News Dabba for 23 February 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 earthquake in Tajikistan, extreme weather in Southern California, to SC reaffirming Palaniswami as AIDMK’s single leader.

Earthquake of magnitude 6.8 strikes eastern Tajikistan, TeleSUR reports

TeleSUR reports the US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck early Thursday  morning in eastern Tajikistan. According to the agency, several aftershocks followed the initial quake, of magnitude 5.0, 4.6, 4.9 and 4.8 respectively. "Little or no population" will be exposed to landslides from the quake, the USGS said as per TeleSUR. It added that the epicenter appeared to be located in Upper Badakhshan, a province bordering Afghanistan and China. The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that the quake had a magnitude of 7.2 and a depth of 10 kilometers. Tremours were felt in Kazakhastan, Pakistan and China. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times: 5-year-old boy mauled to death by stray dogs in Hyderabad

A 5-year-old toddler was mauled to death by a few stray dogs in Hyderabad, in a heart-wrenching incident, Hindustan Times reported. The latest dog-bite incident took place on Sunday and was caught on a CCTV camera. The report says it once again raised questions about security children amid the nuisance of stray dogs, while many are also asking why the child was alone and did not get any help. The boy, identified as Pradeep, was roaming alone on an empty street on his own when the dogs started barking and then pulling his clothes, the video showed. On social media, the incident triggered sharp reactions from netizens. The report further says a similar incident took place in Uttar Pradesh where a seven-year-old boy died after being bitten by stray dogs while playing in his backyard. Read the full report here.

Los Angeles meteorologists marvel at blizzard warnings: BBC report

A BBC report on the meterologists' reaction to changing weather in Southern California says that this week's winter storm is challenging the area's forecasters to issue unusual alerts. Just east of Los Angeles, there's been a blizzard warning, unheard of in those parts. The report quotes one meteorologist saying to the camera, "I've actually never seen a blizzard warning." As much as 5ft of snow could fall in the mountains with wind gusts up to 75mph, the report says. Southern California, but the area is no stranger to extreme weather. Wildfires regularly spread through the area, and a years-long drought was just interrupted in January by heavy rains and flooding. Read the full report here.

Calls for anti-Muslim violence at second 'Hindu Mahapanchayat' for Monu Manesar

A second ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’, called by members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad at Hathin in Haryana on February 22 saw open calls for violence against Muslims and police who try to take action against Monu. The Wire reported the Mahapanchayat was held in support of cow vigilante Monu Manesar. The Hathin event was attended by more than 400 members and leaders of the Bajrang Dal, VHP and Hindu Sena from across north India, along with locals. The Wire had reported the first such ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’ earlier that was held in the Manesar town of Haryana on Tuesday, February 21. Read the full report here.

SC reaffirms Palaniswami as AIDMK’s single leader

The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a Madras High Court Division Bench decision, reaffirming former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami as interim general secretary of AIADMK. Hindustan Times reported that the HC decision had upheld the conduct of a Special General Council meeting of AIADMK on July 11 last year, which also expelled rival O. Panneerselvam from the primary membership of the party. A Bench led by Justice Dinesh Maheshwari directed that an interim order of the apex court on July 6, 2022 in the case was “absolute”, the report adds. The court’s judgment would allow Palaniswami to continue as the party’s interim general secretary for now. Read the full report here.