News Dabba for 18 March 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 Nagpur violence, Israel killing over 300 in Gaza, to Germany's historic vote on defence expenditure.

India Today on how rumours of burning of religious content led to Nagpur violence

India Today reports that rumours of burning of religious content during a demonstration in Nagpur by right-wing groups seeking the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb appear to have sparked the violence on Monday. Several vehicles were torched in large-scale arson and vandalism as two communities clashed in Nagpur, prompting police to fire tear gas and resort to lathi charges to bring the situation under control. The report says that stones were also thrown at the homes of residents in Chitnis Park and Mahal area. Nearly 30 police personnel have been injured in the violence. Read the full report here.

At least 326 killed as Israel unleashes strikes on Gaza, Al Jazeera 

At least 326 Palestinians have been killed as Israel launched a massive assault on Gaza, Al Jazeera reports, shattering the fragile two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas. Tuesday’s attack took place across Gaza, including in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, Gaza City in the north and central areas like Deir el-Balah. Many of those killed in the attacks were children, the report says as per Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Hamas, which governs Gaza, said it viewed Israel’s attacks as a unilateral cancellation of the ceasefire that began on January 19. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times on Delhi sewer tragedy

Two days after a 43-year-old worker died while another suffered injuries while cleaning a sewer in southeast Delhi's New Friends Colony area, Hindustan Times reports that a Delhi Police officer on Tuesday said the victims were not wearing any protective gear or carrying the necessary equipment while cleaning the sewer. Initial probe revealed that the victims were working inside a manhole in the New Friends Colony area reportedly for the Delhi Jal Board when they suddenly lost consciousness. Read the full report here.

Minority community members ask Gujarat CM to reconstitute UCC panel, Indian Express

A group of citizens, led by an activist from a minority community in Surat, have written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi urging him to reconstitute the Uniform Code of Conduct (UCC) panel stating that there is “no representation from the minority community”, said people familiar with the matter on Monday. Indian Express reports that the letter states that a “new committee should be formed in seven days” or the minority community members “will knock on the doors of the Gujarat High Court.” According to sources, several Muslim community leaders are trying “to create awareness among the people residing in Muslim-dominated areas about the impact of the UCC”. Read the full report here.

Germany set to vote on historic increase in defence spending, BBC reports

Germany's Parliament, the Bundestag, is voting on whether to take the brakes off defence spending, BBC reports. The report says this could pave the way for a massive uplift in military investment just as Russia makes gains in Ukraine and Washington signals that Europe can no longer rely on US protection. "This vote in the Bundestag is absolutely crucial," says Prof Monika Schnitzer, who chairs Germany's Council of Economic Experts. Read the full report here.