News Dabba for 04 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 Supreme Court's relief to Rahul Gandhi, flash floods and landsslide in Uttarakhand, to Ukraine claiming sea drone hit Russian navy ship.

Ukraine says sea drone hit Russian navy ship, BBC

A Russian naval ship has been damaged in a Ukrainian naval drone attack in the Black Sea, BBC reports as per its Ukrainian sources. The assault reportedly occurred near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is a major hub for Russian exports. The report also mentions that Russia's defence ministry said it had repelled a Ukrainian attack on its naval base there which involved two sea drones, but did not admit any damage. But Ukrainian security service sources say the Olenegorsky Gornyak was hit and suffered a serious breach. Read the full report here.

Rahul Gandhi to be MP again, NDTV reports

The Supreme Court today stayed the conviction of Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi in the criminal defamation case against him over his 'Modi surname' remark, NDTV reports. It also did maintain that his remarks are not in good taste, especially for a person in public life. As per the report, the court said that the trial judge has awarded the maximum sentence of two years in the case, the top court observed, pointing out that it would not have attracted disqualification if the sentence was a day lesser. "The ramifications of disqualification not just affect the right of the individual but also the electorate," it further said. A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha, and Sanjay Kumar was hearing Rahul Gandhi's plea for stay on his conviction. Read the full report here.

Supreme Court refuses to stay ASI survey of Gyanvapi Mosque complex

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to put a stay on the survey of Gyanvapi Mosque by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Hindustan Times reports that the top court bench also said it cannot find fault with the orders passed by the Varanasi district court. “Only non-invasive methods are to be used in survey. No excavation or destruction of any part of the structure”, the top court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices Manoj Misra and JB Pardiwala said. They also turned down the Gyanvapi mosque management committee's plea to keep the survey report confidential until the court decides the maintainability of the suit by the Hindu plaintiffs. Read the full report here.

Palestinian teen killed by Israeli army in occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera report

Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian teenager during one of their daily pre-dawn raids into the occupied West Bank. Mahmoud Abu Sa’an, 18, who was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers at point-blank range as they stormed the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem early Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said. Fierce confrontations broke out during the raid between Palestinian residents and Israeli forces, which had snipers stationed on the rooftops, the report adds. Read the full report here.

3 dead, several missing due to flash floods on Kedarnath Yatra route: The Hindu

A land-slide incident took place at Gaurikund on Thursday night, following heavy rains that lashed the area for 24 hours. The Hindu reports that three bodies have been recovered from the debris, while around 16 people are still missing. Three shops have also been washed away due to the flash floods, the report adds. Heavy rains are predicted for the next 48 hours in the area. The report also says that heavy rains coupled with boulders falling intermittently from the hillsides are hampering relief and rescue efforts. Read the full report here.