TUESDAY 14 JULY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard HER-STORY: INDIA CRUSH ENGLAND IN FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S TEST AT LORD’S NEW ZEALAND ACTOR JURASSIC PARK STAR SAM NEILL DIES Harmanpreet Kaur and Co beat hosts England by a mammoth 270 runs in the historic one-off women’s Test at the iconic venue. A look TALE OF MANY FIRSTS AT HOME OF CRICKET Jurassic Park star Sam Neill died in Australia on Monday aged 78, his family said in a statement that described the actor’s death as “sudden and unexpected”. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 CLASH OF STYLES IN FIRST SEMIS Spain stand between France and a third consecutive World Cup final. A look at the semifinal clash... Eyes on Mbappe Kylian Mbappe, the French captain, has dazzled with his quick feet, running and finishing. He has had a hand in 11 goals (eight strikes and three assists) and is odds on to add to that tally | P11 TODAY’S MATCH Spain’s use of the ball Spain are a bit more methodical in their play. They will have more of the ball and they are built in the image of their own leader, Rodri. Their midfield will be a big reference point France vs Spain 12.30 AM* (IST Wednesday) Live on Unite8 and Zee5  NEW DELHI   J8.00 PAGES 12 ‘Kerala govt not for confrontation with Centre’ EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ T’Puram IN a stark difference from its predecessor, the newly assumed Congress government in Kerala has decided not to adopt a confrontational path with the Centre. In an exclusive interview with TNIE & The Morning Standard Editor Santwana Bhattacharya on Monday, Chief Minister V D Satheesan, however, made it clear that the UDF government “It’s not my job... Whenever holds the finance portfolio, said will continue the political and there are issues, we will try to there are occasions to present ideological fight. sort it out. I have made courte- the state’s case before the GST In his first major interview sy calls to the prime minister, council and NITI Aayog. “In my after assuming office, Sathee- the home minister, the finance (budget) speech I said our devosan also rejected the CPM’s minister and the minister for lution is dipping. In the 10th criticism that he ports,” the CM said. Finance Commission, we had had been going Satheesan, who also 3.5%. In the 15th, it was 1.9%. PRESS CLUSIVE soft on the BJPled Union govFrom remittance to investment economy e r n Commenting on Kerala’s reliance on remittance, m e n t , s ay i n g h e Satheesan said the money comes mostly from doesn’t intend to Gulf countries and that European NRIs don’t declare war send much. He said he wants to change the against the VD SATHEESAN, KERALA CM remittance economy to an investment economy Centre. Trump’s latest: Ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain 20% Hormuz toll convicted for murdering IB officer War fallout pushes retail inflation above RBI target of 4% to 18-mth high of 4.38% in June D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi ON a day government data showed the protracted Iran war was hurting the Indian economy, US President Donald Trump reinstated the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and announced a 20% toll that transiting ships must pay for their “safety and security”. Iranian ships will not be allowed, Trump said while claiming the US has taken over the strait as its “guardian”. “We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding: “All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.” The fresh developments could push up global oil prices and add to uncertainty in the equity markets. On Monday India’s retail in, flation shot up to an 18-month high of 4.38% in June, breaching the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% target for the first time since January 2025, as the fallout of the Iran conflict, higher fuel prices and a sharp rise in food costs pushed up prices across the economy . Government data showed the 7 injured after quarrel in east Delhi, case filed EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi AT least seven people were injured following a quarrel which started when residents questioned the entry of an outsider in their neighbourhood in Mayur Vihar Phase III. Police said the incident took place on Sunday evening after some residents questioned a youth and a woman who were standing inside their residential society When the residents . objected, the youth allegedly slapped a 10-year-old child many times, triggering an argument. Enraged residents then assaulted the youth. The youth allegedly called his associates to the spot then. Soon, a group of 15-20 people reached the society and allegedly attacked several residents with fists, pelted stones and other objects, injuring multiple people. As more residents gathered at the spot, the accused fled. During their escape, they allegedly drove recklessly and rammed into several vehicles, causing injuries to people present there, the officer said. The woman who was with the youth left the area when the violence broke out, police said. An FIR has been registered and three accused have been identified, the police said. US steps up attacks on Iranian targets The US and Iran continued to exchange strikes on Monday. US Central Command (Centcom) said it has hit a submarine and Iranian ship maintenance facility overnight, in response to Iran targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz | P9 Consumer Price Index (CPI)based inflation rose from 3.94% in May to 4.38% in June. The surge was driven by both food and non-food components, with transport and restaurant prices reflecting the pass-through of higher petrol, diesel, and commercial LPG prices. Food inflation contributed 185 basis points (bps) to headline inflation, while non-food items accounted for 250 bps. Inflation in the food and beverages category crossed 5% for the first time under the new CPI series, amid a 40% rainfall deficit during June that raised concerns over crop output. The impact of the petrol and diesel price hikes announced in May became evident in June with transport inflation rising sharply from 1.75% to 4.31%. While the occasion itself will remain historic — first women’s Test at Lord’s in 142 years — India women dominated the proceedings on the field. Kranti Gaud from Ghuwara, Madhya Pradesh became the first woman to get on Lord’s Test honours board with a fifer. Yastika Bhatia is first woman to score a Test ton at the venue as India crushed England in every department | P11 U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi A city court on Monday held former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain and four others guilty of killing Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh convicted Hussain and others for promoting enmity, rioting, assault, criminal force and murder, holding that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court, however, discharged six accused, citing a lack of evidence. The court convicted Hussain for various sections, including 188 (disobedience of a lawful order), 153A (promotion of en- mity hatred or disharmony be- kit Sharma. Kumar claimed in , tween different religious, ra- the compliant that Ankit had cial, linguistic or regional returned home from office on groups), 147 (rioting), 148 (riot- February 25, 2020, before steping while armed with a deadly ping out again. He added that weapon) and 302 (murder) of when Ankit did not return for the IPC. However, he was a long time, his family beacquitted for Sections gan searching for him, 120B (criminal conspironly to be informed by acy) and 109 (abetment) locals that his son had Northeast read with 140 (imperbeen killed and his Delhi Riots sonation of armed forcbody thrown into the es) of IPC. Khajuri Khas drain near The judge will hear ara mosque in the Chand guments on the quantum of Bagh pulia area. The body was punishment in the coming subsequently recovered from days. The convicts are exposed the drain. The complainant alto a maximum punishment of leged that his son was murdeath penalty . dered by Hussain and others, The case relates to an FIR adding that they had allegedly registered at Dayalpur police assembled at Hussain’s office station on the complaint of and Ankit’s body was disposed Ravinder Kumar, father of An- of after the murder. P3 2020 28 KILLED IN BANGKOK BAR FIRE A videograb of people fleeing a fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok. The fire killed at least 28 people and injured dozens, sending screaming patrons fleeing as flames shot from the entrance | AFP | P9 The 15th Finance Commission granted `55,000 crore as revenue deficit grant, but it’s not there now,” he said. Maintaining that the state would prefer to have cordial relations with the Centre, Satheesan asserted that there will be no compromise with anyone trying to spread communal poison. “We’ll fight over political issues. On core issues, we align with the AICC stance. We have taken a tough secular stand,” the chief minister underlined. EXCERPTS FROM INTERVIEW: P5 ASSAM ISSUE SC remands citizenship row back to tribunal, says apply fair process S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Monday while hear, ing 27 appeals, set aside the orders passed by the Gauhati High Court upholding declaration of the appellants as foreigners, noting that determinations of citizenship must be carried out through a “fair, lawful and reasonable process”. “The state has a legitimate and compelling interest in ensuring that persons who are not legally entitled to claim Indian citizenship do not secure such status by misuse of process by false claim or by taking advantage of delays. At the same time, the determination of such status must be made through a process which is fair, lawful and reasonable,” said a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. The court remanded all the 27 cases to the concerned Foreigners Tribunals for fresh adjudication, noting that the question of citizenship carries significant constitutional weight. “The remand being directed ... is only to ensure that the serious consequence of being declared a foreigner follows from an adjudication which satisfies the requirements of the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, and the constitutional mandate of fairness,” the court observed. The division bench further said the concerned tribunals should decide the cases afresh. The judges clarified that they have not examined the merits of the claim of citizenship by the appellants. “Those questions must be decided by the concerned tribunal independently it said. ,” Art 21 applies to foreigners The bench said the SC has consistently recognised that even a foreigner is entitled to the protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution Appear in 4 weeks: SC While asking the concerned tribunals to decide the references afresh, the SC bench asked the appellants to appear before the concerned tribunals within four weeks Litigants reject mediation push in 3 UP religious site disputes EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi EFFORTS to explore an out-ofcourt settlement in three major religious site disputes in Uttar Pradesh have failed to gain pace, with parties in the Gyanvapi, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah and the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid cases insisting that the courts adjudicate them. The Supreme Court proposed these cases be heard in a special Lok Adalat from August 21 to 23. The Samadhan Samaroh 2026, announced in April, seeks All about SC’s mediation mechanism The Supreme Court has launched the ‘Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonisation Across Nation’ (SAMADHAN SAMAROH) to encourage amicable settlement of cases through mediation ahead of a special Lok Adalat on August 21-23 voluntary settlement of pending SC cases through mediation before specially constituted Lok Adalat sittings. It also includes an online portal and coordination centre to facilitate settlements. “These are not disputes that can be resolved through a Lok Adalat or mediation,” a counsel for a Hindu-side petitioner said. EXPRESS READ HC order banning cow slaughter in TN stayed The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Madras High Court order directing the state to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered in Tamil Nadu. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while hearing the state’s Special Leave Petition against the HC’s May 27 order, observed that the concluding portion of the HC’s ruling (which imposed the state-wide ban), “prima facie required correction”. | P5 Akali Dal leader shot at in Punjab’s Mansa Timely completion of dam safety evaluations Shiromani Akali Dal leader Dalvir Singh Kala was injured when an unidentified motorcycle-borne assailant opened fire in Mansa on Monday evening. Kala, a former zila parishad member, was preparing to leave for home from his shop when the incident occurred, police said. The Centre has directed all states to complete dam safety evaluations by the end of 2026 and to take measures to address reservoir sedimentation. Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil urged state governments to finalise Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluations by this year. The mosque management committee said mediation is not an appropriate mechanism for their case. Significantly, the SC in 2019 had ordered a courtmonitored mediation to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. At the heart of the Gyanvapi case are allegations by Hindu petitioners that the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi was constructed on the ruins of the Kashi Vishwanath temple razed during the Mughal period. Multiple lawsuits are seeking permission to offer prayers within the mosque complex and have questioned the applicability of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee maintains that the mosque is covered by statutory protection under the 1991 law. The dispute over Sambhal’s Jama Masjid arose when a civil court ordered a survey of the mosque after Hindu litigants claimed it was constructed on the site of the Harihar temple. The court-mandated survey sparked violent clashes in Sambhal in November last, leaving several dead and injured. The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute centres on claims that the mosque is located on land believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The mosque committee has opposed the claims, citing the Places of Worship Act. POOR AQI FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY Experts attribute the deterioration to dry weather, high humidity, light winds and continued local emissions within the city. | P4 DERC okays 8% increase in fuel, power surcharge EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi THE Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), the city’s power regulator, has allowed distribution companies to impose an additional fuel and power purchase adjustment surcharge (FPPAS) of up to eight per cent on consumers for a second month, which could inflate monthly electricity bills further. Last month, the DERC permitted the power discoms to impose additional surcharge for April at the rate of 7.94% to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), 7.43% to BSES Yamuna Be ready to shell out more Max FPPAS for discoms is allowed at the rate of 10%. The three discoms have been allowed to charge the maximum amount of surcharge Power Limited (BYPL) and 6% in case of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL). An order issued by the DERC on July 10 stated that the FPPAS for May was calculated at 25% for BRPL, 19.91% for BYPL and 12.21% for TPDDL. The three power discoms in June and July had sought re- Company FPPAS Allowed April additional FPPAS May BRPL BYPL TPDDL 7.94 7.43 6 17.94 17.43 12.21 7.94 7.43 2.21 laxation from the DERC on the ground that the actual power purchase cost for May increased significantly as compared to the prevailing base power purchase cost. As per the DERC regulations, there is a cap of 10% on this surcharge in a billing cycle. The surcharge is determined by the DERC monthly It is cal. culated as a percentage of the total of the fixed charge and the energy charge of a consumer. The DERC has allowed the discoms to recover, in addition to the capped FPPAS of 10%, the additional FPPAS for May, thereby removing the difficulties they faced in recovering “at least the reasonable part of the increase” in power purchase costs, according to the order. The additional FPPAS is permitted at the rate of 7.94% for BRPL, 7.43% for BYPL and 2.21% for TPDDL. The maximum total FPPAS permitted for May in 17.94% in the case of BRPL.