Earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale epicentred in the Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan struck at around 2.40 PM, sending ripples across several states like Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The quake was 196 km deep and centred 82 km southeast of Feyzabad in a remote area of Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountain range. It lasted almost a minute. At least one person is feared dead in Baramulla area of North Kashmir. A woman has died due to cardiac arrest during the earthquake. Fear and panic gripped the valley as heavy tremors were felt at around 2:40 pm on Monday. The police confirmed damage in several public and private properties from several areas in the valley. Several trees including hundreds of year old Chinar tree were uprooted at several places in the valley and caused damage to vehicles parked near them. Damage in infrastructure was reported from several areas of the valley including the main fly-over near Lal chowk area which developed a crack. The chaos following the earthquake caused a massive traffic jam in the commercial hub of Srinagar.

Geeta's wait extends, says Mahatos not her parents
The wait for Geeta to re-unite with her family seems to be far from over. In the latest twist in the case, Geeta has refused to recognise Mahatos, who claimed to be her family, as parents. The hearing and speech impaired girl returned to India from Pakistan after 15 years this morning. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that Geeta would be sent to a shelter home in Indore for now, even as DNA samples have already been given for tests. If the DNA reports are not in favour of Janardhan Mahato and family, Swaraj said that a fresh search would be launched to look for her parents.

Five-year-old Pakistani girl to travel to India for treatment
In a humanitarian gesture, India has issued a visa to a five-year-old Pakistani girl suffering from chronic liver disease to undergo transplant operation in the country. Basma Mohammad Faisal is currently admitted in Royal Hospital in Oman and is scheduled to undergo a liver transplant operation at the Global Health City in Chennai. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Wednesday, "We have issued a visa for Basma's surgery in India. We wish her a speedy recovery."

Gangster Chhota Rajan arrested in Bali
Mumbai gangster Chhota Rajan has been arrested by Bali police on Sunday night. Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan is one of the most wanted criminals of India. "Bali Police arrested Chhota Rajan yesterday at CBI's request made through Interpol," said CBI Director Anil Sinha on Monday.  Acting on a tip-off from Australian police, Indonesian authorities detained Chhota Rajan as he arrived in the popular resort island of Bali from Sydney.

Sensex ends 109 points lower, Nifty holds above 8,250
The domestic equity market remained largely indifferent to Friday's surprise rate cut by the Chinese central bank, as an initial enthusiasm got wiped out by anxiety over the outcome of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting scheduled for tomorrow. The S&P BSE Sensex ended the day 109 points, or xx 0.4, lower at 27,362 while the 50-stock barometer Nifty50 closed 35 points, or 0.42 per cent, down at 8,260. China on Friday cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent, the sixth rate cut by the Chinese central bank since November, 2014.

Transgenders to get equality of work in factories
The Union government is making changes in the labour law to ensure “equality and dignity of work” for transgenders in Indian factories. In the Factories Amendment Bill 2015, the labour ministry has introduced a completely new section called Section 66A on employing transgender persons, which is expected to be tabled in the upcoming winter session of parliament. The move is being seen as part of the growing acceptance of the transgender community in work and study areas.