News Dabba for 29 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 updates on Maha Kumbh stampede, Russian nuclear plant targeted during massive Ukrainian drone attack, to rebels edging closer to taking key DR Congo city.

Supreme Court junks domicile-based medical quotas, NDTV reports

NDTV reports that the Supreme Court has struck down domicile-based reservation of seats for postgraduate medical courses - within the State quota - ruling it violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. The ruling is critical since it ensures that admission to PG medical courses - under quotas allotted to various states - can only be on merit, i.e., on NEET, or National Eligibility / Entrance Test, scores. The report adds that a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, and Justice SVN Bhatti said that as citizens and residents of India "we have the right to choose residence anywhere... the Constitution also gives us the right to choose admission in educational institutions across India." Read the full report here.

Indian Express on PM Modi's statement after Maha Kumbh stampede

After a stampede-like incident occurred at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Indian Express reports that while wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured, PM Modi said local administration is engaged in helping victims. A while ago, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the situation is under control and some devotees have suffered serious injuries, the report adds. Heavy security has been deployed at the Sangam as police paved way for akharas to take second ‘Amrit Snan’ today. Read the full report here.

Russia claims nuclear plant targeted during massive Ukrainian drone attack, Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reports nuclear power plant was among targets during a massive Ukrainian drone attack. Moscow said on Wednesday that the country’s energy infrastructure had come under attack by at least 100 drones overnight. Ukraine also reported strikes. The continuing barrages were accompanied by barbs from the two countries’ presidents, the report says, suggesting little prospect of peace talks. The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Telegram that 104 drones were involved in raids across western Russia, many targeting power and oil facilities. Read the full report here.

Mid-air ‘hijack’ alert activates security protocol in Mumbai-bound Air India flight: Hindustan Times

At 8.40 pm on Monday night, Air India’s Mumbai-bound flight AI 2957 which had just taken off from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi airport sent an emergency signal to air traffic control (ATC) in the Capital, suggesting it had been hijacked. Hindustan Times reports Delhi ATC immediately set in motion a protocol that requires alerting the destination airport, security agencies, the Indian Air Force. Read the full report here.

BBC reports rebels edging closer to taking key DR Congo city

Rebels appear to be edging closer to taking control of the key city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo following reports that they had captured its airport, BBC reports. The Congolese government has insisted that it is still in charge as fighting in parts of the city continues. Warehouses with food and medical supplies have been looted, aid agencies say. The report mentions that according to the UN, the clashes between M23 rebels and the army and its allies have left hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and bodies lying on the streets. Read the full report here.