vijayawada l thursday l january 22, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 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 AG E N CI E 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 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 amP9 bition is intact.”  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 @ Vijayawada CM N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the foundation stone for the Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel Plant in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, will be laid after February 15. Naidu met the company’s Executive Chairman Lakshmi Mittal on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, discussing the Rs 60,000 crore project. Naidu directed officials to complete approvals and land acquisition by February 15, saying the state government will provide full support for rapid construction and production start. “Delighted to meet Mr Lakshmi Mittal... The Government of Andhra Pradesh will provide full support,” he posted on ‘X’. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the World Economic Forum will help identify emerging trade trends and attract huge investments. “I am focusing on promotion of brand Andhra Pradesh to attract more investments,” he said. Interacting with media representatives at Davos, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is industry- 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. @ New Delhi CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh during meeting with executive chairman of ArcelorMittal Lakshmi Mittal in Davos I Express friendly and adopts a speedy business process, according approval to companies quickly . Escrow accounts and incentives are being provided to attract investments and promote industrialisation in AP. The state government will monitor investment proposals in realtime. HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has initiated efforts to bring Google’s AI data centre to Visakhapatnam, Naidu highlighted. The AP government is introducing technology in agriculture, focusing on agritech, and has signed MoUs to export Green Ammonia. Naidu said they’re developing Amaravati capital as a green and blue city , with efforts on to set up a global leadership centre. India has a strong youth force and is moving towards double-digit growth, he added. Several global entrepreneurs met Naidu, discussing investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh. Tamara Hospitality founder Shruti Shibulal met the Chief Minister, discussing hospitality sector opportunities. Naidu said the AP government has given industry status to tourP4 ism to boost the sector. 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 iaf aircraft crashes The wreckage of a crashed IAF microlite training aircraft being removed from a pond in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday. Two persons onboard, including the pilot, were rescued safely | PTI express read Foreign experts review Polavaram project Vijayawada: A three-day visit by foreign experts to Polavaram Project concluded. The team, including Sean Hinchberger inspected the project site, reviewing construction progress and discussing observations with officials | P3 Speaker proposes ‘No Work - No Pay’ Vijayawada: AP Assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu proposes ‘No Work-No Pay’ and ‘Right to Recall’ norms for public representatives skipping House sessions. He cites example of MLAs not attending sessions since June 2024 elections | P4 SC on SIR of poll rolls: No power can be untrammelled SUC H ITRA K ALYA N MO H A N TY Markets mostly steadied on Wednesday after Trump toned down his rhetoric in his threats to acquire Greenland, clarifying he wouldn’t use force P r ee t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that he will embark on a statewide padayatra in about 18 months, committing to spend nearly a year and a half among the people. He announced while addressing party representatives and workers from the Eluru Assembly constituency at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Wednesday . Jagan said he would also hold weekly meetings with party workers from different constituencies to strengthen grassroots connections. He launched a scathing attack on the coalition government, alleging that all administrative systems had collapsed and that no section of society had benefited under its rule. “Public resentment is widespread, with households across the state discussing how governance would have been better under my leadership,” he claimed. He accused the government of misusing police powers, suppressing dissent and failing to deliver on promises. In contrast, he highlighted his tenure, noting that welfare schemes continued uninterrupted even durp4 ing the COVID-19 crisis.  E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e Markets recover YS Jagan Govt weighs dual budget announces allocation on G Ram G statewide Padayatra E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada CM: Feb 15 deadline to get clearances for ArcelorMittal 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. Amaravati to get legal capital status, Centre to introduce bill in Parliament E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The Central government is expected to table a bill to provide legal status to Amaravati as the capital city of Andhra Pradesh during the upcoming Session of the Parliament, commencing January 28. The state bifurcation took place on June 2, 2014, dividing it into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As per the AP State Reorganisation Act, Hyderabad was to remain the capital for both states for 10 years. Sources say that with the 10- year period completed, the onus of declaring the capital city for Andhra Pradesh lies with the Union government. The state government has sent a report to the Centre seeking announcement of Amaravati as the capital city, and sources indicate a bill will be moved in this regard in Parliament soon. Sources from Delhi informed TNIE that the Centre is making all preparations to table the bill in the upcoming Session of the Parliament to provide legal status to Amaravati as the capital of AP. In fact, the declaration of Amaravati as the capital city of AP by the Centre is a longpending dream of Amaravati farmers, who parted with their lands for the construction of the capital city . The previous government had announced plans to develop three capital cities, worrying farmers. The coalition government requested the Centre to approve its legal status as the capital. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has submitted representations to the Centre, and sources indicate the bill will be tabled in Parliament after due clearances from Union ministries. Row after K’taka guv refuses to address assembly D e v a r a j B H i r eh 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.”