October 20, 2025, proved to be a day dominated by converging crises and significant global developments, as India’s capital grappled with severe air pollution on Diwali, while geopolitical tensions flared with former US President Donald Trump issuing a stark warning to India regarding its continued purchase of Russian oil.
Delhi’s Diwali Dimmed by Severe Air Pollution
As celebrations for Deepavali unfolded across the nation, Delhi’s air quality nosedived into the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories on Monday. By noon, 31 out of 38 monitoring stations in the city recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) levels exceeding 300, with three stations in Anand Vihar, Wazirpur, and Ashok Vihar registering AQI values above 400, firmly placing them in the ‘severe’ zone. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall AQI of 334 at noon, a stark contrast to the festive spirit intended for the day. In response to the deteriorating conditions, Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was enforced across the National Capital Region, intensifying pollution control measures. Authorities had appealed for the use of green crackers, but the smog-laden air painted a grim picture, with forecasts indicating further deterioration into the ‘severe’ category in the subsequent days.
Trump’s Tariff Threat Hangs Over India’s Russian Oil Imports
Adding to the day’s significant news, former US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him of India’s cessation of Russian oil imports. Speaking to reporters, Trump warned that India would continue to face “massive” tariffs if it did not comply with this supposed assurance. This marks the third time Trump has made such a claim, which New Delhi has consistently denied, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating that India’s energy import policies are solely guided by the objective of safeguarding consumer interests in a volatile global market. The US has previously imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, with a portion linked to India’s energy trade with Russia, arguing that such purchases fund Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite US claims that India had halved its Russian oil purchases, industry sources and data suggested otherwise, with imports expected to rise. The ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US continue against this backdrop of tension.
A Day of Global and National Headlines
Beyond the environmental and geopolitical concerns, October 20, 2025, was marked by several other major news events.
Global Tech Outage Cripples Services: Amazon Web Services (AWS), a cornerstone of global cloud infrastructure, experienced a significant worldwide outage early Monday morning. This disruption affected numerous popular websites and applications, including Amazon.com, Snapchat, Fortnite, Roblox, and various airline and banking services. AWS confirmed an “underlying DNS issue” as the cause and worked towards resolution, though many services faced intermittent connectivity and latencies.
Daring Louvre Heist: In Paris, the iconic Louvre Museum remained closed for a second consecutive day following a audacious daylight jewelry heist. Thieves utilized a crane-type lift to access the museum, smashed display cases, and stole priceless jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon before escaping. French authorities described the operation as highly organized and professional, occurring in mere minutes.
Ayodhya Deepotsav Sets World Records: In a display of spiritual and cultural grandeur, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav celebration achieved two Guinness World Records. Over 26.17 lakh diyas were lit simultaneously along the Saryu river banks, and a record 2,128 people performed ‘aarti’ together, illuminating the temple town in a spectacular event.
JMM Withdraws from Bihar Polls: In a significant political development in India, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced it would not contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. The party cited a “political conspiracy” by its allies, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, over seat-sharing disputes, and stated it would review its alliance in Jharkhand.
Conclusion:
The day’s news painted a multifaceted picture, highlighting interconnected global challenges from environmental degradation and geopolitical trade disputes to technological vulnerabilities. While Delhi battled smog and India navigated international pressure on energy imports, major tech platforms faced widespread disruption, and significant cultural landmarks experienced criminal acts. Amidst these pressing issues, the vibrant trending Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya offered a contrasting narrative of cultural achievement and communal spirit. The events of October 20, 2025, underscore the complex and dynamic nature of the world now.
