thrissur l sunday l october 18, 2026 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l city EDITION FSSAI proposes ban on fructose, sucrose in infant food products The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed a ban on adding fructose and sucrose in food products for infants up to six months old Aim is to curb early exposure to sugar Currently used as carbohydrate source According to a statement from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasis is on minimising exposure to added sugars during the earliest stages of life. “The proposed restriction seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the nutritional needs of this age group without unnecessary addition of sucrose and fructose,” the ministry observed ■ ■ Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred sources of carbohydrates. Sucrose and/or fructose could be added only when required as a carbohydrate source Multiple studies have shown that early exposure to sugar creates a preference for sweetened food, leading to health issues later in life 60 days The draft notification is open for public scrutiny 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 Trump waives 17 killed in pandal stampede in Kolkata Russia-related curbs on India s u b h e n d u m a i t i @ Kolkata 1 But US retains the right to withdraw waiver P u s h p i ta D e y @ New Delhi WITH THIS ISSUE Grain of Truth PLUS 12 P AGES Dipke granted conditional bail, Neha Bora freed The US has waived punitive tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, temporarily relieving India of the threat of additional duties of up to 100% over its purchases of Russian crude. In an executive order signed on October 16, President Donald Trump invoked national interests to waive key tariff penalties under the new Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The waiver suspends the additional duties days before they were scheduled to take effect on October 18. The move provides temporary relief to India, one of the largest buyers of Russian crude, but the threat of tariffs remains as Washington retains the authority to withdraw the waiver. Trump’s move comes days after he announced that the US would import diesel from Russia, in a bid to bring down domestic fuel prices ahead of the November midterms. The US administration would continue to monitor imports of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas by other countries and keep the President informed. The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262 votes to 159 on September 16. The legislation empowers the President to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. India and China, both major buyers of Russian crude, would have been among the countries most exposed to the proposed tariffs. India is particularly vulnerable because it imports more than 88% of its crude oil requirements. Russia emerged as its largest supplier ever since the war in Ukraine began. This newspaper had on Friday reported that India was confident it would remain protected from US sanctions over its purchases of Russian oil and gas, with government officials indicating that Washington is unlikely to penalise New Delhi. They said India was in regular discussions with the US administration. “From what we sense, the US government will not put sanctions on India. We have been in touch with the US team and India’s standpoint has already been conveyed regarding the challenges that could arise because of that,” an official had said. 2 3 I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States Donald Trump, US President Temporary relief The US, however, retains the power to impose additional duties of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian energy 500% levy provision The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 also provides for a 500% tariff increase on Russian goods arrangement reconstitution of Waqf board triggers discontent ED affixes summons at Pinarayi’s residence preme Court, as there are petitions pending before it. Meanwhile, Mayin Haji, IUML state vice-president, assumed office as board chairman on Saturday itself. He has served the board as a member for over 18 years. M P Musthafal Faizi, who has been suspended from the mushawara of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, has been nominated as a member. Significantly, the Jama’at-e-Islami has been accommodated in the board while the Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis has been omitted. The Borah community also has a member in the reconstituted Board. Jaseem Sabah C, member of the Melattoor panchayat, is the Jama’at nominee, and Thodiyoor Kunhumuhammad Moulavi will represent Dakshina Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama. Siraz D Kapasi is the nominee from the Borah commu● More on P4 nity . ‘Will make Sabarimala best pilgrimage centre’ Express News Service @ Kozhikode The reconstitution of the Kerala Waqf Board by the UDF government — dissolving the existing one — has triggered opposition from various corners, with the p owe r f u l K a n t h ap u r a m group of Sunnis declaring open protests over its noninclusion. The reconstitution of the board, with IUML leader M C Mayin Haji as chairman, was announced through a gazette notification on Saturday. A total of nine members have been nominated, with two slots for non-Muslim members left vacant. All the members nominated by the LDF government, including chairman K S Hamza and member Umar Faizy Mukkam, have been removed. Minister for Waqf and Minority Affairs N Samsudheen said the government went for HC declines to stay govt order Kochi: In a relief for the state government, the High Court on Saturday declined to stay the government order reconstituting the Waqf Board. The court passed the order while considering a plea by former board chairman K S Hamsa challenging the govt order. P5 the reconstitution as per the Kerala High Court’s nod. “There were a few petitions before the court challenging the reconstitution by the LDF government. At that stage, the court said the government can reconstitute the board to make it proper. It is the job of the government to set things correct,” Samsudheen told reporters in Palakkad. Asked about filling the vacancy of non-Muslims, he said it will be decided as per the direction of the Su- e x press re a d T’Puram: In a swift and unusual move, the Enforcement Directorate officials pasted a copy of the summons issued to former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the CMRL pay-off case, at his residence in the state capital on Saturday. The ED officials reached Pinarayi’s residence at Bakery Junction, close on the heels of him approaching the Supreme Court seeking to stay the FIR against him. P4 Pathanamthitta: Chief Minister V D Satheesan has said that steps will be initiated after the current pilgrimage season to develop Sabarimala into the best pilgrimage centre in the country by providing facilities for devotees on the lines of Tirupati. The chief minister said all necessary facilities would be put in place to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees this season. P4 Rift widens in Cong as Sudhakaran too joins chorus to criticise govt UDAYAN KISHORE @ New Delhi All India Students’ Association (AISA) leader Neha Bora was released from detention on Saturday morning, while Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail later in the day by a local court, after he signed a peace bond. Both were detained by the Delhi Police on Friday ahead of the Lehra do Tiranga protest at Connaught Place. Dipke was arrested in a fresh case for violating a peace bond furnished by him on October 10. He was produced before a special executive magistrate court, which imposed various conditions on him while granting him relief. On October 10, he was detained inside a flight at Delhi airport along with CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. A case for breach of peace was registered. Dipke was released after signing a bond undertaking not to disturb peace for one year. He was made to sign another peace bond on Saturday . Bora was released after completing formalities related to her detention under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act. “I was detained at Mandi House and kept here (at the police station) the whole night, until 5 am. Why are you (police) carrying out these illegal detentions,” she said. 1. Footwear scattered at the stampede site in Kolkata; 2. Kin of victims at the Calcutta Medical College; 3. A patient being stretchered into the hospital | special seventeen people were feared dead and many others injured after a downpour led to a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening in Central Kolkata near Mahajati Sadan. Police authorities are yet to confirm the casualties. The tragedy occurred inside the Chorbagan Puja pandal around 7 pm. As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the Puja pandal rushed forward, and some of them fell on the road, leading to the stampede-like situation, a police officer said. “At least 25 people were taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital in serious condition,” he said. A television report said 17 people were declared dead on arrival at Calcutta Medical College in Bowbazar police station area, while more than 30 others were admitted. West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal have reached the Calcutta Medical College to take stock. This is perhaps the first incident of stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in West Bengal. Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials also rushed to the hospital. Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families,” former CM Mamata Banerjee said. ANNA J OSE @T’Puram French rage Flames ravage Lyon’s tourism office after it was set on fire by a mob during a protest against the “high cost of living” in France, on Saturday as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation of students, climate activists, farmers and others | AFP Brewing resentment within the Congress has found a fresh outlet as more Congress leaders rallied behind Mathew Kuzhalnadan, MLA, in his open criticism against the UDF government’s stand in the CMRL pay-off case. Close on the heels of Kuzhalnadan accusing the government of going soft on former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, an array of leaders joined the criticism. The biggest jolt against the leadership, especially Chief Minister V D Satheesan, came from former KPCC president K Sudhakaran, who lashed out at the government on Saturday night. Taking an indirect dig at Satheesan, Sudhakaran wondered whether there is a capable government in power. “We support Mathew Kuzhalnadan who has political clarity . No one can threaten or intimidate him. We are here to stand by him and protect him,” Sudhakaran said in an apparent message to Satheesan, with whom Kuzhalnadan had a tiff at the parliamentary party meeting the other day . Criticising the government, Sudhakaran urged it to take legal action. If there is a strong government, it should take action against Pinarayi. “I don’t know whether such a government is in office now,” he won- dered. Significantly, Sudhakaran’s open suppor t to Kuzhalnadan comes at a time when there is growing unease within the party against Satheesan. UDF convener Adoor Prakash had openly come out against Satheesan for lack of consultations within the front. Kuzhalnadan had criticised the government over the delay in registering a case against Pinarayi. After Kuzhalnadan reminded the government not to forget how the Left treated former chief minister Oommen Chandy, the bandwagon got louder as more youngsters, especially MLAs, voiced sup● More on P4 port.  C H I L D M O D E c a ll Children have fundamental right to internet access, rules Supreme Court s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi DEclaring that access to and use of the internet is a ‘fundamental right’ for every individual, including children, the Supreme Court has directed the Central government to create a national database for detection and removal of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on digital platforms. Crackdown on subscription-based sexual content The Supreme Court has taken serious note of lapses by social media platforms in curbing sexually explicit visual content depicting minors and directed that every intermediary must ensure no such material is offered, hosted, uploaded or promoted through a paywall or subscription, either directly or indirectly A bench comprising justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran suggested introducing “child mode” for social media accounts, with greater emphasis on parental consent and oversight. “We have no hesitation in saying that the right to access and use the internet is a fundamental right of every individual under Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a) of the Con- stitution. Our children, irrespective of their age, enjoy the same rights ... the safety of our children and their freedom are not at odds with each other.” The bench made these obser- vations while hearing a plea by Just Rights for Children Alliance (JCRA). The bench acknowledged that the internet is far from safe for children but held that keeping children away because of the failures of intermediaries to detect and remove harmful material would amount to mistaking the victim for the problem. “Children do not cease to use the internet merely because the law prohibits them from do- ing so, and they continue to use the same,” the bench said. The bench also directed that National Hash & URL List Database be set up for detection and removal of CSEAM, and said any entry in the database should be made after multiple tiers of verification, with the final screening being done by at least three trained human analysts who independently determine whether the material constitutes CSEAM.