source: x visakhapatnam l monday l january 12, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Paatal Lok 2 actor Prashant Tamang dies of cardiac arrest Prashant Tamang, winner of Indian Idol 3 and acclaimed for his role as an assassin in Paatal Lok 2, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday morning Prashant Tamang (4 January 1983 — 11 January 2026) Shot to Fame After Winning Indian Idol 3 Death puts spotlight on heart health Tamang, 43, passed away around 9 am at his Delhi residence, his close friend and singer Mahesh Sewa said. Tamang was born on January 4, 1983. Encouraged by friends, he auditioned for the reality singing show Indian Idol in 2007 and went on to win it. He then came out with his first album Dhanyavaad in 2010 and began performing at concerts worldwide ■ Tamang’s sudden death comes amid a rising number of young people succumbing to cardiac arrest and heart-related ailments ■ Bigg Boss 13 winner and actor Sidharth Shukla, Kannada actor Puneet Rajkumar, and filmmaker Raj Kaushal are among several young celebrities who have died from cardiac arrest 2010 when tamang’s first film Gorkha Paltan was released 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 Big push to strategic ties as Modi, Hand over case Merz set for talks in Ahmedabad to a neutral probe Proposals for HC bench in Kurnool sent to Centre: Min E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e Sabarimala gold theft German Chancellor’s visit to India first in Asia after taking office last year; to visit B’luru too @ Kurnool J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Minister for Industries, Commerce and Food Processing TG Bharath said proposals have been sent for the establishment of a High Court bench in Kurnool. He asserted that the government is committed to setting up the bench to strengthen the judicial system, and address long-pending demands of advocates and the public in the Rayalaseema region. Speaking at Sankranti celebrations organised by Kurnool advocates at Narasimha Reddy Nagar on Sunday, Bharath said efforts are underway to resolve issues faced by advocates, and ensure better infrastructure for the legal fraternity . He revealed that proposals have been forwarded for setting up the bench at A, B and C camps in Kurnool. Along with the bench, a new Collectorate building would also be constructed, he added. Referring to recent incidents at the Tirumala hill shrine, the minister alleged that a conspiracy hatched by YSRCP leaders involving liquor bottle claims had been exposed. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone indulging in such acts in the future. SIGNALLING New Delhi’s intent to deepen partnerships with key European powers amid shifting global geopolitics and growing economic uncertainty , Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold comprehensive talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad on Monday . Merz’s January 12-13 visit, his first to Asia since taking office eight months ago, comes in a backdrop of global challenges including Washington’s 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a fractious global politico-economic order. The talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, critical technologies, defence, and skill development. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade reaching around $50 billion in 2024-25. Germany accounts for roughly one-fourth of India’s EU trade and is the ninth-largest foreign direct investor with cumulative investments exceeding $15 billion. Over 2,000 German companies operate in India. The two leaders will review the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year, and discuss ways to enhance cooperation in education, skilling and mobility, science and innovation research. Chancellor Merz’s Ahmedabad programme includes visiting Sabarmati Ashram, participating in the International Kite Festival, attending a skill development event, and talks with PM Modi at Mahatma Mandir. He will travel to Bengaluru on Tuesday to visit Bosch and Centre for Nano Science and Engineering. Days after Merz’s trip, EU leaders will visit New Delhi, where they may wrap up India-EU free trade agreement, to be followed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit. E XPR E SS N E WS S E RVIC E @ T’Puram naval officer posting Germany has agreed to deploy a Naval Liaison Officer at the IFCIOR, a key informationsharing hub for maritime security in the region | P7 PM Narendra Modi addresses a gathering at Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference | PTI PM: iNDIA on FAST track to be 3rd largest economy D i l i p S i n g h K s h at r i ya @ Rajkot Bullish on growth In a message to investors, Modi said amid global uncertainty India offers predictability, political stability and rising middleclass purchasing power PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday declared that India is rapidly advancing towards becoming the world’s third largest economy, citing controlled inflation, macro stability and global confidence as key drivers amid worldwide uncertainty . “Inflation is under control, macro stability is strong, and India today stands out with unprecedented certainty,” Modi said at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot, contrasting India’s political stability with tur moil in neighbouring countries. Highlighting India’s economic trajectory, he said, “India is the world’s fastest growing economy . Global hopes are rising.” Modi listed milestones including India being the world’s largest milk producer, number one in generic medicines and vaccines, biggest mobile data consumer, top digital payment platform through UPI, second largest mobile manufacturer, and among top three in solar power and aviation markets. “This is why global institutions are bullish on India,” he said. “The IMF calls India the engine of global growth. S&P has upgraded India after 18 years. Fitch praises our macro stability and fiscal credibility .” Modi stressed that amid global uncertainty India offers predict, ability political stability and ris, ing middle-class purchasing power. 27 Indians forced into cyber scam rings in Myanmar land in Delhi, home-bound express read Houseboats in Krishna river to boost tourism Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has added a new dimension to river tourism with the launch of Kerala-style houseboats on the Krishna River, offering visitors a slow-paced and immersive stay on water | P4 Will hit US troops and Israel if attacked: Iran Dubai: Iran’s parliament speaker warned the US troops and Israel would be ‘legitimate targets’ if America strikes the Islamic Republic. Qalibaf made the threat as protests in Iran claimed 116 lives | P9 s l a l i t h a @ New Delhi A total of 27 Indian nationals trafficked to the Myanmar border with false job promises were rescued and finally repatriated to India on January 10. They were subjected to coercion, physical abuse and forced to work in cyber scam operations. An official release from the civil aviation ministry said, “The rescued Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi earlier today and are now proceeding onwards to their respective native places to reunite with their families.” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar about the issue on July 29, 2025, seeking urgent intervention, the release said. The Ministry of External Affairs through the Embassy of India in Yangon and in coordination with Trafficked Indian nationals reached Delhi airport late Saturday night | Express concerned authorities, undertook sustained efforts that led to the release of the affected Indians and their safe evacuation to New Delhi, it added. Those repatriated include: Ramu Gunnugukelli, Sai Kumar Kanakavala, Ajay Dubba, Jagadesh Sahu, Brahmaji Alugolu, Bhuvanesh Gandaboina, Dinesh Gandaboina, and Dhanunjaya Rao Guvvala. The communication by Naidu to the MEA had specified the names of ten individuals from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who are victims of human trafficking. Citing the instance of the agony experienced by Gandaboina Surya Kumari, a resident of YSR Nagar in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said her sons, Gandaboina Bhuvanesh and Gandaboina went to Thailand along with eight others. They were given the designation of Floor Managers in resorts for which they had paid significant commissions. Sankranti influx clogs AP highways, chokes toll plazas Y B r a h m a j i @ Vijayawada Highways were clogged and toll plazas choked as the Sankranti influx peaked on Sunday, pushing transport systems across Andhra Pradesh to the brink despite round-the-clock special services, and enhanced traffic management measures. APSRTC bus stations in Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati witnessed heavy crowds from the early hours of the day with passengers waiting for hours to board buses to their native villages. The passenger rush was particularly intense on routes connecting Krishna, twin Godavari, and North Andhra districts, reflecting the large-scale movement agency, says Shah A youngster boards an APSRTC bus through a window at the crowded Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada on Sunday I Prasant Madugula of people returning home for the harvest festival. To cope with the passenger rush, APSRTC has deployed a total of 8,432 special bus services for Sankranti. Of the total, 6,000 bus services have been confined to intrastate routes, catering to demand within AP, while 2,432 buses have been deployed on inter-State corridors linking the State with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. Despite the expanded RTC bus services, demand has remained high on peak days, forcing many passengers to explore private transport. To meet the festive rush, RTC is operating special bus services from January 8 to 14. During the first week, around 2,000 bus services have been planned.  P4 UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the Sabarimala gold theft case must be investigated by a neutral agency to bring out the whole truth, alleging that the CPM-led government in Kerala is trying to protect the real culprits. Shah said the case cannot be treated as a local issue as it is closely watched by people across the country adding that the BJP , will organise protests in Kerala until a neutral agency is assigned to conduct a probe into the matter. “I demand that the Chief Minister hand over the probe to a neutral investigation agency. The BJP will carry out protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns,” Shah said while addressing the newly elected local body members of the party in Thiruvananthapuram. “The controversy is not just an issue of the state, but is closely being observed by people throughout the country. Can people under whom the assets of Sabarimala are unsafe protect our faith?” he said. Shah expressed doubts about an investigation conducted by state police being impartial, saying that people associated with the ruling CPI(M) are under suspicion. He further alleged that even the Congress could not be absolved, claiming that evidence had emerged of the involvement of its leaders. Shah said he had seen the FIR Union Home Minister Amit Shah greets newly elected local body members, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday | B P DEEPU ‘BJP CM in Kerala’ Amit Shah told party workers that the local body election victory was not the final goal and that they must work further to achieve the objective of having a BJP Chief Minister in Kerala in the case and alleged that the manner in which it was drafted made it clear that it was aimed at protecting the accused. His comments came two days after Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru was arrested by the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Kerala High Court in connection with the case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also looking into the financial trail in the case. The ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.