LIVE: Pakistan proposes new US-Iran talks; Modi speaks with Trump for 40 mins
US Vice President JD Vance earlier said negotiations with Iran “did make some progress"
Here is the top, trending news of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, including the Iran war, Indian politics, states’ politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Scroll below for Live updates.
Live Updates
- 14 April 2026 8:51 PM IST
Congress expels TN leader M Hazeena Syed for 6 years
The Congress on Tuesday (April 14) expelled M Hazeena Syed for six years over alleged anti-party activities after she levelled serious allegations against Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba and other senior leaders.
Syed had lashed out at Lamba in social media posts after being denied a ticket for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. She made personal remarks against Lamba, alleged financial impropriety, and also passed objectionable comments about senior leader K C Venugopal.
According to a statement issued by Disciplinary Action Committee member secretary, Tariq Anwar, Syed has been expelled from the primary membership of the Congress with immediate effect.
"Congress President (Mallikarjun Kharge) has expelled Mrs. M. Hazeena Syed, former president, Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress, from the Primary membership of the Indian National Congress for a period of six years, with immediate effect, due to her anti-party activities during the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu-2026," it said.
- 14 April 2026 8:26 PM IST
Shivamogga zoo rhino linked to vet's death dies; management under scrutiny
A 12-year-old female rhino named Hamsini, which was responsible for the death of veterinarian Dr Samiksha Reddy at the Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Sanctuary in Shivamogga district, has died, further intensifying allegations and concerns over the zoo’s management.
Dr Samiksha was killed on March 19 when she went to treat the pregnant rhinoceros.
According to a team of experts, Hamsini’s health deteriorated after her calf died in the womb on April 11.
The series of incidents at the zoo between March 19 and April 14 has raised serious questions about its management. It has also sparked doubts over whether adequate safety measures were followed during the treatment of the pregnant animal.
Meanwhile, Samiksha’s family has alleged that her death was the result of a conspiracy, claiming she had earlier reported negligence by authorities in the management of the sanctuary.
- 14 April 2026 8:21 PM IST
Modi and Trump speak over phone for 40 mins
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone for the first time since Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire aimed at restoring peace in West Asia. The conversation reportedly lasted about 40 minutes.
According to US envoy to India, Sergio Gor, the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia as well as trade ties. “They just got off the phone a few minutes ago. The President regularly updates the Prime Minister. He briefed him on developments in the Middle East and key issues between the US and India,” Gor told NDTV.
During the call, Modi reportedly told Trump, “People of India love you.”
- 14 April 2026 7:51 PM IST
Pakistan proposes new US-Iran talks as Vance, Trump hint at progress
Pakistani officials said Tuesday that Islamabad has proposed a second round of talks to the US and Iran, while US Vice President JD Vance earlier said negotiations with Iran “did make some progress" and US President Donald Trump said Monday “we've been called by the other side” and “they want to work a deal.”
The Pakistani officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter with the press, according to a report in Associated Press (AP).
- 14 April 2026 6:20 PM IST
Seven-year-old Asiatic lion dies at Vizag zoo after illness
A seven-year-old male Asiatic lion died due to illness at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (Vizag Zoo), officials said on Tuesday (April 14).
Curator G Mangamma said the lion died this morning despite continuous veterinary care, monitoring, and treatment.
In a statement, she said the male Asiatic lion, named Leo, was about seven years old and had been brought from the Assam State Zoo under an animal exchange programme and kept under quarantine.
She said the lion was diagnosed with trypanosomiasis (parasitic, vector-borne) and ehrlichiosis (tick-borne bacterial infection) during the quarantine period on March 19 and subsequently developed complications leading to multiple organ failure and death.
- 14 April 2026 5:14 PM IST
Tejashwi Yadav slams Nitish exit, targets BJP shift in Bihar
Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday criticised Nitish Kumar’s resignation, arguing it clears the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to take direct control of governance in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said the leadership change did not reflect public choice. “Whoever forms the government and becomes the CM, it will not be the choice of the people,” he said, adding, “Bihar will now be governed by Gujarat.” He also accused Kumar of enabling a political shift he had earlier opposed, claiming it handed space to an ideology he linked to Nathuram Godse.
The remarks came as Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that Samrat Choudhary had been unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislative party, positioning him to head the next government.
Kumar, who submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Ata Hasnain, said he would extend “full cooperation and guidance” to the incoming administration, expressing confidence that “a lot of very good work
- 14 April 2026 5:12 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi targets BJP, TMC over jobs and Constitution
Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took aim at both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress while campaigning in West Bengal, raising questions over jobs, governance and the state of constitutional institutions.
Speaking in Raiganj and Malda, Gandhi questioned the state government’s record on jobs. “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised jobs to five lakh people. But 84 lakh youths have applied for unemployment allowance,” he said, pointing to what he described as a gap between commitments and delivery.
He also targeted the BJP and the RSS, alleging they were “destroying the Constitution” through “hate-filled thinking” and were “involved in vote theft.” Gandhi termed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls “unconstitutional,” arguing it raises concerns about democratic processes.
At the same time, he accused the TMC of worsening unemployment, claiming it had “closed all industries in Bengal” and allowed syndicate networks to operate.
Turning to national issues, Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US trade deal, warning that “India's agricultural sector will be devastated.”
- 14 April 2026 5:04 PM IST
Samrat Choudhary pledges BJP line, cites Nitish’s guidance
Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday said he would carry forward the BJP’s ideological line after being unanimously elected leader of its legislative party in Bihar.
Reflecting on his political journey, Choudhary said the party had given him “several opportunities to serve,” noting that he had spent nearly three decades in public life. He added that he had been working with the BJP since 2015.
He said he would remain committed to the party’s core approach, stating that its ideology places the country first and the organisation at the centre of its work. Choudhary also addressed the party’s top leadership, saying, “I assure the PM, HM, party's national president” and other senior leaders that this direction would continue.
Referring to former chief minister Nitish Kumar, he said Kumar had taught him “how the government is run” and the importance of governance and democratic functioning in Bihar.
Choudhary said the goal would be to align Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India with Bihar’s growth, adding that both together would help “make Bihar prosperous and the country developed.”
- 14 April 2026 5:01 PM IST
Bihar Minister Jaiswal says NDA meet to confirm Choudhary as Bihar CM
Dilip Jaiswal on Tuesday said Samrat Choudhary’s elevation as leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislative Party in Bihar will be formally confirmed at an upcoming NDA meeting.
Jaiswal, a senior BJP leader and minister in the Bihar government, said a meeting of the alliance’s legislators would be held soon to endorse the decision. “A meeting of the NDA legislative party will be held soon,” he said, adding that Choudhary’s name would be officially announced there.
He also outlined the next step in the transition, stating that Choudhary “will assume the office of Chief Minister” following the formal process.
Choudhary was earlier unanimously chosen as the BJP’s legislative party leader, a move that has set the stage for a leadership change in the state.
The proposed NDA meeting is expected to complete the formalities ahead of the swearing-in of the new chief minister.
- 14 April 2026 4:55 PM IST
Watch: Samrat Choudhary greets supporters at BJP office in Patna
Samrat Choudhary acknowledges supporters at BJP office in Patna after being elected Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislative Party in Bihar.
