QBullet: Delhi Pollution Levels Spike, 12 Killed in Manipur Quake
QBullet: The Quint’s morning compilation of the stories that are making headlines across the country.
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1. Delhi Rises to the Odd-Even Challenge, But Air Pollution Levels Spike
Despite the inconvenience and the hassle, Delhi’s car owners rose to the government’s odd-even challenge, and were more than equal party to it. Rule-breakers were few, and most commuters toed the line. People took to public transport; the metro saw an 11 percent increase in the number of commuters.
However, despite fewer cars on the road, the pollution levels, far from coming down, have spiked across Delhi.
The Quint’s reporters were out on the roads of Delhi, reporting from various conventionally crowded locations in the city. Find the report here.
2. 12 Killed, Over 200 Injured in Pre-Dawn Quake in Manipur
An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale killed at least nine people in India and three in Bangladesh and left more than 200 injured in the early hours of the morning on Monday. The government has asked people to remain vigilant and be prepared for possible aftershocks of the quake.
Follow The Quint’s story here.
3. The Lodha Report: What the BCCI Bosses Stand to Lose
If the Supreme Court decides to put pressure on the BCCI to implement the sweeping reforms suggested by the Justice RM Lodha Committee, it could mean some drastic changes in the board.
For once, it could well mean the end of the road in sports administration for Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar. Current president Shashank Manohar may lose his voting rights. The changes could also affect a lot of state association bosses, who have been in power since time immemorial.
Here’s a look at a few of the suggested reforms and their possible repercussions. Read The Quint’s report here.
4. Pathankot: Six Terrorists Killed in Extended Operation
A careful, sustained combing operation was launched by the armed forces to ensure that Pathankot Air Force station was secure, following a two-day encounter with suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. Until Sunday, six terrorists have been killed. According to media reports, no shots had been fired by Indian soldiers on Monday.
The operation, however, hadn’t concluded on Monday night. The armed forces are ensuring that a dormant attacker does not take them by surprise.
Read The Quint’s latest updates on the Pathankot attacks here.
5. Diplomatic Crisis Deepens in West Asia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has severed diplomatic ties with Iran. Iran attacked the kingdom’s embassy and consulate in the Islamic Republic over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
The two nations engaged in a war of words that threatened to escalate, even as the US and the EU intervened to play mediator and clam the region. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, warned Saudi Arabia of ‘divine revenge’ over al-Nimr’s death, while Riyadh accused Tehran of supporting ‘terrorism.’
6. Special Court to Try Chhota Rajan
A special court has been assigned by the Bombay High Court administration to hear all cases against underworld don Chhota Rajan. Mangesh Patil, Registrar General of the high court confirmed the news to The Hindu.
The Maharashtra police have a total of 71 cases registered against Rajan, of which 68 are in Mumbai, two in Navi Mumbai and one in Pune.
7. Average of 6 Rapes, 15 Molestations Each Day in 2015
Delhi registered a rise in the number of rapes in 2015, with data suggesting that an average of six cases every day. 2,095 cases of rape were reported in 2015, compared to 2,085 in 2014. Last year’s statistics were the highest in fifteen years, and possibly, ‘the highest ever.’
8. History of Masood Azhar’s Jaish, the Mystery of Its Re-Emergence
Islamabad may be able to help New Delhi in its investigation of the Pathankot airbase attack. The history and allegiances of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the banned terror outfit, allegedly responsible for the attack in Pathankot may explain why, writes Muzamil Jaleel for The Indian Express.
This, he says, can also help ensure that the recently resumed dialogues between the two nations don’t stagnate like it did after 26/11.
9. Years Later, Slumdog Child Stars Rubina and Azhar Have a Lifeline
Child stars Rubina and Azharuddin Ismail faded in and out of the spotlight, first for their incredible journey from Garib Nagar to the silver screen and then over allegations by their families that they had been poorly paid for their work in the film.
The two children are now sixteen years old and their lives are very different from what they might have imagined it would be before Danny Boyle’s film and the Jai Ho Trust ensured that they received an education and better living circumstances.
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