THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard PA L E S T I N I A N S ISRAEL RETURNS 15 BODIES AMID TRUCE Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Wednesday, a day after Hamas returned the remains of an Israeli hostage. This is the latest exchange A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 OFFICIALLY INDIA’S, AMDAVAD TO HOST 2030 C’WEALTH GAMES Amdavad (aka Ahmedabad) has been formally ratified by the Commonwealth Sports general body for the Centenary CWG on Wednesday  NEW DELHI 74 15-17 The number of sports The number of sports Commonwealth Sport Commonwealth Sport has confirmed for 2030 has confirmed for 2030 Delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified the only bid after its executive committee forwarded the recommendation last month  J8.00 PAGES 12  Commonwealth Sports chief Donald Rukare and CGA president P T Usha SPORTS THAT ARE CONFIRMED Athletics & para athletics, swimming & para swimming, table tennis & para table tennis, bowls & para bowls, netball and boxing are among confirmed names, said CS MORE DISCIPLINES TO BE ADDED SOON ■ ■ ■ Though sports like cricket, badminton, archery, shooting are not yet later confirmed, there is all likelihood that they will be included later. Presently, archery, badminton, 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball, cricket T20, cycling, diving, hockey, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, 2030 triathlon and wrestling are being considered for 2030. Two new traditional sports can be added. Yoga likely to be added NEW LOOK LOCAL RESONANCE & GLOBAL APPEAL The 2030 team will work closely with CS and the International Federations to shape a dynamic and exciting sport programme that will have a strong local resonance and global appeal. P11 resonance and global appeal HAD TROUBLE WALKING: Could defer date CJI FLAGS CITY’S BAD AIR... of post-SIR draft U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi “THE only exercise I do is walking. But even that is difficult now. Yesterday I walked for 55 minutes, and till morning I had problems,” said Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday, highlighting the severe impact of Delhi’s air pollution. The remarks came during the Supreme Court’s SIR case hearing, after senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi sought to be excused due to health issues. On his request, the CJI asked whether his condition was linked to Delhi’s weather, to which Dwivedi agreed, noting that his health problems began after a walk. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal supported the concern, saying he had stopped going for walks. “To breathe this obnoxious air, at our age…” Sibal remarked. The CJI suggested that evening walks might be easier, but Sibal cautioned that the Air Quality Index remains dangerously high at 300–350 even in the evenings. Dwivedi then requested that hearings be shifted to a virtual format, a plea Sibal endorsed. He added that a similar request had been made previously before former CJI B R Gavai. CJI Kant said he would consider the suggestion after consulting the Bar. “If at all such a decision is taken, I would like to take the Bar into confidence. If something is to be done, if the Bar thinks so, it should be a uniform rule. Keeping everything in mind… If the Bar Association makes a proposal, we will be open to considering it,” he said. Daughter-in-law of pan masala baron dies by suicide at home The only exercise I do is walking. But even that is difficult now. Yesterday I walked for 55 minutes, and till morning I had problems Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India ‘May consider hearings in virtual mode’ CJI Surya Kant indicated he may consider shifting hearings to virtual mode after consulting the Bar. The remarks came during an SIR case hearing, after a senior advocate sought to be excused for health issues. The CJI asked if his state was linked to the weather, to which he agreed. ... govt says AQI better, revokes GRAP III curbs P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi DELHI’S air quality showed marginal improvement on Wednesday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to withdraw Stage III restrictions of GRAP with immediate effect. The decision follows a review by the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Sub-Committee, which noted that the AQI has been improving for the past four consecutive days, settling at 327 on Wednesday—still in the ‘very poor’ category, but below the severe-range threshold that triggers Stage III. The IMD and IITM forecast indicate that Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ range over the next few days. While a full recovery is unlikely in the near term due to unfavourable winter meteorology the CAQM said the current levels do not , warrant enforcement of Stage III actions. With the rollback, bans on several highdust construction and demolition activities, operation of stone crushers, and curbs on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles stand lifted. However, the commission clarified that construction sites and projects that were individually shut for violations will not be allowed to restart. Authorities have been directed to strictly continue and intensify measures under Stage I and II, which remain in force. P3 36 dead 250 missing E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi A 38-year-old daughter-in-law of a pan masala baron allegedly hanged herself at her south Delhi residence, police said on Wednesday . On Tuesday around 12 pm, the Vasant Vihar police station received information regarding the suicide of a woman. Her husband found her hanging from the ceiling at her in-law’s house, following which he informed other family members and the police. According to a senior police officer, she was rushed to a hospital, where the doctors declared her brought dead. The body was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital mortuary . A police team inspected the spot and recorded statements. The post-mortem examination was conducted by the board and the body handed over to the family the officer said. , The police recovered a suicide note in which the woman alleged marital discord. A diary was also seized that contained multiple references to regular disputes with her husband, the police said. He got married in 2010 and was a homemaker. The advocate of the family said, “Both families have decided to jointly carry out the cremation because we want to give full respect to her. It is a loss for both the families. The reports claiming ‘marital discord’ are false. There are no allegations in the suicide note. She has not held anyone to be responsible for this.” roll in TN, WB: SC Hearing on pleas challenging nationwide SIR; political parties creating a scare, alleges ECI don’t have any power now? Court can always say the CJI said. ,” THE Supreme Court on WednesFor its part, the ECI told the day said it would not hesitate to court that some political parties extend the deadline for the pub- are creating a ‘scare’ about the lication of the draft electoral SIR being undertaken Tamil rolls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala. Nadu if the petitioners make a “Political parties are creating strong case, while the Election unnecessary scare,” the poll Commission of India panel said. (ECI) claimed that some Advocate Prashant political parties were Bhushan said the SIR trying to create “a was being conducted in scare” about the Special a “great hurry”. Intensive Revision (SIR) The bench asked the of electoral rolls. ECI to file its counter‘Reason to A bench of Chief Jusaffidavit to the petitions challenge tice Surya Kant and relating to Tamil Nadu not good Justice Joymalya and West Bengal by Deenough’ Bagchi made the oral cember 4 and December observation while hear9, respectively . That the SIR ing petitions challengThe bench also posted was never ing the SIR exercise in the pleas seeking deferconducted the two states. ment of the Kerala SIR before is not a The remark about exto December 2, while ground to tending the deadline for asking the ECI and State challenge the publication of the draft Election Commission to Election rolls came after the parfile their responses by Commission’s ties appearing in the December 1. SIR in decision to SIR for West Bengal Tamil Nadu has been carry out this raised concerns about challenged by DMK, exercise in the court fixing the next CPI(M), and actor Viseveral states, date of hearing to Dejay’s TVK. The AlADthe SC said cember 9, which they MK, on the other hand, claimed was the date for has filed an application publication of the draft roll as supporting the SIR. per the SIR schedule. During the hearing, the bench “So what? If you make out a observed that the EC has “inhercase, then we can direct them to ent power to determine correctextend the date. Can that date ness of entry in Form 6”. (publication of draft roll) be a The hearing will continue on ground for the court to say we Thursday . U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi LOST EMPIRE: GAMBHIR TIMES FOR INDIA S W A R O O P S W A M I N AT H A N @ Guwahati TOWERING INFERNO Smoke and flames rise as a fire engulfs apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, killing at least 36 people. Over 250 others are missing. The fire, which broke out in the afternoon, continued till late night | AFP | P9 AS soon as Marco Jansen ran behind and took the catch to condemn India to their worst Test defeat (in terms of runs), the focus had turned towards multiple things. What seems astonishing is that India allowed a proud home record to be smashed to bits. For a side that had lost four home Tests from the beginning of 2013 to the end of 2023, they have now endured a run of five losses in seven Tests in 13 months. Coach Gautam Gambhir, one of the few constants in all of those losses, offered transition but he was categorical in saying he wasn’t using that as an excuse. Sure, this team has had a significant amount of churn over the last year in terms of retirements, new non-playing staff and some injuries. Gambhir said, “That is why it is called transition. That is why these guys need time.” The coach wants the BCCI to prioritise Test—something they have already been doing to a vast extent. He also questioned the logic of ending a full white-ball tour of Australia days before the first Test. With India playing no home WTC Test in all of 2026, this gives all stakeholders a chance to reassess and reset. An empire is over, the fortress is in ruins. The BCCI needs to rebuild the team with focus on future. P11 NIA RED FORT BLAST CASE ARRESTS 1 MORE IN Soyab, a resident of Dhauj in Faridabad, had allegedly harboured the suicide bomber Dr Nabi. During probe, it was found that he had also provided logistical support to Nabi before the November 10 car bombing outside Red Fort that claimed 13 lives. P3 SCHEME TO PROMOTE MANUFACTURING OF SINTERED RARE EARTH PERMANENT MAGNETS Investment `7,280 crore PHASE II OF PUNE METRO RAIL NETWORK Estimated cost `9,858 crore MULTI-TRACKING OF RAILWAY LINES Estimated cost `1,457 crore CABINET NOD `7.3K cr push for rare earth atmanirbharta M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Centre on Wednesday approved four key projects, including manufacturing of rare earth magnets, second phase of Pune Metro project and multi-tracking of two railway lines worth `19,000 crore. Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a post cabinet meeting briefing, told reporters that the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’ (SREPM) has been approved with a financial outlay of `7,280 crore. The aim is to establish 6,000 Metric Tons per Annum (MTPA) of integrated manufacturing in the country, he added.The other two decisions pertained to the Pune Metro Rail Project Phase-2 - Kharadi–Khadakwasla (Line 4) and Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug (Line 4A), which will be completed within five years at an estimated cost of `9,857.85 crore, the Minister said, adding that the multi-tracking of railway lines include the doubling of the Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)-Kanalus section with a cost of `1,457 crore and the construction of the third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat at a cost of `1,324 crore. In an official statement, the government said, “This first-of-its-kind initiative with regard to SREPM aims to establish 6,000 MTPA of integrated Rare manufacturing in India, thereby enhancing self-reliance and positioning India as a key player in the global market.” Examining B’desh’s request to extradite Hasina after ICT order, says India J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA on Wednesday confirmed that it has received a request from Bangladesh to extradite former PM Sheikh Hasina and said that the matter is under examination through “ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.” Exter nal Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “The request is being exam- ined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy inclusion, and stability in that , country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders.” Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year, following the collapse of her govern- ment after student-led stir. Last week, the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death in absentia for “crimes against humanity” linked to her handling of unrest. Following the verdict, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry had requested Hasina’s return in a formal letter to New Delhi, calling her a “fugitive accused” and citing the bilateral extradition agreement. The letter said that it was an “obligatory responsibility” for India to facilitate her extradition and added, “Providing refuge to these individuals, who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, by any other country would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice.” India had issued a measured response after the ICT verdict. “India has noted the verdict announced by the ‘International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh’ concerning former PM Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbour, we will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” the MEA had said. ‘Committed to people’ An MEA spokesperson said that the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. “We remain committed to the best interests of people of Bangladesh,” he said.