News Dabba for 30 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 Israel's destruction in Gaza's Beit Lahiya, Kejriwal's message before Diwali, to row over Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview.

Hindustan Times on Kejriwal's message to Delhi day before Diwali

In light of the ongoing ban on fireworks in Delhi during Diwali, Hindustan Times reports that Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party reiterated that the restriction is not a matter of religion, but rather an effort to protect public health. Stating that it's not about Hindu or Muslim, Arvind Kejriwal emphasised that the festival’s true spirit is in spreading light, not smoke, and noted the importance of prioritising health over tradition when it comes to pollution, the report adds. "Even the Supreme Court and high court say that in view of the pollution, we should not burst crackers, we should light diyas," he said. Read the full report here.

Gaza’s Beit Lahiya declared ‘disaster’ zone amid Israeli siege, Al Jazeera

The Municipality of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza has declared the town a disaster area amid weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment and military siege, Al Jazeera reports. A senior UNRWA official described scenes in northern Gaza as “catastrophic”. Israeli forces have killed nearly 120 Palestinians in Beit Lahiya in an attack that the US called “horrifying”, the report adds. In Gaza, at least 43,061 people have been killed and 101,223 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023. Read the full report here.

Pregnant clerk loses baby after child welfare officer denies her leave, India Today

A 26-year-old Odisha government employee claimed that she lost her seven-month-old baby in the womb after allegedly being denied leave to visit the hospital by the child development officer in Kendrapara district. India Today reports that Barsha Priyadarshini alleged that she was subject to inhumane treatment by Snehalata Sahoo, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in Derabis block. As the incident sparked an outrage, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said Sahoo was removed from her post. She also said that the incident would be investigated impartially and action would be taken after the report is received. Read the full report here.

High Court slams Punjab for Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview: NDTV

Mafia boss Lawrence Bishnoi's interview in September 2022 - to a private channel while in police custody - was red-flagged, again, by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, NDTV reports. The Court criticised the cops for providing a "studio-like facility" that led to "glorification of crime". The court - as part of a suo moto hearing into prisoners using mobile phones and other electronic devices - reprimanded the Punjab government for failing to follow an August 2024 order directing disciplinary action against senior cops who facilitated Bishnoi's interview. Read the full report here.

China declares success as its youngest astronauts reach space, BBC reports

A Chinese spacecraft with a three-person crew, including the country's first female space engineer, has docked after a journey of more than six hours. BBC reports that the crew will use the homegrown space station as a base for six months to conduct experiments and carry out spacewalks as Beijing gathers experience and intelligence for its eventual mission to put someone on the Moon by 2030. Beijing declared the launch of Shenzhou 19 a "complete success" - it is one of 100 launches China has planned in a record year of space exploration as it tries to outdo its rival, the United States. Read the full report here.