News Dabba for 04 February 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 Akhilesh Yadav demanding real Kumbh stampede death toll, Gujarat set to prepare UCC draft, to US deporting Indian migrants using military plane.

India Today: Akhilesh Yadav demands release real Kumbh stampede death toll

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and alleged that the government is hiding the real death toll in the stampede that erupted at Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on January 29. India Today reports that the government revealed that as many as 30 people were killed and 60 others were injured in the stampede, but the Opposition claimed the number is higher. While speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's address during the Budget Session in the Lok Sabha, Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav demanded the release of official data on Maha Kumbh stampede casualties. Read the full report here.

US deports Indian migrants using military plane, Indian Express reports

Indian Express reports that a United States military plane began deporting Indian migrants, implementing President Donald Trump’s position against an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. As per reports, the C-17 aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals departed from San Antonio, Texas, around 3 am IST. The report states, a US embassy spokesperson in Delhi said, “The United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.” Read the full report here.

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels declare ceasefire in DRC, Al Jazeera reports

Rwanda-backed forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced that they will pause their advance across the east of the country for humanitarian reasons, Al Jazeera reports. The AFC/M23 rebel coalition announced late on Monday that it would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting on Tuesday. The group, backed by thousands of troops from neighbouring Rwanda, seized Goma, the main city in eastern DRC, last week, with the United Nations estimating 900 people were killed, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Read the full report here.

Gujarat announces 5-member panel to prepare Uniform Civil Code draft: Hindustan Times

The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced a five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai to prepare the draft for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Hindustan Times reports. Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said the committee will submit its report to the state government in 45 days, based on which the government will take a decision. The report adds that other members of the committee include retired IAS officer CL Meena, advocate RC Kodekar, educationist Daxesh Thakar and social worker Gita Shroff. Read the full report here.

Devastation from Queensland floods 'incredible', BBC as per Australia premier

Flooding in Australia has inflicted "incredible" devastation on communities across northern Queensland, the state's premier has said, BBC reports, even though conditions are easing faster than predicted. Thousands of evacuated residents began returning to their homes on Tuesday, but it is feared hundreds of properties and businesses have been inundated. Two people have died, the report mentions. Parts of the region have been battered by nearly 2m of rain since Saturday, prompting ongoing flood warnings and blackouts. Read the full report here.