Quick Reads
News Dabba for 09 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 Assam, Kerala, Puducherry elections, Hardeep Puri's visit to Qatar, to Israel's attacks on Lebanon.
Hindustan Times live on Assam, Kerala election updates
Voting for assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry concluded smoothly amid heightened security measures, Hindustan Times reports. By 5 pm, Assam recorded a voter turnout of 84.42 percent, while Kerala recorded 75.01 percent voting. Puducherry logged a voter turnout of 86.92 percent by 5 pm, according to the Election Commission. The report says that voting in the two states and Union territory commenced at 7am on Thursday and will continue till 6pm and security has been stepped up in view of the voting in the high-stake elections. Read the full report here.
Indian Express on Hardeep Puri's visit to Qatar
Amid the temporary and fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran in the West Asia war, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is on a two-day visit to the Gulf country, which is India’s largest source of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Indian Express reports that prioritisation of LNG and LPG supplies to India is likely to be a top agenda item in Puri’s discussions in Qatar. While the Petroleum Ministry made a last-minute announcement about Puri’s visit on Thursday, it did not provide further details. Read the full report here.
BBC: "Israeli attacks on Lebanon 'grave violation' of US-Iran ceasefire"
The Israeli attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday were a "grave violation" of the US-Iran ceasefire, Iran's deputy foreign minister told the BBC. Saeed Khatibzadeh accused Israel of a "massacre" in Lebanon - 203 people were killed there on Wednesday, according to the health ministry. Khatibzadeh also says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen if the US withdraws its "aggression", the report adds. Read the full report here.
Several tribal leaders defect from BJP to Congress in Gujarat's Dahod, NDTV reports
The political landscape in Gujarat shifted as several high-profile tribal leaders from the Dahod BJP unit defected to the Congress party, just as the opposition launched a localised "People's Manifesto" in Navsari, NDTV reports. The developments signal a ramping up of political activity as the Congress seeks to capitalise on local grievances regarding governance and tribal rights. In Dahod, veteran leaders including District Panchayat member Maheshbhai Machhar and former Sarpanch Jayantibhai And officially joined Congress at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. The report says that the defectors cited deep-seated dissatisfaction with the ruling party's handling of tribal issues. Read the full report here.
Funeral held for Al Jazeera’s Wishah killed in Israeli strike in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports
Mourners have gathered in central Gaza for the funeral of Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in an Israeli drone strike, as the death toll among media workers continues to rise during Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Al Jazeera reports that dozens of relatives, friends and colleagues joined the procession on Thursday. At a news conference held during the funeral, Ismail al-Thawabta, the director of Gaza’s Government Media Office, said the killing formed part of a wider pattern. He added that 262 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023, the report says. Read the full report here.
