News Dabba for 18 April 2023: 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 clashes in Sudan, Ajit Pawar slamming switch rumours, to the Supreme Court hearing on same sex marriage.

Almost impossible to provide aid in Sudanese capital: Reuters report

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Tuesday it was nearly impossible to provide humanitarian services around the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Reuters report says that it warned the country's health system was at risk of collapse. Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed at least 185 people and injured more than 1,800. The World Health Organization said it had documented three attacks against healthcare facilities since the fighting erupted in Sudan. Read the full report here.

Ajit Pawar slams rumours of switch, NDTV reports

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday denied that he was planning to move to the BJP with his supporters, NDTV reported. He also accused the media of "spreading rumours without any reason". "There is no truth to any rumour. I am with the NCP and I will stay with the NCP," the report quoted Ajit Pawar slamming talk of a rift in the NCP and Maharashtra's opposition alliance. The former Deputy Chief Minister said NCP workers were "getting confused" because of all the buzz. Read the full report here.

BBC reports Putin visits occupied Kherson region in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited occupied parts of the Ukrainian region of Kherson. BBC reports that he attended a military meeting to hear reports from commanders, according to the Kremlin. Putin is also thought to have visited the Luhansk region. Russia annexed Kherson and Luhansk last year. The report says that such trips by the Russian leader are rare, although he made a surprise visit to the city of Mariupol in March. Read the full report here.

Indian Express live report on Supreme Court hearing petitions to legalise same sex marriage

The Supreme Court on Monday is hearing petitions to legalise same sex marriage. The live report on the same by Indian Express states that the government raised preliminary objections to the Court hearing petitions seeking same sex marriage. CJI DY Chandrachud said government’s objections will be heard depending on the “canvas opened up by the petitioners.” During the hearing, pointing to the stigma faced by LGBTQ persons, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the test of popular acceptance is not enough to deny one community’s fundamental rights. Read the full report here.

The Wire's report on commual violence during Ram Navami in Gujarat

A report by the Wire exlores that changed procession route, provoking Muslims is becoming a familiar pattern followed on Ram Navami in Gujarat. The report says that on March 30, Ram Navami day, Vadodara was also embroiled in hate as tensions escalated at Panjrigar mohalla around 1 pm – right around the time of afternoon prayers for Muslims – when a Ram Navami procession lead by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was passing by the area. It adds that this religious procession that happens every year took a different route this year to be able to pass both a mosque and a dargah on its way. According to locals and the videos they shared with The Wire, revellers in VHP’s Shobha Yatra vandalised the Dhuldoyawad Masjid and Hazrat Kalu Shahid Dargah in Vadodara. The police's FIR, however, only names Muslims. Read the full report here.