News Dabba for 26 January 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 ICJ's first ruling on the South Africa genocide case, Uttarakhand planning a one-day Assembly session for UCC, to France boosting academic ties with India.

France to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, India Today

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France is aiming to welcome 30,000 Indian students to its universities by 2030, India Today reports, in a major effort to boost academic ties between the two countries. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) during a visit to India, Macron said the plan is part of an "ambitious" effort to strengthen France's relationship with India, which he called a "key partner" in the Indo-Pacific region. The French President also highlighted that the visa process would be streamlined for former Indian students who have studied in France. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera's live updates on ICJ first ruling on South Africa genocide case against Israel

The International Court of Justice will deliver its ruling today on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera reports. The provisional measures include a request for Israel to suspend its military operations in the Gaza Strip. You will be able to watch the proceedings here. The judges will not rule on the merits of the genocide allegations, which may take years to decide, the report adds. Meanwhile, Israeli forces ramp up deadly attacks on Khan Younis as they encircle the two remaining hospitals in the city in the south of the Gaza Strip. As per the report, Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 26,083 people and wounded 64,110 others. Read the full report here.

Alabama carries out first nitrogen gas execution, BBC reports

Alabama has executed convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith with nitrogen gas. BBC reports that the first time the method of capital punishment has been used globally. Smith, 58, lost two final appeals to the Supreme Court and one to a federal appeals court, arguing the execution was a cruel and unusual punishment. The report mentions that in 2022, Alabama tried and failed to execute Smith by lethal injection. He was convicted in 1989 of murdering a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, in a killing-for-hire. Read the full report here.

Uttarakhand one-day Assembly session on Feb 5 to pass Uniform Civil Code: Indian Express

The Uttarakhand Assembly has been convened for a special one-day session on February 5 to discuss and pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, Indian Express reports. As per the news, a five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, that was set up by the state in May 2022, is expected to hand over its report to the government on February 2 or February 3. It also said once the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passes the UCC, two other BJP-ruled states – Gujarat and Assam – will pass more or less a similar Bill in their Legislative Assembly. Read the full report here.

NDTV on Nitish Kumar's U-Turn likely on Sunday

Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a seventh time on Sunday with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party, his on-again-off-again ally, NDTV reports as per its sources. For its backing, the BJP will get two Deputy Chief Minister berths, which mirrors the deal after the 2020 election, the report adds. The Assembly won't be dissolved and a poll won't be held, at this time, as per the report. Read the full report here.