hyderabad l tuesday l july 15, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late city EDITION Shubhanshu Shukla, Axiom-4 team on return path to earth After an 18-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others set off for return on Monday will splash down off U.S. at 3.01 pm today spacecraft will be exposed to 1,600°C Shukla, the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 odyssey, will board Dragon spacecraft at 2 pm IST and embark on the return journey two hours later. “Undocking from ISS is scheduled for 4.35 pm IST,” Axiom Space said. After a 22.5-hour journey, the crew will splash down off California at 3.01 pm IST on Tuesday ■ ■ Final preparations include detaching the capsule’s trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius Parachutes will deploy in two stages — first stabilising around 5.7 km altitude followed by main parachutes at roughly two km `550 cr was paid by isro for Shukla’s travel to the ISS 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 People must know value of freedom of speech: SC Jal Shakti min to host TG, AP CMs to discuss Banakacherla project SUCHITRA K A LYAN M OHANTY E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e Observing that citizens must know the value of freedom of speech and expression, the Supreme Court on Monday said people should observe self-regulation. The bench said it would consider issuing a set of guidelines to regulate offensive posts on social media. “Citizens must know the value of the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. The state can step in, in case of violations. Nobody wants the state to step in,” said a twojudge bench comprising justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan. The court made these observations after hearing a plea filed by Wazahat Khan, booked in several states, including West Bengal, for his objectionable posts on X against a Hindu deity Justice Nagarathna . said divisive tendencies on social media needs to be curbed, adding it did not mean censorship. “There should be fraternity among citizens,” she said. Khan had filed a police complaint against another social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli for allegedly making communal remarks in a video. On June 23, the court had granted Khan interim protection from coercive action till July 14. The bench on Monday extended the interim protection till the next date of hearing in the case. The court asked Khan’s lawyer to assist in dealing with the larger issue of self-regulation of freedom of speech and expression. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil has convened a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting, scheduled for 2.30 pm, gains significance against the backdrop of renewed tensions between the two states over water sharing, particularly following Andhra Pradesh’s announcement of the PolavaramBanakacherla project to divert 200 tmcft of Godavari water to the Penna basin via the Krishna basin. Both chief ministers have previously expressed their willingness to resolve interstate water disputes through dialogue. However, Telangana has strongly objected to the proposed AP project, citing the lack of mandatory clearances from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Apex Council and the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB). It is worth noting that both the Polavaram Project Authority and the GRMB had raised concerns over the project, stating that it requires a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) and @ New Delhi @ Hyderabad Uttam urges Centre to resolve water row Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday urged the Centre to intervene and resolve the long-pending water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the Krishna and Godavari river basins. In a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Uttam also requested that the Centre extend financial support to Telangana’s Icchampally project on par with AP’s Polavaram project | P4 either a new watersharing agreement or tribunal ruling to proceed. It remains to be seen whether the Ministry of Jal Shakti will push for a negotiated settlement between the two states, similar to efforts made on the Krishna water-sharing issue or invoke Section 3 of the InterState River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to refer the matter to a tribunal. An official release from the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office on Monday stated that Revanth is determined to press for the state’s rightful share of river waters and is committed to utilising every drop from both the Krishna and Godavari rivers. continued on P4 Justice AK Singh appointed CJ of Telangana HC T G N a i d u @ Hyderabad President Droupadi Murmu has approved the transfer of Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, currently chief justice of the Tripura High Court. He will now serve as chief justice of the Telangana HC. The appointment order was issued on Monday by Jagannath Srinivasan, joint secretary Ministry of Law & Jus, tice (Department of Justice – Appointments Division). He has been directed to assume charge without delay . Born on July 7, 1965, Justice Singh holds a BA Justice Aparesh (Hons) and LLB Kumar Singh from the University of Delhi. He enrolled as an advocate in 1990 and practised at the Patna High Court until 2000, later continuing at the Jharkhand High Court from 2001. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Jharkhand High Court on January 24, 2012, and became a permanent judge on January 16, 2014. He also served as executive chairman of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority from April 2021 and was acting chief justice of the Jharkhand High Court between December 20, 2022, and February 19, 2023. He took oath as chief justice of the Tripura High Court on April 17, 2023. CM says local body polls soon, calls on Cong workers to send ‘BRS into oblivion’ E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad B Saroja Devi dies at 87 Yesteryear actress B Saroja Devi passed away at her residence in Bengaluru on Monday. She was 87. She was known for her performances in Telugu cinema alongside legends like NT Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao during her career over 25 years. She particularly stood out in films such as Panduranga Mahatyam and Uma Chandi Gowri Shankarula Katha | City Express p4 Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday announced that local body elections will be held soon in the state and urged Congress workers to be prepared. Launching a sharp attack on the BRS by likening its activists to “ganja plants”, he said, “Not even one ganja plant should be allowed to grow. If the Congress cadre decides, they can send BRS into political oblivion, especially in the (erstwhile) Nalgonda district.” Speaking at a public meeting in Thungathurthi, Suryapet district, after launching the distribution of new ration cards, Revanth said Telangana is the first state to conduct a caste survey and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring 42% reservations for Saina announces separation from Kashyap Hyderabad: Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal has confirmed her separation from fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, drawing the curtain on their nearly seven-year marriage. The announcement was made through an Instagram story posted by Nehwal | P5 INSIDE 2nd-Century brahmi Inscription Found in TG I P2 TDP leader ashok Gajapathi Raju is new Goa guv I P7 BCs in the upcoming local body elections. Projecting a long-term vision, Revanth said the Congress would remain in power till 2034. “From 1994–2004, the TDP ruled, followed by Congress till 2014 in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The BRS then ruled Telangana from 2014–2023. Now, the Congress will be in power from 2023 to 2034. By 2035, we aim to make Telangana a one trillion-dollar economy capable of competing globally,” he declared. j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi Jaishankar meets his Chinese counterpart, urges lifting of restrictive trade practices J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi In a firm and forward-looking message during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that lasting peace along the India-China border remains the bedrock for restoring strategic trust and advancing bilateral relations. Jaishankar, who is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers meeting, told his Chinese counterpart that recent progress in resolving border friction and maintaining tranquility helped ease tensions, laying the groundwork for broader normalisation. “We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalisation of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquility there. This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations,” he said. “It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation,” Jaishankar said. “Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties,” Jaishankar said. The minister, who is visiting China for the first time after the 2020 border clashes, said over the past year, both sides have made tangible progress toward nor malising ties, thanks to resumed dialogue and increasing high-level engagement. “In recent times, the two of us have had several opportunities to meet at international events and carry out strategic communication. It is our expectation that this will now become a regular feature and take place in each other’s countries,” he said. j&k cm scales burial gate to pay tribute External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi Need to maintain momentum in ties Jaishankar referred to the 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, saying “Since then, the relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum.” Jaishankar highlighted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations that the two countries are marking this year. He also acknowledged the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year pause, expressing gratitude to China for its cooperation. Touching on trade and people-to-people engagement, Jaishankar called for the removal of barriers that hinder mutual growth. “Measures towards normalising people-to-people exchanges can foster mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also essential that restrictive trade practices and other roadblocks are avoided,” he said. Certain export control measures have caused unease in India in recent times. AS the execution date of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya draws near, intense efforts are underway to convince the victim’s family to accept blood money, the only legal route to saving her life under Yemeni law. Nimisha Priya, a native of Kerala, is reportedly scheduled to be executed on July 16 for the alleged 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi. “All efforts are on to save Nimisha Priya,” her lawyer Subhash Chandran told this paper. “In the latest efforts, through the intervention of influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, we have reached out to one of the family members, as well as some local authorities and religious leaders. We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row,” he said. According to sources close to the negotiations, Musliyar — who holds the title of Grand Mufti and is officially Nimisha Priya known as S h e i k h A bu bakr Ahmad — has stepped in personally and is making “all possible efforts” to open a channel of reconciliation. He has held talks with religious authorities in Yemen, who in turn are in contact with the victim’s family . “Right now, the only hope is that the family accepts the blood money said a source fa,” miliar with the developments. While there are still “grey areas”, the negotiation team is working with the understanding that July 16 could be the execution date. An office has been opened at Musliyar’s headquarters in Kerala to coordinate these efforts. However, there has been no official confirmation from the victim’s family . Earlier today, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that it has limited diplomatic levers to intervene in the matter. A defiant Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday scaled the gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to pay tribute to 22 people killed by the Dogra army in 1931, and said he was subjected to “physical grappling” but was not to be stopped or deterred | P8 continued on p5 Panchayat BC quota Oh Lord’s: Tail comes good but falls 22 short ordinance sent to Guv; notification on the anvil F i r o z M i r z a @ London E x p r e ss Ne ws Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad express read Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy shares a lighter moment with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud during the ration card distribution programme in Suryapet district on Monday Time to address Last-ditchto efforts on de-escalation: save Nimisha EAM to Wang Yi The state government has sent the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma for approval. If promulgated, the government is expected to notify local body elections within a week. The move follows a high court order on June 25, directing the government to complete reservation-related procedures for local polls within 30 days and declare results by September 30. Government sources clarified that the proposed ordinance is separate from the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025, which was passed by both Houses but has been reserved by the Governor for Presidential assent. It is currently under review by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Cabinet’s push for the ordinance, which seeks to enable reservations beyond the 50% cap, is based on data-driven recommendations by a commission led by retired IAS officer Busani Venkateshwara Rao. The panel relied on findings from the State Socio-Economic and Educational Empowerment Population Census (SEEEPC). With the Congress government banking on the ordinance to deliver on a key electoral promise, all eyes are now on the Governor’s response. IT was as if the final day was on slow burn. It was cooking, but slowly; one run at a time across one over after another. Runs were coming in ones. The boundaries had dried up. Yet, the capacity crowd kept egging the players. This was Test cricket garbed in its finest orb. It was getting increasingly irritating for Ben Stokes and Co as Ravindra Jadeja and Nos. 10 and 11 — Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj — were trying to enact one of modern cricket’s greatest heists. What looked improbable at lunch looked promising by tea. It is not always that a crowd cheers a leave or a forward defensive. Not always do tail-enders play over 80 balls. On Monday, they just did that and brought India closer to England’s target of 193. While Bumrah and Siraj were being cheered loudly for their de- Proud of the way the team played: Shubman England players celebrate after India’s final wicket (Mohammed Siraj) falls in the third Test at Lord’s on Monday | PTI fence, the Bharat Army were chanting ‘Oh Ravi Jadeja’, a song to the tune of the ‘Seven Nation Army’ they have composed for the all-rounder. Jadeja played 181 balls for his unbeaten 61 while Bumrah (5) and Siraj (4) faced 54 and 30 balls. All together, they played 212 legal deliveries. Like the Test, even the end was slow. Siraj blocked a Bashir’s delivery but the revs on the ball took it to the leg stump. A feather touch dislodged one bail. Jadeja looked on helplessly from the other end. The hosts, exhausted and forlorn until then, erupted in joy . Just like they had done at the LONDON: Shubman Gill said he was proud of the way the team put up a fight. He felt that one fifty partnership and Rishabh Pant’s first innings run-out made the difference. “Extremely proud it was as close a Test match... I was pretty confident of our chances with plenty of batting left. We needed a couple of 50-run partnerships but we weren’t able to get that,” Gill said | P11 same venue six years ago when England were crowned world champions by the barest of margins. At the centre of that win was Ben Stokes. The England skipper was the beating heart of this latest win as well. On the evidence of London, Manchester could be another cracker. P11
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