hyderabad l Thursday l January 22, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late city EDITION Sunita Williams retires from NASA, capping 27-year career Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who inspired generations to dream big and push boundaries, has retired from the space agency finished 3 missions during 608 days in space A perspective shaped by space travel During her time with the US space agency, she completed three missions aboard the International Space Station. Williams logged 608 days in space. She ranks sixth on the list of longest single spaceflights by an American, tied with NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, with both logging 286 days during NASA’s Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9 missions ■ ■ Williams was born to Gujarati father Deepak Pandya and Slovenian mother Ursuline Bonnie Pandya in the US state of Ohio in 1965 Reflecting on space travel, the 60-year-old, who is currently visiting India, said the idea of humans arguing endlessly over issues seems so “silly” when you look at Earth as “one planet” from outer space Dec 27 When williams officially retired from NASA 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 The ripple effects ‘INt’l order upended’ Don goes back foot on Greenland pitch Rules out using force, but demands immediate negotiations to take control of the Danish territory AGENCIE S @ Davos US President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to tone down his aggressive pitch to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark as he ruled out using force. “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he said at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. “I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, just as we have acquired many other territories throughout our history, as many of the European nations have,” he said. Trump claimed his country is in the best position to control Greenland and wondered why most of Europe is opposing his “small ask”. In his 70-minute-long speech, he also lashed out at Denmark for being “ungrateful” for the US protection of the Arctic island during World War-2. “All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland where we already had it as a trustee, but respectfully returned it to Denmark after we defeated the Dy collector has assets worth crores, finds ACB E x p r e ss N e ws S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sleuths on Wednesday conducted searches at the residence of Hanamkonda deputy collector Arramada Venkat Reddy and at seven other locations linked to him and his relatives across Telangana. A disproportionate assets case was registered. In a release issued after the searches, the ACB said documents revealed ownership by Venkat Reddy and his family members of two residential properties — a villa and a flat (`4.65 crore), a commercial shop (`60 lakh), eight open plots (`65 lakh), and agricultural land measuring 14.25 acres (`50 lakh). Movable assets were also found and seized, including cash of `30 lakh, bank balances totalling `44.03 lakh, household articles valued at `11 lakh, three four-wheelers valued at `40 lakh, and gold ornaments weighing 297 grams valued at `4.35 lakh. The document value of assets identified so far has been estimated at `7.69 crore. Though the documented value of the immovable assets stands at `6.4 crore, ACB sources said the market value could be close to `100 crore. “Further verification is in progress to ascertain additional assets and to determine the extent of disproportionate assets, if any the ,” ACB said.  continued on P5 Germans, the Japanese, the Italians and others in World War II. We gave it back. We were a powerful force then, but we are a much more powerful force now,” Trump said, staking claims over the region. Training his guns on EU, Trump said the US is booming but Europe is “not heading in the right direction.” On Tuesday European Com, mission President Ursula von der Leyen had called Trump’s tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland a “mistake” and questioned his trustworthiness. Trump said the US needs Greenland for strategic reasons and not for rare earth minerals. “We were a powerful force when we saved Greenland and gave it to Denmark after World War II, but we are much more powerful now,” he said. Responding to Trump’s speech at Davos, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: “In isolation it’s positive that the president says what he does regarding the military but that does not make , the problem go away It’s clear from ... this speech that the president’s ambition is intact.”  P9 UN chief Antonio Guterres warned world leaders against upending international order. “When a handful of individuals can bend global narratives or dictate the terms of public debate, we are facing inequality and the corruption of institutions & our shared values.” ‘don speech not helping’ Trump’s assurance that he would not use force to take Greenland is a positive statement but it won’t resolve the issue, said Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen EU-U.S. trade pact on hold The European Parliament on Wednesday decided to suspend its work on the European Union’s trade deal with the United States in protest against Trump’s demands and threats over Greenland Markets recover Markets mostly steadied on Wednesday after Trump toned down his rhetoric in his threats to acquire Greenland, clarifying he wouldn’t use force Govt weighs dual budget allocation on G Ram G P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi As the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which replaces the two-decadeold Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is yet to be formally notified and brought into force, the Centre is considering a dual budgetary allocation in the upcoming Union Budget to ensure uninterrupted support to the scheme. Officials said since the rules under the new legislation are still being framed, the government may provide funding simultaneously for both MGNREGA and the VB-G RAM G scheme during a transitional phase. The new law will be operationalised only after the rules are notified. Framing The move comes as the government the rules plans to gradually phase out MGNREGA over the next six months while roll“After it is ing out the new legislation. With the notified, states VB-G RAM G bill yet to come into force, have to frame the Centre is keen to avoid any disruprules. It will take tion in wage employment for rural time. Even the households, officials added. According BJP-ruled states to sources, during a recent meeting of are not going to a parliamentary panel, the government come on board informed members that it is consideras the Act puts a ing additional budgetary support and huge financial dual allocation to ensure a smooth burden,” said a transition to the VB-G RAM G. oppn leader. Signalling a sharp jump in budgetary support, the government had earlier announced that `1,51,282 crore would be allocated for VB-G RAM G. Sources said that the Centre may further increase the outlay in its budget announcement. MGNREGA was allotted an unchanged `86,000 crore in both FY25 and FY26. Under the new Act, the estimated Central share of funding is `95,692.31 crore, with the states bearing the rest. The new Act mandates a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the states. Opposition members have, however, raised concerns, saying that states remain in the dark over the proposed norms for allocation of funds under the new Act. T20 Wc tussle ICC denies Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches out of india As reported by this daily, if Bangladesh choose not to come to India for upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, ICC is likely to replace them with Scotland in Group C | P11 Tata offers support for Musi facelift, hotels and sports infra E x p r e ss N e ws S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad The Tata Group has expressed interest in participating in the Musi Riverfront Development Project and in expanding its presence in Telangana’s hospitality and sports infrastructure sectors. During a breakfast meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, a delegation led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. The chief minister outlined plans to transform the Musi riverfront and develop a nighttime economy in Hyderabad. In response, Chandrasekaran said the Tata Group was willing to partner in the project, noting its experience in waterbody rejuvenation in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. “We can partner and are happy to engage in river rejuvenation with all our experience,” he said. Revanth also explained proposals to address traffic congestion through a trumpet interchange across the Musi and plans to develop the Gandhi Sarovar. Discussions also covered the revival of heritage sites and waterbodies. On skills development, the delegation briefed Chandrasekaran on the Young India Skills University (YISU), with Anand Mahindra as chair of its board of governors, and the Young India Sports University Revanth . outlined plans to upgrade public sports infrastructure to support India’s medal prospects at the 2036 Olympics. He proposed Tata support for upgrading major stadiums in Hyderabad, to which Chandrasekaran agreed. The Tata Group chairman said world-class sports infrastructure was needed to harness the country’s talent. The chief minister said early-age training was essential for global competitiveness. Responding to the Telangana Rising 2047 vision, the $3 trillion economy target and the CURE, PURE, RARE framework, Chandrasekaran said the `2,254 crore for key Hyd roads E x p r e ss N e ws S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad The state government has approved administrative sanctions for major urban transport projects through the HMDA and Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited, clearing `2,254 crore to improve mobility and regional connectivity along high-growth corridors. A trumpet interchange will be built at Budvel, connecting Radial Road-2 with the ORR. The government has also sanctioned Elevated CorridorIII from Banjara Hills ICCC to Shilpa Layout at a cost of `1,656 crore.  Report on P3 Telangana’s magnetic pull n  Telangana unveils its Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026–30, targeting $25 billion in investments and 500,000 jobs by 2030 The policy proposes a life sciences innovation fund of `100 crore, scalable up to `1,000 crore n  L’Oréal announces the world’s first beauty-tech GCC in Hyderabad, with inauguration planned for November 2026 n  Telangana secures investment commitments worth `19,500 crore on the second day of WEF 2026 n  Rashmi Group signs an MoU to invest `12,500 crore in a steel plant in Telangana, with a potential to create 12,000 jobs n  NUkler Products submits an EOI to develop a 300 MW SMR-based clean energy project involving an investment of about `6,000 crore n  Sargad proposes a phased investment of up to `1,000 crore in Telangana over a 3–5 year period n  signs an MoU Blaize with Telangana to expand its AI hardware and R&D operations in Hyderabad n  InBev announces AB plans to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy presents a copy of the Telangana Rising 2047 vision document to Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran at Davos on Wednesday state was performing well, particularly in talent, innovation and infrastructure. Revanth also proposed naming a greenfield expressway connecting Future City with the ORR and Regional Ring Road as the Ratan Tata Road, and informed Chandrasekaran of plans to install a statue of Ratan Tata in Hyderabad. On hospitality Chandraseka, ran said the Group planned to establish several hotels across the state, particularly in temple towns such as Medaram, Vemulawada and Bhadrachalam. The meeting also discussed setting up a resort along the Srisailam highway. “We are ready to go ahead and happy to work together on the resort proposal,” he said. On future investments, Chandrasekaran said the Group was positive about opportunities in AI data centres, semiconductors and electric vehicle manufacturing in Telangana. “We are very optimistic about Telangana. It is primed for the next phase of growth, supported by its talent and infrastructure,” he said. Cisco engagement Separately the Telangana dele, gation assured full cooperation for Cisco’s future plans in Telangana. Guy Diedrich, senior vice-president and global innovation officer at Cisco, met the delegation during WEF 2026 on Wednesday . Diedrich expressed satisfaction with progress since the signing of an MoU between TASK and YISU in March 2025. “TASK is a very forward-thinking and aggressive idea. The talent in Telangana is unmatched,” he said. The meeting reviewed next steps under Cisco’s MoUs with the state, signed in March 2025, with YISU and the Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK). The agreements aim to expand digital skills training through Cisco’s Networking Academy focusing on AI, cyber, security and networking, to improve employability for students and government employees. SC on SIR of poll rolls: No power can be untrammelled S UC H ITRA K ALYAN MO H ANTY @ New Delhi T he S u p r e m e C o u r t o n Wednesday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) whether its powers to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls can be considered untrammelled and beyond judicial review. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said revision of poll rolls could lead to civil consequences. “Revision of voter list can lead to some civil consequences for a person who is on the list, so if something which will affect civil rights of people, then why should not the process followed be in accordance with sub-section 2 (of the Representation of the People (RP) Act which provides for roll revision in a prescribed manner)?” the CJI asked. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the ECI, cited clause (3) of Section 21 of the RP Act, which reads: “Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Election Commission may at any time, for reasons to be recorded, direct a special revision of the electoral roll for any constituency or part of a constituency in such manner as it may think fit.” The CJI, however, asked if Section 21(2) enables the ECI to go beyond the rules, can the poll body then exempt itself from its own notified procedures when it undertakes an SIR under Section 21(3). “So, why should we not expect you (ECI) to have a transparent procedure,” he questioned. Justice Bagchi observed, “No power or jurisdiction can be untrammelled, no matter how high one is. The manner of conduct of the revision of electoral rolls must conform with the principles of natural justice. It should be just and fair.” Dwivedi agreed that the ECI must satisfy the court that the process was just, fair and transparent. Kishan: CBI can probe SCCL if TG asks E x p r e ss N e ws S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad The Centre has begun an internal inquiry into alleged irregularities at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and is prepared to order a CBI investigation if the state formally requests one, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said on Tuesday . His remarks added to the political controversy over the auction of the Naini coal block. Speaking to the media in Delhi after a Singare- ni board meeting, Kishan alleged that the latest issues at SCCL surfaced following differences among state Cabinet ministers over shares. He added that the Coal India Limited secretary would soon write to the Telangana chief secretary on the matter. Accusing the previous BRS regime of weakening Singareni, Kishan alleged that the Congress gover nment was following the same approach. “During BRS rule, the Kalvakuntla fam- ily dominated Singareni, from major tenders to minor contracts,” he said, adding that the current dispensation was treating SCCL as “a goose that lays golden eggs” and “looting the toil of Singareni workers”. He noted that while the Centre and the state hold shares in the ratio of 49:51, decision-making rests with the state government. “The state does not notify its decisions to the Centre, and the Centre does not meddle in Singareni’s affairs,” he said, adding that political interference had pushed the company into trouble.  continued on p4 We are considering constituting a special committee to monitor tenders. The state government is treating Singareni as a goose that lays golden eggs – G Kishan Reddy, Union minister Row after K’taka guv refuses to address Assembly D e v a r a j B H i r e h a l l i @ Bengaluru A day after governors of Tamil Nadu and Kerala were at the centre of controversies over their respective addresses to assemblies, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday followed suit by refusing to address the joint session of state legislature scheduled for Thursday . Parts of the governor’s address to the joint session on Thursday are said to contain certain references to the Centre which has repealed the UPA government’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replaced it with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, due to which Gover nor Gehlot has refused to deliver his address. Gehlot raised reservations on 11 paragraphs in the speech drafted by the Karnataka cabinet with regard to the NDA repealing MGNREGA. According to sources, since the governor is mandated to address the session as per Article 176(1) of the Constitution, he insists on skipping parts of the speech, using his discretion. They said as parts of the address were against VB-G RAM G, which has become an Act after the Bill was passed in Parliament, it would be unconstitutional to speak against it and he preferred to skip those parts. A high-level delegation led by Karnataka Law and Parliamen- tary Affairs Minister HK Patil, rushed to Raj Bhavan and held talks with the governor on Wednesday evening. Speaking to reporters after meeting the governor, Patil said, “The governor has said that 11 paragraphs should be dropped from the speech. We will consult the Chief Minister and communicate to the governor. The Constitution is the same for everyone, whether the President, Governor or government. We have not been told so far that the Governor will not come to address the session.”