FRIDAY 04 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR BANAKACHARLA WILL NOT CAUSE ANY HARM TO TELANGANA: NAIDU P4 SENSEX 83,239.47 q170.22 WEATHER Generally Cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain/ thundershower very likely to occur. ` vs $ 85.52 P9 GOLD `1,00,285 RELATIVE HUMIDITY SILVER `1,11,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 69.02 PM Modi addresses Ghana’s Parl; underscores shared values Min. 80% STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE TEMPERATURE NEW DELHI, 3 JULY Max: 31.2˚C (-1.4) Min: 26.7 ˚C (0.0) SUN RISES 04:56 hrs MOON RISES 12:04 hrs P12 The two nations have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” focusing on economic cooperation, defence, energy, and digital infrastructure RAINFALL: 002.7 mm Max. 97% P6 NIFTY 25,405.30 q48.10 2ND TEST DAY ONE: GILL LEADS WITH MAIDEN DOUBLE TON HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING TRUMP’S BIG BILL TO THE BRINK OF PASSAGE ENDURING LEGACY P SUN SETS 18:25 hrs MOON SETS 23:49 hrs Full Moon on 11 July THUMBNAILS A view of partially submerged structures as the water level of the Alaknanda River increases, in Rudraprayag on Thursday. n ANI DAC approves indigenous defence procurement worth `1.05 Lakh crore: The Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately Rs 1.05 lakh crore through indigenous sourcing. The AoNs were accorded for procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the TriServices and Surface-to-Air Missiles. rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Parliament of Ghana, marking a significant milestone in IndiaGhana relations. In his address, the PM said he was deeply honoured in addressing the House and highlighted the shared democratic values between the two nations. “I am deeply honoured to address this esteemed House today. It is a privilege to be in Ghana, a land that radiates the spirit of democracy. As a representative of the world's largest democracy, I bring with me goodwill and greetings of 1.4 billion Indians,” he added. PM Modi’s visit to Ghana is expected to deepen the IndiaGhana partnership, reflecting New Delhi’s continued commitment to Africa and the Global South. The two nations have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” focusing on economic cooperation, defence, energy, and digital infrastructure. “We have decided to elevate our ties to a comprehensive partnership.... People of India have resolved to make India a developed nation by 2047,” Mr Modi said while underscoring the importance of democracy in both India and Ghana. “For us, democracy is not merely a system. It is a part of our fundamental values,” he said. He also highlighted the historical ties between the two nations, saying: “The histories of India and Ghana bear the Govt convenes all-party meet on 19 July ahead of Monsoon session of Parliament STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JULY Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government has convened an all-party meeting on 19 July ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. “The central government called an all-party meeting on July 19 regarding the Monsoon session of Parliament. The session will start from 21 July and run till 21 August,” he said. Previously, it had been announced that the session would be held from 21 July to 12 August . Due to Independence Day celebrations, Parliament will not hold sittings on 13 and 14 August. The session has been extended by nine days, allowing for more time to discuss important legislative business and other matters. The government’s announcement follows a cohesive demand from Opposition parties for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss pressing issues, including the Pahalgam scars of colonial rule. But our spirits have always remained free and fearless.” “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South.... Changing circumstances demand credible and effective reforms in global governance,” the Prime Minister said, asserting: “The revolution in technology, the rise of the Global South and shifting demographics are contributing to Three Indians abducted after terrorist attacks in Mali STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JULY terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and recent developments involving US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The Opposition had also sought discussions on Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan’s statement acknowledging “initial losses” of air assets due to tactical errors. During the Monsoon Session, Parliament is expected to discuss various legislative bills, budgetary allocations, and other important issues affecting the nation. The extended session will provide ample opportunity for MPs to engage in detailed discussions and debates on these matters. The Session will be a crucial platform for the government to introduce new policies and legislation, while the Opposition will likely use the opportunity to hold the government accountable on various issues. With the session set to conclude on 21 August, MPs will have nearly a month to deliberate on key issues and shape the country’s legislative agenda. Three Indians have been abducted in Mali following a terrorist attack reportedly carried out by Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat alIslam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indians were employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Republic of Mali. The incident occurred on 1 July, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory and took three Indians as their hostages. Expressing its deep concern over the incident, the Government of India, while condemning the “deplorable act of violence,” called upon the Mali government to take necessary measures to secure the release of Indian nationals. its pace and scale.” Recalling being conferred with Ghana’s national honour, “The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,” by President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Modi said: “Last evening was a deeply moving experience, receiving your national award from my dear friend, President John Mahama is an honour...On behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India, I thank the people of Ghana for this honour.” India and Ghana have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” focusing on economic cooperation, defence, energy, and digital infrastructure. India plans to double trade with Ghana over the next five years and share its digital payments platform, Bharat UPI. “The revolution in technology, the rise of the Global South and shifting demographics are contributing to its pace and scale” the Prime Minister emphasised. India will set up a Skill Development Centre for vocational education and support Ghana’s ‘Feed Ghana’ programme. Both countries will also increase cooperation in defence and security under the principle of “Security through Solidarity.” (Another report on Page 5) Pak social media accounts banned again in India STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JULY The social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and cricketers have been banned once again after they were made accessible in India briefly on Wednesday. These accounts were restored due to “technical reasons,” according to sources. “If you can see some accounts on X, YouTube, and Meta, they will be inaccessible in a few hours. Some technical glitch led to the unblocking. Rectified now,” claimed the source. On Wednesday, the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani actors and the YouTube channels of cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, were accessible. They are now blocked. Mamata writes to HM Shah over provocative social media posts STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 3 JULY Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to introduce stringent legislative measures to act as a deterrent to provocative content circulated on social media. In her letter, she wrote: “There is an urgent need for stringent legislative provisions that can serve as an effective deterrent against the creation and dissemination of provocative content and acts committed with criminal intent in cyberspace.” She further stated: “The current legal framework and its enforcement require further strengthening to keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem and the sophisticated methods employed by malicious actors.” The Chief Minister emphasised the need to foster widespread awareness regarding the responsible use and consumption of digital media. Many individuals remain unaware of the risks associated with sharing and consuming unverified content ~ an issue that is rapidly spreading across the country, she said. Miss Banerjee underscored the importance of pursuing sensitisation programmes, digital literacy campaigns, and community engagement initiatives with vigour. These efforts, she said, are essential to equip citizens with the skills necessary to critically assess online information and report suspicious activities promptly. She hoped that the matter would receive priority consideration, given its critical implications for national security, social cohesion, and the well-being of the populace. DGMOs negotiated ceasefire between India and Pakistan: Jaishankar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JULY External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has clarified that US President Donald Trump had no role in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, saying the record speaks for itself. Asked about Mr Trump claiming credit for the ceasefire with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, Mr Jaishankar while addressing a news conference in Washington said the US President did not have a role. On Mr Trump’s remarks on the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Mr Jaishankar said: “The record of what happened at that time was very clear and the ceasefire was something which was negotiated between the DGMOs of the two countries...” “The ceasefire was something that was negotiated between the DGMOs” — Directors General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai of India and Major General Kashif Abdullah of Pakistan — he said, adding: “I’d leave it at that.” Mr Jaishankar was in Washington to attend the Quad Ministerial meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia and Takeshi Iwaya of Japan on Tuesday. Delhi may defer fuel ban for end-of-life Liverpool forward Diogo vehicles; Sirsa writes to CAQM Jota, 28, killed in car crash MUSKAN BHATIA NEW DELHI, 3 JULY Amid public backlash over the denial of fuel to end-oflife vehicles (ELVs) across Delhi’s petrol pumps, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to put its 23 April directive on hold. In a letter to the Commission, Mr upSirsa cited several operational and technical challenges that he said made the directive difficult to implement. “It is felt that because of several critical operational and infrastructural challenges,..., it will not be feasible to implement this order at this juncture. In fact, immediate implementation of Direction No. 89 may be premature and potentially counterproductive,” he wrote. The minister through his letter reiterated the Delhi government’s support for meeting the Commission’s objective to phase out older, polluting vehicles by deregistering the ELVs to ensure that they do not ply on Delhi roads. In his letter to the CAQM, Mr Sirsa raised concerns over the readiness of the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system installed at fuel stations. He cited technical glitches, improper camera placement, non-functional sensors and speakers, and a lack of integration with neighbouring NCR state databases. The system also fails to identify vehicles without proper High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). Mr Sirsa warned that enforcing the directive only in Delhi may lead to fuel purchases from nearby districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, encouraging illegal cross-border trade, and called for a phased, regionally coordinated implementation. “The daily lives and livelihoods of lakhs of citizens are dependent on these vehicles. The sudden denial of fuel supply has disrupted transportation, trade, and personal mobility, causing significant inconvenience,” read the official statement by the ministry. On Tuesday this week, Delhi’s crackdown on ELVs kicked off, with fuel stations across the city refusing petrol and diesel to vehicles past their legal age. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE SPAIN, 3 JULY The football world is in mourning following the tragic death of Liver- pool’s 28-year-old forward, Diogo Jota, and his brother, André Silva. The Portuguese Football Federation announced both men were killed in a horrific car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain. According to the Castile and Leon regional fire department, a Lamborghini carrying the brothers swerved off the road and burst into flames shortly after midnight on Thursday. Emergency services arriving at the scene discovered the two men, aged 28 and 26, deceased within the wreckage. The Portuguese Football Federation expressed profound grief in an official statement, saying: “We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.” The devastating news comes just two weeks after Diogo Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, on 22 June. Jota was a pivotal figure for Liverpool, having played a key role in their Premier League triumph last season, as well as their FA Cup and League Cup victories.