News Dabba for 21 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 farmers getting injured in Haryana police action, Congress-SP seat-sharing in Uttar Pradesh, to China condemning the US veto over the Gaza ceasefire.

Akhilesh Yadav says 'all is well...' with Congress, Hindustan Times reports

Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday indicated that the seat-sharing talks with the Congress have been on the right track, Hindustan Times reports. It states that the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh is very much intact.  It is said that the cloud over the seat-sharing talks was dispelled after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had a chat with Akhilesh over the phone this morning, the report adds. The Congress is likely to contest from 17 seats in the state. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party will address a joint press conference today in Lucknow today announcing the seat-sharing deal. Read the full report here.

Protester dies of head injury as Haryana Police drops tear gas shells: Indian Express live updates

Indian Express reports that sA protester died and several farmers have been injured as the Haryana Police dropped tear gas shells at the Shambhu and Khanauri border on Wednesday afternoon. Some protesters, instead of withdrawing, are now rushing towards the barricading at Shambhu border. Meanwhile, the telephonic talks between the farmer leaders and Union government officials have concluded and leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher are insisting on a statement on MSP law by the Prime Minister or the Home Minister. Read the full report here.

The Straits Times: Pakistan parties reach power-sharing agreement

Two Pakistan parties have reached a power-sharing agreement that will return Shehbaz Sharif to the premiership, leaving out politicians loyal to jailed former leader Imran Khan despite them winning the most seats in the February vote. The Straits Times reports that the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said they had settled days of negotiations on securing a majority to form a coalition government that will also include several smaller parties. Candidates loyal to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most seats but were forced to stand as independents following a sweeping crackdown on the party. There were widespread allegations of vote-rigging and result manipulation in the February 8 election after the authorities switched off the nation’s mobile phone network on election day, the report adds. Read the full report here.

India, Greece agree to expand cooperation in diverse areas, The Hindu

The Hindu reports India and Greece agreed on Wednesday to firm up a migration and mobility agreement soon, besides ramping up their overall cooperation in the areas of trade, defence production and to combat terrorism. Expansion of the overall strategic cooperation figured prominently during extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis is on a two-day visit to India. The report says it is the first visit to India by a head of state of Greece in 15 years. Read the full report here.

China condemns US veto of call for immediate ceasefire at UN, BBC reports

China has sharply criticised the US for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. BBC reports that Beijing said the move sent the "wrong message" and effectively gave a "green light to the continued slaughter". The White House said the Algerian-proposed resolution would "jeopardise" talks to end the war, the report adds. The US has proposed its own temporary ceasefire resolution, which also warned Israel not to invade the city of Rafah. Read the full report here.