vijayawada l sunday l august 24, 2025 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late 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 | P7 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 pick for India Temporary suspension to impact small-scale exports J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi CM Chandrababu Naidu pushing the garbage collection cart during Swarna Andhra - Swachh Andhra programme at Peddapuram on Saturday | Express `1 cr insurance for municipal staff: cm E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Kakianda Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has introduced a groundbreaking Rs 1 crore accident insurance coverage for regular municipal workers, marking a significant enhancement in welfare benefits for frontline staff. The announcement was made on Saturday during the Swarnandhra-Swachhandhra program in Peddapuram, Kakinada district, where the CM emphasized the coalition government’s commitment to protecting the health and security of workers essential to public hygiene. Developed in partnership with the Urban Development Department and Axis Bank, the scheme extends comprehensive financial support to all categories of employees - permanent, outsourced, and contract across 123 urban local bodies. It covers 55,686 workers, including 39,170 in public health and 16,516 in other P4 divisions.  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- 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. Krishna Water reaches Kuppam, farmers decades long dream fulfilled CBI books Anil Ambani, RCOM in `2,929 crore bank fraud case E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Tirupati 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.” J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi mla in betting racket `12 crore seized by ED 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 ‘No demolition of Hathiramji Mutt’ Tirupati: Collector Dr S Venkateswar, while interacting with Banjara leaders, clarified that the Hathiramji Mutt building won’t be demolished. Only dilapidated portions with cracks and sagging will be addressed to ensure public safety | P3 WITH THIS I SS U E Statue Desecration Sparks Tension Vijayawada: Tension gripped Eluru district after unidentified miscreants desecrated statues of Vangaveeti Ranga by smearing them with cow dung. The incident occurred in Kalidindi and Rudravaram villages. Outraged locals demanded strict action | P3 Mascara Men PLUS 12 P AGES A historic moment was witnessed on Saturday as Krishna River water touched the parched lands of Kuppam constituency, bringing to life the decades-old dream of farmers. The water flow, which crossed V. Kota, finally entered Shanthipuram mandal of Kuppam constituency, marking a milestone in the region’s irrigation history . According to official sources, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will offer Jalaharathi to Krishna waters on August 30 during his two-day tour to Kuppam, scheduled for August 29 and 30. It may be recalled that the Krishna water project for Kuppam was first taken up during the previous TDP regime (201419), when works progressed at a brisk pace. However, during the YSRCP government, progress on the Kuppam Branch Canal slowed down, and attempts made in the run-up to elections to complete the project failed to bring water to Kuppam. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has undertak- The Kuppam Branch Canal has become a symbol of hope for local farmers | Express en the modernization of HNSS canals, including the Main Canal, Punganur Branch Canal, and Kuppam Branch Canal, at a cost of Rs 3,850 crores in 2025. After returning to power, CM Naidu assured Kuppam and Palamaner farmers that Krishna waters would be brought to Kuppam without delay During . his earlier visit, he had promised to provide irrigation through the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project within three months. Fulfilling that assurance, the Irrigation Department expedited canal lining works from Punganur to Kuppam via Palamaner constituency and completed them P4 within the set deadline.  The Kuppam Branch Canal is designed to feed 110 minor irrigation tanks, stabilizing 6,300 acres of ayacut in the Kuppam constituency. It will also supply drinking water to 4.02 lakh people in eight mandals R. Vittal Prasad, Superintending Engineer, HNSS Circle, Madanapalle protest alert Resolve employee issues: AP JAC E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee (AP JAC) Amaravati has appealed to the coalition government to resolve the issues of state government employees within three months, warning that they will resort to agitation if their demands are not met. The State Executive body meeting of AP JAC Amaravati, held at Revenue Bhavan in Vijayawada on Saturday, discussed at length the financial and non-financial issues affecting employees. The JAC Chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu and Secretary General Palisetti Damodar sought clarity from the government on the financial and nonfinancial issues of employees and pensioners. They urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to address their concerns, emphasizing that employees are an integral part of the gover nment and the people. The AP JAC leaders expressed disappointment that the government had not announced the Interim Relief (IR) to employees as promised during the elections, nor had it constituted the 12th PRC or released three pending DAs. The inordinate delay in resolving these issues has caused strong discontent among employees and pensioners. Some retired employees have even passed away before receiving their retirement benefits, which is detrimental to the government’s reputation. “Considering the concerns of employees, the Chief Minister should focus on resolving their financial issues at the earliest. If not, we will have no option but to launch agitations due to pressure from employees,” the AP JAC leaders P4 warned.  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 @ Kochi 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 Greenfield International Sta- dium 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 remained 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 teams that are in the fray to 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 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 the Argentina football team played in India was in 2011 when it faced Venezuela in Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium.