vijayawada l saturday l august 08, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late city EDITION Sweeping russia sanctions bill clears senate by a big margin The bipartisan legislation would penalise countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports to deprive Putin of revenues outcome of a year-long campaign china, india could pay heavy tariffs The punishing Russian sanctions package, passed 86-11 by the Senate, was the result of a year-long campaign by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal to reinforce US support for Ukraine and to try and control Putin. “Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And to Putin: You will not conquer,” Blumenthal said | P11 ■ ■ The bipartisan package that carries Graham’s name allows the president to impose humongous tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India The bill heads to the House of Representatives, where a vote will not take place until at least early Sept due to the congressional recess 100% levy is what Trump can impose on purchasers of Russian oil and gas CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Nato-style Pak-Saudi-Turkey pact Vande Mataram to make Red Fort debut as I-day itinerary India says it is closely monitoring the trilateral defence agreement signed in Mecca today E XPR E S S N E W S S E R V IC E @ New Delhi AMID escalating tensions in West Asia due to the lingering Iran war, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a NATO-style pact under which an attack against one will be treated as an attack against all three. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the trilateral agreement in the holy city of Mecca early on Friday . India said it is closely monitoring it. “This is a development that we are closely following, and we shall keep you updated,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, in response to questions at a media briefing. When asked about reports of a separate defence cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Somalia, Jaiswal said: “We continue to follow the develop- AP to procure 1,600 MW of coal-based thermal power S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh is set to procure 1,600 MW of coal-based thermal power to meet the State’s rising electricity demand, and strengthen longterm energy security . The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has granted in-principle approval to the State’s power distribution companies to initiate a competitive bidding process for the power procurement. Power will be procured through Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, using the Design, Build, Finance, Own and Operate model. The bidding process will be based on the APERC standard Regives nod quest for Qualification, ReAP Electricity quest for Regulatory Proposal and Commission Power Supply has granted Agreement in-principle notified by the approval to the Union MinisState’s Discoms to initiate a try of Power. competitive The probidding process posed procurefor the power ment provides procurement a significant opportunity to power developers seeking longterm supply contracts in AP, where electricity consumption and peak demand are projected to increase substantially over the coming decade. The 1,600 MW procurement forms the first phase of AP’s long-term thermal capacity addition programme. The Central Electricity Authority’s Resource Adequacy Plan for AP has recommended the phased addition of 5,588 MW of thermal power generation capacity by 2035-36. Of this, 1,600 MW is proposed to be procured in the first phase to address the State’s projected increase in electricity demand and peak load. P4 From left: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sign a trilateral defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Friday | Saudi Press Agency via AP Paper agreement does not offer security, says Iran The trilateral defence agreement was signed a day after Iran said it was in the final stages of an agreement with Oman on a framework for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei said the trilateral “paper agreement” will not bring security ments between Somalia and the other country mentioned.” The trilateral pact brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan and Turkey which has NATO’s sec, ond-largest military and a rapidly growing defence industry . Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the pact is aimed at strengthening security. “The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States.” Saudi Arabia, which is bracing for attacks from the Tehranbacked Houthis, said the pact would not affect the kingdom’s existing partnerships. “The agreement does not represent any orientation toward building a military axis or sectarian/religious bloc, and it is not linked to nuclear endeavors or an arms race, but rather to building sustainable self-reliant capabilities,” its statement read. A Turkish government official described the agreement as “purely defensive in nature” . The pact comes amid heightened instability in West Asia and follows Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships after attacks on its critical infrastructure. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have a bilateral defence pact, under which an attack on one country would be treated as aggression against both. Buzz back on Akali-BJP pact ahead of Punjab polls as Badal meets Modi H a r p r ee t B a j w a @ Chandigarh SHIROMANI Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in the Parliament House complex, triggering speculation that the Punjab-based party may revive its alliance with the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections less than six months away . However, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon sought to downplay its implications. “The PM is for everyone; anybody can meet him,” he said in Chandigarh. And sources close to Badal described the interaction as informal. The SAD walked out of the NDA in 2020 over the three farm laws, ending more than two decades as one of the alliance’s oldest constituents. The laws were later withdrawn. Observers believe state-specific issues such as deteriorating law and order, recurring Kejriwal’s poser The first to take note of the meeting was AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who asked if an alliance between SAD and BJP was in the works. ”Are the two parties coming together?” he posted on X paper leaks, drug menace and other challenges may have figured in the talks. A few days earlier, Badal met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the latter’s residence, where it is believed the meeting with PM was discussed. With elections due in Punjab India assigns names to 27 Arunachal places m u k es h r a n ja n @ New Delhi Amid multiple attempts by China to rename several places in Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre has assigned standard names to 27 locations and geographical features in the border state located along the Line of Actual Control. Officials said the decision is “a riposte to China’s efforts to rename dozens of locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent years”. The newly designated names have been incorporated into the maps of the Survey of India, providing uniform legal, administrative and cartographic recognition to the places. “It is expected to improve ad- ministrative coordination, infrastructure planning, disaster management and public service delivery by establishing a uniform reference for all government agencies,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said, adding that it eliminate ambiguities in geographical references. The 27 locations inc l u d e s e t t l e m e n t s, mountain passes, water bodies and memorials. The notified geographical features include the strategically significant mountain passes of Dzo La, Riza La, Pukur La and Thag La, and Sambho Sarovar, a lake, and the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, which commemorates India’s military history in the region. E x p r e s s Re a d Low-cost rice for Aadhaar holders Vijayawada: Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said subsidised rice is available not only to ration card holders but to anyone possessing an Aadhaar card. Chairing a teleconference with Civil Supplies officials, he reviewed the functioning of subsidised rice sale centres across the State | P3 Hit-and-run: CM orders strict action Vijayawada: Expressing deep concern over the hitand-run incident in Rajamahendravaram, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure strict legal action on the accused. He made it clear that there should be zero tolerance for such reckless and irresponsible behaviour | P4 in six months, both parties face internal pressures. In the BJP’s Punjab unit, senior leaders including former minister Tikshan Sud have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the state leadership. The SAD, too, is battling factionalism, with several leaders having joined the SAD (Punar Surjit), and the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) of jailed MP Amritpal Singh seeking to expand in rural areas. Sources said the present situation could favour an alliance, given infighting in the Congress and the AAP government’s poor record. Yet both sides have repeatedly ruled out a tie-up. In June, BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the party would contest all 117 seats independently. Badal has likewise said the SAD will go it alone. SAD leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal was cautious. “Details of the meeting have not been shared yet,” he said. J a v a r i a R a n a @ New Delhi Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu participates in 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at Kothapeta in Bapatla district on Friday | Express Law to safeguard interests of BCs on the anvil: Naidu E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Ongole Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the NDA government will soon enact an Act to better safeguard the interests of Backward Classes (BCs) as it is committed to their welfare and empowerment. The draft BC Protection Bill has already been prepared. Participating in the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at Kothapeta village in Chirala constituency of Bapatla district on Friday, the Chief Minister launched the Netanna Sevalo scheme, and released `179 crore as financial assistance to 71,536 eligible handloom weaver families, providing `25,000 to each Handloom is beneficiary . not merely an Later addressing a gathering, Naidu occupation; it is a made it clear that there will be no com- symbol of India’s promise on welfare or development de- cultural heritage. Andhra Pradesh is spite the State’s financial stringency . He cautioned people against conspira- home to several cies aimed at obstructing Andhra world-renowned Pradesh’s economic growth, and warned handloom traditions that the government will deal firmly with those attempting to derail N Chandrababu Naidu, development. Chief Minister The Chief Minister said the National Handloom Day commemorates the spirit of the Swadeshi movement and that the launch of the Netanna Sevalo scheme would make the occasion memorable. “Handloom is not merely an occupation; it is a symbol of India’s cultural heritage. Andhra Pradesh is home to several world-renowned handloom traditions, including Chirala, Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram, Uppada, Mangalagiri, Ponduru, P4 Pedana, Srikalahasti and Narasapuram,” he said.  VANDE Mataram will be played at the Red Fort on August 15, marking the first time the national song will feature as a scheduled item in the Independence Day programme, a defence ministry official said. The national song will be rendered immediately before the national anthem at the close of the Prime Minister’s address. The addition comes just over a week after Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending to Vande Mataram the protection the 1971 law affords to the national anthem. Introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, the bill makes intentionally preventing the singing of the national song or disturbing an assembly engaged in it punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both, with a minimum one-year jail term for a second conviction. The legislation now awaits presidential assent. The full Red Fort programme is yet to be released. The government has already invoked an Independence Day precedent for the song. Replying during the parliamentary debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that on August 15, 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had asked Pandit Omkarnath Thakur to render the complete Vande Mataram on All India Radio at 6.30 am to mark the beginning of India’s first Independence Day His ref. erence to the complete rendition assumes significance because the government has not indicated whether the Red Fort ceremony will feature only the two stanzas in national use or a longer version. Opposition can’t dictate who will speak in Parl Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Oppn “won’t be able to digest” when Amit Shah speaks in Parliament | P7 Rain-soaked A woman wades through a waterlogged road amid torrential rainfall, at Azadpur Mandi, in New Delhi on Friday | PTI AP records 4.1 ft decline in groundwater level Y B r a h m a j i @ Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh’s groundwater reserves are slipping deeper into crisis as a severely deficient southwest monsoon has failed to recharge the State’s depleted aquifers. With rainfall nearly 48 per cent below normal so far this season, 24 of the State’s 28 districts have recorded a decline in groundwater levels compared to a year ago. The State’s average groundwater level now stands at 35.3 feet below ground level (10.76 metres), compared with 31.2 feet (9.52 metres) on August 7, 2025, marking an overall decline of 4.1 feet, and highlighting the growing stress on agric u l t u r e, d r i n k i n g w a t e r supplies and long-term water security . The decline comes amid a sharp rainfall deficit during the ongoing southwest monsoon. The State has received only 151.82 mm rainfall between June 1 and August 7, against the normal 289.90 mm, leaving it with a 47.63 per cent deficit. All the districts rec e iv e d b e l ow normal rainf a l l . While 23 districts were categorised as deficient, Annamayya, Chittoor and Prakasam fell under the EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION scanty category after recording rainfall deficits of 71.59 per cent, 62.62 per cent and 60.99 per cent respectively . The El Nino impact is visible across the entire State. Among the 24 districts that witnessed a decline in groundwater levels, Sri Sathya Sai recorded the steepest fall of 22.1 feet (6.73 metres), foll owe d by Visakhapatnam (11.1 feet), Anantapur (10.8 feet), East Godavari (7.9 feet), Vizianagaram (6 feet) and Eluru (5.9 feet). Several other districts, including Annamayya, Chittoor, Nandyal, Kurnool, Krishna, Guntur, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Palnadu, Bapatla and NTR, also registered lower groundwater levels than a year ago. Only West Godavari and Markapuram have bucked the trend, recording improvements in groundwater levels. Region-wise, Rayalaseema continued to record deeper groundwater level than Coastal Andhra. The average groundwater level in Rayalaseema stood at 13.08 metres below ground level, compared with 9.84 metres in Coastal Andhra. The region also recorded a year-on-year decline of 2.05 metres, against 0.93 metres in Coastal Andhra, indicating relatively higher stress on groundP4 water resources.