News Dabba for 14 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 live updates on farmers' protests, Israel's assault on Gaza, to Umar Khalid's bail plea withdrawal.

The Hindu's live updates on farmers' protests

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the “Delhi Chalo” agitation to put pressure on the BJP-led Centre for their demands, The Hindu reports, including a law on a minimum support price for crops and loan waivers. The Centre yet again made it clear that announcing a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP), the key demand of the farmers, will not be possible. The report adds that farmers have been invited for yet another round of dialogue, which will likely be held today. On Tuesday, farmers from Punjab faced tear gas shells — some dropped by a drone — at two border points of Haryana-Punjab. Traffic crawled at many places in the Delhi-National Capital Region on Tuesday as well due to the barricading at border and in several parts of Delhi, the report adds. Read the full report here.

UN warns of 'slaughter' if Israel launches ground assault on Rafah, BBC reports

BBC reported that a top UN official has warned an Israeli assault on Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, could lead to a "slaughter". Humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said Palestinians in Gaza were already suffering an "assault that is unparalleled in its intensity, brutality and scope". The consequences of an invasion of Rafah would be "catastrophic", he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to defeat Hamas gunmen he says are hiding in the city, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Umar Khalid withdraws bail plea from SC in UAPA case, Hindustan Times

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed student activist Umar Khalid to withdraw his bail plea after the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar, accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots, informed the Court that he will be approaching the trial court again for bail. Hindustan Times reports that a bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal passed the order allowing Khalid to withdraw his plea for bail. "We will try our luck again before the trial court," senior advocate Kapil Sibal said appearing for him. Khalid has also filed a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of the provisions of UAPA. Read the full report here.

Prabowo leads in Indonesian polls: Al Jazeera report

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has a strong lead in Indonesia’s presidential poll, according to unofficial results, Al Jazeera reports. This puts him well ahead of opponents Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. More than 200 million people registered to vote across the archipelago in one of the world’s biggest and most complex elections. Turnout in the race to succeed President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, who is serving the last of his two terms in office, appears high. Heavy rain and flooding had caused some problems on the morning of election day, particularly in Jakarta and Java, the report mentions. Read the full report here.

Indian Express: Indian-origin couple, twins found dead in US home

An Indian-origin family of four has been found dead inside their San Mateo home in the US, Indian Express reports as per NBC Bay Area. Even as the San Mateo police are yet to officially release the identities of the deceased, the report said friends have identified them as Anand Sujith Henry, his wife Alice Benziger and their 4-year-old twin boys — all of whom were found dead in their residence on Monday. According to the police report, San Mateo Police officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of Alameda de las Pulgas on the report of a welfare check. The cops entered the house through an unlocked window, the report says, after not receiving a response when they arrived, and found the four dead inside. The police searched the perimeter but could not find any sign of forced entry. Read the full report here.