terms of reconstruction,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told state TV . As for Israel, Netanyahu said all of his country’s war goals have been achieved. These include removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, taking out Iran’s military leadership, and having control over Tehran’s skies. He categorically added that Israel will “respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire”. big relief Sweet news for mango farmers, Centre announces MSP V V e l ay u d h a m @Kolar The Union government on Tuesday announced a minimum support price (MSP) for mangoes, bringing relief to thousands of farmers in Karnataka, who had been affected by crop loss and drastic fall in prices this year. The Centre approved a price of Rs 1,616 per quintal and allowed the state government to procure 2,50,000 metric tonnes of mangoes for this marketing year. The Centre’s decision followed a letter written by Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy to Union Minister for Agriculture Farmers dump mangoes on the Bangaluru-Chennai Highway near Kondarajanajalli on Tuesday | Express and Farmer Welfare Shivaraj Singh Chouhan, requesting assistance to farmers. Former PM HD Deve Gowda too had written on Monday to PM Narendra Modi to come to the aid of mango farmers. Replying to Kumaraswamy’s If the Zionist regime (Israel) does not violate the ceasefire, then Iran will not violate the peace letter, Chouhan announced the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mangoes on Tuesday . Immediately Kumaraswamy , posted on X, thanking Modi for the “unwavering and farmercentric commitment” of the central government. Mango farmers were demanding the support price for mangoes, especially the thotapuri variety that had seen a drastic fall in prices. The farmers had also successfully held a bandh at Srinivasapura, the hub of mango farming in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too had written to Chouhan on June 13, seeking MSP . Earlier on Tuesday, mango farmers blocked the Bengaluru-Chennai national highway near Kondarajanahalli and dumped fruits on the road, bringing traffic to a halt. The police intervened and convinced farmers to withdraw their agitation. Mango Growers Association president Neelaturu Chinnappa Reddy said they welcomed the Centre’s decision on MSP, and thanked Kumaraswamy He . appealed to the Centre to implement the order immediately to help the distressed farmers. Kolar MP Mallesh Babu said the decision was taken based on the letter written by Kumaraswamy . Meanwhile, there are concerns that the ceasefire may not hold for long due to trust deficit between Tehran and Tel Aviv. It took hours for Israel and Iran to even acknowledge they had accepted the ceasefire which Trump claimed to have brokered. Also, Israel has only promised to scale down their air strikes against Iran, not wind up the operation. Trump said he is not interested in toppling the regime in Iran. “Regime change takes chaos and ideally we don’t want to see chaos,” he told reporters on board Air Force One heading to the NATO summit. No alternative to talks, India ready to play its part: Govt J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi India on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, expressing deep concern over recent hostilities and reiterating its readiness to “play its part” in promoting dialogue and long-term stability in the region. Acknowledging the role of the US and Qatar in securing the truce, the External Affairs Ministry emphasised that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to the multiple conflicts that confront West Asia. “We have been following developments overnight relating to the conflict between Iran and Israel, including the US action against Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iranian retaliation against US military bases in Qatar,” a statement issued by the MEA said. “While we remain deeply concerned about the prospects for overall and sustained regional security and stability we , welcome reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel and the role played by the US and Qatar in bringing it about,” it added. India also stressed the importance of diplomatic engagement over military escalation. “We wish to reiterate that there is no alternative to dialogue and diplomacy in order to address and resolve the multiple conflicts in the region.” Meanwhile, 594 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated from Israel so far under Operation Sindhu, amid escalating tensions in the region. Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft played a key role in the evacuation ef forts, transporting stranded citizens via Jordan and Egypt. These Indian nationals had crossed over from Israel into these neighboring countries by land before being airlifted. Two flights from Iran too landed in Delhi today . No ‘sindoor’ immunity, says SC in dowry case E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @ New Delhi Noting that serving in ‘Operation Sindoor’ does not give him immunity, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a Black Cat Commando to surrender in a case relating to dowry death linked to the killing of wife over 20 years ago. He was convicted in the case under Section 304B of the IPC (dowry death) and had approached the court with an exemption plea that he had served in Operation Sindoor and worked as a commando for the last 20 years. A division bench was hearing a petition filed against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had dismissed the convict’s appeal and upheld the sentence of rigorous imprisonment of 10 years. When the petitioner said, “I am a participant of Operation Sindoor. For the past 20 years I am a commando posted in Rashtriya Rifles,” the bench retorted, “That doesn’t give you immunity from committing atrocity at home. This goes to show how physically fit you are, and the manner in which alone you could have killed your wife, strangulated your wife.”