News Dabba for 01 August 2023: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from the bill on control of services in Delhi, the death of 17 workers on Samruddhi Expressway, to the evacuation of EU nationals from Niger.

NDTV report on introduction of bill on control of services in Delhi in Lok Sabha

NDTV reports that the Centre today introduced in Lok Sabha the contentious Bill through which it wants to cement its control over bureaucrats in Delhi. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to replace the ordinance that the centre brought after a Supreme Court ruling in the favour of the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital. The report adds that the centre has sought a review of the judgment. The bill, tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, empowers the centre to make rules on postings and transfers of Delhi's officials. Soon after the Bill was tabled, the AAP said this Bill aims to replace "democracy with babucracy" in the national capital. Read the full report here.

17 killed after girder machine collapses on Samruddhi Expressway: The Hindu

At least 17 people were killed after a girder machine collapsed on them during the third phase of construction on the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district, The Hindu reports. The victims of the incident that took place in the early hours of August 1, included five site engineers and 12 workers. According to officials, the incident took place at around 1 am in Khutadi Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, the report mentions. Three were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate medical assistance. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered a probe into the accident and announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each victim. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera: France to begin evacuation for its citizens, EU nationals in Niger

The French foreign ministry has said plans to evacuate French citizens are underway in the West African state of Niger. Al Jazeera reports this comes days after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by members of his presidential guard. “The evacuation will start today,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “The evacuation will start today,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement. Last Wednesday’s overthrow of President Bazoum has sent shockwaves across the region. Read the full report here.

Patna High Court upholds Bihar caste survey, Indian Express reports

The Patna High Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas challenging the decision of the Bihar Government to conduct a caste-based survey in the State. Indian Express reports that a Bench comprising Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarthy delivered the verdict after hearing five petitions challenging the caste-based survey. In May, the High court had issued an interim order staying the caste-based survey in Bihar 11 days before its completion. The state government completed the first phase of the caste survey between January 7 and 21 and had been conducting the second phase from April 15, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Aung San Suu Kyi jail term reduced after some pardons, BBC

Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in five of 19 charges brought against her by the military. BBC reports that the pardon, part of a seasonal amnesty, will reduce her 33-year jail sentence by six years. Former president Win Myint, who was ousted along with Suu Kyi, also received a reduced jail sentence after getting two of his charges pardoned. The report further mentions that periodic amnesties have been announced before, but this is the first time they have Ms Suu Kyi and Myint. Read the full report here.