THURSDAY AADHAAR-AUTHENTICATED USERS CAN ONLY BOOK TICKETS FROM JULY 1 12 JUNE, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard LA PROTESTS SWIFT NIGHTTIME CURFEW ENFORCED Police made arrests and used crowd control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds demonstrating against Trump’s immigration crackdown. PAGE 9 AGENTS CAN’T BOOK FOR FIRST 30 MINUTES ■ ■ A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS India hopes for trade fair and square with US  NEW DELHI  J8.00 A N U R A A G S I N G H & P R A S A N TA M A Z U M D A R @ Bhopal/Guwahati D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi CBI files chargesheet in French visa fraud case The CBI has filed a chargesheet against eight accused in a case linked to the French embassy visa fraud syndicate. The accused include a law officer in the visa department of the embassy, his father, brother and wife. ‘PROUD MOMENT’ I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi FOUR academics from the Delhi School of Economics (DSE) have been appointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s newly formed Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM). Ram Singh, director of DSE and Delhi School of Public Policy & Governance, said Chairman of EAC-PM S Mahendra Dev is an alumnus of DSE. Former DSE director Pami Dua has been appointed as a parttime member of the council. Dr Shamika Ravi, a DSE alumnus, has been made a full-time member of EAC-PM and Chetan Ghate, also an alumnus of the institute, a part-time member. Expressing happiness over the appointments, DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh said, “This is a proud moment for DU and DSE. These eminent economists will make important contributions to the formulation of the country’s economic policies. These four members of the DU-DSE family have vast and diverse knowledge of the Indian economy .” BROTHER WANTS DEATH SENTENCE Sonam’s brother Govind Raghuvanshi visited the home of Raja on Wednesday and said that the evidence clearly suggested that she had got it done.... “she should get the death sentence”. Govind, brother of Sonam AS the special investigation team (SIT) of Meghalaya police probing the May 23 honeymoon killing of Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi started quizzing the five arrested accused, including Raja’s wife Sonam, there were a series of unanswered points that seemed to hold the key to investigations. A court in Meghalaya capital Shillong on Wednesday sent Sonam Raghuvanshi and four others, including prime accused Raj Kushwah, to eight-day police remand. Though there were reports of Sonam confessing to the crime, the Meghalya Police urged the media to not jump to any conclusion. In a dramatic development, Sonam’s brother Govind visited the home of Raja on Wednesday and broke into tears after hugging his slain brother-in-law’s mother Uma Raghuvanshi. One unanswered point seems to be Sonam’s trolley bag? “Why was she carrying a trolley bag while going with Raja to the monsoon tourism hotspot Sohra (Cherrapunjee) on a short visit? Have you seen any couple carrying a trolley bag on a short trip riding a scooter?” a source part of the ongoing probe told this newspaper. “Where are Sonam’s multiple cellphones she was carrying during the trip? There were at least two iPhones, one of which seemed to have been destroyed after the alleged murder. All others are switched off. Their data hold the key,” the source added. “Raja rented a scooter to go from Shillong to Sohra (Cherrapunjee) on May 23. The scooter was found abandoned some distance from the place where he was murdered. Who took that scooter there? Also, CCTV grabs of nearby areas a short while after the killing show Sonam on a scooter (possibly the same rented scooter) probably accompanied by Vishal, the man who actually attacked Raja with the machete.” “They attacked Raja, but he resisted two of them, seeing the two attackers being overpowered by Raja, the third attacker Vishal attacked on his head with the Dao (machete),” said the source. Earlier in the day Sonam was brought to the , hill station and had a medical exam. The report of pregnancy test was negative, Meghalaya Police said. P8 `6,405-CR FOR DOUBLING OF ‘Why do I need RCB? Don’t TRACKS IN AP, K’TAKA, J’KHAND even drink Royal Challenge,’ M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two key railway projects worth `6,405 crore for track doubling in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Jharkhand, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday . The project involves doubling the Koderma–Barkakana route (133 km), which passes through a major coal belt in Jharkhand. The line will serve as the shortest and most efficient link between Patna and Ranchi. Another proposal approved was to double the track on the Ballari–Chikjajur (185 km) route, which passes IMD red alert as capital swelters under heatwave, relief likely from June 13 Friday as temperatures begin to dip slightly. According to THE national capital continued IMD guidelines, a heatwave in to bake under intense heatwave plains is declared when the conditions on Wednesday with maximum temperature reach, maximum temperatures soar- es or exceeds 45 degrees Celsius ing to 45oC in Ayanagar and or when the temperature is at 44.5oC in Palam, according to least 40oC and 4.5oC above northe India Meteorological De- mal for two consecutive days partment (IMD). The Safdar- across two or more stations in jung observatory recorded a meteorological subdivision. 43.3oC, which is 3.4oC The capital’s temabove normal, meetperature range over ing the criteria for a the last 24 hours has heatwave. re m a i n e d b e t we e n A red alert implies A red alert has been 43 o C and 45 o C, with a take action minimums ranging issued for Thursday, warning, urging warning residents to residents to avoid from 26 o C to 29 o C. There was no recorded heat exposure, prepare for severe heat. “Heatwave con- remain hydrated rainfall in the region. and limit Winds from the northditions are likely to outdoor activity west and southwest prevail at many places reached up to 20–30 across Delhi-NCR,” An official kmph, occasionally IMD officials said. Temperatures are forecasted to gusting to 40 kmph, stirring up dust and reducing visibility in range between 44oC and 46oC. A red alert implies a “take parts of the city . action” war ning, urging Relief is expected from June residents to avoid heat expo- 13 onward, with forecasts presure, remain hydrated and limit dicting light rain and thunderoutdoor activity It warns of a storms accompanied by gusty . very high likelihood of develop- winds reaching 50–60 kmph. By ing heat illness and heat stroke June 16–17, Delhi is expected to in all age groups and advises experience cloudy skies with extreme caution for vulnerable moderate rainfall as a fresh individuals. western disturbance approachA yellow alert will follow on es the northwest region. The projects will reduce oil imports by 52 crore litres and lower CO2 emissions by 264 crore kg — Union government through Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. These projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 1,408 villages, which comprise a population of around 28.19 lakh, Vaishnaw said. They will expand the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 318 km.“The enhanced line capacity will improve mobility providing enhanced , efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways,” he said. These are essential routes for transportation of coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement, fertilisers, agriculture commodities and petroleum products. The capacity-augmentation work will result in an additional 49 million tonnes of freight traffic per annum. Both projects will cover s eve n d i s t r i c t s a c r o s s Jharkhand, Karnataka, and AP and will be completed in three years, Vaishnaw said. DEPORTATION CASE Indian youth seen pinned to floor at Newark airport in viral video had apparently entered US illegally. This was revealed by a person familiar with the matter | P7 says DKS on IPL team buy EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi/Bengaluru DISPELLING rumours that he is planning to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that he has no interest in the IPL team. “Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink Royal Challenge,” the Congress leader said. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar added, “I am not a mad man. I’m just a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association from my younger days, that’s all. I don’t have time, though I had offers to be part of the management.” The Congress government in Karnataka has faced severe criticism for the stampede on June 4 in front of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where a large number of people had gathered for RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. At least 11 people were killed and many injured in the incident. RCB won its maiden IPL title by de- P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi Punjab power demand touches all-time high The power demand in Punjab reached an all-time high of 16,836 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday amid severe heatwave conditions, with the maximum temperature in the state’s southern and western regions ranging from 46oC to 48oC. Given the ongoing paddy transplantation, the demand is expected to exceed 17,000 MW soon. On Tuesday, the state broke its previous record by touching 16,249 MW, surpassing last year’s peak of 16,089 MW on June 29. f e at i n g P u n j ab K i n g s i n Ahmedabad on June 3. The Congress leader said that he is already juggling with his educational institutions. “I don’t have time for my own educational institutions. I have resigned and left it for my other family members to take care of them,” he said. Shivakumar’s comments came in the wake of reports suggesting that United Spirits, the Indian arm of UK-based Diageo Plc, was considering selling stakes in the RCB franchise. Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah were called to Delhi by the Congress high command to discuss various issues, including the June 4 stampede. P5 Liquid Oxygen leak holds up Axiom-4 launch B O S K Y K H A N N A @ Bengaluru ING HOT TT E 0.5 TO 2˚C R TE 4 DSE alumni in PM Economic Advisory Council Sonam Raghuvanshi’s brother Govind breaks down while hugging Raja’s mother in Indore on Wednesday | PTI G EXPRESS READ PAGES 12 Grilling in hills: Sonam reaches Shillong After Trump’s breakthrough deal with China, nation eyeing to wrap 1st phase of deal in July trade, and tariff on agriculture and allied goods. The two teams EVEN as India is racing against reportedly discussed the issue time to clinch a trade deal with of a 50% tariff on steel and aluthe US before expiry of the July minium. India has threatened 9 deadline, when the 90-day ex- retaliatory action against the emption period for implemen- US over doubling tariffs on tation of reciprocal tariff gets steel and aluminium. over, sources say that the first India has so far resisted givphase of the deal would only ing easier access to agriculture address the low-hanging fruits. and dairy imports. But the gov“The trade talks will be in mul- ernment hinted it might relent tiple phases, but the first phase on the issue with the US. should end before July 9,” A Niti Aayog report recently said an anonyargued that the US mous government is expected to resource. main a big market With US presifor export of surdent Donald plus food from InTrump announcdia, and all efforts ing a deal with need to be made to HIGHLIGHTS China on Wedneskeep a favorable enUS, China finalized a day, India would vironment for extrade deal Wednesday, be in a hurry to ports to the US. The with China agreeing to conclude the first report, while arguphase before July cut export restrictions on ing for protecting rare earth minerals 9. The US has also sensitive products finalized a trade like dairy and poulIndia wants to seal a deal deal with the UK. try makes a case for , with US before reciprocal India was the lowering tariffs on tariffs kick in first country to imports of comstart negotiating modities in which a trade deal with the US. In an India enjoys supply advantage. interview with French newspa- The two countries have also per Le Figaro on Tuesday For- discussed non-tariff barriers , eign Minister S Jaishankar had with the US raising concerns said he is hopeful of reaching over India’s quality control an agreement with US before measures and local procurethe reciprocal tariffs kick in. ment conditions for manufacA US delegation which visit- turing. The US has raked up ed India had a four-day meeting India’s famr subsidy too. with Indian negotiators. The A top commerce ministry ofmeeting ended on Tuesday The ficial told this newspaper that . talks veered from tariff rates, the negotiations are on and it is better market access, digital not fair to divulge details.  Authorised ticketing agents will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for AC classes from 10am to 10.30am and for non-airconditioned classes from 11am to 11.30am, a circular read Centre for Railway Information Systems and IRCTC have been directed to make necessary modifications for general public | P7 The entire Himalayas, from the Hindu Kush, will have more than normal this summer PRECIPITATION PATTERN PERILOUS OUTCOME It will vary across the ranges with wetter monsoon predicted for Tibetan Plateau, India, Nepal and Pakistan Above-normal monsoon precipitations across much of South Asia leaves Himalayas vulnerable to hazards like floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods Himalayas facing the heat with higher temp prediction, floods & more J I T E N D R A C H O U B E Y @ New Delhi BRACE yourself for a more intense monsoon this year as hotter temperatures, heavier rains, and a spike in climaterelated risks are forecast for India and its Himalayan neighbours, according to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The Hindu kush Himalayan (HKH) region, which includes India, Nepal, Pakistan, and parts of China, may see temperatures climb up to 2ºC above normal along with widespread above-average rainfall. ICIMOD utilised data from global and na- WMO sees more wet monsoons till 2029 The World Meteorological Organisation says South Asia has had wetter than average monsoons in recent years, except in 2023 due to El Nino, and expects the trend to continue until 2029 tional meteorological agencies to compile its predictions and concluded that it could lead to an increase in heat stress, outbreaks of waterborne diseases like dengue, and a surge in floods, landslides, and glacial hazards. “The forecasts are unanimous in predicting hotter conditions and more rainfall across much of the HKH,” said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, senior advisor at ICIMOD. Floods remain the leading cause of disaster-related deaths in the region, with over 72 percent occurring during the summer monsoon. Meanwhile, water-scarce Afghanistan may receive less rainfall, worsening food and water insecurity. “We need impactbased early war nings and stronger support to prepare for these growing risks,” said Saswata Sanyal, ICIMOD’s Disaster Risk Reduction Manager. THE Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed again due to a Liquid Oxygen (LOx) leak in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX confirmed the postponement via X. This is the second delay after bad weather pushed the launch from June 10 to June 11. A new date is yet to be announced. ISRO, collaborating with NASA, invested `550 crore and assigned Group Captain Shukla as mission pilot, who is the first Indian to pilot a spacecraft. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said, “LOx leakage was detected during the booster’s hot test, and we decided to fix the issue and complete validation before proceeding with the launch.” The crew also includes Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), plus a plush swan toy named Joy . The astronauts have completed quarantine and training. The 14-day mission will conduct 60 experiments from 31 countries, focusing on human physiology, AI, biology, materials science, and endurance.