THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard RUSSIA STRIKES 6 DEAD IN UKRAINE, PEACE TALKS HIT Russian drones and missiles blasted sites across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters, officials said PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00 Trump nuances stance on India’s Russian oil buy PAGES 12 D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi STEPS OF FAITH President Droupadi Murmu climbs the 18 holy steps at Sabarimala temple on Wednesday—only the second Indian President to visit the hill shrine | PTI | P5 STARTING November 1, only senior officials of the rank of joint secretaries or directors general of police can issue orders to social media platforms to remove unlawful content. Besides, every such takedown order will be subject to a monthly review by a secretarylevel officer to ensure the actions remain lawful, necessary , and proportionate. These provisions are part of the amendments to the IT Rules, 2021, notified on Wednesday Under the amended rules, . all takedown requests must include clear legal basis, specific statutory provisions, and details such as URLs or identifi- @ New Delhi A city still shrouded in smog, with the AQI staying above 345 and fluctuating between the “very poor” and “severe” categories, yet Chief Minister Rekha Gupta came before the media on Wednesday claiming Delhi’s post-Diwali pollution had decreased compared to previous years. Just hours later, her administration announced the installation of 15 air purifiers in the Delhi Secretariat, spending `5.5 lakh to protect officials working in high-footfall areas. The decision, intended to safeguard employees from worsening air conditions, appeared to tell a different story: while the CM spoke of improvement, indoor protection measures implicitly acknowledged a city struggling with hazardous air. Her assertion came a day after monitoring stations showed that the national capital’s air pollution hit a four-year high on Diwali, with particulate matter 2.5 peaking at 675. Gupta, however, insisted that “the pre- and post-Diwali gap this year is less compared to M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi IN the first sign of a thaw, leaders of Ladakh, where four people died in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests, met with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday for subcommittee level talks. A nine-member Ladakh delegation comprising three members each from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, met MHA officials for over two hours. Jan said discussions primarily revolved around four major issues—statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, reservation, and the revocation of the National the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time.” She added that her government was taking all possible steps with “greater alertness” to tackle pollution. CRACKER EFFECT Two days after Diwali, city faced dark, heavy air again, with CPCB recording an AQI of 345 Minimum temp of 21.8°C, 3.4°C above normal, IMD says ‘ISSUE CAN’T BE RESOLVED IN ONE OR TWO MEETINGS’ KDA member Sajjad Hussain Kargili said their demand for the past six years has been democracy in Ladakh. “This issue cannot be resolved in one or two meetings. We discussed the implementation of a reservation policy in Ladakh. among other things” Security Act (NSA) invoked against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The activist is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail. The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India”. The maximum detention period under the stringent law is PUNJABI singer Teji Kahlon was shot at in Canada and associates of gangster Rohit Godara have claimed responsibility for the attack. In a social media post, Godara’s aides identifying them as Mahender Saran Dilana, Rahul Rinau and Vicky Phalwan claimed that Kahlon was targeted for supplying arms and money to rival gangs and acting as their informant. “We carried out the shooting in Canada. He was shot in the Delhi’s air on Wednesday morning remained suffocating. Thick smog hung low, making breathing difficult. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 34 of the 38 monitoring stations recorded air quality in the “red zone”, indicating “very poor” to “severe” pollution levels. Punjab Bagh recorded the worst readings, with AQI values of 427, highlighting the stark reality outside the Secretariat walls. Residents venturing outdoors continued to report discomfort, with vulnerable populations like children, street vendors, and construction workers bear- A hazy morning at Akshardham Temple on Wednesday as thick smog engulfs the city, plummeting AQI | PARVEEN NEGI Anand Vihar 421 Nehru Nagar 420 Patparganj 409 R K Puram 404 Vivek Vihar 401 Wazirpur 408 STATIONS REPORTING ‘SEVERE’ CATEGORY AQI Punjabi singer shot at in Canada, gangster aides claim responsibility H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh stomach. If he understands, fine. If not, next time we will finish him,’’ the post said. Canadian authorities have launched a probe but have yet to officially confirm the attackers’ claims or the motive. The incident appears to be a targeted attack linked to an ongoing cross-border gang rivalry . Godara’s aides also warned others, including businessmen, builders and financial intermediaries, against assisting rival gangs and threatened them that they would meet similar fates. “Let me make it clear: if any- PER 10 GMS— THE RECORD PRICE PEAK GOLD TOUCHED LAST FRIDAY Labels for deepfakes, AI-generated content To curb deepfakes, the IT ministry has proposed embedded markers and labelling to help social media users identify AI-generated content ers of the content. The new provisions, introduced through the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025, aim to make the removal process more transparent, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said. Talks with govt constructive: Leh team File photo 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier. Jan described the atmosphere as “positive and constructive,” with both sides agreeing to sustain engagement to secure Ladakh’s identity and equitable representation. The delegation reiterated that statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards were vital to protect PURIFIERS FOR MINISTERS, POLLUTION FOR ALL ANUP VERMA & IFRAH MUFTI `1,32,294 Profit booking, trade talks behind slump The sharp decline in prices is attributed primarily to profit booking and a slew of positive news flows which have shaved the sheen off the safe-haven metal. | P10 Only joint secy, DGP can order removal of social media content US prez says Modi isn’t going to buy much no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very very good , US President Donald Trump thing,” Trump said. has softened his earlier asserThe Diwali call, initiated by tion that India would complete- Trump, was their third publicly ly stop buying Russian crude known conversation since midoil, saying after a Diwali phone September and comes amid oncall with Prime Minister Naren- going tensions in US-India reladra Modi that India tions, particularly “is not going to buy over Washington’s much oil from Rusdecision to impose sia”. It reflects a nusteep tariffs on key anced shift from his Indian exports. This previous claim that includes a 25% levy Modi had promised a linked to India’s confull halt to oil imtinued purchase of MODI UNLIKELY ports from Russia, Russian crude as TO TRAVEL TO which was not corTrump seeks to presMALAYSIA roborated by the Insure Moscow amid Prime Minister Modi is dian government. unlikely to participate the ongoing conflict Speaking to reportin Ukraine. in the ASEAN Summit ers after the call, In his Oval Office in Malaysia scheduled Trump added that he for Oct 26–28, which is remarks, Trump dialso spoke about expected to be attended aled back his earlier “let’s not have wars by US President Donald stance: “He’s not gowith Pakistan,” a ing to buy much oil Trump, according to claim sources refut- sources. While an official from Russia. He ed here in Delhi. wants to see that war word on the level of India’s participation Sources said “Pakiend as much as I do. is awaited, the prime stan was not disSo they’ve cut it way cussed during the minister may address the back, and they’re phone conversation” summit virtually. India is continuing to cut it between the two lead- typically represented at way back.” ers. “I just spoke to the India-ASEAN Summit Modi, in a post on by the prime minister, X responded warmly your prime minister . but there have been today. Had a great “Thank you, Presiexceptions conversation. We dent Trump, for your talked about trade... phone call and warm He’s very interested in that. Al- Diwali greetings. On this festithough we did talk a little while val of lights, may our two great ago about let’s have no wars democracies continue to illumiwith Pakistan. The fact that nate the world with hope and trade was involved, I was able stand united against terrorism to talk about that. And we have in all its forms.”  GOLD RECORDS WORST SINGLE-DAY PLUNGE SINCE 2013, FALLS OVER 6% After record rally of more than 70% so far this year, the yellow metal fell 6.3% on Tuesday, its biggest single-day fall in more than 12 years one, even by mistake, supports our enemies or helps them in any way, we will not spare their families,” the post read, adding, “This is a warning to all brothers, businessmen, builders, hawala operators, and whoever else. If anyone helps, they will be our enemy This is just . the beginning. Watch what happens next.” The aides concluded with a threat saying that anyone who offers assistance to their enemies will automatically be considered an enemy of the Godara gang. ing the brunt of the pollution. Gupta also said she plans to meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to discuss crop residue burning, a major source of winter pollution in Delhi. “Our government is taking all necessary steps with greater alertness,” she reiterated, highlighting her administration’s efforts to manage external contributors to the city’s pollution. Backing the CM’s claims, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa pointed out that AQI rose from 341 before Diwali to 356 afterward, a modest increase, and alleged that farmers in Punjab were being “forced and threatened” to burn paddy straw, suggesting a deliberate effort to worsen pollution levels in Delhi. However, AAP MLA and Chief Whip Sanjeev Jha refuted these assertions, accusing the government of suppressing pollution data. “Every phone in Delhi shows an AQI between 1,000 and 1,500,” he said. the region’s land, jobs, and cultural rights. On the reservation front, both sides decided to hold further deliberations to evolve a fair framework for all communities. KDA member Sajjad Hussain Kargili said another round of meetings would be held within two weeks. “Our demand for democracy in Ladakh continues. Statehood is the ultimate solution,” he said. Talks between the Centre, LAB and KDA had broken down after four protesters were killed and several injured in widespread violence in Leh on September 24. The invitation for the talks were made by the Centre on September 20. The last round of talks between the two sides was held in May . EXPRESS READ Space scientist Chitnis dies in Pune at 100 Eknath Vasant Chitnis, who along with Vikram Sarabhai, laid the foundation of India’s space programme, passed away in Pune on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He had turned 100 in July. After 61 yrs, Muivah back at birthplace Sixty-one years after he left home to join the Naga movement, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah returned to his native Somdal village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Wednesday. AI flight returns to Mumbai after glitch An Air India flight going from Mumbai to Newark in the US returned to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday due to a suspected technical glitch. First notified in February 2021 and amended in 2022 and 2023, the IT rules lay down obligations for intermediaries to ensure online safety and accountability. Under Rule 3(1) (d), they must remove unlawful information upon receiving a court order or a government notification. The ministry has also proposed new rules to regulate deepfakes and AI-generated content. The draft rules propose a new clause defining synthetically generated information as any content artificially created or modified in a manner that appears authentic. Such content could be treated as unlawful and taken down. Two cousins among 3 dead as bike hits divider in city EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi A late-night dinner in Haryana’s Murthal turned fatal for three men, including two cousins, when their speeding motorcycle rammed into an unmarked jersey barrier on the Libaspur flyover along the GT Road. Swaroop Nagar police station received information on Wednesday at 1.33 am regarding an accident on GT Road, Libaspur Flyover. A team rushed to the spot and found three men lying unconscious near a damaged Royal Enfield motorcycle. The deceased were identified as Sumit (27), Mohit (26) and Anurag (23), who is Mohit’s cousin. All were residents of Nangloi. It was further revealed that the three men riding without helmet had gone to Murthal for dinner and on their way back collided with a jersey barrier on Libaspur flyover. Efforts were made to trace any eye witnesses but none were found, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north) Hareshwar Swami said. The bodies were preserved in the BJRM Hospital mortuary for the post-mortem. From the facts and medical reports, the offence under section 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) was found to be made. Hence a case is being registered, the DCP said. “Despite our best efforts no eyewitnesses were found. We are also scanning the CCTV footage of the entire incident to ascertain the sequence of the events,” he added. HUMAN VS MACHINE 6 lakh Amazon jobs on the line as robots step in EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chennai AMAZON.COM plans to replace more than 6,00,000 employees with robots over the next decade in the US, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing internal documents. The company is one of the largest employers in the US, with nearly 1.2 million hires. Referring to interviews with staff and internal documents, the NYT reported that the com- pany’s ultimate plan is to automate 75% of its operations and expects to increase sales by a factor of two by 2033 compared to now through automation. Automation would help Amazon avoid hiring 1,60,000 employees by the end of 2027, resulting in savings of $12.5 billion over the next two years, the report said. At the Amazon facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is built with automation in mind, a thousand robots already do much of the packing and shipping work, allowing Amazon to employ 25% fewer employees. In 2026, the Louisiana facility would employ only half of the staff compared to what it would have without the deployment of robots. The op- eration of the Shreveport facility will be replicated in nearly 40 facilities by the end of 2027. As for Amazon India, sources said there are no immediate plans to deploy robots in the country as the focus of automation is currently in the US. To avoid backlash, the company is planning for greater community involvement and changing Amazon’s corporate language from ‘automation’, ‘AI’, and ‘robot’ to a more acceptable ‘advanced technology’ and ‘cobot’ (robots collaborating with humans).