Morning Digest: LPG bookings decline as Indian crude tanker sails out of UAE’s Fujairah safely; Jaishankar hails talks with Iran, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on March 16, 2026

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refill bookings have declined to about 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying, even as the government said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or cooking gas, and supplies remain stable despite the West Asia conflict. All domestic “refineries are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories,” the update said. “The country remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, requiring no imports of the fuels to meet domestic demand.” Oil marketing companies have reported no dry outs at fuel retail outlets or LPG distributorships, and petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are being maintained regularly.

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar has hailed ​direct talks with Iran as the most effective way ‌to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ​in an interview with an international publication. Mr. Jaishankar said he was engaged in talks with Tehran and that “talking has yielded some results.”

Nearly three years after two Kuki-Zo women were stripped, paraded and gang-raped by a mob in Manipur’s Thoubal district — an attack in which the brother and father of one of the survivors were killed — three accused in the case remain absconding, two are out on bail, and the bail application of another will come up for hearing in the Supreme Court later this month. The husband of one of the victims, an ex-Army jawan and key witness in the case, told The Hindu that a prime suspect identified as Loya, accused of killing the two men, continues to roam free. 

Iran warned countries against getting involved in its war with the United States and Israel, after President Donald Trump urged world powers to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint in the Gulf. Tehran also sent a stern message to its Arab neighbours, telling them that the Islamic republic has what its Foreign Minister called “ample evidence” that U.S. bases on their territories were being used to launch attacks.

A total of 17.4 crore voters are eligible to take part in the forthcoming Assembly elections in four States — Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Kerala, and one Union Territory, Puducherry, to elect 824 MLAs, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said. Addressing a press conference, Mr. Kumar also said that voting will be held at 2.19 lakh polling stations across the four States and Union Territories while 25 lakh election officials will be on duty to ensure free and fair elections.

The ruling BJP in Odisha has shifted all its MLAs to the port town of Paradip ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled on March 16. The BJP MLAs, including Ministers, boarded two luxury buses to the port town after a crucial meeting with senior party leaders at the BJP state party headquarters. The meeting was attended by Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and senior party leaders.