News Dabba for 04 January 2024: 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 Kejriwal's statement on ED summons, YSR TP assimilating in Congress, to Prince Andrew named in Epstein files.

Hindustan Times on Kejriwal's statement on ED summons

Hindustan Times reports that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to get him arrested before the Lok Sabha polls so that he can be prevented from campaigning. In a press conference at his official residence on Thursday, the Delhi chief minister spoke on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in connection with the Delhi excise case and said the investigating agencies could not find a single rupee irregularity in their two-year probe, as per the report. The general elections are expected to be held between April and May to elect 543 members of the Lok Sabha. Read the full report here.

YSR Telangana party leader Sharmila joins Congress, The Hindu

Founder of YSR Telangana Party YS Sharmila, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, joined the Congress on Thursday. The Hindu reports that Sharmila joined the Congress in the presence of Congress President Malikarjun Kharge, former president Rahul Gandhi and the other senior leaders. She also announced the merger of her YSR Telangana Congress with the Congress, and said she would fulfil any responsibility given to her. Sharmila has joined the Congress after months of speculation in the run up to the Telangana assembly elections. The report says it is widely expected that she will be given an important role in the party. Read the full report here.

Prince Andrew named in newly released Epstein court files, BBC reports

Prince Andrew is among high-profile figures named in newly released US court documents detailing connections of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. BBC reported that a judge ordered the release of the records as part of a legal case related to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The legal papers include a previously reported claim of groping by Prince Andrew, which he has denied. Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are also named, the report adds, though neither is accused of illegality. Read the full report here.

Tickets set to get cheaper as IndiGo withdraws fuel charge: Indian Express

With jet fuel (ATF) prices falling from what they were over the past few months, Indian Express reports that India’s largest airline IndiGo has withdrawn fuel charges it had imposed on domestic and foreign routes. The fuel charge, announced by IndiGo early October, was based on distance slabs and varied between Rs 300 and Rs 1,000 per sector. The airline added that considering the dynamic nature of ATF prices, it will continue to adjust fares “to respond to any change in prices or market conditions”, the report adds. Read the full report here.

The Straits Times: Japan Airlines pilots ‘unaware of fire’ at first

Pilots on a Japan Airlines plane engulfed in flames just after all 379 passengers and crew escaped were initially unaware the aircraft was on fire, according to fresh details reported by The Straits Times. The airliner collided with a coast guard plane after landing at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on January 2 evening. All but one of the six people on the smaller aircraft were killed, the report added. A ball of flame erupted from the airliner before it came to a halt, with the fire beginning to spread from underneath the aircraft, footage shot by passengers showed. But according to national broadcaster NHK, the Japan Airlines (JAL) pilots in the cockpit did not know about the fire until the cabin crew informed them. Read the full report here.