the direct speech refers to something that’s still true

[sb70012]

Hello dear all, this is written in my book:

When a reporting verb is in the simple past tense, backshifting is optional when:

1. the statement refers to something JUST said:

Direct = Alex just called. He said, “The director is leaving.”
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director is leaving.
or
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director was leaving.
**************************************************************************************
2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:

Direct = Jennifer said, “I need to renew my passport.”
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needed to renew her passport.
or
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needs to renew her passport.
***************************************************************************************
3. the direct speech refers to a scientific or general truth:

Direct = He found, “the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.”
Indirect = He noted that the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
or
Indirect = He noted that the Earth was the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
****************************************************************************************

I have problem understanding or recognizing the category of sentences explained in #2 explanation.
What does #2 really mean by saying "2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:"
Would you please be nice enough to give me an other example or a sentence which refers to explanation of number #2?

Thank you.

 

[5jj]

Galileo said that the earth moves around the sun.

 

[sb70012]

Galileo said that the earth moves around the sun.

Thanks for answering 5JJ.
I myself have made another example for explanation #2. Would you please be nice enough to have look at it and tell me if that is suitable for #2?

This is my self made example for explanation #2:

Direct: Alex said, "I want to go to Paris."
Indirect: Alex said that he wants to go to Paris.
Indirect: Alex said that he wanted to go to Paris.

Are these three suitable to be referred to #2 explanation?

Thank you.

 

[5jj]

Thanks for answering 5JJ.
I myself have made another example for explanation #2. Would you please be nice enough to have look at it and tell me if that is suitable for #2?

This is my self made example for explanation #2:

Direct: Alex said, "I want to go to Paris."
Indirect: Alex said that he wants to go to Paris.
Indirect: Alex said that he wanted to go to Paris.

Are these three suitable to be referred to #2 explanation?

Thank you.

Yes - if Alex still wanted to go at the time his utterance was reported.