Quick Reads
News Dabba for 02 April 2026: Five stories for a balanced news diet
Here are the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites.
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 Rahul Gandhi slamming Himanta Biswa Sarma, Anti-SIR protests in West Bengal, to Nasa spacecraft orbiting Earth.
Rahul vows action against Himanta, Hindustan Times reports
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday promised to implement Article 244A of the Constitution and initiate action against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma if his party comes to power after next month’s assembly elections, Hindustan Times reports, He attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over governance and alleged corruption and control over tribal areas. Addressing an election meeting in Karbi Anglong, Gandhi said Article 244A, which provides for the creation of an autonomous state within Assam’s tribal areas, would be enforced to ensure greater self-governance, the report says. Read the full report here.
National Highway blocked in Bengal's Malda as SIR dispute triggers Protest, NDTV reports
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has become the most prominent and contentious issue ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, NDTV reports. As polling draws nearer, political tensions in the state are steadily rising, with fresh developments emerging almost every day. The report says that on Thursday morning, members of the Muslim community in the Malda district, whose names were excluded from the voter list, staged a protest by blocking National Highway 12. Read the full report here.
Pakistan says it is in talks with Afghanistan to end conflict, The Straits Times
Pakistan is holding talks with Afghanistan to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The Straits Times reports that the talks in the northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi were being held between senior officials of the two countries. China has been trying to mediate a negotiated settlement to the conflict between the allies-turned-foes that share a 2,600-km border. Read the full report here.
Indian Express: Family says man killed by Army as militant had no terror links
A day after the Army said it had killed a militant in the forest area of central Kashmir, a family from Ganderbal claimed the deceased has no links with militancy, Indian Express reports. The family has demanded an investigation into the killing and said they will register a complaint with the police. The police said they will verify the deceased’s records, while the Army said the “family can claim anything” and “the truth will come out”. The report says that Ajaz Ahmad Mughal, a resident of Choont Waliwar village of Ganderbal, claimed the deceased, Rashid Ahmad Mughal, was his brother and had no militant links. Read the full report here.
Nasa spacecraft orbiting Earth after spectacular Artemis II Moon mission launch, BBC reports
Nasa's Artemis II spacecraft has blasted off and is now orbiting the Earth in the first crewed mission to the Moon in half a century, BBC reports. "We go for all humanity," astronaut Reid Wiseman said as they launched. The report adds that they will remain in orbit for 24 hours as the crew carries out checks, if all goes well it will get the green light to head around the Moon. Read the full report here.
