SAMBALPUR  THURSDAY  JULY 31, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  CITY EDITION 8.8 QUAKE HITS RUSSIA’S FAR EAST, TSUNAMI WAVES REACH U.S. SHORES RUSSIA JAPAN 8.8 Magnitude earthquake An 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka coast on Wednesday sent tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and the US West Coast PHOTO: SAKHALIN REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION NO CASUALTIES, SEVERAL INJURED IN RUSSIA The epicentre was at a shallow depth of 19.3 km, sending shock waves at a range of 300 km. The quake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region. Russia said there were no casualties, crediting solid building construction and the smooth working of alert systems. Later, Japan, Hawaii and Russia downgraded tsunami warnings ■ 16 FT PEOPLE ACROSS PACIFIC NATIONS EVACUATED ■ ■ Russian scientists said Wednesday’s earthquake in Kamchatka was the most powerful to hit the region since 1952 Thousands of people in nations across the Pacific were evacuated The Klyuchevskoy volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula began erupting hours after the quake, a geological monitoring service said TSUNAMI WAVES ROSE NEARLY 5 METRES IN RUSSIA’S SEVERO-KURILSK REGION 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 U.S. SHARE OF INDIA’S TOTAL EXPORTS Current US tariff apart from 10% baseline levy Electrical, smartphone and electronics products 35.8% TRUMP DROPS THE TARIFF HAMMER Unspecified penalty for doing business with Russia 0.4% Pharmaceuticals 54.5% 0% Diamonds, gold and products 40% 2.1% Machinery and mechanical appliances 21.8% RECIPROCAL LEVIES TO KICK IN FROM AUGUST 1 1.3% Organic chemicals 17.3% 4% Petroleum products 4.3% 6.9% Textiles, made up 51.3% 9% Iron or steel articles 28.1% 1.7% Vehicles and parts 12.7% 1% Apparel; not knitted or crocheted 30.7% 10.3% Apparel; knitted or crocheted 32.1% 13.9% Fish and crustaceans 32.6% TAXING TIMES D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi AFTER failing to clinch an interim trade deal, the US has imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff (plus a penalty for doing business with Russia) on India—much to the latter’s chagrin as it was expecting it would be less than 20%. While the 25% levy, which will kick in from August 1, is lower than 26% announced earlier, the ‘Russia penalty’ means a major rise in overall levies on goods exported to the US. India was hoping for a lower tariff of 15-20%, which could have given it an edge over many other Asian economies. But now, India stands to lose the competitive edge over Vietnam (20% tariff), Indonesia (19%), and Japan (15%). China attracts an additional tariff of 30%. While announcing the tariff on Wednesday US President , Donald Trump made no bones about his displeasure at India’s high tariff regime and its close business ties with Russia. In his Truth Social post, Trump said India’s tariffs are among the highest in the world, and its non-monetary trade barriers are the most strenuous. He was equally scathing in pointing out that India has ‘always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy’ at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine. The Indian government in a statement on Wednesday said that it has taken note of a statement by the US president, and it is studying its implications. “India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,” it said. It added that the government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, and that it will take all steps necessary to secure the national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK. It is worth mentioning that India has differences with the US during trade negotiations over tariff-free imports of farm goods and dairy products from the US. It also had differences with the US over tariff on auto, auto components, steel, etc. The government has taken note of a statement by the US President on bilateral trade. The government is studying its implications. India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective - Commerce ministry 0% Furniture; bedding, mattresses 54.8% 2.3% Plastics and articles 16.8% 4.4% Carpets 2.9% Source: GTRI 62.8% President Trump has slapped a tariff of 25 per cent plus penalty on imports from India. All that ‘taarif’ between him and ‘Howdy Modi’ has meant little Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh The tariff (and penalty) now proposed by the US is higher than what we had anticipated, and is therefore likely to pose a headwind to India’s GDP growth. The extent of the downside will depend on the size of the penalties imposed. Aditi Nayar, chief economist, ICRA The US decision to impose a 25% tariff on Indian exports could create shortterm challenges for the electronics and manufacturing sectors Kunal Chaudhary, Tax Partner, EY India Sectors brace for big impact, seek clarity on Russia penalty RAKESH KUMAR AND D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi THE US tariff on Indian exports could impact several key sectors, including agriculture, energy, textiles, electronics, and gems & jewellery Electron. ics, pharmaceuticals, and gems & jewellery are among the top Indian exports to the US. If the pharmaceutical sector, which had so far remained exempt, is brought under the ambit of the tariff, it could deal a severe blow to the industry . The lack of clarity on the ‘Russia penalty’ leaves Indian exporters and US importers unable to calculate landed costs or plan supply chains effectively . India has recently emerged as a major supplier of Apple iPhones to the US, accounting for 44% of all smartphones imported into the country. The tariff could, therefore, be a major setback for India’s fastgrowing mobile manufacturing sector. “This likely means iPhones will become more expensive for Americans. Even if India gains more production volume, the cost gap between China and India is narrowing,” said Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint. Also, the US president’s disapproval of India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil places India’s energy security in a difficult position. “A significant spike in crude prices could increase India’s import bill and lead to under-recoveries for oil marketing companies,” said Prashant Vasisht, senior vicepresident at ICRA. “A $10 per barrel rise in crude oil prices would raise the oil import bill by $13–14 billion,” he added. India had ramped up its purchases of Russian crude after the start of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, attracted by steep discounts. Earlier available at $1016 per barrel below market rates, Russian crude is now discounted by just $2.5–4 per barrel. EXPRESS READ Vig finds engineer friends partners in crime! 2 youths swept away in Kanakunda canyon Bhubaneswar: In a curious case, assessment of assets owned by R&B assistant engineer Raja Kishore Jena has led the State Vigilance to unearth wealth running into crores of rupees accumulated by his colleague in the same office. Ashok Panda, also an assistant engineer, came under the purview of probe when Vigilance found the duo had jointly bought a flat in the names of their wives in the capital | P3 Rourkela: Tragedy struck the Kanakunda canyon on Ib river in Balishankara block of Sundargarh district as two youths of Sambalpur were swept away by strong currents and another had a providential escape while bathing on Wednesday afternoon. The missing youths were identified as Jaynarayan Patra and Roshan Paswan of Gobindpur in adjacent Sambalpur district | P4 Flood under control, quick relief to people govt’s priority: Majhi E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhubaneswar CHIEF Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who made an aerial survey of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts on Wednesday said flood situation is un, der control and collectors have been directed to submit damage assessment reports at the earliest. Nearly 30,000 people in 81 villages across eight blocks of three districts have been affected in the recent floods caused by heavy rains, Majhi said and added that adequate assistance to the impacted population would be extended immediately once the loss reports reach the government. Addressing mediapersons after making the aerial assessment with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryabanshi, the chief minister said Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi and Jaleswar blocks in Balasore, Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari blocks in Bhadrak and Collectors have Jajpur and Dasarathpur blocks in been asked to Jajpur have been impacted. About 5,869 assess the people have been shifted from the flood damage and hit zones to safer places. Though there submit report was flood in Keonjhar, it did not have so that much impact, he said. assistance can Majhi said the flood situation is combe provided to pletely under control as water level in the affected population all the rivers including Subarnarekha immediately and Jalaka in Balasore district is falling. Collectors have been asked to asMohan Charan sess the damage and submit report so Majhi, CM that assistance can be provided to the affected population immediately. Repair of damaged roads for restoration of connectivity will be taken up on priority . He said dry food and hot cooked food are being provided to people in the flood affected areas through 29 free kitchens in the three districts. At least, 10,000 affected people are receiving cooked food on a daily basis. The free kitchens would continue for the next CONTINUED ON P5 seven days. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducts an aerial survey of the flood situation in northern districts of Odisha on Wednesday BSE staff among 6 held by CB for special OTET question paper leak E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Cuttack A data entry operator who copied question papers of the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) from the laptop of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE)’s vicepresident was among six persons arrested by the Crime Branch of Odisha Police on Wednesday . Two members of a teachers association were held for their complicity in the question paper leak. DG of Crime Branch Vinaytosh Mishra informed mediapersons that during investigation, police found Jitan Moharana, the data entry operator of BSE, had unlawfully accessed the laptop of BSE vice-president and obtained the special OTET question papers through a pen drive. He then shared the same with working president of State Ex-cadre Teacher’s Association Bijay Mishra and president of its Koraput unit Sanatan Bisoi. The duo then sold the question papers to three brokers - Ramjee Prasad Gupta, Ajay Sahoo and Jayant Rout. Basing on the complaint of BSE estab- The accused sold the question lishment officer Bulbul Behera, a case papers to was registered on July 20 following the teachers who question leak and investigation underhad failed the taken under the supervision of a DIGlast Special rank officer. OTET exam “The accused sold the question papers through the to teachers who had failed the last Spethree brokers cial OTET exam through the three broVinaytosh Mishra, kers,” the CB chief said. DG, Crime Branch Some teachers had not succeeded in the last special OTET exam and hence, were desperate to qualify the test this year to receive benefits like job regularisation and increment in pay “Taking . advantage of their desperation, the accused hatched a conspiracy to exploit the teachers by selling the leaked CONTINUED ON P5 question papers,” Mishra said. BJP govt will get back PoK: Shah R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi Amit Shah I proudly declare to the world... Hindus can never be terrorists Amit Shah, Home Minister Operation Mahadev “When Shivaji Maharaj fought against the Mughals, his war slogan was Har Har Mahadev,” Shah said, responding to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s query on naming of the encounter as Op Mahadev UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress for ceding Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK), pandering to vote-bank politics and letting terrorism flourish, while wrapping up a debate on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha. “Congress gave away the PoK to Pakistan, but the BJP-led government will get it back. The Congress has no right to question BJP on terror because terrorism flourished during the Congress regime due to its politics of appeasement,” he charged. Shah’s assertion came a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that one day the people of PoK would be happy to be part of India’s governance system. He said the families of the victims of the Pahalgam massacre wanted the terrorists “to be shot in their heads”, a fate they met in the recent Operation Mahadev in J&K. Responding to Opposition queries on the timing of the operation to take out the terrorists, Shah said the CRPF, Army and J&K Police, operating in the challenging terrain and receiving food via drones, relentlessly pursued and eliminated the the killers. As Shah began his speech, the Congress-led Opposition walked out of the House demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence and response. Continuing his address, Shah accused senior Congress leader P Chidambaram of challenging the justification of Operation Sindoor. UNSC report sees TRF role in Pahalgam attack J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi IN a boost to India’s case against Pakistan-backed terrorism, a UN Security Council report identified The Resistance Front(TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy as responsible , for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The latest report by the UNSC’s Monitoring Team (MT), under the 1267 Sanctions Committee, cites multiple unnamed member states to assert that the Pahalgam attack “could not have happened without Lashkar-e-Taiba’s support” and confirms that TRF operates in close coordination with the banned Pakistan-based terror group. All decisions and reports under the 1267 Sanctions Committee are adopted by consensus, making TRF’s inclusion diplomatically significant. Despite prior attempts by Pakistan to distance itself from the attack and sanitise references to TRF, its mention in the MT report is a signal of growing global scepticism toward Islamabad’s narrative. The report recalled that TRF initially claimed responsibility for the massacre, even releasing photographs of the site. It reiterated its claim the next day before retracting it on April 26, a move many analysts , view as damage control amid international scrutiny No . other group stepped forward to claim responsibility . The report highlights divergent views among member states. While one asserted that TRF is essentially synonymous with LeT, another — widely believed to be Pakistan — claimed that LeT was “defunct”, a statement countered by evidence in the report. The MT concluded that five terrorists were involved in the Pahalgam assault. “This is a clear indictment of Pakistan’s strategy of plausible deniability said a person familiar with the matter. ,”