MONdAY Israel to halt fighting in Gaza as food crisis looms 28 Israeli military’s pause is for 10 hours a day and meant to open secure routes for aid delivery to desperate Palestinians JULY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard DEAL DONE US, EU reach trade agreement US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Sunday announced they had reached a deal to end a transatlantic tariffs standoff. Page 9 flour, sugar and canned food airdropped A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l New Delhi l J8.00 l PAGES 12 Israel said it would begin a ‘tactical pause’ in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, three areas with a large populace, to ‘increase the scale of humanitarian aid’ entering the territory. The military also said Sunday that it carried out aid airdrops into Gaza, which included packages of aid with flour, sugar and canned food | P9 Parliament set Chola kings’ statues will be installed in TN: Modi for fiery debate on Op Sindoor P T h i r u s e lv am Memo to Modi: Stalin repeats key demands @ Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Ariyalur) Congress issues whip to its members to be present in LS for three days from Monday P r ee t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Tuesday, party sources said. The Congress has been allotted WITH the Lok Sabha set to be- three hours to speak. Sources said Home Minister gin a three-day debate on the Pahalgam attack and Opera- Amit Shah and External Aftion Sindoor on Monday, the fairs Minister S Jaishankar ruling alliance and the Opposi- will speak, while Prime Ministion parties have lined up top ter Narendra Modi may interspeakers to put across their vene to explain his governm e n t ’s t r a ck re c o rd o n points of view. national security . The Cong ress on The whip issued by Sunday issued a whip Congress Chief Whip to its MPs to be present Kodikunnil Suresh in the Lok Sabha. said” “Be present posiAfter a week-long tively in Lok Sabha standoff between the from 11:00 AM onOpposition and the wards till adjour nTreasury benches, the Tharoor ment of the House on Monday session is exto speak? Monday, Tuesday & pected to be stormy as While there is Wednesday and supsome Opposition parno clarity if port the Party Stand. ties are expected to Congress will This may be treated as raise the ongoing speask Shashi three-line whip”. cial intensive revision Tharoor to With 65 minutes al(SIR) in Bihar as well. However, Union minis- speak, sources lotted for the Samajwater Kiran Rijiju has said Lok Sabha di Party, Akhilesh YaSpeaker can dav and Rajeev Rai will said that every issue invite him to speak on the issue. cannot be taken up for Besides its battery discussion in Parlia- speak since he led an of leaders like Anurag ment at once. important Thakur, Sudhanshu While Defence Mindelegation Trivedi and Nishikant ister Rajnath Singh is Dubey the NDA is like, likely to open the discussion from the ruling camp, ly to field members from the the Congress will field deputy multi-party delegations that leader of Lok Sabha Gaurav travelled to over 30 world capiGogoi to open the debate. The tals to present India’s case after Congress line-up includes gen- Operation Sindoor. They ineral secretaries Priyanka Gan- clude Shrikant Shinde of the dhi and K C Venugopal, who Shiv Sena, Sanjay Jha of JD(U), . will speak on the opening day and Harish Balayogi of TDP . The Rajya Sabha will take up Leader of Opposition Rahul . Gandhi is likely to speak on the issue on Tuesday TCS to cut workforce by 2% amid shift towards AI U M A K A N N A N @ Bengaluru THE AI storm is finally here, and as feared it is taking away jobs. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, plans to lay off 2% of its global workforce in line with the company’s broader strategy to become ‘future-ready’. In absolute terms, 12,260 employees in the middle and the senior grades will lose jobs this year. TCS’s workforce, as on June 30, stood at 6,13,069. In a statement, TCS said it is on a journey to become a future-ready organisation, and this includes strategic initiatives including investing in new-tech areas, entering new markets, deploying AI at scale for clients and for the company , creating next-gen infra, and realigning workforce model. “A number of reskilling and redeployment initiatives have been underway We will also be re... leasing associates from the organisation whose deployment may not be feasible,” it added. HR experts directly link such layoffs to AI as it automates tasks. Though TCS has not spoken about AI displacing employees, in a recent post-earnings conference, company officials said they are focusing more on upskilling employees and making them AI-ready . Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD and CEO of CIEL HR, said AI has emerged as a disruptor in IT services. “As processes have become standardised, AI tools are handling them with speed and accuracy he said. ,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that statues of emperors Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola I will be installed in Tamil Nadu. Speaking at an event at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur commemorating 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and marking the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at the temple, Modi said, “While taking pride in the tradition of our Bharat, I take a pledge today that we will install grand statues of King Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu. These statues will become modern pillars of our historical consciousness.” In a 45-minute speech in Express read AIIMS reduces age limit for treatment at NCA The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has lowered the age limit for treatment at its National Centre for Ageing (NCA) from 65 to 60 years, following a directive from the Union Health Ministry. The move allows a wider pool of elderly patients to access specialised treatment for age-related conditions. Kolkata police arrest four for cyber fraud The Kolkata Police on Sunday arrested four men for duping a businessman of lakhs of rupees by faking the website of a private bank. The four accused namely, Mohammad Arif Khan (26), Raja Hati (28), Mohammad Ahsan Ali (21) and Vikas Kumar (24), are linked to a gang in Jharkhand’s Jamtara, police said. PM Narendra Modi, Governor R N Ravi and other leaders at the Aadi Thiruvathirai event in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Ariyalur district, on Sunday | Express Hindi, translated into Tamil, Modi spoke at length about the contributions of the Chola emperors and the Shaivite tradition to the country. Referring to the Chola era as one of the golden ages of India, he A day before the Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the poll panel on Sunday said it has successfully completed the first phase of the exercise to collect enumeration forms. Enumeration forms were submitted by by 7.24 crore electors (91.69%) out of a total of 7.89 crore, the ECI said. In an official statement, the ECI said 65 lakh voters will be excluded from the upcoming draft electoral rolls to be published on August 1. These exclusions include 22 lakh deceased voters, 36 lakh who have either permanently relocated or were not traceable, and 7 lakh who were regis- tered at multiple places. The revision drive aimed to ensure that no elector is left behind, with targeted outreach to first-time voters, urban residents, migrants, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, the panel said. “The initiative also witnessed a strong political response, with all 12 major parties participating. Notably the number of , booth level agents (BLAs) surged by over 16 percent, with CPI(M) and Congress registering more than a 100 percent increase in BLA nominations. CPI(M) reported a dramatic 1083 rise, while the BJP led in absolute numbers with over 53,000 BLAs, followed by RJD and JD(U),” it said. The draft rolls, available both online and offline on August 1, will be open for claims and objections for 1 month. through events like the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam.” On the Shaivite tradition, Modi said, “Our Shaivite tradition has played a huge role in the cultural formation of Six dead, 35 hurt in Haridwar stampede N a r en d r a s e t h i @ Dehradun AN avoidable stampede on the path leading to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed the lives of six devotees on Sunday while more , than 35 were injured, some with critical injuries. Rumours of a broken electric wire near the stairs to the temple triggered panic among people, leading to the stampede, Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal said. The deceased were identified as Arush (12), Shakal Dev (18), Vicky (18), Vipin (18), Vakil and Shanti. What began as a routine spiritual journey for hundreds quickly turned into a nightmare. Devotees were making their way to offer prayers or retur ning after ‘darshan’ when the rumour caused pan- An injured person being taken for treatment after a stampede broke out at Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar, on Sunday | PTI ic, leading to the tragedy . “It was sheer chaos. People started screaming about electrocution, and everyone just pushed forward,” recounted Pankaj Chaurasia, a devotee who managed to escape. “Those who fell on the narrow, crowded stairwell had no chance. People were trampled as the crowd surged forward.” The incident took place around 9 am. Being a Sunday a , large crowd of devotees had New policy for a cleaner, less congested Delhi soon Bihar SIR: Over 90% voters submitted forms, says EC M U K E SH R A N J A N @ New Delhi said, “The Chola kings bound India with the thread of cultural unity Today our govern. , ment is carrying forward the same ideas of the Cholas. We are strengthening these centuries-old threads of unity Chennai: In a memo submitted to PM Modi during his visit to Tamil Nadu on Saturday, CM M K Stalin reiterated key demands, including the immediate release of Samagra Shiksha funds, approval for long-pending railway links in TN and a permanent solution to the conflict between TN fishers and Sri Lankan Navy | P5 A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi Congress workers in Kolkata protest against Bihar’s revision of electoral rolls on Sunday | PTI INDIA bloc asks EC to discontinue exercise With over 65 lakh voters at the risk of exclusion after the first phase of Bihar’s SIR exercise, INDIA bloc parties on Sunday asked the Election Commission of India to stop the process immediately, alleging that the data is ‘flawed’. At a joint conference held by the bloc, leaders said SIR is based on ‘opacity’ and termed it ‘institutional arrogance’ | P7 THE Delhi government is gearing up to launch its Logistics and Warehousing Policy 2025, with the draft already outlining measures that will not only decongest the city but also reduce pollution and improve trade efficiency . The government is exploring dedicated logistics hubs, green freight corridors, and technology-driven solutions— initiatives that promise to ease traffic, cut emissions, and boost the ease of doing business. Delhi currently handles 10 lakh tonnes of freight per day through 1.93 L vehicles, 21% of which is pass-through traffic. The largest share is carried by trucks transporting building materials (4,132 vehicles/day), textiles (3,995), fruits and vegetables (2,569), and food products (2,468), while even pharmaceu- ticals (559) and automobiles (588) contribute to congestion. Without proper warehousing zones, these vehicles enter city interiors, clogging major routes and worsening pollution. Industries Minister MS Sirsa said, “The draft policy proposes relocating warehouses to the periphery consolidating freight , at modern UCLDCs, and shifting last-mile deliveries to electric and CNG vehicles. These measures will cut vehicular emissions and reduce congestion at hotspots like Azadpur, Ghazipur, Naraina, and Karol Bagh, delivering a significant win for air quality”. The upcoming policy is structured around 16 key action points, which collectively aim to overhaul Delhi’s logistics landscape. Among the initiatives are 24/7 operations for logistics parks through amendments to the Model Shops Act. i n d i a i n en g l a n d Hundred reasons to smile for dramatic comeback TMS in England Firoz Mirza @manchester Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his wellfought hundred against England at Old Trafford on Sunday | AFP Relief, joy and exuberance. Those were the emotions running through the Indian dressing room on Sunday evening. Not too long ago, nay hours one may say, they were staring down the barrel, staring at in- India. The Chola emperors were important architects of this heritage. That is why even today, Tamil Nadu is one of the living centres of the Shaivite tradition.” Referring to the Chola rulers’ extensive diplomatic and trade relations with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia, Modi noted the coincidence of his return from the Maldives the previous day Pointing out . that while historians speak of Britain’s Magna Carta in the context of democracy, Modi said the Chola Empire had implemented democratic electoral practices centuries earlier through the Kudavolai Amaippu system. The PM said the legacy of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola I is synonymous with India’s identity and pride. evitability with awe. England were toying with their bowlers and captain Shubman Gill seemed to have no answer. A lead of 311 runs and India were pushed to the wall. Any chance of batting out three sessions on Sunday started looking even more grim when England captain Ben Stokes took the ball from the other end and sent back wellset overnight batter K L Rahul. Gill, however, completed his century before a lapse of concentration minutes before lunch cost his wicket. The job, however, was not over. Ravindra Jadeja picked from from Lord’s, and in the company of Washington Sundar, enacted one of India’s greatest comebacks. Draws in Test cricket do have dramas and ample was in store as the evening winded towards dull draw. With both the batters closing in on their hundreds England captain wanted to shake hands but India wanted to continue. Though England players livid everything was within the laws. Part-timer Harry Brook was pressed into action and he bowled some donkey drops as both batters got to their respective centuries. Now, India go into the last Test with head held high and chin up. They will try and give everything at The Oval and P11 draw the series 2-2. gathered at the temple atop the Shivalik hills at a height of more than 500 feet. Videos from the spot showed a massive rush of people, including children and women, near the temple. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while announcing a financial assistance of `2 lakh to next of kin of the deceased and `50,000 to the injured, ordered a probe. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among those who expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede. Modi, in a post on X, said: “Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the temple trust, said, “The stampede was caused by someone falling near the temple, not due to a broken wire.” Fake envoy Jain made 200 foreign trips from 2005–15 E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi HARSHVARDHAN Jain, the man who operated a fake embassy in Ghaziabad for nine years, was found to have travelled to 30 foreign nations nearly 200 times between 2005 and 2015, according to the Special Task Force (STF) which is investigating the matter. The STF also found 25 shell companies registered under his name. Investigators revealed that during his stay at the UK, he had come close to India-born Turkish businessman Ahsan Ali Syed, who was arrested in London on November 22, 2022, for perpetrating a million-dollar loan fraud between September 2010 and May 2011. Syed, who was later extradited to Switzerland, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison by a local court for fraud and fleeing after collecting brokerage money in the name of securing loans for 16 companies. Reportedly, Jain and Syed had registered several companies abroad, including State Trading Corporation Ltd and East India Company UK Ltd in the UK General Trading Co LLC in the UAE, Indira Overseas Ltd in Mauritius and Cameron Ispat Sarl in Cameroon, Africa. Investigators are probing whether these were shell companies used for illicit activities like money laundering, tax evasion or fraud. A blue corner notice may be issued against Jain to understand more about his criminal activities abroad.