Workers remove the rubble as rescuers keep searching for a missing woman and girl at a building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: AP/PTI
Live: Pak PM heads to Saudi, Qatar and Turkey; US-Iran next talks soon?
The timing of the trip coincides with growing anticipation in Islamabad over a possible second round of U.S.-Iran talks
Here is the top, trending news of Wednesday, April 15, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Read updates below.
Live Updates
- 15 April 2026 9:53 PM IST
Andhra Congress chief urges BJP ally Chandrababu to oppose delimitation bill
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila on Wednesday appealed to the state's chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, to oppose the Centre's Delimitation Bill in the Parliament, flagging the dangers it could pose to the southern state.
"I appeal to you (Naidu) to oppose the Delimitation Bill, which will adversely affect the state's prospects. Centre's negligence will rise in sanctioning funds for projects like Amaravati capital and Polavaram Project," she said in an open letter to the Telugu Desam Party supremo, a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the National Democratic Alliance.
The Narendra Modi government and the Opposition are set to cross swords in the Lok Sabha on Thursday (April 16) as a three-day special sitting of Parliament begins with a debate on a key Constitution amendment bill that has provisions for the women's quota law implementation and the contentious delimitation exercise.
- 15 April 2026 6:38 PM IST
Iran warns US blockade could break ceasefire, threatens to disrupt Gulf trade
Iran’s top military commander, Ali Abdollahi of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has warned that continued US blockades of Iranian vessels could amount to a breach of the ceasefire agreed earlier this month. He cautioned that Iran’s armed forces would respond by halting all exports and imports across the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea.
The US blockade of Iranian ports began on Monday, and within the first 24 hours, six merchant ships were forced to turn back in the Gulf of Oman. US officials confirmed that no vessels managed to bypass the blockade.
Abdollahi’s remarks come against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire announced on April 8, following six weeks of conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. While the first round of negotiations collapsed, US President Donald Trump has suggested talks could resume within days, though Tehran has yet to confirm. - 15 April 2026 4:25 PM IST
Trump hints at imminent Iran talks in Islamabad as Tehran denies any plan
Speaking on the prospect of renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations, President Trump remarked that “something could be happening” in Islamabad within the next two days. His comments came just hours after a diplomatic source told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that there was “no information” regarding any further talks.
- 15 April 2026 4:24 PM IST
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif heads to Gulf and Turkey amid US Iran talks buzz
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, the country’s foreign ministry announced. The trips to Saudi Arabia and Qatar are expected to focus on bilateral relations, according to the ministry’s statement issued Wednesday morning.
The visit comes as Islamabad positions itself for a potential second round of U.S.-Iran talks, following initial discussions held over the weekend. Adding to speculation, former U.S. President Donald Trump told the New York Post on Tuesday that “something could be happening” in Islamabad within the next two days.
- 15 April 2026 1:58 PM IST
Kharge convenes meeting of Cong brass to discuss women quota, delimitation
Ahead of a special three-day sitting of Parliament, top Congress leaders met at the residence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge today in Delhi to discuss the strategy on the women quota law.
Kharge convened the meeting of the party's Parliamentary strategy group at his residence where top Congress leaders discussed the issue of women reservation along with that of delimitation.
The government on Tuesday circulated bills related to the women quota law and delimitation among the MPs.
The Congress has alleged that when the intent behind a bill is "mischievous" and its content "devious", the extent of damage to parliamentary democracy is enormous.
The Budget session of Parliament has been extended, and a special three-day sitting of the House has been convened from April 16 to 18, during which amendments to the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', more commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act, will be brought for its implementation in 2029.
The number of Lok Sabha seats will be increased to up to 850 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise to be carried out based on the last published census. According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, which will be introduced in the upcoming special sitting of Parliament, seats would also be increased in the state and Union Territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
- 15 April 2026 1:57 PM IST
At least three people killed in gas cylinder explosion in Andhra Pradesh
At least three people were killed in a gas cylinder explosion in Sri Sathyasai district of Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday, an official said.
A powerful explosion led to the demolition of two houses at Kammaravaripalli village, according to Superintendent of Police S Satish.
"At least three people died when a gas cylinder exploded in a house at Kammaravaripalli village in Kadiri mandal at around 12.30 pm,” Satish told PTI.
He said that the workers from Telangana were living in that house where the explosion occurred.
- 15 April 2026 1:36 PM IST
Saudi Arabia to deposit $3 billion into Pakistan's central bank
Saudi Arabia will deposit USD 3 billion into Pakistan's central bank, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Wednesday on the sidelines of World Bank and IMF meetings in Washington. An existing USD 5 billion Saudi deposit will also be extended for a longer term, dropping its annual rollover arrangement.
The move provides a timely financial cushion for Pakistan, whose economy has come under pressure amid regional tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict. Separately, Pakistan earlier this month said it would return USD 2 billion deposited by the UAE in its central bank in 2019.
- 15 April 2026 12:39 PM IST
Stalin announces black flag protest across TN against delimitation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced a black flag protest in the state against the proposed delimitation exercise.
In a social media post, he described the Delimitation Amendment Bill, which the Union government is set to introduce in Parliament, as a “massive historic injustice” to Tamil Nadu and other southern states.
He said that black flags would be hoisted on homes and public spaces across Tamil Nadu on the following day as part of the protest against delimitation.
Stalin also warned that if the Union government did not listen to Tamil Nadu’s concerns and withdraw the proposal, it would have to face consequences and “pay a heavy price.”
- 15 April 2026 12:33 PM IST
UN nuclear chief urges strict Iran checks in any deal to end war
The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday (April 15) that “very detailed” measures to verify Iran's nuclear activities must be included in a potential US-Iran agreement to end their war in the Middle East.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the need for a thorough verification regime for Iran's nuclear programme, as US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (April 14) that a second round of talks with Iran could happen over the next two days.
The Trump administration has said that preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon is a key war aim. Iran has previously said it isn't developing such weapons but rejected limits on its nuclear programme.
- 15 April 2026 11:05 AM IST
High UV index in sunlight recorded in Kerala
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Wednesday (April 15) urged the public to take adequate safety precautions as the state recorded a high UV index in sunlight over the past 24 hours.
In a statement, KSDMA said that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburn, skin diseases, eye problems and other health issues.
High UV index levels are generally recorded between 10 AM and 3 PM, and people have been advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight for extended periods during these hours, it said.
“Those engaged in outdoor work, fishermen involved in marine and inland fishing, people engaged in water transport, bike riders, tourists, individuals with skin diseases, persons with albinism, those with eye ailments, cancer patients, and people with low immunity should exercise special caution,” the statement said.
People stepping out during daytime have been advised to use hats, umbrellas and sunglasses, and wear cotton clothing that covers the body, it said.
Similarly, during travel and other outdoor activities, people should take breaks and rest in shaded areas
