News Dabba for 29 October 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 Railways announcing special Diwali trains, fireworks explosion at Kerala’s Kasaragod temple, to Israel banning UN Palestinian agency.

Hindustan Times: Railways to run 250 special trains from today to cater to Diwali rush

As Diwali festivities began in India, the Western Railway (WR) announced the operation of 200 special trains for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season. Hindustan Times report that more than 120 trains will run on Tuesday, October 29. Of these, around 40 trains will be managed by the Mumbai Division, including 22 trains specifically travelling to popular destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Fireworks explosion at Kerala’s Kasaragod temple leaves over 150 injured: Indian Express

At least 154 people were injured, nine of them grievously, when fireworks exploded during a festival at Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple near Neeleswaram in Kasaragod district on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Indian Express reports according to the police, the accident happened during the annual ritual kaliyattam, also known as theyyam, that was attended by thousands. The explosion took place when sparks fell inside the shed where the firecrackers were stored, also knows as magazine, which was less than 100 meters away from the fire-line. Read the full report here.

Hundreds of US ballots destroyed after drop boxes targeted by fire, Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reports that hundreds of United States election ballots have been ruined after two drop boxes were destroyed – one in Oregon and one in Washington state – in incidents that authorities believe are linked. One of the boxes was targeted in Portland, Oregon in the early hours of Monday, and a few hours later, another was targeted in Vancouver, Washington. Incendiary devices were attached to the outside of the boxes and the FBI has been called to help with the case, the report says. Read the full report here.

3 terrorists who attacked Army vehicle in J&K's Akhnoor gunned down, NDTV reports

Security forces gunned down three terrorists responsible for attacking an Army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector yesterday, NDTV reports. The operation spanned 27 hours and concluded early Tuesday morning. The encounter began on Monday when the terrorists fired at an ambulance that was part of an Army convoy near the Line of Control (LoC). The report adds that by evening, one attacker was neutralised, while two others were eliminated on Tuesday during a final assault near the Assan temple in Jogwan village. Read the full report here.

US urges Israel to halt UN Palestinian agency ban, BBC reports

Israel's allies have condemned a vote by the Israeli parliament banning the UN's Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa from working within the country, BBC reports. The vote will stop Unrwa from operating within Israel and Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, within three months. Contact between Unrwa employees and Israeli officials will also be banned, severely limiting the agency's ability to operate in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the report adds. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: "We continue to urge the government of Israel to pause the implementation of this legislation." Germany said it risked vital humanitarian aid for millions of people. Read the full report here.