8-point action plan invoked in Delhi as pollution worsens in city

A tragic accident in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in the deaths of 10 army personnel. The incident occurred in the Bhaderwah area when an army vehicle, engaged in a routine surveillance and patrolling mission, skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge. According to the report, '10 army personnel have lost their lives in this accident while seven others are injured.' The vehicle was reportedly carrying out surveillance in view of high alert for Republic Day celebrations when the driver lost control. Local residents and civil administration officials are assisting in the ongoing rescue operations. Those critically injured have been airlifted to the Northern Command hospital in Udhampur for urgent medical treatment. Some personnel remain stuck as rescue teams continue their efforts at the site of the mishap.

On this Special Report, the focus is on Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh’s announcement regarding potential restrictions on social media access for minors. Speaking at Davos, Nara Lokesh stated that the 'Andhra Pradesh government is mulling a ban on access to media for children below 16 years in the state.' The Minister highlighted that the government is currently studying Australia's legislative framework, which prohibits children under 16 from accessing social platforms. The move aims to protect youngsters from harmful content they may not fully comprehend and to safeguard their mental health and safety. TDP spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported the initiative, noting that children are often not emotionally mature enough for the digital environment. The proposed law seeks to prevent cyberbullying and online targeting, ensuring a secure digital space for minors. The state government is examining global best practices to develop a robust legal framework for the well-being of children in Andhra Pradesh.

On this Special Report, anchor Anisha discusses the significant political shift in Chandigarh as the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress collapses ahead of the Mayoral Election. Anisha notes, 'The alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress for the Chandigarh Mayoral Election has collapsed, with both parties deciding to go solo'. This development provides a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the polls scheduled for 29th January. AAP Punjab-in-charge Jarnail Singh confirmed the party will contest independently, rejecting previous reports of a joint strategy. Reporter Aman Bharadwaj highlights that both parties are filing separate nominations for the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. With 19 votes required to win in the 35-member Municipal Corporation, the split between AAP’s 11 councillors and Congress’s 6 councillors significantly alters the arithmetic against the BJP’s 18 votes and the MP's vote. The programme examines the implications for Punjab's larger political landscape.

On this report, Mustafa Shaikh provides details on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayoral race following the state government's reservation lottery. Mustafa Shaikh notes, 'The lottery goes to women from the open category,' confirming that Mumbai will have a female mayor. The Urban Development Department conducted the lottery for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, leading to a walkout by the Uddhav Sena. The opposition party has slammed the result, demanding an OBC mayor instead of one from the open category. Mustafa Shaikh explains that authorities followed an alphabetical order for the reservation process, which excluded the BMC from the OBC bracket this time. While the category is now fixed, the specific individual who will lead the 'maximum city' remains a suspense. The report highlights the political friction between the Mahayuti and the Uddhav Sena following the recent elections and the subsequent administrative procedures for local body leadership.