HYDERABAD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 `9.00 PAGES 12 LATE CITY EDITION HEZBOLLAH STRIKES DEEP INSIDE ISRAEL AS TENSIONS ESCALATE Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets across a wider and deeper area of northern Israel, with some landing near city of Haifa, injuring three U.N. WARNS OF IMMINENT CATASTROPHE IN OPEN-ENDED BATTLE WITH ISRAEL: HEZBOLLAH The rocket barrage overnight set off air raid sirens across northern Israel, sending thousands of people scrambling into shelters. Tensions have escalated sharply after the recent pager and walkie-talkie explosions and an Israeli air strike that killed a Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The United Nations warned that the region is on the brink of “an imminent catastrophe” ■ ■ The militant group took its attacks deep into Israel’s north, hitting Jezreel Valley, about 100 km from the border, local media reported Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Kassem said his outfit is now in an open-ended battle with Israel. “Your economy will be destroyed... and you will not achieve your goals,” he warned Israel | P9 3 DEAD IN ISRAELI AIR STRIKES ON SOUTHERN LEBANON ON SUNDAY 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 Tensions rise as HYDRAA razes illegal structures in Kukatpally, Ameenpur S B A C H A N J E E T S I N G H @ Hyderabad Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Indian community members at Nassau Veterans Coliseum in New York, on Sunday. Over 13,000 Indian Americans were present | PTI Quad calls for rules-based order Leaders agree to expand maritime ties, express concerns over situation in East, South China Seas Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi AMID Chinese military posturing in the Indo-Pacific, Quad leaders on Sunday decided to expand maritime security cooperation in the region and expressed concerns over the situations in the East and South China Seas. Though China was not named by any of the leaders, the White House had earlier indicated that it would be high on the agenda of discussions during the annual meeting of the grouping in Wilmington, Delaware “We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarisation of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea,” the leaders said in a joint declaration. They condemned “dangerous manoeuvres” in the region. “We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous maneuvers,” the Quad Wilmington Declaration said. Recently, Philippine vessels were allegedly rammed by Chinese coast guard ships in the South China Sea. During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “Quad supports rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of all issues.” “Our meeting is taking place at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. In such a situation, it is crucial for the Quad to unite around our shared democratic values for the greater good of humanity. We are not against anyone,” Modi said. President Joe Biden said Quad is more strategically aligned and delivering more positive impact across the IndoPacific than ever before. “Four years after my proposal to elevate Quad, the US, India, Japan, Australia, are more strategically aligned and delivering more positive impact across the Indo-Pacific than ever before. While challenges will come and the world will change, the Quad is here to stay,’’ he wrote on X. Later, Modi met members of the Indian diaspora in New York. “Just yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection, his warmth, it was a moment that touched my heart. This respect is for the 140 billion Indians. This respect is for you, for your achievement,” he told them. Sri Lanka picks Dissanayake as president to fix economy DILRUKSHI HANDUNNETTI Award-winning journalist and lawyer, founder and director of the Colombobased Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) COLOMBO: National Peoples’ Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 56, was on Sunday declared president-elect by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka at the Election Secretariat in Colombo. Addressing election officials, presidential candidates, and political party representatives, Dissanayake promised to usher in a new political culture and strive to serve 22 million Sri Lankans “with deep commitment and respect” and to create a new political culture that celebrates political differences and honours people’s dignity and rights. Dissanayake, who polled 5,634,915 votes (42.31%), was declared winner after a second preferential count, as none of the candidates reached the constitutionally required 50% plus 1 vote. In the second preferential count, he obtained 105,264 votes. His main rival, Opposition Leader and Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajith Premadasa, polled 4,363,035 votes (32.76%) and 107,867 second preference votes. The president-elect noted the need to amend the election laws to enable certain sections of the public such as migrant workers to be able to vote, and promised to accord it high priority How. ever, he said it would not be possible to pass these amendments before the next bunch of elecCONTINUED ON P7 tions. Drone deal on track, new semicon plant in Kolkata Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi BOSTON, LA TO HAVE CONSULATES India will open new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora in New York NEARLY 300 ANTIQUITIES RETURNED US handed over to India 297 antiquities, which were smuggled out of the country over the years | P7 SIGNALLING that the US is keen to strengthen ties with India, US President Joe Biden highlighted the progress in India’s procurement of 31 long-endurance MQ-9B armed drones from American defence major General Atomics and also referred to the setting up of a semiconductor plant in Kolkata, West Bengal. During his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he held wide-ranging talks covering various key aspects of India-US ties including ways to further ramp up bilateral defence and military engagement. It may be recalled that the US had approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to Indian military for around $4 billion in February. Out of these, 16 are for the Indian Air Force and 15 for the Navy . The salient feature of the drones is that these can operate in pin-drop silence and fly as close as 250 metres from the ground. According to reports, some more small details are to be worked out and both sides are likely to formally conclude the deal by next month. As for the semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata, both Modi and Biden hailed it as a watershed arrangement. “The plant will be established with support from India Semiconductor Mission as well as strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech and US Space force,’’ the White House said in a statement. EXPRESS READ NIA searches flat of arrested ISIS member in Hyd Hyderabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched an apartment in Shankeshwar Bazar, Saidabad, on Sunday in connection with the arrest of suspected ISIS member, Rizwan Ali. According to the NIA, Rizwan, an expert in making explosives, had planned to target various cities across India. Agency sleuths, accompanied by Rizwan, searched the apartment where he had taken shelter for three months prior to his arrest on August 9 this year in Delhi | P3 AFTER a lull for over two weeks, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) resumed operations on Sunday, undertaking largescale demolitions of unauthorised structures built within the full tank level (FTL) and buffer zone of Nalla Cheruvu, Kukatpally, Balanagar mandal, and on government lands in Kistareddypet and Patelguda of Ameenpur mandal. The gover nment successfully reclaimed eight acres of encroached land, a statement by HYDRAA said. As the demolitions proceeded, distressing scenes unfolded, with many families crying foul. Several locals expressed anger, accusing authorities of targeting the poor while leaving the rich untouched. Affected people criticised the state government for carrying out the demolitions without prior notice, resulting in damages to household items and belongings. Some residents, including pregnant women and elderly individuals, were visibly distraught. A young man, whose AP forms SIT to probe Tirupati Laddu row EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Vijayawada A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an Inspector General and above rank officer will be constituted to probe the alleged adulteration of the Tirumala temple Laddu Prasadam, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Sunday “The SIT will investigate all issues, including procurement of adulterated ghee containing animal fat, and its use in making the Laddu Prasadam offered to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala temple, and misuse of power by the previous dispensation,” Naidu said. Based on the inquiry report submitted by the SIT, strict action will be taken against the culprits, the AP chief minister added. “There is no compromise in safeguarding the sanctity of Tirumala temple and its traditions,” he said. CONTINUED ON P5 Earthmovers demolish illegal buildings on government lands in Ameenpur on Sunday wife is seven months pregnant, lamented that their lives were shattered as they had spent lakhs of rupees building their house, which had been razed. Many people also alleged that they had taken loans to buy the property, which was now destroyed. “Is this the gift you are giving us for voting for you (CM A Revanth Reddy)? My son built this house with great difficulty by taking loans, and my daughter-in-law is pregnant. We thought we could have a better future under your leadership, but you have ruined our lives,” a grieving woman said. ‘EIGHT ACRES OF GOVT LAND FREED’ HYDRAA reclaimed eight acres of government land by demolishing unauthorised structures on Sunday. In an official statement, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said the agency targeted three locations — one water body and two government lands — in Kukatpally and Ameenpur. “HYDRAA will not target buildings used for residential purposes,” Ranganath said | P2 CONTINUED ON P2 Revenue deficit soars to `11,328 crore by July-end E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad THE state government is facing a significant revenue deficit. In the first four months of the 2024–25 financial year, as of July-end, the deficit stood at `11,328.5 crore, which is 3,808.92% higher than Budget estimates. The government initially estimated a revenue surplus of `297.42 crore for 2023–24. From April to July, the state recorded `47,712.69 crore in revenue receipts, excluding borrowings, while revenue expenditure totalled `59,041.19 crore. This gap led the government to rely heavily on borrowings. According to a CAG report on Telangana’s finances, the majority of revenue receipts come from taxes. Goods and Service Tax (GST) generated the highe s t reve nu e, wh i ch w a s `14,727.41 crore, followed by sales tax at `10,874.15 crore. Non-tax revenue was `1,257.11 crore. Tax revenue saw a significant TOTAL REVENUE RECEIPTS FROM APRIL TO JULY Amount Category in crore GST `14,727.41 Sales tax `10,874.15 State excise duties `6,416.19 Stamps and `5,089.71 registration State’s share of `4,907 Union taxes Grants-in-aid and `1,880.18 contributions Other taxes and duties `2,560.33 Non-tax revenue `1,257.11 Land revenue `0.67 decline in July, dropping by `2,222.4 crore compared to June, with collections of `12,190.37 crore in June and `9,965.9 crore in July By July-end, total gov. ernment spending reached `66,666.53 crore, including `59,041.19 crore in revenue expenditure and `7,625.34 crore in capital expenditure. CONTINUED ON P4 TWIN TOWERS: MEN, WOMEN CREATE OLYMPIAD HISTORY S W A R O O P S W A M I N AT H A N @ Chennai LATE on Saturday Viswanath, an Anand had posted his congratulations to the Indian Open team for winning the chess Olympiad. Minutes later, he had posted a clarification as it wasn’t mathematically over. Hours into Sunday’s final round, the Open team, led by D Gukesh, completed formalities as they monstered the Slovenian side 3.5-0.5 to rubber-stamp their authority. If their gold wasn’t much of a surprise — they were one of the favourites D Gukesh was in stellar form during the Chess Olympiad this edition | PTI — that was followed by a famous double as the women’s team beat Azerbaijan by a simi- lar margin to script yet another piece of history . Going into the final round in Budapest, the Open team was sole leader by two clear points. The players also enjoyed a clear advantage on tie-breaks. It was such a big advantage that in the team meeting before the Slovenia game they were kind of celebrating. On Sunday, Gukesh and Co. ‘forced ourselves’ to refocus. Arjun Erigaisi came with a funky opening while Gukesh started enjoying a fairly big advantage over Vladimir Fedoseev, who had taken down Ma gnus Carlsen a few days ago. With two wins fairly certain, the celebrations could start in earnest. When R Praggnanandhaa nailed his game, it sealed an utterly dominating two weeks. On air, Vidit Gujrathi, one of the unsung heroes of this team’s campaign, said this would go down as a win for the ages never to be repeated again. Even as the Open team converted their positional superiority into points, the women’s team had to take the scenic route to global glory D Harika, . playing on the top board, was inconsistent while R Vaishali had slightly lost her rhythm in the second phase. But it didn’t matter as Divya Deshmukh, a world champion at age-group level, and Vantika Agrawal, on Board 4, became giants. So, even as Harika and Vaishali had to grind their way to wins or salvage draws, Deshmukh and Agrawal enjoyed serene progress in terms of wins. In the end, they won two individual gold, an apt reward for what they had done to the colP11 lective cause.
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