News Dabba for 07 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 Rahul Gandhi's concerning allegations about Maharashtra elections, fire at Maha Kumbh, to ICC's response to Trump's sanctions.

Fire breaks out at Maha Kumbh Sector-18 in Prayagraj, Hindustan Times

A fire broke out at a ISKCON camp in Maha Kumbh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Friday, Hindustan Times reports. The incident took place at Sector 18, Shankaracharya Marg of Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra. Thick clouds of smoke enveloped the fair area as panic gripped the nearby akhadas. No casualties have been reported. However, the report says, the fire spread to over a dozen nearby camps, causing significant damage. Read the full report here.

Indian Express on Rahul Gandhi's concerns over Maharashtra polls results

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday, voiced his concerns over the Maharashtra Assembly election results. Indian Express reports that he asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) as to how 9.7 crore people casted their votes when the state has an adult population of 9.4 crore. “We are not levelling any allegations against ECI. We only want the final voters list. It is your responsibility to ensure transparency," he said. On November 29, six days after the Maharashtra Assembly election results were announced, the Congress wrote to the EC and a delegation met the Commission to raise what it called a “shocking” 13% increase in electors in the state since the Lok Sabha elections, the report adds. Read the full report here.

ICC condemns US sanctions and vows to continue 'providing justice', BBC reports

BBC reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its judicial work after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff. The ICC said it "stands firmly" by its personnel and would continue to provide "justice and hope", adding the order seeks to harm its "independent and impartial" work. The report mentions that Trump's order accuses it of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel". Last November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. Read the full report here.

India Today: Nepal bans lone climbers on Everest, other peaks

The Nepalese government has now banned solo expeditions on Mount Everest and all mountains higher than 8,000 metres, India Today reports, which makes Nepal the only country that does not allow solo trekking of any kind. This decision was published in the Nepal government’s journal and is a very big leap in the country’s mountaineering policy. Following safety and environmental issues, the government is now looking out for more climbers' regulations to make sure that they receive enough support and supervision, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Greek PM says state on alert over Santorini quakes: The Straits Times

Greek authorities are monitoring increased seismic activity on the island of Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday. The Straits Times reports that he urged the public to remain calm and follow the advice of the civil protection service. Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini as hundreds of earthquakes have rattled the popular tourist island over the past week, prompting the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents and workers. The report adds that authorities have warned of a high landslide risk on parts of the island and have shut schools, sent rescuers and advised residents to avoid indoor gatherings and ports that are surrounded by sheer rock faces. Read the full report here.