‘Like a train’: remote earthquake biggest in decades

An earthquake that sounded “like a train” and rattled cupboards was the largest in southwest Tasmania in two decades, felt across the island.

The 4.1-magnitude tremor struck at 6:38 am on Thursday near Lake Pedder at a depth of 14 km. More than 120 people reported the earthquake to Geoscience Australia, including residents in Hobart, Queenstown on the west coast, and Launceston in the north.

One resident in Burnie posted on social media that it sounded like a train going down the street, while another south of Hobart reported glassware rattling in cupboards. Despite these reports, there were no calls for assistance or damage reported, according to the state’s emergency service.

Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Hadi Ghasemi said it was the largest quake within a 100 km radius of the epicentre in 20 years. “Tasmania is not high seismicity,” he explained, “but this event is testament that earthquakes can happen anywhere in Tasmania.”

Dr. Ghasemi also noted that the largest earthquake documented in Tasmania was a mid-to-high magnitude six in the late 1800s off Flinders Island.

Hydro Tasmania confirmed that no damage had been identified to its dams in the region, including Edgar Dam, which is currently undergoing upgrades. The dam, located about 30 km from the earthquake’s epicentre, is designed to withstand tremors of up to 6.8 magnitude along the Lake Edgar fault line.

“This earthquake was well below that and was not on the fault line,” said Hydro Tasmania’s General Manager of Assets and Infrastructure, Jesse Clark. “The upgrade will strengthen the dam even further.”

Hydro Tasmania emphasized that it maintains extensive seismic monitoring and will continue to inspect and monitor infrastructure over the coming days to ensure safety.
https://thewest.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/like-a-train-remote-earthquake-biggest-in-decades-c-20138247

Indore News: Excise Raids In Rural Areas, Illicit Liquor & Goods Worth ₹1.75 Lakh Seized

**State Excise Department Conducts Major Operation Against Illegal Liquor in Mhow**

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): On Wednesday, the State Excise Department launched a significant crackdown on illegal liquor following orders from Assistant Excise Commissioner Abhishek Tiwari. The operation was led by Flying Squad In-charge Kamlesh Solanki, under the guidance of ADEO Ashok Khatri and Ganpat Singh Dhund.

Raids were conducted at multiple locations in Mhow, including Bhondiya Talab, Banjari, and Bhatkhedi. During the raids, 10 cases were registered, with 8 cases filed under sections 34(1)(A) and 34(F) of the Excise Act, 1915. Two accused individuals were arrested but later released on bail at the spot.

The team seized 120 litres of locally made liquor along with 1,500 kilograms of mahua lahan, a raw material used in illicit liquor production, with a total market value estimated at nearly Rs 1.75 lakh. All seized illicit liquor and raw materials were destroyed immediately on-site.

The operation involved excise inspectors Meena Mal, Sunil Malviya, B.D. Ahirwar, and Ashish Jain, alongside several excise constables, whose valuable contributions were instrumental to the success of the raids.

**Man Arrested with Brown Sugar Worth Rs 1.25 Lakh**

In a separate action, the city crime branch apprehended a man accused of illegal drug trafficking. Bablu alias Vinod Bairagi, a resident of Labariya Bheru area, was caught during a routine check at MOG Lines after displaying suspicious behavior.

Upon search, over 12 grams of brown sugar—an expensive narcotic substance valued at approximately Rs 1.25 lakh in the international market—was found concealed inside a compartment of his scooter. Bablu is a habitual offender with around 18 criminal cases previously registered against him. He faces charges under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act for allegedly selling and consuming narcotics. Further investigation is ongoing.

**Traffic Police Nab Car Driver Using Another Vehicle’s Registration Number**

In another incident on Wednesday, the traffic police detained a car driver found using the registration number of a different vehicle. Subedar Arun Singh, along with Constables Shyam Markam and Vishnu Singh, stopped a car near Chandragupt Maurya Square bearing the number MP09CU0610, which appeared unclear.

Upon verification, it was revealed that the registration number actually belonged to another vehicle whose owner confirmed that their car was parked safely at home. The driver of the stopped car failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Consequently, both the vehicle and the driver were handed over to Hira Nagar Police Station for further legal action.

These enforcement actions underscore the ongoing efforts by Indore authorities to clamp down on illegal activities, ensuring public safety and adherence to the law.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-excise-raids-in-rural-areas-illicit-liquor-goods-worth-175-lakh-seized

Ten Gang Members Arrested Over Kidnapping, Victim Still Missing

According to investigative sources, ten men connected to an Osaka-based designated crime syndicate are currently under suspicion in a serious criminal case. These individuals were initially arrested on charges including abduction and confinement.

The men are accused of forcibly pulling the victim into a vehicle on a street in Amagasaki in June and holding him against his will. A witness who heard the man’s cries contacted the police, but by the time officers arrived, the car had already fled the scene.

The victim’s whereabouts remain unknown. Police suspect that after being beaten and forcibly taken into the vehicle, the man was subsequently killed.

On September 24th, investigators plan to re-arrest several of the suspects on suspicion of murder as they continue working to clarify the circumstances surrounding the case.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147007.php

Bus passengers cheer after driver avoids head-on crash in Vietnam

On September 21, 2025, in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam, a tourist bus narrowly avoided a head-on collision with a swerving lorry on a blind curve.

The sudden maneuver turned passengers’ panic into relief as the bus driver skillfully averted what could have been a serious accident. This close call highlights the importance of cautious driving, especially on challenging road sections like blind curves.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and both vehicles continued safely on their journeys. Passengers expressed gratitude for the driver’s quick reflexes and professional handling of the situation.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bus-passengers-cheer-driver-avoids-030048350.html

Women practising garba abducted by armed group in MP`s Mandsaur; 7 held

At around 9:30 pm on Saturday, unidentified men and women entered Bhavsar Dharamshala, located within Kotwali police station limits, brandishing illegal weapons. They forcibly dragged a woman into a four-wheeler and abducted her, according to an official statement.

Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena confirmed the details, stating that the abduction was carried out by the woman’s relatives, as reported by IANS. Kotwali station in-charge Pushpendra Singh Rathore identified the arrested individuals as Ramchandra, Manisha (also known as Bunty), Kamlesh (also known as Ghota), Fakirachand, Shambhulal, Shyamabai—all residents of Chachawada Sathiya under Garoth Police Station—and Dinesh from Bhunki Hatunia.

A case has been registered under sections related to kidnapping, the Arms Act, and other relevant laws. Officials confirmed that further investigation is ongoing.

The woman was participating in a Navratri celebration alongside other women and young girls when the group of four men and two women arrived at the venue. Without warning, they grabbed her and began dragging her away. A young woman present at the scene attempted to intervene but was pushed aside.

One of the accused brandished a pistol-like object, causing panic among attendees. Video footage captured people fleeing in fear as the woman was taken away, Kotwali police station in-charge Pushpendra Singh Rathore said, as per IANS.

Police were alerted immediately, and a district-wide blockade was imposed. Within two hours, Kotwali police successfully traced and apprehended all seven accused and safely recovered the woman. The vehicle used in the abduction, as well as the pistol—which was later confirmed to be a toy—were seized by the authorities.

According to the woman’s statement, she had previously been married but left her husband due to repeated physical abuse and filed for divorce. She had been living with a young man named Yash in Khanpura for the past four months. Her family and in-laws, reportedly angered by her relationship, orchestrated the abduction to bring her back home, the news agency reported.

Local residents expressed outrage over the incident, especially given its occurrence during a cultural celebration. The incident has reignited conversations around personal freedom, family pressure, and the urgent need for stronger protections for women in both private and public spaces.

(With PTI and IANS inputs)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/navratri-2025-women-practising-garba-abducted-by-armed-group-in-mps-mandsaur-7-held-23595111

Mumbai Police Deploy AI For The First Time At Girgaon Chowpatty On Anant Chaturdashi – Prevents Stampedes, Reunites 24 Missing Children | VIDEO

**Mumbai Police Deploys Artificial Intelligence for Crowd Management During Ganeshotsav Visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty**

Mumbai’s annual Ganeshotsav celebration is renowned for drawing massive crowds, with millions of devotees participating in visarjan processions across key immersion points such as Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu, and Dadar. This year marked a significant milestone as the Mumbai Police, for the first time, utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) extensively to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the city’s largest annual event during the Ganpati Visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty on Anant Chaturdashi.

In a video statement shared on the official Mumbai Police X handle, Dr. Mohit Garg, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 2 Mumbai, elaborated on the high-tech measures deployed. Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Shri Deven Bharti, the force established an AI Command and Control Center that integrated feeds from hundreds of CCTV cameras along with 16 drones. This comprehensive setup enabled accurate calculation of the number of devotees entering Chowpatty and detailed analysis of parking space utilization.

Dr. Garg emphasized the critical role of this technology in preventing stampede-like incidents. Real-time crowd behavior and density analytics allowed the police to monitor gatherings closely and respond promptly to potential risks. “The system helped us rationalize parking decisions and generate alerts that were immediately acted upon,” he noted.

In addition to crowd monitoring, AI was instrumental in enhancing security through anti-sabotage measures. The system kept a vigilant watch on Nirmala Kalash placements and issued real-time alerts when necessary. For the first time during the festival, RFID and GPS technologies were employed to track the movement of 745 Ganpati mandals across Mumbai, helping streamline traffic management.

This advanced surveillance and tracking also played a humanitarian role, enabling the police to trace and reunite 24 missing children with their families amidst the festive chaos.

Despite accommodating nearly 20 lakh visitors at Girgaon Chowpatty on Anant Chaturdashi, with peak crowds reaching 4 lakh people simultaneously, the police successfully managed the event without any major disruptions. Dr. Garg highlighted, “The AI system gave us insights into which parking areas were utilized or underutilized, allowing us to optimize the limited parking space inside Chowpatty. It greatly assisted in preventing stampedes by providing real-time crowd behavior and density analysis.”

He further confirmed that the AI system generated 51 real-time alerts during the event, all of which were swiftly addressed by on-ground officers, ensuring smooth operations throughout the celebrations.

This year’s Ganeshotsav marks a turning point where cutting-edge technology such as AI, drones, GPS, and RFID was seamlessly integrated with traditional policing methods. Mumbai Police’s innovative approach ensured that faith and festivity went hand-in-hand with safety and efficiency, setting a new standard for managing large-scale public events in the city.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-police-deploy-ai-for-the-first-time-at-girgaon-chowpatty-on-anant-chaturdashi-prevents-stampedes-reunites-24-missing-children-video