Episodes
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The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt and Rinku Ghosh join us as a part of our year-end series and talk about the major trends that were seen in the health sector in 2024 all the way from skin care to weight loss drugs and more.
Hosted and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 25th of December, and here are the headlines:
BJP Meets NDA Leaders to Counter Opposition Narrative
Amid Congress and the INDIA bloc's attack over Amit Shah's remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, top BJP leaders, including Shah and J.P. Nadda, met NDA allies to discuss a united front. They focused on countering the opposition's narrative, especially on Shah's comments, caste census, and social justice issues. Shah emphasized Congress's attempts to create false narratives, urging NDA leaders to stand together against the opposition's criticism.
Delhi CM Takes Action Over Fraudulent Notices
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced strict administrative action against two officers for disowning two AAP schemes. The officers released public notices calling the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana fraudulent. The schemes, which aim to provide financial aid to women and free medical treatment for seniors, were targeted in the notices. Atishi condemned the officers' actions and vowed immediate steps to address the situation.
Uttarakhand Bus Accident Leaves 3 Dead, Dozens Injured
A tragic road accident in Uttarakhand's Bhimtal area resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to over two dozen. The bus, traveling from Bhimtal to Haldwani, fell into a 100-meter deep ditch with 20-25 passengers on board. Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), swiftly responded, taking the injured to nearby hospitals. The rescue operation is ongoing as authorities investigate the cause of the crash.
Plane Crash in Kazakhstan Leaves 30 Dead, 32 Survive
A plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, has left over 30 dead, with 32 survivors. The flight from Baku to Grozny crashed during an emergency landing attempt approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau. Disturbing footage shows the plane bursting into flames upon impact. Emergency teams extinguished the fire, and survivors were rushed to hospitals. Investigations are underway into the cause of the crash.
Russia Strikes Ukraine’s Energy System on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, Russia launched a brutal missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving at least seven people dead or injured. Strikes on Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk caused blackouts and heating disruptions, with half a million people left without heat. President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them inhuman, as Russia fired more than 70 missiles and 100 drones during the holiday assault.
This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
Episodes manquant?
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Veteran journalist and contributing editor at The Indian Express, Neerja Chowdhury, joins us to kick off our year-end series and discuss some of the most significant moments that defined Indian politics this year.
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Audio clips sourced by Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 24th of December, and here are the headlines:
A day after Prime Minister Modi attended Christmas celebrations in Delhi, a senior Orthodox Church Bishop in Kerala criticized the event. Bishop Yuhanon Meletius, Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, shared his thoughts on Facebook, referencing two incidents of disruption at Christmas celebrations in Palakkad schools. He pointed out how bishops are revered and cribs honored at one event, while in Kerala, cribs are destroyed, following incidents involving VHP leaders and ongoing investigations into the disturbances.
Telugu actor Allu Arjun appeared before police today, following a notice issued after a stampede at the premiere of Pushpa 2 on December 4. Police are working to establish a timeline of events leading up to the stampede at Sandhya Theatre. Investigators aim to gather detailed information to assist in preparing the chargesheet. Three VHP leaders were arrested in Palakkad in connection with one incident, and authorities are continuing their search for additional suspects.
Opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi criticized the selection process for the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). At a recent meeting, they labeled the process "fundamentally flawed" and accused it of being a "pre-determined" exercise. They suggested Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph as possible candidates. However, V Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge, was appointed as the NHRC chairperson on Monday, despite their objections.
Goa may face a beef shortage as meat vendors went on strike to protest "harassment" after an altercation with members of a cow protection group in Margao. Three vendors were injured during the incident, leading to a shutdown of vendors at the SGPDA market complex. The traders cited safety concerns and called for police protection for beef transporters. The strike is expected to continue, and vendors are demanding the government take action against vigilante groups targeting them.
France has formed a new government under Prime Minister François Bayrou, marking the fourth administration of 2024. The appointment follows the collapse of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government due to disagreements over budget reforms. Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem group allied with President Macron, is tasked with stabilizing the country and passing the 2025 budget. Macron hopes the new government will navigate the political and economic challenges facing France amid ongoing crises.
This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express -
During the festive season, people across the country come together to celebrate, with food—sweet, savory, and deep-fried—often taking center stage. While these treats are fine in moderation, we often indulge more than we should. But how much is too much, and are there ways to make our celebrations healthier?
To explore these questions, we speak to Dr Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head, Nutrition And Dietetics, Max Super Speciality Hospital (Delhi).
(Note: We kick-off our year-ender series tomorrow).
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 23rd of December and here are the headlines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the central government’s efforts to provide ‘lakhs of government jobs in the last 1.5 years’. Addressing a Rozgar Mela virtually today, PM Modi said that his government set a “record” by giving permanent government jobs to almost 10 lakh people in the course of the last 18 months. PM Modi stated, quote, “There is a campaign going on to provide government jobs in various ministries, departments and institutions of the country. Today also, more than 71,000 youths have been given appointment letters,” unquote.
Meanwhile, Three members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force, who were allegedly involved in grenade attacks at police establishments in border areas of Punjab, were killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district today. The encounter was jointly conducted by the police forces from Punjab and UP. While the Punjab Police said in the morning that the men had been arrested, police in UP confirmed later that the men had died a little before 10 am. The deceased have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, Virendra Singh alias Ravi, and Jasan Preet Singh alias Pratap Singh, all residents of Gurdaspur.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today that six Bangladeshis have been apprehended by the Assam Police for entering the Indian territory illegally and handed over to the authorities of the neighbouring country, He, however, did not mention the sector of the India-Bangladesh border, where they were held. The chief minister said on X, quote ‘No place for illegal infiltration in Assam, carrying out their strict monitoring against infiltration attempts, Assam police apprehended 6 Bangladeshi nationals and pushed them across the border,” unquote.
Meanwhile, the police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor said today they arrested the main accused in the abduction of comedian Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Mohammed Khan after an encounter late Sunday. While the police arrested the main accused Lavi Pal, his accomplice Himanshu managed to escape during the cross-firing. Lavi Pal was carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head and had been absconding since being booked by the Meerut and Bijnor police for abduction or ransom of Mushtaq Khan on 20th of November and Sunil Pal on 2nd of December.
On the global front, US President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an aide of billionaire Elon Musk and Microsoft’s ex-employee, as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social said, quote “Sriram Krishnan will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across Government, including working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.” unquote.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, The Indian Express' Arun Sharma explains why the Katra ropeway project in Jammu is facing opposition. He talks about the project, the changes it will bring and how it will impact the trek to the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine. He also shares the reasons behind the protests and how it may impact the project.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Bijin Jose who breaks down the recently launched o3 model of AI by OpenAI. He shares what makes this model the most advanced OpenAI model yet and how it is different from all the previous existing AI models. (9:58)
Finally, we talk about PM Modi being awarded the highest national award of Kuwait. (20:13)
Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 20th of December and here are the headlines.
The ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with strong opposition from Congress and Samajwadi Party. The bill, supported by 269 MPs, aims to synchronize elections across India. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal defended it, while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it unconstitutional, warning of its impact on democracy. The bill seeks to amend three Constitution articles, based on recommendations from a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the 'Sanjeevani Yojana' on Wednesday, promising free medical care for all citizens over 60, in both government and private hospitals. The scheme is seen as a counter to the BJP-led Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Kejriwal aims to attract senior voters ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
In the wake of an altercation on Parliament premises, Congress MPs, led by Pramod Tiwari, filed a complaint with the Sansad Marg police station accusing BJP MPs of manhandling Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyanka Gandhi, witnessing the incident, described how Kharge fell after being pushed, with a CPIM MP also collapsing on him. She expressed concern that Kharge might have been seriously injured. The confrontation follows tensions between NDA and INDIA MPs during parliamentary proceedings.
Meanwhile, an Indian Navy craft, which was undergoing trials for a newly fitted engine, experienced malfunction and crashed into a passenger ferry boat, off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday that killed 13 people. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident but it is believed that the engine malfunction led to the rider losing control of the craft, resulting in the collision. After the Mumbai ferry accident, boat operators are pointing to the lack of regulation and monitoring in one of India’s busiest harbours. They said the Navy generally conducts its boat testing during non-peak hours, primarily in the mornings.
On the global front, Israel has announced it will close its embassy in Ireland after Dublin supported a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies” for backing the case. In response, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, The Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak discusses the ongoing row over Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and tell us about the relationship between Ambedkar, the Congress, and the RSS.
Next, The Indian Express’ Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath talks about the recent anti-Muslim remarks made by Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav during an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (14:30).
Finally, The Indian Express’ Ritika Chopra provides an update about a 19-year-old B.Tech student who duped a top US university but was later exposed after bragging about it (25:05).
Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 19th of December, and here are the headlines:
Telangana ACB Files Case Against KTR Over Formula E Race Irregularities
Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a case against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao (KTR), the son of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, over alleged irregularities surrounding the Formula E car racing event in Hyderabad. KTR, a former minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, was named the primary accused. The case involves mismanagement of funds during his tenure, with former MAUD secretary Arvind Kumar and ex-HMDA chief engineer BLN Reddy also implicated. The event took place in February 2023.
Congress Claims BJP MPs Blocked and Attacked Opposition in Parliament
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused BJP MPs of blocking and attacking opposition members attempting to enter Parliament on Thursday. Kharge said BJP MPs physically stopped them at the gate, even pushing female MPs, while BJP MP Pratap Sarangi claimed Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP, injuring Sarangi. Gandhi denied the allegation, stating BJP MPs were the aggressors. The incident follows an ongoing clash between NDA and INDIA MPs, with Congress lodging a formal complaint against the BJP at the Sansad Marg police station.
Congress Files Complaint Over Misbehaviour in Parliament Scuffle
In the wake of an altercation on Parliament premises, Congress MPs, led by Pramod Tiwari, filed a complaint with the Sansad Marg police station accusing BJP MPs of manhandling Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyanka Gandhi, witnessing the incident, described how Kharge fell after being pushed, with a CPI(M) MP also collapsing on him. She expressed concern that Kharge might have been seriously injured. The confrontation follows tensions between NDA and INDIA MPs during parliamentary proceedings.
13 Dead in Mumbai Ferry Collision: Lack of Safety Regulations Blamed
A tragic collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a passenger ferry near the Gateway of India on Wednesday resulted in 13 deaths, including Navy personnel and civilians. Boat operators in Mumbai have criticized the lack of safety regulations and monitoring in the harbor. Although Navy personnel claim the accident was due to losing control during testing, they stated no specific testing location exists. An investigation is ongoing, while operators highlight that such tests are typically conducted in non-peak hours for safety.
French Court Sentences Dominique Pelicot to 20 Years in Landmark Abuse Case
Dominique Pelicot, 72, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his wife, Gisele, over a decade, while also allowing dozens of other men to assault her. A French court found 50 men guilty, though most received shorter sentences than the prosecution's recommendations. The case, which came to light in 2020, uncovered disturbing footage of the abuse on Pelicot’s computer. Gisele, who waived anonymity, has spoken out to help other survivors, saying her fight is for all rape victims.
This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, The Indian Express' Damini Nath explains 'One Nation One Election' at length. She shares the details of the amendments required to implement it, the reaction that it received in the Lok Sabha and all the recent developments.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Abhinaya Harigovind who shares the recommendations of the high level committee that was created post the NEET UG paper leak. She talks about the ways recommended by the committee in which the entrance exam process can be made more like the election process. (13:27)
Finally, we talk about a Navy craft losing control and hitting a ferry off the Mumbai coast causing 13 deaths. (23:23)
Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 18th of December, and here are the headlines:
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Ruckus Over Amit Shah's Comments
Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Tuesday following a ruckus over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about Dr. BR Ambedkar. The Congress strongly criticized the introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, calling for its immediate withdrawal. Despite this, the bill was introduced after a vote in the Lok Sabha via an electronic voting system, with Speaker Om Birla overseeing the process.
Modi Defends Amit Shah, Slams Congress Over Ambedkar Remarks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition's accusations that Union Minister Amit Shah insulted Dr. BR Ambedkar, claiming Congress's "rotten ecosystem" spread malicious lies to cover up its misdeeds. Modi said the Congress, led by a single dynasty, had humiliated Ambedkar's legacy and the SC/ST communities. His remarks, posted on X, accused Congress of trying to erase Ambedkar’s contributions and criticized its tactics to hide its past failures.
Kejriwal Announces ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’ Ahead of Delhi Elections
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the 'Sanjeevani Yojana' on Wednesday, promising free medical care for all citizens over 60, in both government and private hospitals. The scheme is seen as a counter to the BJP-led Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides secondary and tertiary healthcare to economically vulnerable families. Kejriwal aims to attract senior voters ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
CAG Report Finds Undue Benefits to Maharashtra Road Contractors
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) revealed that Maharashtra road contractors received undue benefits worth Rs 203 crore due to reduced penalties imposed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). An audit found that NHAI violated concession agreements in projects in Nanded and Thane districts, which resulted in lower damage recoveries than stipulated. The CAG report, tabled in Lok Sabha on December 16, highlighted violations of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines by NHAI.
Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement from International Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane. The 38-year-old spinner, who played in the second Test in Adelaide, revealed his decision following an emotional chat with former India captain Virat Kohli. Ashwin, who is India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 wickets, thanked the fans and expressed that his appearance in Brisbane would be his last day representing India on the international stage.
This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, The Indian Express’ Suanshu Khurana joins us to discuss the legacy of the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who passed away at a hospital in San Francisco on Sunday.
Next, The Indian Express’ Apurva Vishwanath explains the Supreme Court’s latest directive to the district court regarding the Places of Worship Act (15:20).
Finally, The Indian Express’ Jagdeep Singh Deep discusses the tragedy in Georgia, where 11 Indian nationals lost their lives (24:02).
Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
The headlines of the day from The Indian Express.
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First, we speak to The Indian Express' Ajoy Sinha Karpuram about Telugu actor Allu Arjun's arrest by the Hyderabad police. He talks about the incident that happened on the eve of the release of Allu Arjun starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule, that led to charges being filed against the actor.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra who talks about the Railways Amendment Bill 2024. He shares how similar or different it is from the pre-existing railway acts. He also explains the new bill and how it can be beneficial. (9:37)
Finally, we talk about Cyclone Chido, which is being considered the most powerful cyclone in nearly a century to hit the French archipelago of Mayotte. (19:13)
Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 16th of December and here are the headlines.
Kharge Accuses Modi of Misleading the Nation on Nehru’s Letter
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused Prime Minister Modi of distorting facts about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s letter on reservation, demanding an apology. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on India’s constitutional journey, Kharge also criticized BJP leaders for their "bhakti" towards Modi, claiming it was leading India towards dictatorship. He called for a return to democratic values and the safeguarding of the Constitution's spirit.
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake Reaffirms Commitment to India’s Security
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Prime Minister Modi on Monday that Sri Lanka’s territory will not be used for actions harmful to India. After their meeting in Delhi, Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s support during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, with Modi highlighting the USD 4 billion in aid. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, covering areas such as defense, infrastructure, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Letter Requests Return of Nehru Papers Taken in 2008
Historian Rizwan Kadri has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, requesting his help in retrieving important Nehru papers taken by a representative of Sonia Gandhi in 2008. The papers include Nehru’s correspondence with notable figures such as Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, and JP Narayan. The matter was raised in the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society’s meeting in February. Kadri emphasized the historical significance of these documents for public access and preservation.
Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Dies at 73
Renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, a five-time Grammy Award winner, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Hussain, a celebrated figure in Indian classical music, received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, one of the highest lifetime honors for artists in India.
Israel to Close Embassy in Ireland Over Genocide Case Support
Israel has announced it will close its embassy in Ireland after Dublin supported a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies” for backing the case. In response, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
Last week, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion. He claimed the title after defeating 32-year-old Chinese chess grandmaster Ding Liren in the final match of the 18th World Chess Championship, held in Singapore.
The championship spanned nearly three weeks, with Gukesh and Ding battling it out across 14 intense games. In today’s episode, we discuss the key moments of the championship, uncover what propelled Gukesh to this remarkable achievement, and discuss the significance of his victory for India’s growing chess community.
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 13th of December and here are the headlines.
Bangladesh confirmed on Tuesday that 88 incidents of communal violence targeting minorities, mostly Hindus, occurred after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Interim government spokesman Shafiqul Alam said 70 people were arrested in connection with the attacks. This announcement came after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raised concerns about the safety of minorities during talks with Bangladeshi officials, calling the incidents regrettable. The violence has drawn significant international attention and criticism.
In a tragic incident in Mumbai, a BEST bus crashed into 22 vehicles, killing seven and injuring 49. The accident took place near Anjuman-E-Islam School in Kurla West around 9:30 pm. Investigators revealed that the driver, Sanjay More, hit cars, two-wheelers, and even a police van. Police are still determining whether more vehicles were involved. The accident, one of the city's worst, has shocked locals and raised questions about traffic safety in crowded areas.
After 13 years of civil war and decades of Assad family rule, Syria’s rebel group, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has taken control of the country’s governance. A meeting between rebel leaders and outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali confirmed the handover of power to the rebel-led Salvation Government. This momentous shift offers hope to Syrian refugees abroad, although uncertainty looms over the country’s future stability as it transitions from decades of autocratic rule. The situation remains fragile, with global eyes on Syria’s next steps.
18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju upstaged China’s Ding Liren in the final game of their best-of-14-games to become the youngest ever world chess champion on Thursday in Singapore. In 2018, Gukesh became the third-youngest grandmaster in history at 12 years and seven months. In April, earlier this year, Gukesh stunned the world by winning the eight-man Candidates tournament in Toronto and became the youngest ever challenger for the world championship.
The Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval to two Bills, one of which is a nod to the “one nation, one election” plan of the BJP-led Central government. Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been advocating for the plan to hold elections to Lok Sabha, all state Legislative Assemblies, and urban and rural local bodies at the same time. A high-level committee, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, in March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, we speak to The Indian Express' Asad Rehman about the protests being carried out by the Opposition in the Parliament to get the government to discuss the Gautam Adani bribery case. Congress has adopted varied methods of protests, Asad talks about them and shares how they are executed.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Parul Kulshreshtha who explains why the farmers of Punjab and Rajasthan have been protesting. She shares their concerns regarding the pollution of Buddha Nullah, a stream that drains into the Sutlej and how it is impacting people's health and crops. (9:27)
Finally, we talk about India's D Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion. (18:00)
Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar -
This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 12th of December and here are the headlines.
In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that civil courts cannot hear cases challenging the ownership and title of places of worship. This includes major disputes like the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. The court clarified that no new suits can be filed, and no interim or final orders, including surveys, will be allowed until further hearings. Several similar suits are pending in different locations across India.
On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved two crucial bills related to holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. One bill proposes a constitutional amendment, while the other seeks to align assembly elections in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. These bills are expected to be introduced in the current Parliament session. This development follows months of discussions after the Kovind-led committee's recommendations on simultaneous elections.
Thursday saw chaos in both Houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised allegations about Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s alleged ties to billionaire George Soros. Opposition MPs protested fiercely, even climbing the Speaker's dais. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a disruption over a motion by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury, leading to further tension in the parliamentary proceedings for the day.
Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Mahila Samman Rashi Scheme will increase the monthly allowance for women to Rs 2,100, up from Rs 1,000, if AAP is re-elected. The scheme, approved by Chief Minister Atishi's Cabinet, is aimed at supporting women’s financial empowerment. The announcement is seen as part of the AAP's strategy to secure women’s votes in the upcoming elections.
In a clash between security forces and alleged Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, seven Maoists were killed early Thursday. The encounter, which lasted over seven hours, took place in the dense jungles of Abujhmad, a heavily forested and un-surveyed area. The police are continuing search operations to confirm the number of casualties and recover weapons. The region has long been a hotspot for Maoist insurgents, making security operations challenging.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express. - Montre plus
