WEDNESDAY ‘53% viewership rise across digital platforms’ 11 The International Cricket Council on Tuesday reported a 53% increase in video views across its digital platforms from the previous edition after the first six games of the 2026 T20 World Cup. In a statement, the world body said that its digital platforms attracted 647 million video views. Massive growth in viewership has come from countries like Nepal, UAE and the US with their national teams being part of the tournament. “The ICC app has enjoyed an 83% spike in users since 2024,” said ICC. FEBRUARY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard C A N A DA- B U I LT DON: WILL BLOCK DETROIT BRIDGE The US Prez threatened to block the opening of a Canada-built bridge across Detroit River, demanding Ottawa give half the ownership of the bridge. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 Pakistan players celebrate after beating USA in T20 World Cup on Tuesday | AP IN less than 24 hours after Pakistan government cleared its team to play India on February 15, the excitement is visible everywhere. But nothing surpasses the aviation sector. The carriers have hiked ticket rates between most Indian cities to Sri Lanka’s capital and some return tickets are being sold for over `1 lakh. The cheapest non-stop direct return flight from Delhi to the Sri Lankan capital for the game is `1,18,961 (as on Tuesday evening). Normally it’s below `30,000 if you , were to book tickets in this sector. IndiGo, an LCC, usually charges in the region of `16,000 for a direct return flight from Chennai. It’s at `54,475 for the coming weekend (leaving on February 14 and returning o n M o n d ay p o s t g a m e ) . Because Chennai is just an PRICE SURGE Direct flights Game rates Normal rates 80-minute flight away from Colombo, it would make sense for people to book return domestic flights to Chennai and fly to Colombo from Chennai. Fans departing from Mumbai `15,000`46,629 `18,000 DEL to CMB FLYING TO COLOMBO? PAY `1.18L FROM DEL E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai MAA to CMB INDIAvsPAKISTAN `1,18,961 `27,000`32,000 Factsheet shows free No-trust notice in, Speaker access to US pulses steps away from House work in the Indian market P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi White House’s new document reveals farm products not mentioned in joint statement P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi EVEN as questions linger over the fine print of the India-US trade arrangement, fresh details are emerging from official releases put out by both sides. On Tuesday, the White House issued a factsheet which had some elements not explicitly mentioned in the joint statement released last weekend. The US document says India will allow duty-free import of certain pulses. The joint statement had no mention of this. According to the Trump administration, India will eliminate or cut tariffs on specific pulses and a range of industrial goods, alongside a broad basket of US farm and food products. These include dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, wine and spirits, among others. Currently, India imports pulses worth $5.5 billion. Out of this, import from the US accounts for just $90 million. Earlier, India’s commerce ministry had indicated a more calibrated approach. Lentils were placed under ‘highly sensitive’ agricultural items, with liberalisation to be done through tariff rate quotas, allowing limited quantities at lower duties. Even this partial opening has drawn criticism from farm groups who fear such gradual market access could affect Indian farmers over time. The US factsheet also lists agricultural products among the categories that would contribute to the proposed $500 billion worth of exports to India over five years. The joint statement had used softer language, saying India ‘intends’ to purchase $500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft and parts, precious metals, technology goods, and coking coal. Indian officials have clarified that a significant portion of these imports would be linked to requirements for data centres, global capability centres, aircraft, engines and parts. The US factsheet states both countries will “significantly increase bilateral trade in technology products and expand joint technology cooperation”. EXPRESS READ ‘Owned by India’ model for defence acquisition The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday released the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026. The procedure introduces an “Owned by India” approach, under which India will not only manufacture weapons, but also own intellectual property, including source codes. India, China discuss trade, border issues Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Chinese counterpart Ma Zhaoxu on Tuesday discussed ways to stabilise bilateral ties and address concerns over trade. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both sides reviewed the “positive momentum” in bilateral relations during the talks. PUSHING the political confrontation between the government and the Opposition to a bitter new high, the Congress-led Opposition on Tuesday submitted a notice for moving a resolution to remove Om Birla from the office of Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging he had acted in a blatantly partisan manner and ‘abused’ the constitutional office he occupies. Sources said a discussion on the motion could take place on March 9, the first day of the second part of the Budget Session. While Birla directed Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh to examine the notice, sources said that he will not preside over the House till the matter is settled. Article 96 of the Constitution bars a speaker or deputy speaker from presiding over the House sitting while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration. Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, chief whip K Suresh and whip Mo- hamed Jawed submitted the notice signed by around 120 MPs, under Article 94(c) to the Lok Sabha Secretary The notice was . signed by several Opposition parties, including the SP, Left, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP-SP and the DMK. It holds Birla re- GEN IN STEP WITH THE PUBLISHER Army ex-Chief Gen Naravane on Tuesday shared Penguin’s statement on his book, Four Stars of Destiny, which emphasises that no copy “in print or digital form have been published,” saying: “This is the status” | P7 Today’s Matches 11am: South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad), 3pm: Australia vs Ireland (Colombo), 7pm: England vs West Indies (Mumbai) TAKEDOWN TIME BY SOCIAL MEDIA CUT TO 3 HRS ON AI ABUSE R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi THE Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Tuesday notified a new framework under which any synthetically generated information (SGI) or AI-generated content that includes sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate images, obscene or sexually explicit content, or fake documents or electronic records will be treated as illegal. Under the framework, AI-generated content used for fraud, harassment, child abuse, misinformation, or any other criminal activity will be dealt with under the same laws as other illegal online content. Failure to comply may invite criminal action under various Indian laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The framework has been notified as amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The new rules mandate that AI-generated content must be clearly and prominently labelled as “synthetically generated”. The label should be easy for viewers to notice and must include permanent metadata or technical markers. One of the most significant changes in the 2026 amendment is the sharp reduction in response timelines. Earlier, social media platforms had up to 36 hours to respond to government or police orders. This has now been reduced to three hours. Grievances must be addressed within seven days instead of 15, urgent cases within 36 hours instead of 72, and certain takedown actions must be completed within two hours. In addition, platforms must inform users that misuse of AI tools can lead to punishment. Buzz of BJP, SAD handshake ahead of Punjab poll B’DESH H A R P R E E T BA J WA @ Chandigarh IN a development with significant political implications, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma and Radha Soami Satsang Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon on Tuesday joined an anti-drug walk in Ferozepur led by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The rare public convergence was striking as SAD and BJP leaders have largely avoided joint platforms since their alliance collapsed in 2020 during the farmers’ agitation. The absence of leaders from the Congress and the ruling AAP further added to the political messaging, triggering speculation of a possible SAD-BJP realliance ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The participation of Dera chief Dhillon was seen as significant, given the influence of Radha Soami Satsang Beas ANTI-DRUG WALK SAD’s Sukhbir Singh Badal, BJP’s Ashwani Sharma & Radha Soami Satsang Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon joined a walk led by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. across the Malwa region and border belt. On February 2, Dhillon had met SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in Nabha jail, describing him as “a friend and a relative” and terming drug-related allegations against him “false and baseless”. A day later, the Supreme Court granted bail to Majithia in a disproportionate assets case linked to alleged drug money laundering. The walk began at the Saragarhi Gurudwara Sahib and concluded at the School of Eminence in Ferozepur. Sources said Dhillon also visited BJP leader Rana Gurmeet Sodhi’s residence, indicating outreach towards both the Akalis and the BJP . HUGE TRAVEL RUSH AHEAD OF FEB 12 POLLS Dhaka and other major cities on Tuesday witnessed a massive travel rush as people thronged to bus terminals and rly stations to travel to their hometowns ahead of elections. | P9 ‘Don’t wash dirty linen in public’: HC moots mediation in Kapur will dispute SC AGREES TO CONSIDER PLEA AGAINST HIMANTA U DAYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi 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 Tuesday decided to list and hear a plea filed by few CPI and CPM leaders against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a viral video allegedly showing him taking aim and firing with a rifle at people who looked like Muslims. The court, however, noted that “political battles are often fought in courts”. Lawyer Nizam Pasha, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before the bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria, saying the CM made disturbing speeches and the court should hear the matter urgently “We seek ur. gent intervention of this court with respect to the disturbing speeches made by the CM, including a recent video posted where he is shown as shooting at members of a particular community Complaints are filed, but no FIR . has been lodged,” he said. The bench took note of Pasha’s arguments and said that it would consider listing the plea. “The problem is when elections come, they are often fought here in the Supreme Court only We will see,” the CJI remarked. . The petitions, which include the CPI leader Annie Raja, have objected to a speech made by Sarma on January 27 as well as a video shared on X by the Assam unit of the BJP . Meanwhile, Sarma filed a `500-crore defamation suit against and Gaurav Gogoi and other, while the Congress lodged a police complaint seeking the registration of a case against the CM over a now-deleted AI-generated video. sponsible for disallowing Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders from speaking in the House on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, as well as for suspending eight MPs. However, TMC refrained from signing the notice. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said his party has “no problem” in signing the notice, but stressed that the Opposition should first approach the Speaker with their grievances, such as the suspension of eight MPs. The decision to submit the notice was taken at a meeting of floor leaders in the office of Mallikarjun Kharge. It was also decided that the Opposition will attend the discussion on the Union Budget. Rahul is scheduled to speak on Thursday during the discussion. Referring to Birla’s remarks that he had “concrete information” that many Congress members might move towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seat and carry out “some unexpected act”, the notice said it was derogatory in nature. will have to cough up approximately `82,000. Even hotel prices are surging. Some star hotels are charging six to 10 times more. One famous star landmark is priced at `1.50 lakh a night (normal days it’s `10k). The match could also see ICC chair, Jay Shah, and Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Mohsin Naqvi, share the stage. P11 & 12 LAUNCH COUNTDOWN ISRO Chairman V Narayanan visits Skyroot Aerospace’s MAX-Q and Infinity campuses and reviewed preps for Vikram-I rocket’s maiden orbital flight in Hyderabad | PTI THE Delhi High Court has asked all the parties involved in the industrialist Sunjay Kapur estate dispute to consider resolving the issue through mediation, since “a lot of dirty linen was being washed in the open”. Terming it a very “sorry state of affairs”, Justice Mini Pushkarna made the observation on Tuesday while hearing the plea of Kapur’s mother Rani Kapur to dissolve the family trust. The observation was made in the background of three court proceedings: a suit filed by Sunjay’s two children with actor Karisma Kapoor challenging his purported will, reportedly leaving his entire personal estate to their step-mother and his third wife Priya Kapur—Rani’s plea to dissolve the family trust, terming it a product of “forged, fabricated and fraudulent” documents; and a criminal complaint filed by Priya against Sunjay’s sister Mandhira Kapur Smith for allegedly defaming her in the matter. The judge said that all the parties in the matter have “suffered a great loss”. “God has blessed you with significant financial wealth, which should be enjoyed by everyone in a good manner. This blessing should not be turned into a curse,” the judge added. The judge asked the lawyers representing all sides to speak with their clients and obtain instructions on going to mediation. Price of peace: Defending a neighbour, losing a livelihood N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Kotdwar DEEPAK Kumar, a 42-year-old gym owner in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar, has emerged as an unlikely symbol of communal har mony. But the act that earned him national attention has also pushed him into social isolation and a mounting financial crisis that now threatens his livelihood. The consequences have been most visible at Hulk Gym, the business Kumar has run for years. Once a bustling fitness space with 150 regular members, the gym now sees fewer than 15 people walk through its doors. Neighbours and longtime clients have distanced themselves, citing Kumar’s “ideological stand” during a recent communal flashpoint. “After the dispute on January 31, the number of members began to drop. It has now reached just 14,” Kumar said. The controversy began on January 26, when members of Bajrang Dal protested outside Baba Garments, objecting to its name. They argued that a Muslim shopkeeper should not use the title Baba, which they said was associated with the Siddhabali Baba temple. When protesters demanded the shop owner’s identity Ku, mar intervened. He declared, “My name is Mohammad Deepak,” in an act of solidarity that was captured in a viral video. The gesture drew praise online, but it triggered an intense backlash. On January 31, the group returned, congregating outside both the shop and Kumar’s gym. Police prevented violence, yet the social fallout persisted. The financial pressure is relentless. His 70-year-old mother has been forced to set up a roadside tea stall. Life reflects the high personal cost of defending communal coexistence.