SATURDAY INDIA ABSTAINS FROM VOTING ON DRAFT GAZA CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION IN U.N.G.A. 14 JUNE, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard SOUTH CHINA MANY EVACUATED AS TYPHOON NEARS Authorities on the southern island of Hainan have evacuated thousands of people, closed schools and halted rail services ahead of Typhoon Wutip. PAGE 9 The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to adopt the resolution seeking an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza MOTION ALSO DEMANDS RELEASE OF HOSTAGES A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 The resolution, introduced by Spain, got 149 votes in favour. Twelve members voted against it while 19 nations, including India, abstained. The resolution also demanded release of hostages, return of the remains of those killed, exchange of Palestinian prisoners, return of civilians to their homes in Gaza, and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip Black box found, Modi visits crash site LONE SURVIVOR FOUND SOME SPACE, ESCAPED D I L I P S I N G H K S H AT R I YA injured persons. “Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in A day after a horrible plane Ahmedabad, including the crash killed at least 260 people lone survivor,” Modi said. “Ashere, probe agencies recov- sured them that we are with ered the Digital Flight Data them and their families in Recorder (DFDR) or black this tough time. The entire box, which is expected to nation is praying for their throw up clues on India’s speedy recovery .” worst air tragedy in decades. Modi also paid tribute to The Aircraft Accident Inves- former Gujarat chief minister tigation Bureau that scoured Vijay Rupani, who was among the debris, said it recovered the passengers who lost their the black box from the rooftop lives in the ill-fated flight. “It is at the crash site — possibly of unimaginable that Vijaybhai the BJ Medical College hostel, is not in our midst,” he said. which the London“We worked togethbound Air India er, shoulder to aircraft slammed shoulder, including into shortly after during some of the take-off from the most challenging Sardar Vallabhbtimes. Vijaybhai hai Patel Airport. was humble, hardThe black box reworking, and firmcording will offer ly committed to the vital data on the fiparty’s ideology .” nal moments of Amid speculathe flight. tion on the cause While the DFDR of the crash, inis housed in the cluding the positail section, the tion of its flaps, the Relatives of a victim mourn at a hospital in Cockpit Voice ReDirectorate GenerAhmedabad on Friday corder (CVR) is al of Civil Aviation usually located (DGCA), ordered within the cockpit. Both DFDR Air India to go in for enand CVR are better known as hanced safety checks, includblack boxes. Till the time of ing a review of take-off pagoing to press, there was no rameters of its Boeing series word on finding the CVR. of flights from June 15. “As a Prime Minister Narendra preventive measure, DGCA Modi visited the accident site hereby directs Air India to and chaired a high-level re- carry out additional mainteview meeting with senior of- nance actions on B787-8/9 airficials to assess the ongoing craft equipped with Genx enrescue and relief efforts. “Vis- gines with immediate effect ited the crash site in Ahmeda- in co-ordination with the conbad today The scene of devas- cerned DGCA agencies.” . tation is saddening,” he posted The National Investigation on social media. Agency and other central He also met the lone survi- agencies, too, joined the probe, vor of the crash and the other sources said. P7 & 8 @ Ahmedabad TARGETS IN IRAN A residential apartment in Tehran that was damaged in Israeli strikes on Friday | AP Tehran Natanz Missile facilities Nuclear facilities Radar defence system Nuclear scientists Iranian commanders IRAN Israel takes out Iran’s military brass, nuke sites Nuke sites attacked; India calls for restraint A G E N C I E S @ Jerusalem / Dubai / Washington We expect to be exposed to several waves of Iranian attacks Benjamin Netanyahu With this crime, Israel has set itself for a bitter and painful fate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE Donald Trump IN a major escalation of tensions in West Asia, Israel on Friday launched a barrage of strikes across Iran, targeting nuclear and missile sites, and taking out its top military leadership. Iran immediately responded by launching a swarm of drones, which were intercepted by Israeli military Iran’s Supreme . Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of a “bitter and painful” fate. Late in the evening, Israel launched a second wave of attacks targeting Tehran. Hours later, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles, forcing Israelis to rush to bomb shelters. Among those killed in the early-morning strikes were the country’s highest-ranking military official General Mohammad Bagheri, commander-inchief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps General Hossein Salami, deputy commander-inchief of the armed forces Gholamali Rashid, and Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who ran the missile programme. Iranian media put the total toll at 18. Israel said it deployed 200 aircraft to hit 100 targets, including Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz. Dozens of missile launchers and radar installations in western Iran were also destroyed in the attack, in which drones smuggled into the country were also used. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ruled out US involvement, while President Donald Trump blamed Iran for not taking the off-ramp he offered by restricting its nuclear programme. “Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to make a deal... Today is day 61,” he wrote on Truth Social. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation. “Received a phone call from PM @netanyahu of Israel... I shared India’s concerns and emphasised the need for early restoration P7 of peace and stability Modi wrote on X. ,” (With inputs from Jayanth Jacob in New Delhi) ACB summons KTR on Monday in E-Prix case EX PRESS N EWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad THE Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has summoned BRS working president KT Rama Rao to appear before it in connection with the Formula-E race case on Monday . It may be recalled that the ACB had issued notices to Rama Rao earlier, asking him to appear before the agency on May 28. He, however, sought time to appear before the agency as he was going on a foreign trip. Rama Rao returned to Hyderabad six days ago. Responding to the fresh notices, Rama Rao took to ‘X’ to post: “When you cannot run a government, keep people busy with a circus and distractions! I have been summoned by the ACB to appear for ‘investigation’ on Monday at 10 am, in For mula-E case where `44 crore was transferred from Bank to Bank and the money is very much in the Account of FE. As a law-abiding citizen, I will attend and fully cooperate with the ACB officials! (sic)” CRUDE OIL PRICES SOAR OVER ISRAEL-IRAN TENSION Brent Crude oil prices shot up 13% to $77.77 per barrel, on the back of escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran which could disrupt global oil supplies | P10 “Luckily, the portion where I was seated fell on the ground floor of the hostel after the crash. When I saw that the door broken, I saw an opportunity to escape,” says Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor | P8 DNA TEST ON, EIGHT BODIES HANDED OVER Only eight bodies have been identified and handed over to their families so far. Autopsies are on in full swing, while DNA sampling has been completed for at least 220 victims | P7 HOME SECY TO PROBE: AVIATION MINISTRY Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the site of the plane crash on Friday | PTI Ease insurance claim settlement: Govt D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi THE government has instructed insurance companies to ease the process of claim settlement for family members of the deceased in the air crash. A senior finance ministry official said instructions were sent to the insurance companies on Thursday night itself. RAJNATH SINGH SET TO VISIT CHINA ON JUNE 24-25 J AYA N T H J A C O B & R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi AS India and China work to stabilise relations and rebuild trust, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to the neighbouring country on June 24-25 — the first highlevel Indian ministerial visit since the 2020 border standoff in Eastern Ladakh. This signals renewed momentum in India-China engagement, following disengagement along the Line of Actual Control and continuing efforts to normalise ties. Singh will take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting, where he may hold talks with Chinese defence minister Admiral Dong Jun. This will be Singh’s first visit to China as defence minister, though he had previously travelled there in his capacity as home minister. The Indian defence minister’s decision to visit China later this month reflects the intent of both nations to build mutual confidence and trust —Diplomatic sources Singh had last met Admiral Dong in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in November last year on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. While Chinese foreign ministers have visited India twice since 2022, this marks the first reciprocal high-level visit from India. Diplomatic sources say Singh’s visit reflects the intent of both nations to build mutual confidence and advance the contacts following an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October last year. On Thursday Foreign Sec, retary Vikram Misri had held talks in New Delhi with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. The two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations since their last meeting in January and agreed to focus on “peoplecentric engagements” to stabilise and rebuild ties, the External Affairs Ministry said. The discussions covered a broad agenda including resumption of direct air services, visa facilitation, media and think-tank exchanges, and preparations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Too hot! States told to take care of women workers J I T E N D R A C H O U B E Y @ New Delhi IN its first heat-related advisory for informal workers, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has instructed all state governments to implement immediate protective measures for them, particularly women, during the ongoing heat wave affecting Indian cities. This marks the first time the government has identified heat as a significant health concern for informal workers and has acknowledged the necessity for timely intervention. Previously, state governments have issued similar advisories to districts affected by heat waves to encourage prompt action. For the first time, the govt has identified heat as a significant health concern for informal workers and proposed necessity for timely intervention. | PARVEEN NEGI For the past fortnight, cities in North, East, and Central India have been enduring severe heat waves as monsoon winds have stalled. Many cities in Northern India are experienc- ing maximum temperatures of , around 45oC, resulting in stuffy warm nights. Cities in Eastern India fare no better with the weather hot and humid. M r i n a l i n i S h r iv a s t av a , In a late night development, the civil aviation ministry announced a high-level committee headed by the home secretary that will have members not below the rank of joint secretary from state and Central govts, to probe the crash. NDMA director, underlined that severe heat waves shifted working hours to early morning and late evening, which may impact the safety of women workers. “Women informal workers face unique challenges while adapting to heat, including travel safety and increased vulnerability during early and late evening shifts,” said Shrivastava. The advisory recommends developing a Heat Action Plan for informal workers. This plan should include flexible working hours, mapping high-risk areas, early warning systems, access to drinking water, shade, heat protection kits, and support for income security following heat waves. P4 “Right now it is time for mourning, and no one is thinking about the money However, the . claim settlement process will begin in 5-6 days,” he said. He, however, declined to give an exact estimate of the claims. “This is not something that we can estimate — individually passengers would have all kinds of insurance policies, therefore, it is difficult to make an insurance claims estimate,” said the official. The industry is looking at $150-200 mn in claims. “The hull agreed value of the aircraft would be roughly around $75-80 million, which will be covered under the Hull All Risk part of Insurance,” says Hitesh Girotra of Prudent Insurance Brokers. Delhi govt to roll out new excise policy soon A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE Delhi government is preparing to roll out a new excise policy aimed at ensuring the scientific testing of alcohol quality and making the sale and distribution system transparent, modern, and accountable. According to officials, the government is committed to ensuring that no aspect of the policy negatively affects sensitive sections of society and that the safety , health, and peace of vulnerable communities are not compromised in any way . A high-level committee chaired by the chief secretary of the Delhi government is currently working on developing the policy The panel is review. ing the excise policies of several other states to adopt best practices that prioritise not only effective liquor distribution but also social protection. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday that the new policy would incorporate several reforms in the excise system, including the scientific testing of liquor quality digiti, sation of the sales system, strict action against illegal sales, and transparency in the licensing process. She further stated that the high-level committee is holding consultations with stakeholders and studying best practices implemented in other states to prepare a comprehensive excise policy. The exercise is scheduled to be completed by June 30. “We consider the trust of the people of Delhi paramount. Learning from mistakes of the previous government, we are bringing a policy that will leave no room for corruption,” she said, adding that strict monitoring will be done to prevent consumption in public places. EXPRESS READ Liquor scam: ED attaches Cong office in Sukma The ED on Friday provisionally attached the Congress office building in Sukma district, south Chhattisgarh, besides the properties owned by Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish in connection with the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. A six-time Congress MLA Lakhma, who was a former excise minister, was arrested early this year and has been in jail since January 16. Communal tensions break out in Dhubri Social media influencer killed, 2 nihangs held Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday issued a shootat-sight order in Dhubri amid raging communal tensions in the lower Assam town. The Muslimmajority district shares a border with Bangladesh. Tensions began after a pro-Bangladesh poster campaign and discovery of cow heads at a temple. Two nihangs have been arrested in connection with the killing of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari. The 30-year old was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her car parked outside Adesh University along Bathinda-Chandigarh highway on Wednesday. The alleged key accused is, however, absconding.