MONDAY 29 JUNE, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard TERRORIST OUTFITS USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO RAISE FUNDS, WARNS FATF R A S TA N U R A 14 DIE IN COPTER CRASH IN SAUDI A helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia killed 14 Saudis Sunday, the kingdom’s official press agency reported, adding that the aircraft belonged to Aramco PAGE 9 Terrorists are increasingly using social media, instant messaging and streaming platforms to raise and move funds, the watchdog warned DIGITAL TOOLS MAKE FUNDRAISING EASIER A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 The rapid evolution of social networking sites, messaging and streaming platforms has created fresh avenues for terror financing, the Financial Action Task Force stated | P7 Let’s make Indian Ocean an ocean Iran attacks of opportunity: Modi in Seychelles Bahrain, Kuwait WEST ASIA FLARE-UP Pacts on security, extradition, maritime cooperation, digital payments, and health signed India extends `1,250 cr credit line to Seychelles J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India envisions the Indian Ocean as an “ocean of opportunity” where maritime security goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity, as India and Seychelles elevated their strategic partnership by signing nine agreements, including an extradition treaty . Addressing a joint press meet with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie after the wide-ranging talks, Modi said the Indian Ocean was a shared space whose security and prosperity depended on cooperation based on mutual trust. “Our vision is to make the Indian Ocean an ocean of opportunity,” Modi said, adding that its “security sustainabili, ty and prosperity are our shared responsibility .” He said the approach formed the core of India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. “The defence and security of India and Seychelles are integral to each other.” The two countries signed an umbrella line of credit agreement for `1,250 crore between the Export-Import Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment of Seychelles, according to the Ministry of External Affairs Seychelles seeks Indian advanced light helicopter Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ from Seychelles President Patrick Herminie on Sunday | PMO VIA PTI PHOTO During Modi’s visit to the island nation, Seychelles requested India to provide an Advanced Light Helicopter and help establish centres devoted to cyber security and artificial intelligence there, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Sunday The two sides signed nine agreements on security, connectivity, health, agriculture, digital payments, maritime cooperation, space and capacity building. The key pact was an extradition treaty aimed at strengthening cooperation against cross-border crime. On economic cooperation, Modi said both countries would continue exploring new oppor- both countries reaffirming commitment to combating piracy drug trafficking, etc. , Earlier in the day, Modi was conferred Seychelles’ highest honour for a foreign dignitary , the Special Presidential Distinction “Guardian of the Blue Horizon”, in recognition of his leadership on sustainability, the Blue Economy, climate action and ocean governance. HARASSMENT MESSI KEEPS UP STREAK, EUPHORIA FOR CONGO Coach banned for ‘violating trust of women cricketers’ Lionel Messi continued his goalscoring ways as the final matches of the group stages saw a thrilling conclusion. A look... Sixth goal for Messi African teams in the limelight Argentina’s talisman scored directly from a kick-off for his sixth goal and for a 19th strike overall at World Cups. It completed a perfect group stage for them P R A S A N TA M A Z U M D A R @ Guwahati THE Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has handed down a lifetime ban on Under-23 women’s cricket team head coach Hemant Roy and exassistant manager Sanjay Mondal for sexual harassment. The incident occurred during the team’s participation in Agartala, Tripura, last year. The action against the two was taken based on an order of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW). The MCA also suspended its honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni until further orders for his failure to handle the complaints, lodged twice in the first week of December last year. Complaints were lodged with the MSCW. The Commission came down heavily on the MCA for failing to initiate an inquiry or protect the cricketers despite receiving complaints. The MCA lacked an Internal Complaints Committee, as required under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. “The trust placed in a head coach by young women cricketers representing their state is among the most sacred fiduciary relationships in sport,” the MCA’s dismissal order against the head coach read. “The findings of the MSCW establish conduct that is not merely a breach of your contractual and professional obligations to the MCA but a violation of the dignity of the women players in your care,” it added. Rajya Sabha member James PK Sangma, who took over as the MCA president in March, said the complaints were kept hidden and never placed before the new executive body despite the secretary being aware. “The commission found that office-bearers who received complaints failed to act despite knowledge of the allegations. The MCA would cooperate with legal proceedings,” he said. P5 tunities for industry and investment while improving connectivity. “Work will also be done to enhance connectivity between India and Seychelles,” he said, adding India would share its successful experience in digital public infrastructure with the island nation. President Her minie said maritime security remained central to bilateral ties, with When 10 slots were allotted to Africans, a few pundits questioned that. But Africa showed they belonged as nine of 10 nations advanced to the knockout stages. DR Congo, who won their first ever match, also advanced after beating Uzbekistan THE ROUND OF 32 : South Africa vs Canada, Brazil vs Japan, Germany vs Paraguay, Netherlands vs Morocco, Ivory Coast vs Norway, France vs Sweden, Mexico vs Ecuador, England vs DR Congo, Belgium vs Senegal, USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, Spain vs Austria, Portugal vs Croatia, Switzerland vs Algeria, Australia vs Egypt, Argentina vs Cape Verde, Colombia vs Ghana. TODAY’S MATCHES Brazil vs Japan 10.30 PM; Germany vs Paraguay 2.00 AM*; Netherlands vs Morocco 6.30 AM* *IST Tuesday Thieves at Twisha home MAYOR HAS CLEAR two days before hearing VISIONAFOR CITY Giribala Singh, Samarth Singh and late Twisha Sharma. The TWO days before the crucial burglars were about to leave hearing in the high-profile sus- the house with the booty but pected dowry death of actor- heard the siren of the police pamodel Twisha Sharma’s case in trolling vehicle and left the booa special court in Bhopal, an al- ty behind to escape. leged theft has been reported at “The property inside the her matrimonial rooms was strewn all house where she was around, suggesting allegedly found hangthat the burglars tried ing to death on the to burgle whatever night of May 12. valuable things they Importantly, Twicould get. As our posha’s ex-judge motherlice vehicle moved in-law Giribala Singh near the house and and husband Samarth sounded the siren, the Singh—both accused burglars escaped from in the high-profile The property inside the way they had enthe rooms was case—are currently in tered the house,” ACP jail, and the judicial strewn all around, Rajneesh Kashyap suggesting that custody of the mothersaid. When the burthe burglars tried son duo ends on June to burgle whatever glars barged into the 30. According to Bhodouble-storeyed house, valuable things pal’s Katara Hills poGiribala Singh’s rethey could get lice sources, three tired ar my of ficer Police masked burglars enbrother was sleeping tered the house in the on the ground floor. Bagmugaliya Extension localThe police are probing if the ity from the rear side on the in- purpose was to steal jewellery tervening night of Saturday or it was a premeditated atand Sunday and used the spiral tempt to gain access to imporstairs to go to the first floor be- tant documents related to the fore breaking into the rooms of Twisha Sharma death case. A N U R A A G S I N G H @ Bhopal In latest edition of Delhi Dialogues, Pravesh Wahi bets on ‘triple-engine’ BJP government for long-term infra push | P4 after US strikes A G E N C I E S @ Dubai THE renewed flare-up in the Gulf showed no sign of easing on Sunday with Iran launching drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait hours after United States airstrikes hit the Islamic Republic. Iran and the US have both accused the other of violating their fragile ceasefire, straining negotiations meant to end the war that began on February 28. The US military said it had struck multiple targets in Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction, adding “Iran had a chance to honour the ceasefire agreement” but “elected not to” when its forces attacked the oil tanker Kiku with a one-way drone. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it carried out strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for US attacks, warning any further aggression would be met with a “crushing response”. The Guards “destroyed eight important US military facilities at the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and at the Fifth Fleet naval base in Port Salman in Bahrain,” they said in a statement. Efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without Iran’s direct oversight sparked the crossfire now gripping the region and have imperilled negotiations for a lasting ceasefire. A multinational maritime body overseen by the US Navy said Saturday that it would expand a route near Oman for both inbound and outbound traffic. Iran warned any attempt to bypass the Strait of Hormuz routes agreed with the US would “increase tensions”. “Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by the Islamic Republic, will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait, and will increase the tensions,” Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. P9 Gulf security framework proposed Iran on Sunday proposed a security framework that includes all countries in the region and without any interference from outside countries A building in Bahrain damaged in Iranian drone attack | X Lebanon attacked Israel renewed its strikes on Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese state media reported, two days after signing framework deal to end fighting 30 COUNTRIES HAVE INCLUDED TERROR FINANCING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT Lawyers refuse to defend Ram temple fund scam accused N A M I TA B A J PA I @ Lucknow WHILE the Ayodhya police conducted raids on the houses of eight accused in the Ram temple donations case on Sunday several lawyers in the tem, ple town have refused to represent the accused. Local sources said there is a growing sentiment within the Ayodhya legal fraternity to not take up the case to defend the accused. The issue is expected to be formally discussed, and a final decision will be taken at a general body meeting of the Faizabad Bar Association on Monday . Bar Association president Kalika Mishra said the unanim o u s re fusal to represent the accused would be put before the Bar Association’s general body meeting and a decision would be taken. Sources claimed the legal fraternity is angry over the alleged theft of offerings at the temple and has united in the demand for ster n action against all eight accused. “Stern action should be taken against these accused by adopting the bulldozer policy ,” senior advocate Rajendra Chaudhary said. Bar Association secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said people’s sentiments were hurt by the theft of temple offerings. It may be recalled that a similar decision was taken by the Ayodhya lawyers in 2005, when those accused of a terrorist attack at the makeshift temple of Lord Ram were produced before a Faizabad court. Instructor grounded after trainee pilot suffers injuries from propeller S L A L I T H A @ New Delhi AVIATION watchdog DGCA on Sunday derostered an instructor from flying training duties pending investigation and said it is probing an incident of a trainee pilot sustaining injuries after being hit by a running propeller of a trainer aircraft at Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur airport on Friday . The incident occurred after the trainee pilot deboarded the twin-engine Tecnam P2006T aircraft, DGCA said in a statement on Sunday The aircraft, . belonging to Garg Aviation, a flying training organisation, was engaged in night instructional flying at the Kanpur (Chakeri) airport. Reporting delay Garg Aviation informed DGCA about the Friday incident on Saturday night. Asked about the delay, Captain Bhalla said, “We wanted to get the correct picture. We reported it by 8 pm yesterday... within the 24-hour deadline” The 22-year-old trainee pilot, Riya Bhatra from Delhi with over 300 hours of flying experience, was concluding a night instruction session when she deboarded her aircraft while its engines were still running. Struck by the blades, she sustained cut injuries to her back and hip and is currently recov- ering at a local private hospital. DGCA grounded the aircraft and de-rostered her senior instructor, Captain Rounaq. Garg Aviations Ltd, the Kanpur-based Flying Training Organisation that operates the aircraft, reported the mishap to DGCA nearly 24 hours later. Captain Rajeev Bhalla of Garg Aviations Ltd defended this reporting delay, stating that the management needed to fully ascertain the facts first. Dismissing allegations of faulty training procedures, Bhalla said shutting down engines before alighting is a fundamental safety protocol. “We are baffled why she stepped out in such haste ... perhaps due to the stifling cabin heat,” Bhalla said. 2 former health officials arrested on graft charges N I T I N R A W AT @ New Delhi THE Delhi government’s AntiCorruption Branch (ACB) has arrested former DG of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra in connection with large-scale irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical consumables, other consumables and medical equipment, officials said on Sunday . A complaint was received from the Directorate of Vigilance regarding alleged largescale irregularities in procurement of medicines, surgical consumables, other consumables and medical equipment by Investigators look for missing records Both accused were interrogated and later arrested on Saturday. They were produced before a court, where the ACB sought oneday police custody to recover documentary and electronic evidence and trace missing procurement records. Dr Vatsala Aggarwal the Central Procurement Agency (CPA), DGHS. Allegedly certain public servants manipulated procurement processes, tender conditions and technical specifications to provide undue advantage to selected firms and suppliers, Joint ACB Vikramjit Singh said. The allegations pertain to the procurement of portable xray machines, bed sheets and linen items, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, ORS, etc, at allegedly inflated rates through manipulated procurement processes. It was alleged that specifica- tions were framed to favour selected suppliers, and competitors were excluded from the bidding process. A case was lodged on June 2 under Prevention of Corruption Act and BNS. During the investigation, Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, the then Head of Office, CPA, DGHS, was arrested on June 18 and is in judicial custody Dur. ing the probe, the role of Aggarwal and Chopra emerged. Meanwhile, AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj noted that Dr Aggarwal was appointed as DGHS in August 2025 despite a vigilance inquiry pending against her over alleged irregularities in appointments at the Delhi State Cancer Institute.