News Dabba for 08 May 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 India neutralises air defence system in Lahore, 21 Indian airports shut, to Syria's indirect talks with Israel.

21 airports shut till May 10, high alert, India Today reports

India Today reports that a high alert has been issued across the country, especially in the states bordering Pakistan, in the wake of heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following India's high-precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). At least 21 airports across North and North-west India will remain shut till May 10. The report says that India's border states, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir are on high alert. Read the full report here.

India neutralises air defence system in Lahore: Indian Express as per govt

A day after Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces on Thursday destroyed an air defence system in Lahore, Indian Express reports as per the government. “Today morning Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Ukraine accuses Russia of launching bombs after Putin’s 3-day truce begins, Al Jazeera

Ukraine has accused Russia of bombing the Sumy region after the latter’s unilaterally declared three-day ceasefire started, Al Jazeera reports. Ukraine’s air force said on Thursday that Russian aircraft launched guided bombs on the Sumy region of northern Ukraine three times after midnight local time, when Vladimir Putin’s May 8-10 ceasefire entered into force. The report says the Kremlin has claimed the brief ceasefire – coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II – will “test” Kyiv’s readiness for peace but Ukraine has slammed it as a farce. Read the full report here.

Supreme Court issues contempt notices to Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan: The Hindu

Calling it a sorry state of affairs, the Supreme Court of India today chided Governments of Delhi and adjoining States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan for not filling vacancies in State pollution control boards. The report says a Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued contempt notices to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, U.P., Haryana and Rajasthan over the non-compliance of its August 2024 order asking them to fill the vacancies by April 30, 2025. The top court pointed out that the presence of 55% vacant posts in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and said it was shocking that the body was "virtually defunct.” Read the full report here.

Syria holds indirect talks with Israel to prevent escalation, Africa News reports 

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Wednesday that his country is holding indirect talks with Israel to prevent recent hostilities from getting out of control. According to the report, he spoke on his first visit to Europe since taking office in January, and as he seeks to broaden ties to Western countries. Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on parts of Syria last week, saying it aims to protect the country’s Druze minority from coming under attack by pro-government gunmen. French President EmmanuelMacron also called for continued U.S. and international military presence in Syria to fight terrorist groups threatening security in the Mideast and Europe. Read the full report here.