News Dabba for 11 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 TMC's announcement to go solo in state elections, the future of Gaza truce, to Modi's meeting with Macron, Vance.

INDIA bloc ally weighs in on TMC's announcement to go solo in Bengal election, Hindustan Times

A day after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out Trinamool Congress alliance with the Congress for the 2026 assembly election, Hindustan Times reports that Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut insisted that she should “continue to have dialogue” with the Congress. The Trinamool Congress chief on Monday blamed the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress for the failure of the Opposition in Delhi and Haryana assembly election. The report says this ruled out the possibility of TMC having any alliance with the grand old party for the 2026 West Bengal election. Mamata Banerjee also told her legislators and ministers that the TMC will win the 2026 poll on its own with a two-third majority in the 294-seat state assembly. Read the full report here.

Venezuela welcomes 190 nationals from the US, TeleSUR reports

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the return of 190 compatriots from the United States through the Plan Vuelta a la Patria (Return to the Homeland Plan), TeleSUR reports, an initiative aimed at facilitating the return of Venezuelans who have emigrated in search of better opportunities. The operation was carried out by the state-owned airline Conviasa, highlighting the company’s role in this effort. During his programme “Con Maduro+,” the president emphasized that this return is just the first step within the Zero Agenda, which includes a call to the U.S. government to lift the sanctions imposed on Venezuela. The report further states that the president also stressed the need to treat migrants with dignity and respect, noting that many Venezuelans have been deceived by far-right groups and left their country in search of better economic conditions for their families. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera: Trump suggests cancelling Gaza truce as Hamas halts captives release

Hamas suspended the next release of captives held in Gaza indefinitely, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire deal, including by continuing to kill Palestinians and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera reports. US President Donald Trump said the Gaza ceasefire deal should be cancelled if all the Israeli captives are not released by Saturday. The report says moves has sparked protests in Tel Aviv, while the Israeli military says it has cancelled leave for its troops and is increasing its forces around the Gaza Strip. On the ground in Gaza, harsh weather conditions are adding to the misery of displaced Palestinians who are sheltering in makeshift tents as most of their homes have been damaged or destroyed. Read the full report here.

PM Modi Meets Macron, JD Vance At Paris Dinner Ahead Of AI Summit, NDTV

NDTV reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Paris on Monday, attended a welcome dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace ahead of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit. Upon arrival, Mr Macron welcomed his "friend" PM Modi with a warm hug, the report mentions. "Welcome to Paris, my friend @narendramodi," Mr Macron wrote on X as he shared a video of the PM's arrival at the Elysee Palace for the welcome dinner. At the venue, PM Modi met several other world leaders who will be attending the AI Summit, including US Vice President JD Vance. Read the full report here.

Trump announces 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, BBC reports

US President Donald Trump has ordered a 25 percent import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US in a major expansion of existing trade barriers. BBC reports that the tariffs, which will increase the costs of importing the metals into the US, come despite warnings of retaliation from some political leaders in Canada - America's biggest supplier of the metals - as well as other countries. US businesses dependent on the imports have also raised concerns, but Trump has said his plans will boost domestic production. He warned there would be no exceptions, saying he was "simplifying" the rules, which are set to come into effect on March 4, the report adds. Read the full report here.