The Hindu Morning Digest: March 30, 2026

West Bengal Assembly polls: Congress names 284 candidates, fields heavyweights

The Congress on Sunday (March 29, 2026) fielded several heavyweights for the West Bengal Assembly election 2026, including former party leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor.

Despite assurance from Centre, MGNREGS workers denied work

For the last 87 days, MGNREGS workers have been protesting at the Muzaffarpur district headquarters in Bihar. The Union government had assured them that until the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act, 2025, passed by Parliament in December, is rolled out, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) would continue unchanged. But on the ground, workers say the story is very different.

WTO’s fisheries pact: India for 25 year transition period, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing

India has called for a 25-year transition period for developing countries, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing fleets, and a permanent carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers under the second phase of the fisheries subsidies agreement, being negotiated among WTO members. The Commerce Ministry on Sunday (March 29) said that fisheries subsidies were one of the key agenda items discussed by trade Ministers at the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held from March 26–29 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Israeli PM says ordered military to ‘further expand’ security zone in Lebanon

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday (March 29, 2026) that he had ordered the military to “further expand” a security zone in Lebanon as Israel continues its campaign in the neighbouring country .“In Lebanon, I have just ordered the military to further expand the existing security zone,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement.

China protests U.S. alert over security rules change in Hong Kong

China’s top diplomat ‌in Hong Kong has met the ​senior U.S. diplomat in ⁠the city to protest against a U.S. public alert over new security rules ‌in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. In a ‌statement released late on ‌Saturday (March 28, 2026), ⁠the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Hong Kong ⁠office said Commissioner Cui Jianchun met U.S. Consul General Julie Eadeh on March ​27 and expressed “strong dissatisfaction ‌and firm opposition”, urging Washington to stop interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal affairs “in any ‌form”.

Ukrainian drones kill one, damage homes, industry in southern Russia’s Taganrog

A Ukrainian drone attack ‌killed one person, triggered fires ​and damaged homes ⁠and industry on Sunday (March 29, 20267) in the southern Russian city of Taganrog, ‌local officials said. The regional governor said ‌falling drone debris prompted ‌the evacuation ⁠of an area hit ⁠by falling debris. “Emergency crews are working at the site of ​the incident, where ‌the debris fell,” Yuri Slyusar, Governor of Rostov region on Ukraine’s eastern border, ‌said on Telegram. “Fires and ​damage have occurred. People have been evacuated.”

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of shelling outskirts of eastern city, killing and wounding civilians

Afghanistan’s government accused Pakistan’s military of shelling the outskirts of an eastern Afghan city on Sunday (March 30, 2026), killing one person and wounding more than a dozen in the latest episode of renewed fighting between the two neighbouring countries. he fighting, which erupted in late February, has been the most severe between Afghanistan and Pakistan in decades.

Pakistan PM appreciates Saudi Arabia for showing ‘remarkable restraint’ during West Asia tensions

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday (March 29, 2026) pledged support to Saudi Arabia and appreciated the Kingdom for showing “remarkable restraint” during the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Mr. Sharif was talking to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who called on the Prime Minister, according to a statement by the PMO.

Pakistan will be honoured to facilitate talks between U.S. and Iran: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

 Pakistan said on Sunday (March 29, 2026) that it was ready to broker and host “meaningful talks” between the United States and Iran to bring an end to their war, outlining growing support for its peace efforts, including from the United Nations and China. The government in Islamabad has emerged as a key facilitator, relaying messages between the two sides to try to stop the conflict from escalating.

Martin grabs MotoGP standings lead with dramatic U.S. sprint victory

Jorge Martin overtook Francesco Bagnaia on the final lap to snatch victory in the sprint race at the United States Grand Prix and take the MotoGP championship lead on Saturday (March 28, 2026). The Aprilia rider came from seventh on the grid to win a dramatic sprint in which Marco Bezzecchi crashed out and Marc Marquez also slid off the track, taking pole-sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio with him.

Israeli police block Catholic cardinal from Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday

Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of ‌Jerusalem from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre “for the first time ​in centuries,” the Patriarchate said, with police citing security concerns linked to the Iran war. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa ⁠and Friar Francesco Ielpo were stopped by police while walking to the church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.

IPL 2026 RR vs CSK | We felt Parag was the best fit to lead: Royals head coach Sangakkara

Ahead of their IPL season opener, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara and Chennai Super Kings’ Stephen Fleming offered insights into team strategy, leadership decisions, and early challenges. For RR, the spotlight is on the appointment of Riyan Parag as captain following the departure of Sanju Samson. Sangakkara revealed that the decision followed an extensive and structured evaluation process.

Fundora retains WBC super welterweight title with 6th-round KO of Thurman

Keith Thurman said the fight should have continued, and maybe if it had, he would have found a way to get the best of Sebastian Fundora. But until referee Thomas Taylor stopped the bout at 1:17 of the sixth round on Saturday (March 30, 2026) night, there was little evidence that Fundora was in danger of relinquishing his WBC super welterweight belt.

‘Demolition notice’ on CM’s turf sparks AAP-BJP clash

The Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday alleged that a child whose house has been marked for demolition in Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s Assembly constituency, Shalimar Bagh, has publicly questioned the CM, asking where his family would go if their home is razed.

Published – March 30, 2026 06:28 am IST