BHUBANESWAR l saturday l august 08, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION Sweeping russia sanctions bill clears senate by a big margin The bipartisan legislation would penalise countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports to deprive Putin of revenues outcome of a year-long campaign china, india could pay heavy tariffs The punishing Russian sanctions package, passed 86-11 by the Senate, was the result of a year-long campaign by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal to reinforce US support for Ukraine and to try and control Putin. “Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And to Putin: You will not conquer,” Blumenthal said | P9 ■ ■ The bipartisan package that carries Graham’s name allows the president to impose humongous tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India The bill heads to the House of Representatives, where a vote will not take place until at least early Sept due to the congressional recess 100% levy is what Trump can impose on purchasers of Russian oil and gas 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 Nato-style Pak-Saudi-Turkey pact CM’s food processing pitch India says it is closely monitoring the trilateral defence agreement signed in Mecca today E XPR E SS N E WS S E RVIC E @ New Delhi AMID escalating tensions in West Asia due to the lingering Iran war, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a NATO-style pact under which an attack against one will be treated as an attack against all three. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the trilateral agreement in the holy city of Mecca early on Friday . India said it is closely monitoring it. “This is a development that we are closely following, and we shall keep you updated,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, in response to questions at a media briefing. When asked about reports of a separate defence cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Somalia, Jaiswal said: “We continue to follow the develop- From left: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sign a trilateral defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Friday | Saudi Press Agency via AP Paper agreement does not offer security, says Iran The trilateral defence agreement was signed a day after Iran said it was in the final stages of an agreement with Oman on a framework for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei said the trilateral “paper agreement” will not bring security ments between Somalia and the other country mentioned.” The trilateral pact brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan and Turkey which has NATO’s sec, ond-largest military and a rapidly growing defence industry . Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the pact is aimed at strengthening security. “The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States.” Saudi Arabia, which is bracing for attacks from the Tehranbacked Houthis, said the pact would not affect the kingdom’s existing partnerships. “The agreement does not represent any orientation toward building a military axis or sectarian/religious bloc, and it is not linked to nuclear endeavors or an arms race, but rather to building sustainable self-reliant capabilities,” its statement read. A Turkish government official described the agreement as “purely defensive in nature” . The pact comes amid heightened instability in West Asia and follows Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships after attacks on its critical infrastructure. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have a bilateral defence pact, under which an attack on one country would be treated as aggression against both. fetches `43,437 cr proposals E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar Odisha received investment proposals worth `43,437 crore with the potential to generate over 43,000 jobs at Odisha Food Pro 2026, the first sector-specific investment roadshow led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in New Delhi on Friday . The event saw the signing of 27 MoUs involving proposed investments of `41,748 crore to create 35,252 employment opportunities. The state also received 12 Investment Intent Forms (IIFs) worth `1,689 crore with the potential of 8,064 additional jobs. Addressing industry leaders, Majhi unveiled Odisha’s long-term roadmap for the sector, built around five strategic pillars - developing specialised food processing clusters, expanding integrated cold-chain and warehousing infrastructure, strengthening food quality and certification systems, integrating farmer producer CM Mohan Charan Majhi at Odisha Food Pro-2026 in New Delhi on Friday organisations (FPOs), MSMEs and women self-help groups with organised industry and creating a globally competitive skilled workforce. He said these interventions would position Odisha as a major hub for value-added food manufacturing over the next decade. “The government’s vision is to ensure that every major agricultural and marine product produced in Odisha is processed within the state, creating higher incomes for pro- ducers while generating sustainable employment for the youth,” he said. Highlighting Odisha’s inherent strengths, the chief minister said the state offers a unique combination of abundant raw materials, 10 agroclimatic zones, a 575 km coastl i n e, t h r iv i n g f i s h e r i e s, expanding port infrastructure, improving logistics connectivity and one of India’s most investor-friendly policy environments. CONTINUED ON P5 Vande Mataram to make Red Fort debut as I-day itinerary Buzz back on Akali-BJP UPSC panel meet on DGP shortlist inconclusive pact ahead of Punjab polls as Badal meets PM Modi J a v a r i a R a n a @ New Delhi H a r p r ee t B a j w a @ Chandigarh VANDE Mataram will be played at the Red Fort on August 15, marking the first time the national song will feature as a scheduled item in the Independence Day programme, a defence ministry official said. The national song will be rendered immediately before the national anthem at the close of the Prime Minister’s address. The addition comes just over a week after Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending to Vande Mataram the protection the 1971 law affords to the national anthem. Introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, the bill makes intentionally preventing the singing of the national song or disturbing an assembly engaged in it punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both, with a minimum one-year jail term for a second conviction. The legislation now awaits presidential assent. The full Red For t programme is yet to be released. The government has already invoked an Independence Day precedent for the song. Replying during the parliamentary debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that on August 15, 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had asked Pandit Omkar nath Thakur to render the complete Vande Mataram on All India Radio at 6.30 am to mark the beginning of India’s first Independence Day. His reference to the complete rendition assumes significance because the government has not indicated whether the Red Fort ceremony will feature only the two stanzas in national use or a longer version. SHIROMANI Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in the Parliament House complex, triggering speculation that the Punjab-based party may revive its alliance with the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections less than six months away . However, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon sought to downplay its implications. “The PM is for everyone; anybody can meet him,” he said in Chandigarh. And sources close to Badal described the interaction as informal. The SAD walked out of the NDA in 2020 over the three farm laws, ending more than two decades as one of the alliance’s oldest constituents. The laws were later withdrawn. Observers believe state-specific issues such as deteriorating law and order, recurring paper leaks, drug menace and other challenges may have figured in the talks. A few days earlier, Badal met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the latter’s residence, where it is believed the meeting with PM was discussed. With elections due in Punjab in six months, both parties face internal pressures. In the BJP’s Punjab unit, senior leaders including former minister Tikshan Sud have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Opposition can’t dictate who will speak in Parl Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Oppn “won’t be able to digest” when Amit Shah speaks in Parliament | P7 A s i s h Me h ta @ Bhubaneswar Kejriwal’s poser The first to take note of the meeting was AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who asked if an alliance between SAD and BJP was in the works. ”Are the two parties coming together?” he posted on X the state leadership. The SAD, too, is battling factionalism, with several leaders having joined the SAD (Punar Surjit), and the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) of jailed MP Amritpal Singh seeking to expand in rural areas. Sources said the present situation could favour an alliance, given infighting in the Congress and the AAP government’s poor record. Yet both sides have repeatedly ruled out a tie-up. In June, BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the party would contest all 117 seats independently. Badal has likewise said the SAD will go it alone. SAD leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal was cautious. “Details of the meeting have not been shared yet,” he said. The Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) empanelment committee convened on Friday to shortlist three senior IPS officers for the post of Odisha’s next Director General of Police (DGP) at New Delhi but sources said the meeting remained inconclus ive a n d t h e d e c i s i o n , deferred. As per the Supreme Courtmandated process, the UPSC prepares a panel of three eligible officers from names submitted by the state after which the government selects the DGP . In May the state government , had sent a list of 11 senior IPS The state had sent a list of 11 senior IPS officers to the UPSC. It featured three DG-ranked officers including Fire Services chief Sudhansu Sarangi, director intelligence RP Koche and DG (prisons) Susanta Nath officers to the UPSC. It featured three DG-ranked officers including Fire Services chief Sudhansu Sarangi of 1990 batch and two 1993 batch officers - director intelligence RP Koche and DG (prisons) Susanta Nath. The rest are ADGrank officers. Sources said the state reportedly apprised the panel on the day that it was planning to withdraw the integrity certifi- 19-yr-old drowns, friend missing in Kuakhai E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar A 19-year-old youth drowned while another went missing after being swept away by the swollen waters of Kuakhai river on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Friday . The deceased was identified as Rudra Narayan Swain of Dhauli and his missing friend Dibyajyoti Swain of Laxmisagar area in the capital city . According to the police, Rudra, Dibyajyoti and two other friends had gathered on the riverbed near the Indrapal Sai Temple under Balianta police station limits for a feast. Police suspect, one of the Fire Services personnel conducting the search operation in Kuakhai river youths entered the river either to wash utensils or to take a bath but slipped into a deeper stretch and was swept away by the strong current. A friend rushed to rescue him but he too was caught in the current. Personnel of the Odisha Fire latest twist CM Vijay’s wife withdraws divorce petition E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Chennai Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s wife Sankgeetha on Friday withdrew her divorce petition filed before the Chengalpattu Family Court. Appearing before the court through video conference, Sankgeetha informed Judge D Sujatha that she did not wish to pursue the matter. Recording that the counsel for the respondent (Vijay) had no objection, the court permitted her to withdraw the case with liberty to initiate fresh proceedings if required. Sankgeetha, in her divorce petition filed in February this Court stamp: Grants liberty for fresh proceedings Recording that the counsel for the respondent (Vijay) had no objection to it after being served a notice, the court permitted her to withdraw the case with liberty to initiate fresh proceedings if required year, had sought dissolution of the marriage and sought permanent alimony and the right to continue residing at the couple’s Neelankarai residence. She had alleged that Vijay was in an extramarital relationship with his female co-star, and this has been causing her emotional and mental suffering. She further stated that repeated attempts at rec- cate of one of the three DG ranked officers. An integrity certificate can be withdrawn or withheld by the government in case of material facts or proceedings emerging against an officer. However, it was not known why the certificate was not considered when the list was being drawn up by the government. Sources indicated the meeting concluded without a final decision on the three names, leaving the process incomplete as of now. The empanelment committee comprises a UPSC member, a representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, head of a central police organisation not from the Odisha cadre, the onciliation between 2021 and 2025 through legal counsel and personal discussions failed due to her husband’s continued association with the co-star, which she said was a “violation and betrayal” of marital trust. Rumours of the couple’s separation began surfacing after Sankg e e t h a ’s ab s e n c e from Vijay’s film events. Their relationship has largely stayed private throughout their marriage, despite Vijay’s public profile. Sankgeetha’s divorce plea became a huge talking point in the state elections earlier this year. Social media was divided in its support for her, as some thought it was politically motivated, while others stood by her in solidarity . Vijay, in a speech before the elections, asked his cadres not to indulge in the conversation, as it was his personal issue. Nevertheless, the conspicuous absence of Sangkeetha and their children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Sasha, in TVK events remained a subject of debate across social media platforms. and Emergency Service rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident around 2.30 pm. “The river was swollen and the water was around 30 ft to 40 ft deep. After an intensive search, the body of Rudra was recovered,” said a fire officer. Search operations for Dibyajyoti continued till evening before being suspended due to fading light. The operation will resume on Saturday, said Balianta police station IIC Rashmita Behera. The authorities have urged people to avoid bathing or venturing into rivers during periods of high water levels and strong currents. state chief secretary and the outgoing DGP . With incumbent DGP YB Khurania set to retire on August 16, it is unlikely that the UPSC panel can be convened within the next 10 days to take a call. This could mean the government may have to name an acting-DGP until the empanelment committee meets again to finalise the three names. The Supreme Court judgement in the Prakash Singh case mandates that the state has to select the DGP from amongst three senior-most officers of the department from the panel prepared by the UPSC. The apex court was also against appointment of DGP on acting basis. express read Vedanta’s BALCO emerges preferred bidder for Karlapat bauxite block Bhubaneswar: The Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) has emerged as the preferred bidder for the 248-million-tonne Karlapat bauxite block in Kalahandi district. The Korba-headquartered subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd quoted a 175 per cent premium, the highest among the bidders. Several leading metal companies were in the fray for the Karlapat block, which contains 165 million tonne of highquality metallurgical-grade bauxite, making it suitable for aluminium production. The live e-auction for the block was held on Thursday, with BALCO emerging as the highest bidder | P3 India assigns names to 27 Arunachal places m u k e s h r a nja n @ New Delhi Amid multiple attempts by China to rename several places in Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre has assigned standard names to 27 locations and geographical features in the border state located along the Line of Actual Control. Officials said the decision is “a riposte to China’s efforts to rename dozens of locations in Ar unachal Pradesh in recent years”. The newly designated names have been incorporated into the maps of the Survey of India, providing uniform legal, administrative and cartographic recognition to the places. “It is expected to improve ad- ministrative coordination, infrastructure planning, disaster management and public service delivery by establishing a uniform reference for all government agencies,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said, adding that it eliminate ambiguities in geographical references. The 27 locations inc l u d e s e t t l e m e n t s, mountain passes, water bodies and memorials. The notified geographical features include the strategically significant mountain passes of Dzo La, Riza La, Pukur La and Thag La, and Sambho Sarovar, a lake, and the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, which commemorates India’s military history in the region.