News Dabba for 23 January 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 Trump backing H-1B visa, ex-Uttarakhand CM's name 'missing' from voters list, to Israel's deadly raids in the West Bank.

NDTV on Ex-Uttarakhand CM's name 'missing' from voters list

Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat stepped out Thursday morning in Dehradun to vote in municipal body elections in the hill state. Except, he could not, as his name was missing from the voters list, an NDTV report says. Rawat - a long-time resident of the city and who voted from Dehradun's Niranjanpur neighbourhood in the April-June federal election and the 2022 Assembly election - was told his name had disappeared from the list of voters. The Congress veteran has voted from Dehradun's Niranjanpur since 2009, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Trump reiterates backing for H-1B visa programme, Indian Express

For the second time in a month, US President Donald Trump backed the H1B visa programme, Indian Express reports. He said the country needs “very competent” and “great” people, which this programme makes possible. On Wednesday, Trump said, “I like both sides of the argument, but I also like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping other people who may not have the qualifications they do. But I don’t want to stop.” The report adds that this is the second time he has supported the H-1B programme that allows businesses in the US to employ skilled foreign nationals. Read the full report here.

Israel kills two in West Bank raids, Al Jazeera reports

Israeli forces killed two more Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to local media, as they continue a military campaign that has rendered the Jenin refugee camp “nearly uninhabitable”. Al Jazeera reports that they rounded up six Palestinians in the occupied West Bank’s Hebron governorate, and three more in the governorate of Tulkarem. Israeli forces also tightened movement restrictions in and around the city of Hebron. Read the full report here.

Maharashtra minister casts doubt on Saif Ali Khan stabbing: Hindustan Times

Maharashtra cabinet minister Nitesh Rane stirred controversy on Thursday with his remarks about the attack on Saif Ali Khan at his Mumbai residence by a Bangladeshi intruder, Hindustan Times reports. He questioned whether the Bollywood actor was genuinely stabbed during the robbery attempt or merely acting. Speaking at a Hindu Mahotsav rally in Alandi, Nitesh Rane raised doubts about the incident involving Saif Ali Khan's injury during the theft at his Bandra home, the report says. The BJP MLA also referred to Saif Ali Khan as “garbage” that should be taken away during the speech. Read the full report here.

Nepal hits Everest climbers with higher permit fees, BBC reports

BBC reports that the price to climb Mount Everest will soon increase for the first time in nearly a decade, as Nepal announces a sharp mark-up in permit fees. From September, those seeking to summit the world's tallest mountain during peak season will have to pay $15,000, a 36 percent rise on the longstanding fee of $11,000, officials said on Wednesday. Fees for those wanting to climb outside the peak April to May period will also increase by the same percentage, the report adds. Income from permit fees is a key source of revenue for Nepal. Read the full report here.