News Dabba for 26 October 2022: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Anushka Vani 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 terrorist trapped in an encounter in J&K, the new British PM gathering his new cabinet for the first time, to airlines launching schemes for middle seat passengers.

Terrorist trapped, Jawan injured as encounter breaks out in J&K Baramulla, India Today reports

India Today’s report talks about the encounter that broke out between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Baramulla district. During this encounter, one army jawan was injured. Additionally, as per the sources, one terrorist is believed to have been trapped. The report says that the attack took place hours after a foreign terrorist was killed in the Kupwara town near the Line of Control (LoC). Read the full article on India Today.

Rishi Sunak to gather newly elected cabinet to begin ‘hard work’, says Reuters

After being elected as Britain’s Prime Minister (PM), Rishi Sunak will gather his newly appointed cabinet for the first time, reports Reuters. Sunak, soon after taking charge, promised to fix the mistakes of his predecessor and stabilise the economy. The report also adds that at the top of Sunak’s agenda he will be preparing for a fiscal statement that is keenly anticipated by the financial markets, this is scheduled for October 31. But the report adds that the foreign minister says this could be delayed. Read the full report on Reuters.

“Print images of Ganesh, Lakshmi on currency to improve economy,” Kejriwal tells Modi, Wire

The Wire writes that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to print images of Hindu deities Ganesh and Lakshmi on the currency notes to help improve the economy. He made this appeal during a media briefing, where he said that the new notes could have a picture of Mahatma Gandhi on one side and of the two deities on the other. He also stated an example of Indonesia, which he said although being a Muslim nation, has a picture of Ganesh on its currency notes. Read the full report on the Wire.

CNN: Airline launches lottery to entice more passengers to sit in the middle seat

CNN reports that the middle seat is the least desirable spot to sit on in a flight as it doesn’t provide a window view nor easy access to the lavatory. To change the situation, Virgin Australia airlines are launching schemes to get passengers to willingly book the middle seat. The airline has launched a middle seat lottery, which is a special raffle worth about AUD 230,000 which is about $145,000. This lottery will be open to those who sit in the middle seat voluntarily or involuntarily during a flight. Read the full report on CNN.

BBC on Ukraine war reports that South Africa refuses to seize sanctioned Russian superyacht

BBC reports that South Africa says it will allow a sanctioned Russian oligarch to doc his superyacht in Cape Town. This yacht belongs to Alexi Mordashov who is an ally of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In addition, the report also states that the South African opposition leaders have urged the government to seize the 465 ft long yacht called The Nord, to which President Cyril Ramaphosa said he “saw no reason to comply with the western sanctions.” Read the full report on BBC.