News Dabba for 01 October 2025: 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 Global Sumud Flotilla nearing Gaza, Chennai power plant accident, to Philippines earthquake.

NDTV reports, Russia wants India in Arctic Council to navigate Northern Sea route

Russia is avidly courting India for an Arctic power play in the 'Northern Sea Route' with an Arctic Council Membership on the table, NDTV reports. India has a small permanent presence in the Arctic, but wants a larger toehold so it can also tap the vast natural resources of the Arctic. The NSR, which runs through the Arctic Ocean along Russia's northern coast, is up to 40 per cent shorter than traditional southern maritime routes like the Suez Canal, offering faster, safer, and more cost-effective cargo movement between Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region. Read the full report here.

Indian Express on Chennai power plant accident that killed nine

The nine workers who died in an accident at a construction site in north Chennai on Tuesday night were all young men from the Dimasa tribe, Indian Express reports, hailing from a cluster of villages in Assam and living and working together in Tamil Nadu. The report says that the nine were working at the site of a 1,320-megawatt Ennore Special Economic Zone thermal power project near Ponneri. They had been building a concrete arch over 20 feet above the ground when the metal scaffolding gave way, sending them crashing down nearly 30 feet. Read the full report here.

Death toll from earthquake in Cebu in the Philippines rises to 69, The Straits Times

The death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit the central Philippines has risen to 69, a disaster official said on Oct 1, as the government mobilised agencies to search for survivors and restore power and water supplies. The Straits Times reports that in Bogo city in the north of Cebu province, which was near the epicentre of the shallow quake that struck off the coast just before 10pm on Sept 30. Cebu province, one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations, is home to 3.4 million people. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times: Teltumbde withdraws foreign travel plea after HC shows reluctance

Academician Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, on Wednesday withdrew his petition seeking permission to travel abroad to deliver lectures after the Bombay High Court expressed its disinclination to allow it, Hindustan Times reports. A bench headed by Justice A S Gadkari, while noting that it was not inclined to allow the plea, said Teltumbde could give the lectures virtually. Teltumbde's counsel Mihir Desai pointed out to the court that the activist would also be required to hold seminars, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Sumud Flotilla determined as it nears Gaza, Al Jazeera reports

Al Jazeera reports that the Global Sumud Flotilla said its fleet has sailed into the “high-risk zone”, 150 nautical miles (278km) from Gaza, where previous flotillas were attacked or stopped by Israeli forces. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have demanded that the Flotilla be left to proceed unharmed. The report adds that ships from Spain and Italy have been sailing with the flotilla to ensure its safe passage through international waters, while drones from Turkiye have been circling overhead, in an apparent attempt to monitor any potential attack. As the boats near Gaza, the Sumud Flotilla has made live video available for the safety of those on board. Israel has sworn to stop the Gaza-bound flotilla, the report adds. Read the full report here.