Morning Digest | Number of women candidates contesting Lok Sabha elections grew 16-fold from 1957 to 2019; Onion traders cry foul over underpriced exports to UAE, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on April 8, 2024

Sirima’s call to Indira Gandhi saved negotiations from getting derailed, according to 2003 Sri Lankan book

A telephone call from Sri Lanka’s then Prime Minister Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike to her Indian counterpart Indira Gandhi in January 1974 may perhaps be considered to have saved the bilateral negotiations on the contentious Katchatheevu islet issue from getting derailed.

Vistara cancels nearly 1,000 flights in April to stabilise operations

Vistara has cancelled nearly 1,000 flights for the month of April in order to ensure stability in its operations, which saw a massive disruption last week over hectic rosters for pilots and unrest from a section of cockpit crew over pay cuts. The move will provide a much needed buffer to the airline in pilot rosters.

Kashmir: Mehbooba to contest from Anantnag-Rajouri, to face off against Ghulam Nabi Azad

The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday announced it will field candidates from all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley, with party president Mehbooba Mufti contesting from south Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajouri seat. This seat is likely to see J&K’s main electoral battle, with National Conference’s Mian Altaf, Democratic Progressive Azad Party’s (DAPA) Ghulam Nabi Azad, and J&K Apni Party’s Zaffar Manhas already in the fray. The BJP is yet to field its candidates from the Valley’s three seats.

Number of women candidates grew 16-fold from 1957 to 2019: ECI data