News Dabba for 12 February 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 Israeli raids on Rafah, Ashok Chavan quitting Congress, to farmers' protest march to Delhi.

Hospitals, homes hit as dozens killed in Israeli raids on Rafah: Al Jazeera

At least 67 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air and sea attacks on Rafah overnight, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Al Jazeera reports that The Israeli military has ramped up its attacks on Rafah in southern Gaza as it prepares for a possible ground offensive. The air raids have caused major destruction in Rafah, the report says, damaging homes, businesses and mosques which are hosting 1.4 million Palestinians. About 16,000 people now live per square km in Rafah. Meanwhile, the Israeli army says it rescued two captives from a house in Rafah’s Shaboura neighbourhood overnight. Read the full report here.

The Hindu report: Nitish Kumar wins trust vote

Nitish Kumar-led NDA won the crucial floor test in Bihar, The Hindu reports, with the opposition members walking out and all 129 members seated in the House voting in favour of the confidence motion. Despite all 79 MLAs of the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) camping at the residence of former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, three MLAs switched sides and were found seated with the NDA. The Speaker, who had earlier said that he would not step down before the floor test, was removed from the Chair after the ruling combine won a no-confidence motion against him. The report says the Deputy Speaker conducted the remaining proceedings. Read the full report here.

Ashok Chavan latest Maharashtra leader to quit Congress, NDTV reports

Former chief minister and former MP Ashok Chavan resigned from the Congress party's primary membership amid reports that he was in talks with the BJP. NDTV reports that the senior leader may get a ticket to the Rajya Sabha. Chavan said he has not taken any decision yet on joining another party. Chavan, who represents Bhokar in the Assembly, met Speaker Rahul Narvekar and handed in his resignation. Read the full report here.

Conservative ex-PM Alexander Stubb elected Finland president, BBC reports

BBC reports that Finland's conservative former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won Sunday's presidential election. He secured 51.6 percent of the vote, while his Green Party rival Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, had 48.4 percent. Haavisto has already admitted defeat, the report says. It is the first election since Finland joined the NATO military alliance. Stubb, 55, takes a hardline approach towards Russia, the report adds, with which the Nordic nation shares a long land border. Read the full report here.

Why are farmers protesting? Hindustan Times

More than 200 farmers' unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have organised a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to press the Centre to accept several demands. Hindustan Times report explains why the farmers are protesting. The farmers, who are set to hold a mega protest in the national capital on February 13, are on their way to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. The report mentions that the Delhi police on Sunday imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the Uttar Pradesh borders. Meanwhile, internet services and bulk SMS have been suspended till February 13 in seven districts of Haryana. Read the full report here.