News Dabba for 08 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 the No Trust Motion debate in the Parliament, heavy rainfall alert for Uttarakhand, Bihar, to wildfires in Portugal amid the third heatwave.

The Hindu's Live Updates: Opposition attacks PM for absence from Parliament

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday opened the debate from the Opposition with the Lok Sabha taking up discussion on the no-confidence motion against the government. The Hindu reports that the numbers are comfortably stacked in favour of the government and the opposition is expected to utilise the opportunity to demonstrate its newly firmed-up unity to take on the Modi-led BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year. Earlier, proceedings in Lok Sabha were adjourned within minutes due to protests by the Opposition over re-recording of remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against the Congress on Monday. The report adds Rajya Sabha was also rocked by adjournments over the issue of the motion to suspend TMC member Derek O’Brien. Read the full report here.

Maharashtra farmer installs CCTV camera in farm: NDTV report

Heavy demand and skyrocketing prices of tomatoes have prompted a farmer from Maharashtra to install a CCTV camera on his farm to keep an eye on his plantation, NDTV reports. The red berries are being sold for between Rs 100 and 200 across the country. The grower said he embraced digital surveillance for his farm at Shahpur Banjar, near Aurangabad, after tomato thieves struck there. The farmer said the camera runs on solar energy so he doesn't have to worry about its power supply, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera: China calls on Philippines to move grounded warship from disputed reef

China’s foreign ministry has repeated a call for the Philippines to remove a grounded World War II warship from a reef in the disputed South China Sea. Al Jazeera reports that Manila uses the ship as a makeshift military base. The renewed demand to tow the ship comes after the Philippines at the weekend accused China’s coastguard of firing water cannon at boats on a mission to resupply the Philippine garrison stationed on the grounded vessel, adds the report. The BRP Sierra Madre has long been a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing. Read the full report here.

Heavy rainfall alert for Uttarakhand, Bihar and other states: Hindustan Times

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the already rain-battered Uttarakhand, predicting ‘heavy’ rainfall till Friday. Hindustan Times reports that Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are also likely to continue receiving rainfall activities for the next two days, according to the IMD. IMD warned that Bihar will also get isolated ‘very heavy’ rainfall today, and similar weather conditions will prevail in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday. The report adds that IMD further noted that the remaining parts of the country, except the northeast, will witness subdued rainfall activity till August 14. Read the full report here.

Portugal battles wildfires amid third heatwave, BBC reports

BBC reports that firefighters in Portugal are battling to contain wildfires engulfing thousands of hectares amid soaring temperatures. Around 800 personnel attended a fire near the southern town of Odemira overnight on Monday. More than 1,400 people had to be evacuated. At least nine firefighters have been injured tackling the fires. The report says that temperatures in excess of 40C are expected to hit much of the Iberian peninsula this week. Read the full report here.