Quick Reads
News Dabba for 01 November 2023: Five stories for a balanced news diet
Here are the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites.
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 an all-party meeting in Maharashtra on the Maratha reservation, Egypt opening the Rafah crossing for a small number of Palestinians, to India-Bangladesh rail link development projects.
Rafah opens from Gaza for limited evacuations, Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera reports that Rafah crossing opened on Wednesday from Gaza for first time since October 7 to allow small number of wounded Palestinians to be taken to Egypt for treatment. Some foreign nationals or dual passport holders to leave, as well. A health ministry official in Gaza says 80 wounded and 400 foreign nationals or dual passport holders will be allowed to travel into Egypt through the Rafah crossin, the report says. Officials in Gaza released a list of names this morning, asking those named to proceed to the crossing. Meanwhile, The Palestinian Prisoners Society has told Al Jazeera at least 50 Palestinians have been detained overnight in the occupied West Bank. Read the full report here.
NDTV on Maharashtra CM's statement that government favours Maratha quota
The Maharashtra government is in favour of the Maratha quota, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said today after an all-party meeting. NDTV reports that the meeting was called by his government to discuss the fresh wave of statewide protests. The leaders also passed a resolution urging pro-quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to call off his indefinite fast. The report says it was signed by Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray camp leader Anil Parab and the Leader of Opposition of the two legislative houses. Marathas should observe restraint as the government needs time for legal modalities to implement the reservation, the Chief Minister said, as per the report. Read the full report here.
The Hindu's live updates on Electoral Bonds Case
A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud continues hearing on Wednesday a batch of petitions challenging the electoral bonds scheme. The Hindu reports that the scheme, which was notified on January 2, 2018, introduced money instruments through which companies and individuals in India can donate to political parties anonymously. Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing on behalf of ADR submitted that there is substantial evidence to believe that money is being given through electoral bonds as kickbacks in lieu of favourable government policies. The report adds that on the second day of the hearing, the CJI said, "The problem with the scheme is that it provides selective anonymity. It is not completely anonymous." Read the full report here.
The Straits Times: European nations join island states in calling for fossil fuel phase-out
The Straits Times reports that an influential alliance including several European countries and Pacific island states backed the global phase-out of fossil fuels. This could potentially pit them against fossil fuel-dependent countries in what is set to be a central debate at the COP28 climate summit in 2023. The High Ambition Coalition – which counts the Marshall Islands, Austria and France among its members – called for a decline in fossil fuel production and use. The coalition was formed in the run-up to the 2015 Paris Agreement, the report mentions. Read the full report here.
PM Modi, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina jointly unveil rail link development projects: Indian Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina today jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development projects via video conferencing. Indian Express reports that the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh’s Rampal were inaugurated. PM Modi said, “It is a matter of joy that once again we have connected to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. The report says that the international immigration centre of the Agartala-Akhaura railway link would be set up at Nischintapur, which is India’s last railway station along the Indo-Bangla border. Read the full report here.
