News Dabba for 22 December 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 the INDIA bloc's protest against MPs suspension, updates on China’s Qinghai earthquake nightmare, to the Prague shooting.

Hindustan Times live updates: INDIA bloc's protest against MPs suspension

Hindustan Times reports that the Opposition-led INDIA bloc parties are staging protests across the country against the suspension of a total of 146 MPs from Parliament during the Winter Session. In Delhi, the report describes, the INDIA bloc leaders gathered to demonstrate under the banner ‘Save Democracy’ at Jantar Mantar. On Thursday, the Opposition leaders carried out a protest march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk to register their objection to suspension. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi along with other party leaders will hold the protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Russia remained India's biggest source of crude oil imports in October, The Wire reports

The Wire reported that Russia accounted for nearly 30 percent of the crude oil imported to India in October, and remained India’s top source for oil imports. Official data shows the value of Russia’s supply to India in the month stood at $3.78 billion, which was a 44 percent year-on-year increase from October 2022. The increase in October imports was triggered by increased demand for petroleum products in the festive season. Before the war in Ukraine began, Russia accounted for only 2 percent of India’s total oil imports, behind Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the report mentions. Read the full report here.

Cascading waves of earth add to China’s Qinghai earthquake nightmare: The Straits Times

More than two days after a magnitude-6.2 earthquake hit Jintian village, Qinghai province, The Straits Times reports, the village was hit by waves of earth churning like water that crushed houses in a phenomenon known as liquefaction, or sand boil. At least 135 people died and nearly 1,000 were injured when the quake struck Qinghai and neighbouring Gansu province late on Dec 18 evening. By December 21 afternoon, 12 were still missing, including nine in Jintian, the report says. The village is situated about 16km from the quake’s epicentre in Gansu, separated by a stretch of the Yellow River. Read the full report here.

The Hindu on Maoists attack on railway tracks in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa

Banned CPI (Maoists) blew up a railway track in Chaibasa (West Singhbhum district) due to which the operation of trains on Howrah-Mumbai main railway line has come to a standstill, The Hindu reports. The incident took place between Goilkera and Posaita stations on the intervening night of Thursday around 150 km from the state capital Ranchi. Maoists have blown up the railway track near pole number 356/29 A-31 A by detonating a bomb between Goilkera and Posaita stations. Maoists have also put up posters and banners after blowing up the railway tracks in the area, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Czech police seek motive behind country's worst mass attack, BBC

BBC reports that Czech police are working to uncover the motive behind the country's worst-ever mass shooting. A student opened fire at a university in central Prague on Thursday, killing 14 and wounding 25 others. Czech President Petr Pavel has appealed for unity and said the killings should not be used to launch political attacks or spread misinformation. The victims, who have not yet been named, include the gunman's father. The report adds that Saturday has been declared a national day of mourning. Read the full report here.