News Dabba for 21 April 2023: 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 Russian warplane accidentally bombing own city, India's major ports setting a new record, to the heat waves in Asia.

Russian warplane accidentally bombs own city, BBC reports

The defence ministry in Moscow says a Russian fighter jet accidentally bombed the city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine, BBC reported. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, as per the report, the blast had left a huge crater about 20 metres side in the city centre. The report adds three people were injured and several buildings were damaged, he said. One apartment block was evacuated. Read the full report here.

India's major ports handle highest-ever cargo in 2022-23: NDTV report

India's major ports handled the highest ever cargo at 795 million tonne in 2022-23, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary Sudhansh Pant said today. NDTV reported Pant further saying that with transactions worth about Rs 5,000 crore, the shipping ministry has surpassed its FY23 asset monetisation target of about Rs 3,700 crore. He also said that next week, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will launch 'Green Port' guidelines to make India's ports green. India has 12 major ports. Read the full report here.

Air India pilot invites woman friend into cockpit, India Today

An Air India pilot is facing a probe after he allegedly let a woman friend enter the cockpit of a passenger flight mid-air. The incident, reported by India Today, took place in late February on a Dubai-Delhi flight and was flagged by a cabin crew member in a complaint written to the aviation regulator DGCA. According to the complaint, the captain of the flight initially asked the crew to see if his friend, who was flying in economy class, could be accommodated in business class. After being told that the business class seats were full, the captain reportedly asked the crew to let the woman friend enter the cockpit and sit on the jump seat. The pilot also asked the crew to serve the woman food and alcoholic drinks in the cockpit, as per reports. Read the full report here.

Arab News reports lashes in Sudan despite calls for Eid ceasefire

Sudan’s warring forces clashed again in the nation’s capital early Friday. Arab News reported that bombing and shelling were reported in several areas of Khartoum, as they ignored appeals by world powers for an end-of-Ramadan cease-fire. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a cease-fire of “at least” three days to mark Eid Al-Fitr. The report adds that most of Khartoum's five million people sheltering at home without electricity, food or water. Read the full report here.

The Straits Times: Record heatwave of up to 45 deg C scorches much of Asia

A record-smashing heatwave has been scorching South and Southeast Asia, The Straits Times reported. Meteorologists have been tracking temperatures as high as 45 degrees C in India, Thailand and Myanmar and 42 to 43 degrees C in Bangladesh, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and China. The report mentions that these are temperatures that most of these countries have not experienced in decades. Populations across the continent are cranking up their air-conditioners and electric fans. Power grids are stretched beyond their capacities. Read the full report here.