An unverified audio clip has emerged in which gangster-terrorist Goldy Brar claims responsibility for the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Brar claims Nijjar was killed because he used young people to sell drugs. Nijjar – a Canadian citizen – was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia. His death strained India-Canada diplomatic ties after then-prime minister Justin Trudeau claimed ‘credible evidence’ linking Indian government officials to the killing.Diplomatic ties with China, meanwhile, will be the focus of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to Beijing today for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the boundary issue. Wang was in India in June for a BRICS event, and said ‘it is imperative’ for Delhi and Beijing to respect the other’s ‘core interests’, as they try to repair a relationship that was on the edge of war after a military stand-off in June 2020.Shifting to national politics, Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK has indicated it will undergo an ‘organisational overhaul’ after the shock election defeat in April. At a meeting of the executive committee, party boss MK Stalin blamed ‘inaccessible office-bearers and entrenched local power centres and leaders’ for the loss to actor-politician Joseph Vijay’s TVK. And while these are likely key reasons for the defeat, what if the truth lies deeper still?But it isn’t all politics and geopolitics this morning.The men, and especially women, who run the roughly 23,000 trains that Indian Railways operates daily play a critical role in building the economy and ensuring the safety of over two crore people. But – and this is an ugly truth – they lack some of the most basic facilities, including access to a urinal. That could change now with the rollout of waterless toilets.There’s also news from the world of technology.Story continues below this adA Chinese humanoid robot has just run 100 metres faster than Usain Bolt. The Jamaican super-athlete ran the distance in 9.58 seconds in August 2009. That time has now been lowered – by nearly two-tenths of a second. So what does this mean for humanity? That’s what we’ll try to explain.These are some of the top stories from the Express today. Scroll down for more. The Big StoryWas Punjab-born gangster Goldy Brar really behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar?An audio tape doing the rounds online suggests he was.Story continues below this adThe tape – which The Indian Express could not independently verify – features Brar speaking to another Khalistani terrorist, Paramjit Singh Pamma, and saying: “Those who groomed and incited 16-to-17-year-olds to sell drugs… Nijjar supported and strengthened these individuals so he could use them when necessary. Everyone has to face the consequences of their actions.”Last month the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Brar’s arrest. He is wanted by the American authorities for alleged links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.Nijjar’s killing left India-Canada diplomatic ties at rock bottom, not just because he was a Canadian citizen but because of Trudeau’s allegations against the Indian government. Delhi flatly denied all such claims and last month, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed there is no link.⚡ Only in ExpressFour months ago Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam slumped to a shock election defeat to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.Story continues below this adThe defeat was stunning because it meant neither of the state’s Dravidian giants – the DMK or the AIADMK – were in power for the first time since the Congress in 1967. DMK boss and ex-chief minister MK Stalin has now appeared before his party’s executive committee and tried to explain that failure.But a message meant to reassure the party and its supporters – at arguably its lowest moment in decades – also contained the central tension that defines it at this moment, including a message from the voters on assumptions about political legitimacy.And while Stalin is right about the DMK’s organisational strength, something that has and will continue to ensure it survives setbacks, an argument could be made that the bigger challenge is for the established party to re-learn how politics might be practiced in the era of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. From the Front PageDoval’s China trip: India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will meet his Chinese opposite number, Wang Yi, on Tuesday for the 25th round of Special Representative-level talks as both nations continue to try and resolve the long-standing boundary dispute. After he met Wang in Delhi last year, Doval struck a positive note and spoke of an ‘upward trend’ in bilateral ties.Story continues below this adBut this Doval-Wang meet will take place against the backdrop of India having had to speak sharply about ‘mischievous attempts by the Chinese side to assign fictitious names to places which form part of the territory of India’.The reference was to reports that said China had set up a new ‘county’ in its Xinjiang province near Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Such actions by China, the External Affairs Ministry said, ‘detract from ongoing efforts to stabilise and normalise India-China bilateral ties’.Urinals and the Railways: The lack of toilets for those piloting Indian Railways trains as they criss-cross the country daily is a significant operational challenge, particularly since women are now being inducted into the role.That could change now with the Railways set to install compact, waterless urinals in the drivers’ cabins, starting with those manufactured by the Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited. A prototype has been in use for four months but there are operational concerns before the roll out, including a rethink of water supply and when the pilot can use the toilet. Must ReadThe world’s fastest robotStory continues below this adA Chinese-made robot – Tiangong Ultra – has just beaten Usain Bolt’s 17-year record for running the fastest 100m.The Jamaican star ran it in 9.58 seconds in August 2009. Exactly 17 years later, a Chinese robot ran it in 9.39 seconds.While this is remarkable and stresses China’s dominance over the humanoid robot industry, why make a robot run at all? Who does it help, and how?The answer is simple. These tasks are not just for the spectacle. They are a way of showing how adept robots are at handling real-world situations.Story continues below this adThe human body is an extraordinarily good machine. It can move through a messy, unpredictable environment while constantly processing information from its eyes, ears, nose, and muscles. And once robots are able to handle themselves the same way, they can perform a variety of tasks – particularly those that might be too dangerous for humans such as mine-sweeping.The ‘chipflation’ storyThe global AI investment boom has led to a shortage of memory chips, causing a significant increase in consumer electronics prices.This shortage – termed ‘chipflation’ – has resulted in price hikes for products like smartphones, TVs, and air conditioners.So what is ‘chipflation? Well, back in June, Morgan Stanley coined the term to describe how ‘AI’s (i.e., Artificical Intelligence) appetite for memory chips is boosting the cost of everything from data centers to smartphones, with consequences that may reach far beyond the tech industry.”Story continues below this adAnd they have been proven right, with prices rising three to five per cent in just six months. And the demand for advanced chips by AI and cloud companies has created a two-tier market, leaving traditional electronics manufacturers struggling to secure supply.70 years, 22 unopened boxesFor nearly 70 years, 22 boxes containing material excavated from one of Varanasi’s most important archaeological sites lay unopened.These were excavated from Rajghat in 1957 and given to the museum-run by Banaras Hindu University’ Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. They have now been opened and contain a veritable treasure trove of sculptures, ancient coins, tools, and stamps. And remember, this is the same site where last month experts found a box with a human skeleton that had remained sealed for around 70 years.⏳ And Finally…Bad news on the hockey frontThe Australian women’s hockey team advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a 0-0 draw against India, advancing on the basis of more goals scored.Despite India’s strong defensive performance – highlighted by goalkeeper Savita Punia’s saves – they were unable to capitalise on opportunities at the other end of the field, including a penalty corner in the first half.The draw ended India’s World Cup podium hopes, leaving Savita, at 36, potentially facing her last major tournament.And in today’s 3 Things podcast, we examine an amendment to the Maharashtra Medical Commission Act that allows homeopaths to be registered with the body that regulates the state’s allopathic medical practitioners. The requirement is a 12-month ‘bridge’ course. Doctors across Maharashtra went on a strike this month to protest this amendment.That’s all for today. Have a great day!And see you tomorrow,Chandrashekar Srinivasan