Delhi’s air quality back to ‘severe’ again, week after pollution curbs scrapped in Capital

Air quality in national capital Delhi and adjoining areas turned ‘severe’ again on Friday with a dip in temperatures and slow wind speed at night allowing accumulation of pollutants. The fluctuation comes barely a week after most of the restrictions in place were removed by the Delhi government. The city’ s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 401 at 8 am on Friday morning.

Delhi has been witnessing a gradual increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement on Sunday.

The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, was 390 on Thursday, 394 on Wednesday, 365 on Tuesday, 348 on Monday and 301 on Sunday.

The increase in AQI levels comes after the Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi, following a drop in pollution levels due to a favourable wind speed and direction.

Neighbouring Ghaziabad (386), Gurugram (321), Greater Noida (345), Noida (344) and Faridabad (410) also recorded “very poor” to “severe” air quality.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, 401 and 450 “severe” and above 450 “severe-plus”.

According to the air quality early warning system developed by the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, pollution levels are likely to oscillate in the “very poor” to “severe” categories in the next five to six days.

Data from a joint project by the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, revealed that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 per cent of the capital’s air pollution on Thursday.

Secondary inorganic aerosols — particles such as sulfate and nitrate that are formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries and vehicles — are the second major contributor to Delhi’s foul air, accounting for 25 to 35 per cent of the air pollution in the city over the last few days. Biomass burning, including post-harvest paddy straw burning in neighbouring states, contributed 21 per cent to the capital’s air pollution the previous day. 

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WATCH: How 41 workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel will be pulled out on wheeled stretchers

The moment of safe recuse of 41 workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi is approaching. Amid this, NDRF has demonstrated how it will be pulling out the labourers on wheeled stretchers through a big pipe that has been pushed through the rubble to reach them.

A video shared on Friday showed a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) demonstrating the use of wheeled stretchers to pull out trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi once the horizontal pipe reaches the other side.

The video shows how each worker will have to lie low on the wheeled stretcher after which the NDRF personnel will pull it with the help of a rope.

On Thursday, a team of NDRF entered the tunnel equipped with rescue gear.

By Thursday, the government’s horizontal drilling reached about 67 per cent completion, having drilled the escape pipeline to a distance of 45 metres, with a remaining 12 metres to reach the area where 41 workers are trapped behind the rubble.

Meanwhile, drilling work will start shortly on Friday.

The operation to rescue 41 trapped workers in Uttarakhand was paused late on Thursday evening after a mechanical glitch. This was the third time that the drilling exercise had been halted.

Also Read: Choppers, green corridor, beds in AIIMS… : What happens to 41 workers trapped inside Uttarkashi tunnel when rescued

The under-construction tunnel is part of the ambitious Char Dham project, a national infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity to the pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

“Hopefully, we will be able to move ahead smoothly. May get breakthrough in next 12 to 15 hours,” Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to the prime minister’s office said.

Workers trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel were seen for the first time on Tuesday (21 November) as a camera inserted through a pipe captured their visuals.

The workers have been trapped inside after a portion of the under-construction tunnel caved in on 12 November. Earlier this week, an endoscopic flexi camera was pushed inside the tunnel through a six-inch pipe inserted through the rubble to send food to the trapped workers.

The visuals captured in the camera showed the labourers in their hard hats and work gear, waving to the camera, communicating that they were coping well.

Meanwhile, officials at the spot said all the trapped workers are safe and are being supplied food and water through steel pipes that have been drilled into the opening.

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Rashmika, Katrina’s deepfake video tip of the iceberg, Ratan Tata’s fake video used by scammers

In a disturbing turn of events, a deepfake video featuring the esteemed industrialist Ratan Tata has surfaced on social media platforms, leading unsuspecting individuals into a deceptive online betting scam.

The deepfake videos involving Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif and Kajol may have been disconcerting, but they were just the tip of the iceberg. With video manipulating AI becoming more efficient and cheap, deepfakes are only set to increase.

The deepfake of Ratan Tata shows him endorsing an online betting coach and urging viewers to join a Telegram channel managed by an individual named Amir Khan. This incident highlights the growing threat of deepfake technology in facilitating financial frauds and scams.

Investigations into Khan have revealed that he operates a Telegram channel using which, he entices users with promises of earning a pretty sizeable amount of money, daily, through a real money-betting game called Aviator.

However, the registration link that the Telegram channel shares redirects users to a different platform where personal information such as phone numbers and email IDs are requested — a common tactic employed by scammers to harvest sensitive data.

The deepfake video featuring Ratan Tata was discovered as an advertisement published on Facebook. Analysis revealed that it is a manipulated version of a June 2015 video depicting Ratan Tata receiving an Honoris Causa degree at the HEC Paris Business School.

What’s worse, is that the Ratan Tata deepfake is not a one-off. There are several other deep fake videos involving Shah Rukh Khan, Gautam Adani, the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and several other top industrialists are also being used for fake investment opportunities in businesses that offer very lucrative returns, but are actually just shell companies.

Similarly, deepfakes of prominent journalists, and spiritual leaders are being used to sell life coaching services and courses, as well as investments.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils associated with deepfake technology, emphasizing the need for vigilance when encountering such content online. It underscores the importance of verifying the source of information and exercising caution when prompted to provide personal details.

In response to the escalating threat of deepfakes, India is taking proactive measures. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the country is in the process of formulating regulations to govern deepfake technology. Following concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vaishnaw stated, “We plan to complete drafting the regulations within the next few weeks.”

While the specifics of these regulations are yet to be revealed, they are expected to play a crucial role in addressing the challenges posed by deepfakes in the digital landscape.

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Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Drilling halted again, CM Dhami to stay overnight at site

Drilling efforts at Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel, aimed at rescuing 41 trapped workers, faced a setback on Thursday night when the auger machine encountered a technical issue.

As of now, rescuers have drilled up to 46.8 meters in the Silkyara tunnel.

An official stated, according to ANI, that the machine is undergoing repairs, which are expected to take a few hours. If no further problems arise, the rescue operation is anticipated to resume tomorrow morning after 9 am.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will remain overnight at the site to oversee the final phase of the rescue operations, which began on Wednesday. He has established a temporary camp office at the site to ensure seamless coordination.

“Along with this, it has been decided not to celebrate the Egas festival which is celebrated with great pomp in Uttarakhand today. Today, on the occasion of Egas, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was to participate in this festival along with about a thousand people at the Chief Minister’s residence which he also cancelled,” an official statement said.

“People who reached the Chief Minister’s residence celebrated the festival with utmost simplicity by worshipping the cow. On this occasion, people also prayed to God for the safe exit of the workers trapped in the tunnel as soon as possible,” it added.

While NDRF is actively involved in rehearsals at the rescue site, specific timelines for completion remain uncertain. The Inspector-General of Police Garhwal Range highlighted the complexity of the machinery work involved in the rescue, indicating that it would continue throughout the night.

A total of 41 ambulances are stationed at the Silkyara tunnel site, with arrangements made for medical support.

International Tunneling Expert Arnold Dix stressed the importance of careful execution, especially in vertical drilling, as decisions are made about the next steps in the rescue operation.

With inputs from ANI

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On camera, teen boy stabs man 60 times in Delhi to rob Rs 350 for eating biryani; dances over body

Delhi saw another gruesome murder late on Tuesday where an 18-year-old man was stabbed by a 16-year-old boy at least 60 times on the head, neck and ears for allegedly stealing Rs 350 to eat biryani.

The horrific crime took place in northeast Delhi’s Welcome area and CCTV footage showed the accused, allegedly drunk, choking and stabbing the victim and later dancing over his body.

Police said the motive of the murder was “robbery”.

Stabbed 60 times

The video of the brutality showed the accused stabbing the victim in the face, and eyes several times, and even, apparently, tried to behead him.

According to the police, the accused asked the victim to give him money for food, but the victim refused which led to an argument and a scuffle ensued.

“The assailant first choked the victim. When the victim fell unconscious, the assailant stabbed him several times before stealing his money, approximately Rs 350,” a police officer said.

“The victim was rushed to GTB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the officer added.

The victim lived with his mother who worked as a maid.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said a PCR call, informing about the crime, was received Tuesday around 11.15 pm in which the caller said a youth, aged around 18 years, was stabbed to death by a minor in a bid to rob him in Janta Mazdoor colony in Welcome area.

Delhi Welcome murder

The footage captured on CCTV in the area showed the accused dragging the victim’s body to a narrow bylane, surrounded by houses on either side and mercilessly stabbing him several times.

He then knelt down and relentlessly stabbed the victim’s face, and ears, face and sliced his neck as well as the head. The man paused his gruesome killing for a while and looked around. He then began to stab again.

He also kicked the victim’s head and suddenly started dancing for a few seconds. Later, he dragged the blood-soaked body of the victim out of the frame.

After committing the brutal crime, the man stole Rs 350 from the victim’s pocket.

According to the police, the accused first choked the victim and he fell unconscious.

The identity of the accused has not been disclosed as he is a minor, cops added.

The police, however, said the accused was a school drop-out and is a resident of Jafrabad.

A report by India Today quoted police sources saying the accused was involved in a murder case with the intention of robbery in 2022. The murder took place in the Welcome area itself.

As per the sources, there was a gang comprising three to four minors who committed such crimes together.

With inputs from agencies

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‘A new threat to democracy’: Govt will come up with new regulations soon to tackle deepfakes, says IT Minister

The government will come up with new regulations soon to tackle deepfakes, said IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, adding that deepfakes as a new threat to democracy.

Vaishnaw, who met social media platforms on the deepfake issue on Thursday, said that it has emerged as a new threat to democracy. “We will have our next meeting in the first week of December…that will be on follow-up action on today’s decisions, and also on what should be included in the draft regulation,” Vaishnaw said.

“Companies have agreed on the need for clear actionable work in areas such as detection, prevention, strengthening of reporting mechanism, and raising user awareness,” he said.

Addressing the media, he said, “We will start drafting regulation today itself, and within a short time we will have a new set of regulations for deepfakes … this could be in the form of amending existing framework or bringing new rules, or new law,”.

The move came after several ‘deepfake’ videos targeting leading actors went viral, sparking public outrage and raising concerns over the misuse of technology and tools for creating doctored content and fake narratives.

Deepfakes refer to synthetic or doctored media that is digitally manipulated and altered to convincingly misrepresent or impersonate someone, using a form of artificial intelligence.

With inputs from PTI.

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Fighting Deepfakes: MeitY, social media reps formulate plan to take on AI-gen fake videos

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier today, convened a meeting that brought together several social media platforms, AI companies, Nasscom, and experts in the field of artificial intelligence.

In this collaborative effort, Minister Vaishnaw announced that the participating entities have collectively committed to formulating tangible action plans across four key pillars — Detection of deepfakes, Prevention of their virality, the enhancement of existing Reporting mechanisms for deepfakes, and the promotion of Awareness regarding how deepfakes operate and the appropriate countermeasures against them.

“All the companies have shared our concern. They have understood that this is not free speech, that this is something very harmful… they have understood the need for regulation,” he added.

Minister Vaishnaw also revealed that the ministry has already started working on creating a set of regulations. A consensus has been reached between the government and social media companies to release comprehensive guidelines within the next ten days. These guidelines will specifically address the detection, prevention, and dissemination of videos containing deepfake content.

In a media interaction held on November 18, Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the pressing issue of deepfakes, highlighting its significant impact. He underscored the gravity of the problem, stating, “Deepfake poses a substantial challenge for everyone.”

The Minister commended the responsiveness of social media platforms to the notices issued, noting their active efforts in tackling the issue. Additionally, Vaishnaw urged these platforms to take a more assertive stance against deepfake content.

He pointed out that the traditional ‘Safe Harbour’ Clause, which has provided protection to social media platforms, may not be applicable if they do not implement sufficient measures to combat deepfakes on their platforms. Vaishnaw emphasized, “The Safe Harbour Clause, a longstanding shield for many social media platforms, does not extend to cases where platforms fail to take effective actions in removing deepfakes.”

IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is also set to meet representatives of the social media companies and AI experts in a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, as per a Moneycontrol report.

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