Strong quake hits south Philippines, injuries reported
Manila: A 6.6-magnitude quake struck the southern Philippines Tuesday, authorities said, causing injuries and damaging buildings in a region still reeling from a previous deadly tremor.
Terrified locals fled into the streets after the shallow quake, which the US Geological Survey said hit the island of Mindanao as schools and offices opened for the day.
USGS initially reported the quake had a magnitude of 6.8, adding there was no tsunami threat. "Our municipal hall has been destroyed," said Reuel Limbungan, mayor of Tulunan, a town near the epicentre. "We are receiving lots of reports of injuries, but we have to confirm them," he told AFP.
The area is still suffering the effects of a 6.4-magnitude quake that hit less than two weeks ago, killing at least five and damaging dozens of buildings.
Residents evacuated homes across the Mindanao region including a mall that caught fire in the city of General Santos shortly after the quake struck on October 16.
The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
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BJP takes out torch rally in Ranchi over women's quota bill
Ranchi (PTI): Jharkhand BJP on Tuesday took out a torch rally in Ranchi against the Congress-led opposition alliance for allegedly obstructing the implementation of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.
Led by the BJP women's wing, the 'Mahila Aakrosh Mashal Yatra' was taken out from Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk.
Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu, who also took part in the procession, said, "By opposing the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress-led opposition alliance in Lok Sabha has committed an injustice against women in the country. The people will never forgive them."
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said, "Historic decisions are being taken to empower women under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the opposition is obstructing women's rights due to its narrow politics."
Jharkhand BJP women's wing president Aarti Singh said that the women of Jharkhand have now awakened and are ready to fight to any extent for their honour and rights.
