MONDAY 20 JULY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard KYIV AIR WAR ESCALATES AS RUSSIA STRIKES Russia fired over two dozen ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 16, in an ever-escalating air war PAGE 9 12 DEAD IN LANDSLIDES, FLASH FLOODS IN J&K A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  At least 12 people were killed on Sunday as heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri PAGES 12 8 DEAD IN NAGALAND LANDSLIDE In another rain-related incident, landslides claimed the lives of at least eight persons in Nagaland’s Mon town on Sunday morning Extensive damage to homes, roads and public infrastructure was reported in Mon | P8 8 bills listed for monsoon session beginning today Opposition likely to seek answers on Ram temple, NEET, ethanol R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi (L) Lionel Messi waves to fans before match; Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martínez saves Spain’s Lamine Yamal shot | AP THE BIGGEST OF THEM ALL Argentina and Spain go up against each other for one last time in the most important match of their lives. With the teams gearing up for a grand FIFA WC final, a look... ENGLAND’S BEST IN 60 YEARS T HE list of celebrities attending the biggest standalone sporting event in the world spanned 11 pages. Forget all the roads leading to East Rutherford, it seemed that in the hours before the beginning of the final, it seemed like the entirety of the planet had made a beeline for New York/ New Jersey. After a short Opening Ceremony, Lionel Messi’s Argentina, defending champions and aiming to win it for a fourth time, had led his side past the paint and onto the field of play. Likewise Rodri and his Spanish colleagues aim to win their second trophy. At the time of going to press, the scoreline read 0-0. England’s third-place finish is their best ever showing at the World Cup since they won in 1966. The four first half goals they scored was full of verve. By the end, Bukayo Saka had scored a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham scored one of the goals of the tournament to round of a fine campaign for him. HC says no to hospital shift plea for Wangchuk U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi THE Delhi High Court on Sunday held that the Centre’s decision to shift Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital was not arbitrary and refused to intervene. Meanwhile, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo said he has offered to end strike if political leaders assure him that the issue of accountability in education sector will be raised in Parliament. The high court was hearing an urgent plea from Angmo, seeking permission to transfer the activist to a private hospital. Justice Mini Pushkarna refused to pass any interim orders to interfere with his treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital, where he is said to be continuing his hunger strike. The judge held that since Wangchuk had not voluntarily SIT’s ‘sealed’ donation theft report filed, SC hearing today S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi THE Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh Government filed status report in the Ayodhya temple donation theft case in a sealed cover in the Supreme Court on Sunday . The report is likely to be considered by the court on Monday when a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymala Baghchi and V Mohana, hears the next round of arguments on a batch of petitions demanding a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial irregularities. The SIT was asked to file a status report in the case on July 13 by the court. The petitions claimed that there was lack of transparency in collection and use of donations for the Ram temple. It sought an independent probe into the accounts of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The UP government had informed the court that senior police officers had been included in the SIT and the probe was progressing. Security enhanced ahead of CJP’s Parliament march Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar as CJP support increased on Sunday | PTI admitted himself to a hospital despite his condition, the government was within its rights to intervene and move him to a hospital. The judge also held that contrary to the petitioner’s claims, Wangchuk had “consented” to the administration of electrolytes; therefore, his ‘right to bodily autonomy’ had not been violated. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “[Wangchuk] is not in detention. There is no case against him. Is a citizen of India not allowed to go to a hospital of his choice?” Additional The Delhi Police has increased security across the New Delhi district ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament and the CJP’s Chalo Sansad march on Monday. It has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS (formerly Section 144 CrPC). Area DCP Sachin Sharma wrote on X on Sunday, “Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession.” P3 Solicitor General Chetan Sharma cited the July 16 order of the court directing the Union and Delhi governments to monitor Wangchuk’s health. Meanwhile, a health bulletin issued by VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday said Wangchuk’s vital parameters were stable. THE monsoon session of Parliament commencing on Monday is expected to witness a turbulent start, with the Opposition preparing to corner the BJP-led NDA government on a host of contentious issues. Despite the anticipated disruptions, the government has drawn up an extensive legislative agenda for the session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed journalists on Sunday that eight key Bills have been listed for consideration in this session, which will run from July 20 to August 13. The topics expected to dominate proceedings from the outset include the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, NEET-UG examination paper leak, and the controversies around ethanol blending. Among the major Bills scheduled for debate is the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which has been allocated four hours for discussion. The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will be debated for three hours in the Lok Sabha. The other important legislative proposals include the Supreme Court (Number of Judg es) Bill on Vande Amendment Bill, 2026; the Mataram Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Union Home Bill, 2026; the Micro, Small Minister Amit Shah and Medium Enterprises is set to introduce Development (Amendthe Prevention ment) Bill, 2026; and the of Insults to Prevention of Insults to National Honour National Honour (Amend(Amendment) Bill, ment) Bill, 2026. in the Rajya Sabha Meanwhile, the Lok on Monday, which Sabha’s Business Advisoproposes a 3-year ry Committee, chaired by jail term, a fine, or the Speaker, met on Sunboth, for insulting day to finalise the allocathe national song tion of time for debates on the Bills listed for the session. The committee earmarked specific durations for discussion on several significant pieces of legislation. The Speaker appealed to all parties to cooperate for a smooth and orderly session so that issues concerning people can be discussed in a productive manner. Before the formal commencement of business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his customary address to the media within the Parliament complex. He is likely to appeal to all political parties to extend their cooperation in ensuring the smooth functioning of both Houses. P7 Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda at the all-party meeting on Sunday in New Delhi | PTI Oppn stages walkout from all-party meet R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi OPPOSITION leaders staged a symbolic walkout from the government’s all-party meeting on Sunday, a day before the monsoon session begins, protesting the invitation to rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The Opposition later returned for the meet, pressing for discussions on the donation theft at Ayodhya, the NEET paper leak, and ethanolpetrol blending — the principal issues raised, as per Congress leader Pramod Tiwari. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Parliament should function smoothly urg, ing the Opposition to “oppose through debate, not by creating chaos and protests.” He cited eight listed Bills and defended inviting the rebel MPs since the NCPI had sought recognition from the Speaker. The protest also centred on Speaker Om Birla’s decisions to allot separate seats to the rebel TMC MPs and approve the Shiv Sena (UBT) merger with Eknath Shinde’s faction. TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the “so-called NCPI” was unrecognised, with 20 disqualification petitions still pending. “On what grounds did the Parliamentary Affairs Minister extend an invitation to these 20 rebel MPs and how are they attending this meeting? We have registered our symbolic protest and walked out,” she said. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant cited the same reason for walkout. AAP’s N D Gupta alleged seven Rajya Sabha MPs were “hijacked” by BJP. Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi demanded that Parliament discuss the Ayodhya donation theft, questioning the government’s silence. MADHYA PRADESH Janakpuri school faces regulator heat SET TO INTRODUCE UNIFORM CIVIL CODE BILL IN ASSEMBLY, CABINET CLEARS DRAFT The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Sunday approved the draft Uniform Civil Code bill, paving the way for a common civil law that will criminalise triple talaq and ‘nikah halala’, prohibit polygamy, and attract 3-month jail term or `10,000 fine for live-in partners if their relationship is not registered within a month | P8 A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE Delhi government has issued a show cause notice to the management of a private school in Janakpuri following safety violations, illegal branch operations, and financial irregularities. On April 30, a nursery class girl child was allegedly sexually assaulted in the school’s pre-primary wing. The government has directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to take the strongest possible action against the school’s managing trust and its leadership. The school has been given seven days to reply fail, ing which the proposed severe actions will be initiated immediately . A multi-phase official inquiry conducted by a DoE committees said that there was a complete breakdown of administrative, financial and moral responsibility at the school, besides covering up sexual molestation. When the police visited the pre-primary branch to investigate the crime, all 64 CCTV cameras installed on the premises were found to be nonfunctional. The school has been illegally operating its nursery and KG classes from a private residential building in Narang Colony without any authorisation. Furthermore, the basement of this unauthorised building was being used as an unsupervised activity area for minor children. HISTORIC RETURN Sindhu 2.0: Shuttler returns to top with Japan Open crown A N M O L G U R U N G @ Chennai BADMINTON great PV Sindhu has created many miracles in her decorated career but not so long ago, it seemed her old magical form deserted the shuttler. For someone used to dictating terms, she was in danger of being reduced to obscurity for a considerable period. Small niggles would constantly frustrate her as her results on the court turned ordinary. Forget titles, getting a victory itself had become a challenge. Despite all the negative energy Sindhu, with the support , system around her, continued to dig deep into her available resources behind the scenes. It was a step-by-step process for her. It was a painful watch but as has been the case throughout her career, she never gave up. On Sunday the 31-year-old fi, nally let out a beaming smile. There was a twinkle in her eyes as she could call herself a winner again. That was after a vintage display against Akane Yamaguchi, whom she beat 2117, 21-17, at the Japan Open final. For India, it was a first in the tournament’s chequered history. For Sindhu, it meant the world. This title had come after 595 days — an indicator of her struggles. “You hear a lot of things happening but more than giving a reply I would just , want to say that I believed in myself. Yes, it had been a long time. This title was very important. It was long-awaited. This gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can do it and it’s not over yet,” Sindhu said in an interaction facilitated by BAI. Recalling her ordeal, Sindhu admitted that she had entered a phase where she had started to doubt herself but with the help of coaches and other support staff members, she soldiered on. “When you have an injury you doubt yourself. , Like what is happening? Can I come back stronger? Will this niggle be alright or can I give my 100 per cent. These were the thoughts and emotions that were going on. When you’re injured, you get a lot of thoughts like sometimes you’re emotionally drained or mentally low. These things came to my mind, but at the same time people around me have supported me and motivated me saying, ‘it’s okay, you’ll come back stronger’. For me, it was just about taking one day at a time. Slowly, slowly, I started getting better.” This win is a clear indicator that she is getting better and it’s a timely boost for India ahead of the World ChampionP11 ships in New Delhi. EXPRESS READ India warns against travel to Iran amid war As West Asia remains on the boil amid the conflict between the US and Iran, the Indian embassy in Tehran on Sunday issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already in the country to consider leaving temporarily as the situation remained tense amid the escalating war. P9 IPS trainee booked for harassing colleague A case was registered against a trainee IPS officer for allegedly stalking and sexually harassing a fellow woman trainee at Hyderabad’s SVPNPA academy, police said on Sunday. The 30-year-old woman trainee IPS officer, in a complaint filed with the police, accused the fellow IPS officer trainee of harassing her by sending sexually abusive messages. P5 Trader gets extortion threat from Goldy Brar A businessman has alleged he received a voice note purportedly from a foreignbased gangster, Goldy Brar, demanding `5 crore as extortion, following which police have registered a case and launched an investigation, officials said on Sunday. The case was registered at the Punjabi Bagh police station.