Top news of the day: March 14, 2026

Two Indian vessels carrying LPG cross Strait of Hormuz safely: Shipping Ministry official

Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying LPG from the Gulf countries safely crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday (March 14, 2026) morning, a senior Shipping Ministry official said. LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now headed to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in Ministry of Shipping, told a media briefing.

Centre revokes detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under NSA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Saturday (March 14, 2026) that it has revoked the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act. Mr. Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur jail after Centre’s revocation of detention order. The vessels are carrying 92,700 tonne of LPG and are likely to dock at Indian ports on March 16, 2026 or March 17, 2026, he said.

Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain sworn in as Bihar Governor

Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain took oath as the Governor of Bihar on Saturday (March 14, 2026). Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Hasnain at a ceremony at the Lok Bhavan. Mr. Hasnain took the oath as the 43rd Governor of Bihar since India’s independence.

Donald Trump says Iran ‘totally defeated’, ‘wants a deal’ he won’t accept

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13, 2026) that Iran has been “totally defeated” in the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against the country and wanted a deal he would not accept, despite Iranian officials pledging to continue the fight.

“The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – But not a deal that I would accept!” Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without elaborating.

Karur stampede: TVK chief Vijay leaves for Delhi to appear for CBI inquiry

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Saturday (March 14, 2026) left for New Delhi by a special flight from Chennai to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its inquiry into the Karur stampede case. On September 27 last year, a stampede broke out during a public meeting organised by Mr. Vijay’s party in Karur, claiming the lives of 41 people. The case is currently being investigated by the CBI following directions from the Supreme Court.

T.N. announces ₹2-per-unit electricity subsidy for hotels, cloud kitchens using electric stoves

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday (March 14, 2026) announced a ₹2-per-unit subsidy on electricity for hotels, tea stalls, and cloud kitchens that use electric stoves instead of LPG cylinders. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to discuss the crisis caused by the lack of adequate LPG in the wake of the war in West Asia.

PM Modi unveils connectivity projects worth ₹18,680 crore in West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled connectivity projects worth ₹18,680 crore in West Bengal on Saturday (March 14, 2026), and said a new chapter of India’s development was being written from the State. He laid the foundation stone for five sections of the 231 km-long four-lane Kharagpur-Moregram economic corridor, which will reduce the distance by around 120 km and save nearly seven to eight hours.

Macron urges Israel to hold ‘direct talks’ with Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (March 14, 2026) said Lebanon was ready to engage in “direct talks” with Israel and offered to host negotiations in Paris. “The Lebanese government has signalled its willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel,” he said on X, adding that “all sections of society must be represented in these talks.”

Sugar mills to report 5-8% revenue growth in FY26 on better cane supply: ICRA Report

Integrated sugar mills are likely to see moderate revenue growth of 5-8% in FY26, driven by improved sugarcane availability and stable sugar prices, a report said on Friday (March 13, 2026). However, margins are likely to remain broadly stable as cane prices have increased, while ethanol prices have remained largely stagnant, rating agency ICRA said in the report.

Bengal’s farmer-friendly initiative benefited 1.4 crore people: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (March 14, 2026) said the State’s farmer-friendly initiative has benefited 1.4 crore people. In a post on X on Krishak Divas, paying tribute to 14 people killed in police firing during the Nandigram anti-land acquisition protest on this day in 2007, Ms. Banerjee reiterated her government’s commitment to farmers.

Nine-judge SC Bench to hear arguments on March 17 on definition of ‘industry’

A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is slated to commence on March 17 the hearing on the contentious issue of defining the word “industry” under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

According to the apex court’s cause list of March 17, the matter would be heard by a nine-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices B.V. Nagarathna, P.S. Narasimha, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra Sharma, Joymalya Bagchi, Alok Aradhe, and Vipul M. Pancholi.

Published – March 14, 2026 05:57 pm IST