Top news of the day: April 16, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (April 16, 2026) asserted that no State — big or small, north or south, east or west — will be discriminated against in the delimitation of constituencies linked with the implementation of women quota law and warned that those who oppose this reform will not be forgiven by the women of the country. PM Modi also stressed that the proportion of Lok Sabha seats in any State will not come down as a result of the delimitation exercise. The Bills were introduced after a fiery 40-minute debate, during which the Opposition pressed for a division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill.

U.S. forces in ‌West Asia are postured to ​restart combat operations ⁠if Iran doesn’t agree to a peace deal, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a ‌Pentagon briefing on Thursday (April 16, 2026). “You, Iran, can choose a ‌prosperous future, a golden ‌bridge, and ⁠we hope that you ⁠do for the people of Iran,” he said. “But if Iran chooses poorly, ​then they will ‌have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.” Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Washington’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have been at war for weeks.