News Dabba for 18 April 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 MEA rejecting Bangladesh’s statement, Mumbai language clash, to Trump and Meloni's talk up EU tariff deal.

MEA rejects Bangladesh’s statement on Murshidabad violence, Indian Express

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday rejected the statements made by the Bangladesh government over violence that erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. As per a report by the MEA said that Bangladesh ‘would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities’. While responding to a media query on Bangladesh’s statement on Murshidabad violence, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We reject the remarks made by the Bangladesh side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal.” On Thursday, Bangladesh Chief advisor Muhammad Yunus’ press secretary Shafiqul Alam said in a media briefing that Bangladesh had no involvement in the violence that erupted in Murshidabad, the report mentions. Read the full report here.

Gujaratis, Marathis clash at Mumbai housing apartment over ‘non-vegetarian food’: Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times reports that the Mumbai Police on Thursday had to intervene after a heated argument broke out between members of the Gujarati community and Marathi-speaking residents over the alleged consumption of non-vegetarian food in the Ghatkopar neighbourhood. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers also joined the argument with members of the housing society for allegedly insulting their Marathi-speaking neighbours for eating non-vegetarian food. Later, Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar said such incidents of "disrespect" on the basis of language were unacceptable, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Houthis say US strikes on Yemen fuel terminal kill at least 38, BBC reports

The US military says it has destroyed a fuel terminal in Yemen during its latest strikes against the Houthis, BBC reports. It says the aim of the attack on the Red Sea port of Ras Isa was to restrict supplies and funds for the Iranian-backed movement.  According to the Houthis, at least 38 people were killed during the attack and a number of paramedics were among the dead. The report says that strike on Thursday comes after the US military stepped up its attacks on the Houthis a month ago. Read the full report here.

India Today: PM speaks to Elon Musk ahead of Tesla's India entry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, India Today reports, reaffirming mutual interest in strengthening collaboration between India and the United States in the areas of technology and innovation. The conversation comes at a time when Tesla is reportedly exploring opportunities to enter the Indian electric vehicle market. The two discussed a wide range of topics, building upon their earlier meeting in Washington DC this year. The report says that the conversation highlighted the growing synergy between India's rapidly evolving tech ecosystem and Musk's ventures in cutting-edge innovation. Read the full report here.

Trump and Italy’s Meloni talk up EU tariff deal hopes: The Straits Times

The Straits Times reports that US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hit an optimistic note about a possible US-European Union tariffs deal on Thursday as the far-right Italian leader mounted a charm offensive at the White House. Casting herself as the only European who can de-escalate Trump’s trade war, Meloni highlighted their conservative common ground and said she wanted to “make the West great again”. The report says that During her visit, Trump said: “There will be a trade deal, 100 percent.” Meloni said she was “sure” they could reach a deal. Read the full report here.