News Dabba for 29 April 2026: 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 West Bengal Election phase 2, rebel attacks in Mali, to the updates on Iran War.

Supreme Court ends tryst with hate speech cases, NDTV reports

The Supreme Court has dismissed several petitions flagging instances of hate speeches over the past few years, NDTV reports, adding that the court observed that the existing criminal law adequately deals with such offences. The notion that the offence of hate speech is not covered under the legal framework is misconceived, the court observed. Closing contempt cases against state authorities over inaction against hate speeches, the report says, the top court emphasised that there is no legislative vacuum in this regard and individuals can approach appropriate forums for legal remedies. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times live on West Bengal Election 2026: 78.68 percent turnout so far

A voter turnout of 78.68 percent was recorded in Bengal till 3 pm on Wednesday as per data from the Election Commission of India, Hindustan Times reports. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee said that she has “never seen this type of democracy”, as she said that no state police was allowed at any booth and the CRPF has “captured” it all. Violence and vandalism reportedly took place in parts of West Bengal shortly after voting for the final phase of Assembly elections began this morning, Indian Express reports. Read the full report here.

France urges citizens to leave Mali after rebel attacks, BBC reports

France has urged its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible", after a weekend of co-ordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, BBC reports. In an update on Wednesday, the advice also warned French citizens not to travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as "extremely volatile". Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported across the country, including the capital, Bamako on Saturday. In Kati, the defence leader Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide bombing by militants, while in the north, separatist forces have taken control of the city of Kidal. Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta said the security situation in the country was under control, the report adds. Read the full report here.

UAE can now send more oil via Fujairah, bypassing Hormuz: India Today

The UAE's exit from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has altered the energy landscape in the Middle East and has opened new possibilities for global oil trade, India Today reports. Effective May 1, Abu Dhabi would be free from the oil cartel's production limits, which are set primarily by Saudi Arabia and can ramp up crude output to meet its full capacity. The report says that this opens the door for increased exports to India through the strategic Fujairah pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz entirely. Read the full report here.

Trump threatens Iran to ‘get smart soon’ amid stalled talks, Al Jazeera

In a new social media post, US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran to “better get smart soon” as efforts by Washington and Tehran to end hostilities appeared at a standstill, Al Jazeera reports. Israel has killed at least seven people, including emergency workers and soldiers, in southern Lebanon. Gulf leaders met in Saudi Arabia and said Iran must take “the initiative to make serious efforts to rebuild confidence” after “treacherous” attacks on the region, the report says. The UAE has announced it is leaving OPEC on Friday, ending nearly 60 years of membership in the oil-producing cartel. Read the full report here.