TIRUNELVELI l sunday l august 24, 2025 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l city EDITION Deep space exploration next, prepare for it: Pm to scientists PM on Saturday announced that India was preparing to set up a pool of astronauts for future missions, and asked youth to be part of it achieving milestones natural trait: Modi In a video address on National Space Day, PM Modi said, “We have reached the moon and Mars. Now, we have to peek into deep space, where several secrets that would benefit the future of humanity lie hidden.” Achieving one milestone after another in the space sector has now become a natural trait of India and its scientists, Modi said ■ Aug 23 exhorts private players to step up ■ Modi said India viewed space technology not only as a tool for scientific exploration but also as a means to enhance ease of living The PM also asked the private players to come forward for deep space exploration. “... Can we reach a point where we can launch 50 rockets every year?” he asked space scientists and engineers is national space day to mark landing of Chandrayaan-3 on Moon 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 Postal service to US Sergio Gor is Trump envoy first to take the hit Temporary suspension to impact small-scale exports J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi In a significant development with far-reaching implications for trade and personal shipments, the Department of Posts announced on Saturday a temporary suspension of all postal services to the US, effective August 25, citing “operational challenges” arising from new customs regulations. The move follows the issuance of Executive Order No. 14324 by the US administration on July 30, which revokes the long-standing duty-free de minimis exemption for imported goods valued at up to USD 800. The new rules, coming into effect on August 29, will subject all international shipments to customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act framework. “ international postal items All destined for the USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties,” an official release from the Ministry of Communications said, adding that only letters/documents and gift items valued up to USD 100 will remain exempt for the time being. Although the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued preliminary guidelines on August 15, key components of the new customs framework, in- pick for India J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi File photo cluding the designation of “qualified parties” authorised to collect and remit duties remain “undefined”, according to the department. “Several critical processes… remain undefined. Consequently, US-bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after August 25, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness,” the press release noted. The suspension comes amid escalating trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington. President Donald Trump recently announced 25% tariff on Indian goods that could couple with an additional 25% penalty targeting India’s purchases of Russian oil, effectively raising the total tariff burden on certain imports to 50%. It sparked concerns within India’s trade and logistics sectors, given the volume of smallscale exports and personal shipments reliant on international postal services. The negotiations (with US) are still going on. The bottom line is, we have some red lines. Those are the interests of our farmers and small producers. That’s not something we can compromise on — S Jaishankar Strategic autonomy “That’s our right (buying Russian oil). In my business, we would say that’s what strategic autonomy is about,” the external affairs minister said at an event in New Delhi | P7 In a key diplomatic move underscoring the Trump administration’s evolving strategy in Asia, President Donald Trump appointed Sergio Gor as the US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. The announcement came at a time of growing tensions between Washington and New Delhi over trade issues and India’s continued energy and economic engagement with Russia. At 39, Gor becomes the youngest US ambassador to India, replacing Eric Garcetti, a Bidenera appointee who vacated the post in January . His dual appointment signals a consolidation of regional diplomatic leadership under a figure with deep loyalty to Trump and substantial influence in the current administration. As Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, Gor played a key role in staffing the federal government with Trumpaligned officials. The president Sergio Gor credited him with hiring nearly 4,000 “America First Patriots” across federal agencies in record time. “Sergio is a great friend who has been at my side for many years... For the most populous region in the world, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my agenda and help us MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump said, emphasising the political trust underpinning the appointment. A low-profile but powerful operative, Gor held senior roles in both presidential campaigns, including management of a pro-Trump Super PAC, and involvement in publishing the former president’s best-selling books. His loyalty and behindthe-scenes influence earned him a reputation as one of the administration’s most trusted aides. Fight for autonomy with TN-like panel, Stalin exhorts states E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e Kamal: Education must be restored to state list Calling upon those who have a genuine concern for India’s unity to raise their voices for the cause of state autonomy, Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Saturday, urged all states in the country to form committees similar to the high-level committee on union-state relations established by Tamil Nadu to advance their call for state autonomy . Inaugurating a national seminar on union-state relations in Chennai, the CM said, “Let us strive in all possible ways to amend the Constitution to reflect the idea of ‘autonomy in states and federalism in the union’”. The seminar was addressed by former judges of the Supreme Court and other experts in union-state relations. Stating that ensuring social justice has been the fundamental principle of Tamil Nadu politics, the CM point- CHENNAI: Demanding that education be restored to state list, MNM chief Kamal Hassan said, “If the union truly stands for federalism it should begin with education.” | P4 @ Chennai ed out that TN is among the states that contribute the largest share of revenue to the centre through direct taxes and GST. “However, in terms of financial devolution, the centre fails to allocate funds commensurate with the revenue collected from the state, acting instead with narrow political intent,” he added. He recalled how former CM CN Annadurai (Arignar Anna) had declared in the TN assembly that a review of the Constitution was necessary to ensure the states’ rights. Following this, in 1969, former CM M Karunanidhi formed the Rajamannar Committee to review union-state relations.  P5 m ay b e a s p e r p r e z o r d e r CBI books Anil Ambani, RCOM in `2,929 crore bank fraud case Guv returns Siddha univ bill, suggests 4 changes E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Tirunelveli M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at industrialist Anil Ambani’s Seawind residence in Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade on Saturday in a `2,929.05 crore bank fraud case involving Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM). The raids began at 7 am, with Ambani and his family present, officials said.The CBI acted after registering a 20-page FIR in Delhi, naming Ambani, RCOM, unknown public servants, and others as accused, based on a complaint from SBI. SBI said that RCOM, under Ambani’s leadership, defrauded the bank of `2,929.05 crore, including a fund-based principal of `2,227.64 crore and nonAnil Ambani fund-based bank guarantees worth `786.52 crore. SBI had classified RCOM and Ambani as “fraud” on June 13, 2025, under RBI’s Fraud Risk Management guidelines, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply recently . RCOM’s Resolution Professional disclosed this to the Bombay Stock Exchange on July 1, 2025. SBI formally complained to the CBI on August 18, 2025, prompting the FIR. A spokesperson on behalf of Anil Ambani said: “The complaint by SBI pertains to matters dating back more than 10 years... Mr Ambani was a NonExecutive Director then, with no involvement in day-to-day management. Mr Ambani has been selectively singled out.” Centre not allocating funds commensurate to revenue from states, acting with political intent - CM MK Stalin mla nabbed in betting racket `12 crore seized by Enforcement Directorate officials from multiple locations during searches in an illegal betting case against Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra (inset) and others. He was arrested under Sikkim’s anti-money laundering law | Express express read INDIA bloc V-P candidate to meet CM Stalin today Framework to support child witnesses soon SIT arrests complainant in Dharmasthala case Chennai: The Vice Presidential candidate of the INDIA bloc, B Sudershan Reddy, is scheduled to visit Chennai on Sunday. He will meet Chief Minister MK Stalin and leaders of the alliance parties at a hotel in T Nagar at 5 pm to seek their support CHENNAI: TN will soon some up with a “dedicated framework” to provide psychological support to kids who were witnesses to grave crimes and help them recover from severe trauma and psychological scars, the state told the Madras HC | P4 Mangaluru: The complainant, who had alleged multiple murders, rapes, and burials in Dharmasthala, was arrested on Saturday by the SIT for perjury. Officials said the arrest followed inconsistencies found in his statements and documents | P5 Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Saturday said that the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical University bill, passed by the Assembly to establish a university for Siddha medicine, has been returned by Governor RN Ravi with suggestions for making four changes. The governor had reserved the bill for the consideration of the President nearly two years ago in November 2023. Subramanian, addressing the media in Tirunelveli, said the bill was returned on Thursday . Sources said the President seems to have invoked powers under Article 201 to direct the governor to return the bill to the legislature. Subramanian said that the communication received by the health secretary on Thursday has been shared with the law department. He said that, as per the directions of Chief Minister MK Stalin, the state will make efforts to table and pass the bill with the changes and send it for governor’s assent again. The returning of the bill assumed significance since the Supreme Court is currently hearing the Presidential Reference, seeking clarity on the landmark judgment passed by a two-judge bench of the court, which defined timelines for President and Governors to act on bills passed by state legislatures while granting “deemed assent” to 10 bills that were pending with the TN governor. Mascara Men W ITH THIS ISS U E PLUS 12 P AGES Power cable submerged in rainwater kills sanitation staff PR A V E E N A S A @ Chennai A 30-year-old conservancy worker, the sole breadwinner of her family died of electrocu, tion after she accidentally stepped on a damaged electric cable at Kannagi Nagar around 4.30 am on Saturday. The deceased, R Varalakshmi, had stepped out of her home for work when she stepped on the power line submerged in stagnant rainwater. This is the fifth electrocution death in just seven weeks in Chennai—four of them being rain-related. Residents allege that they have raised concerns about damaged and snapped electric cables for the past few months and have submitted several R Varalakshmi complaints in the last few weeks to the electricity department, but to no avail. Varalakshmi lived in the TNUHDB tenements in Kannagi Nagar and had been working in the Adyar zone under Urbaser Sumeet (the contracting firm which handles the solid waste management in South Chennai for the Chennai corporation) since 2022. Her husband, Ravi, who suffers from chronic psoriasis, has been unable to take up his painting jobs due to his condition. Her kids, Yuvasri (11) and Manish (8), study in a private school. P5 Two girls collecting neem seeds killed in lightning Ramanathapuram: Two children, aged nine and 13, died on the spot after being struck by lightning in Ramanathapuram on Saturday. Seyyadhu Aspiya Banu and her sister Sabika Banu were collecting neem seeds near their house when tragedy struck them friendly match Kerala on course to get Messi fever this November E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi ON one moment, off the next. The Messi-to-Kerala saga has kept football fans on edge for nearly a year. The wait is over. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning team will play an international friendly in Kerala, between November 10 and 18 this year. In all likelihood, Thiruvananthapuram will host the match, while the opponent is yet to be decided. Posting the infor mation, AFA wrote on X: “(Matches) in FIFA for October, between 6 and 14 will be played in US and for November, between 10 and 18 in Luanda, Angola, and Kera l a , I n d i a ( r iv a l s t o b e determined).” AFA India celebrated the milestone, noting the match stems from a year-long collaboration with the Kerala government, initiated in Madrid. “A new chapter in AFA’s global expansion,” they declared. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, who spearheaded the effort since November 2024, confirmed that Green- field International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will be the venue. “This is a historic moment. The two options we had were either October or November. In between, they tried to push it to next year, but we re- mained adamant in our demand as we aim to bring the 2022 World Cup winners to Kerala,” he told reporters. The minister said several top-50 FIFA teams had expressed interest in playing the friendly with Australia emerg, ing the frontrunner. Other This is a historic moment. In between, they tried to push it to next year, but we remained adamant to bring the 2022 World Cup winners to Kerala— V Abdurahiman, Kerala sports minister teams that are in the fray to play against Argentina are Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Efforts are on to bring the Brazilian team. For Kerala, where the Argentina-Brazil rivalry is woven into football folklore, Messi’s presence would be nothing short of momentous. The last time Argentina played in India was in 2011 when it faced Venezuela in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.