News Dabba for 26 December 2022: 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 US embassy sounding red alert in Islamabad, the Arctic freeze killing dozen in North America, to North India battling a severe cold wave.

US embassy sounds red alert in Islamabad: The Hindu report

The U.S. embassy in Pakistan has warned about a possible terrorist attack against American citizens at the Marriott Hotel here in the country's capital, The Hindu reports, adding that it has prohibited American staff from visiting the five-star facility. The statement was issued by the embassy on Sunday, two days after a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed a policeman. The embassy also directed that as Islamabad has been placed on a 'Red Alert' citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings. All mission personnel have been urged to refrain from non-essential and unofficial travel in the capital throughout the holiday season, the report says. The advisory comes after the latest attack in Islamabad and an uptick in countryside attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group. Read the full report here.

BBC report on the big freeze that killed dozens in North America

At least 38 deaths have now been linked to a severe Arctic freeze that continues to pummel the US and Canada. BBC reports officials saying that 34 people died across the US, with the worst-hit area being the city of Buffalo, in New York state. Four fatalities occurred in Canada when a bus rolled over on an icy road near the town of Merritt. The scope of the winter storm has been unprecedented, the report says, stretching from Canada as far south as the Rio Grande. Forecasters say the storm will ease off in the next few days. Read the full report here.

NDTV reports Tunisha Sharma's boyfriend says "Shraddha Walkar case forced break-up"

NDTV reports that Sheezan Khan, the main accused in TV actor Tunisha Sharma's alleged suicide,  told police that he was "so disturbed by the atmosphere in the country that emerged after the gruesome murder of Shraddha Walkar" that he decided to end their relationship. During his first day in police custody, Sheezan Khan told Maharashtra police that he ended his relationship with Tunisha Sharma after seeing repercussions from the Shraddha Walkar case. The report says he told her that belonging to a different community stands in their way, as did their age gap. Sheezan Khan has also reportedly said that Tunisha Sharma had attempted suicide earlier as well, after they broke up. Read the full report here.

71 PLA warplanes near Taiwan after US increases military aid, SCMP

More than 70 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes carried out operations near Taiwan in the 24 hours until 6am on Monday, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP). More than half crossing the de facto border between the self-ruled island and mainland China. It is the highest number of PLA aircraft recorded in one day since the island’s defence ministry began making information on daily fly-bys public in 2020. The report says it comes as tensions run high over Taipei’s closer security ties with the US. Read the full report here.

North India battles severe cold, the Wire reports

Biting cold conditions gripped parts of north and north-west India. The Wire report says that cities and towns reported maximum temperatures below 20° Celsius and dense fog engulfing large tracts in Punjab and Haryana while Kashmir reeled under deep freeze. The mercury plunged to a minimum of 5.3°C in the national capital on December 25. Dense fog and cold wave conditions are predicted at most places in Delhi today as well. Read the full report here.