Episódios
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The headlines of this week from the Indian Express.
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First, Indian Express' Maulshree Seth talks to us about the Ram Temple and the water leak and water logging that it is facing. She shares the reasons behind the leak and the details of what the chief priest and the temple authorities had to say about it.
Next, Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha speaks to us about the need to develop disaster resilient infrastructure. He shares how with the rising temperatures and instances of landslides, heavy rain, cyclones and other natural disasters are making the critical infrastructure vulnerable and how that needs to change. (9:12)
And in the end, we give you an update on the arrests that have been made by the CBI in the NEET UG paper leak case. (19:57)
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 27th of June and here are today's headlines.
Addressing a joint sitting of both Houses today, President Droupadi Murmu said, quote “Opposing policies and disrupting proceedings of Parliament are two different things. When Parliament is run smoothly, there’s healthy debate, then people have faith in the administration.” unquote. She also spoke about the ‘paper leak’ cases, saying that a high-level probe has been initiated into the allegations.
Meanwhile, Congress MP K C Venugopal, General Secretary in charge of the Organisation, wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today, saying that his reference to the Emergency in his acceptance speech yesterday was “deeply shocking” and “unprecedented”. Released by the Congress, the letter said, quote “Making of such a political reference from the Chair is unprecedented in the annals of the history of Parliament.” unquote.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two persons in connection with the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam today, days after registering a criminal case. On Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) sent show-cause notices threatening debarment to 17 candidates in Patna, based on the report sent to the Centre by the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit. Those arrested have been identified as Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment yesterday sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu labour department on the issue of married women not being allowed to work at the Foxconn India Apple iPhone Plant. Foxconn has informed the government that 25 per cent of its new hires are married women and its safety protocol, which requires all employees to avoid wearing metal irrespective of gender or religion, is not discriminatory, sources said.
As many as 24 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in three separate airstrikes on Gaza city on Tuesday, and one among those killed included a sister of Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of militant Islamist group Hamas, Gaza health officials and medics told Reuters. Israeli tanks ventured further deep into western areas of Rafah, firing up homes and two schools, killing 14 and another strike on a house in Shati camp left 10 others dead.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt discusses the Centre's rebranding of its flagship Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers as "Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs," and how two North-Eastern states have opposed this idea.
Next, Indian Express’ Apurva Vishwanath explains the significance of the role of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and how the Speaker's impartiality has been questioned over the years (09:50).
And in the end, we provide a quick update on Sam Pitroda's reappointment as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (19:42).
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 26th of June and here are today's headlines.
Lok Sabha MP Om Birla was elected as Lok Sabha Speaker today by a voice vote for the second time in a row. The Opposition did not press for a division of votes and pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab declared Birla as elected, saying the “ayes have it”. With Birla’s election, Mahtab said, the other motions to propose and second the candidature of K Suresh became infructuous. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who the Congress has named Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, congratulated Birla as he took charge.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the Court asserting that CBI sources fabricated information in the media. He clarified, quote “I have not made any statement holding Sisodia responsible. Yesterday, I made it clear that neither AAP nor Sisodia can be blamed.” Unquote. These developments follow arguments in court regarding the CBI’s arrest of the AAP leader. The Supreme Court today, allowed him to withdraw his plea against the High Court’s interim stay on the trial court’s bail order in the ED case.
A day after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said that his party’s doors would remain open to MLAs who had sided with Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) hit back today, saying that it showed the desperation of a party struggling to find leaders to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra. NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil told The Indian Express today, quote, “Sharad Pawar saheb’s party is saddled with a handful of MLAs and he is now looking for leaders who will contest on its ticket,” Unquote.
According to new data published in the Lancet Global Health, half the adult Indian population does not meet the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on sufficient physical activity. More women (57 per cent) than men (42 per cent men) are physically inactive. Most alarmingly, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Indian adults has risen sharply from 22.3 per cent in 2000 to 49.4 per cent in 2022. This means unchecked, 60 per cent of our population would be unfit by 2030 and at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returned to his homeland Australia aboard a charter jet today, hours after pleading guilty to obtaining and publishing US military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that concludes a drawn-out legal saga. The criminal case of international intrigue, which had played out for years, came to a surprise end in a most unusual setting with Assange, entering his plea in a US district court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands. The American commonwealth in the Pacific is relatively close to Assange's native Australia and accommodated his desire to avoid entering the continental United States.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express' Abhinaya Harigovind talks to us about the Delhi water crisis and the reasons behind it. She shares the sources through which Delhi gets its water and the Supreme Court's order according to which Delhi should receive water from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
Next, Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar speaks to us about the government's plan to develop Great Nicobar through the Great Nicobar Project. This is a Rs 72,000 crore worth infrastructure upgrade project that is facing opposition by conservationists and researchers. (8:38)
And in the end, we talk about BJP leaders launching a series of posts on social media site X about the imposition of Emergency in 1975 on its 49th anniversary. (17:53)
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his is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 25th of June and here are today's headlines.
The Bombay High Court has ordered the release of a juvenile accused in the Pune Porsche crash case. The court allowed a habeas corpus plea by his aunt seeking quashing of remand orders sending him to observation home. The paternal aunt of the child in conflict with law had claimed that he was sent to custody in an “unlawful and arbitrary” manner. The court observed that the custody order was illegal and passed without jurisdiction and directed that his custody will be handed into care and custody of the paternal aunt.
The Opposition has fielded Congress leader K Suresh for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker after the BJP refused to make a commitment for the post of Deputy Speaker, which the Opposition has been pushing for. Meanwhile, the NDA has nominated Om Birla for the Speaker’s post. The election for the post will be held tomorrow. Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that the Opposition was willing to support the NDA’s candidate for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker provided the government followed the convention and gave the deputy speaker’s post to them.
The Delhi High Court today stayed the regular bail granted by trial court to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case stating that the lower court did not “apply its mind” while passing the order. Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain passed the order while hearing ED’s application seeking stay of trial court order which had granted bail to Kejriwal on 20th of June. A day earlier, the Supreme Court had said it will wait for the High Court verdict and hear his plea against the HC move on 26th of June.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference today, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, stated, quote, “Since Atishi is admitted in the ICU, we must discontinue the ‘anischitkalin anshan’ (indefinite fast) for water. We will continue the agitation in other ways.” Informing the media about Atishi’s health, the Minister said, “Atishi is still admitted in the Lok Nayak ICU after her state in night became unstable, her medical examination is going on. Presently, there are doctors in the hospital ICU looking after her… We are also writing a letter to the PM today to consider the matter (of the water crisis in Delhi).”
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange landed in Bangkok today, as he is on the way to enter a plea deal with the US government that will free him and resolve the legal case that spanned years and continents over the publication of a trove of classified documents. He's expected to plead guilty to an Espionage Act charge of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified national defence information, according to the US Justice Department in a letter filed in court. He is expected to return to his home country of Australia after his plea and sentencing.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express’ Apurva Vishwanath discusses why a trial court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, why the Delhi High Court stayed the decision, and what the Supreme Court will now be considering.
Next, Indian Express’ Mihir Vasavdatalks about how India wants the inclusion of sports like Twenty20 Cricket, Kabaddi, Chess, Squash, and Kho Kho, as well as Yoga, in the 2036 Olympics (11:28).
And in the end, Indian Express’ Liz Mathew shares the highlights of the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha and explains what made it different from the previous sessions under the PM Modi-led NDA government (18:50).
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 24th of June and here are today's headlines.
In the first sitting of the 18th Lok Sabha today, Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi were seen holding up copies of the Constitution book as Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked up to take oath as the member of the House. Talking about the display in Parliament, Rahul said it was done to show that the attack by “the PM and Amit Shah on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let this happen”. Among other Congress leaders who took oath were Manish Tewari, who spoke in Punjabi.
Meanwhile, sharing his remarks ahead of the first sitting where all 280 new MPs will take oath, PM Modi said all efforts will be made to move forward with “consensus” to serve the people of the country. The resurgent Opposition which is gearing up to push the NDA government for answers on several issues including the ongoing NEET-NET exam paper leak row among others has begun its aggressive stance over Mahtab’s appointment as the pro-tem Speaker and said it will not “help or assist the government” in this matter
The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing till June 26, on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court order putting on hold the bail granted to him by a trial court in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. The vacation bench took note that the high court is yet to pronounce the final order in the matter. The bench said it would wait for the high court order to come on record without which it would not be able to ascertain the reasoning.
The Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit, which has handed over the probe into the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG to the CBI, said it has arrested a “solver gang” member. This individual had received a PDF of the solved question paper on his phone on 4th of May, a day before the exam. Baldev Kumar, alias Chintu, was among five people arrested by the EOU from Jharkhand. The EOU produced them before a Patna court, which sent them to judicial custody. In a statement, the Bihar Police agency said Baldev Kumar is associated with the alleged kingpin of the “solver gang”, Sanjeev Kumar, who is at large.
A fire at a lithium battery manufacturing factory near South Korea’s capital today left at least 16 people dead, seven injured and six missing, officials said. Rescue workers at the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, retrieved the bodies after combing through the site. Local fire officials said most of the missing people were foreign nationals including Chinese and those found dead likely failed to escape via stairs to the ground. President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier ordered officials to mobilize all available personnel and equipment to find survivors
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express' National Education Editor Ritika Chopra talks to us about the irregularities that have come to light about the NEET UG 2024 examination. She also shares the steps that have been taken by the authorities and the reasons behind the postponement and cancellation of other national examinations.
Next, Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy speaks to us about Indo-China relations post the Galwan clash of 2020. He also shares the recent developments between the two nations and how they might impact future relations. (15:31)
And in the end, we talk about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approaching the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's hold on his bail order. (26:10) -
This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 21st of June and here are the top stories of the week.
Under scanner for the cancellation of UGC NET and facing criticism for the NEET issue, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said that the enquiry conducted till now shows evidence of “errors in some regions”, and assured students that everyone involved in the security breach will be punished. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said the main reason for paper leaks is that educational institutions have been dominated by the BJP and its parent organisation RSS and paper leaks will not stop unless that is reversed. Congress has decided to hold a nationwide protest today demanding justice for the NEET candidates.
Three months after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy case being probed separately by the CBI, AAP leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail Thursday by a Delhi court. While granting bail, Special Judge Niyay Bindu also declined ED’s plea to keep the bail order in abeyance for 48 hours. Arrested on March 21, Kejriwal had stepped out last month on interim bail to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. He surrendered on June 2.
Two days after 10 persons were killed following a collision between the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train in Darjeeling, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Northeast Frontier Railway said on Wednesday that the freight train was moving at a high speed on the day of the accident and that drivers of the train were not ‘following the procedure’. At least nine persons were killed and around 40 injured in the accident.
Around 68 Indians are among scores of those who have died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca amid the scorching heat, a diplomat told news agency AFP. On Tuesday, AFP reported that at least 550 people have died on the Hajj pilgrimage. Out of those, 323 were Egyptians who died due to heat-related illness, the international news agency reported citing two Arab diplomats. According to Saudi media reports, temperatures rose to 51.8 degree Celsius in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday.
In what seemed to be a direct reply to the Canadian parliament's tribute to the pro-khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was allegedly assassinated last year, the Indian consulate in Vancouver reiterated New Delhi's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism globally and gave a reminder of the Khalistani bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' flight in 1985. The embassy further announced that it would hold a memorial next week commemorating the anniversary of the flight bombing resulted in the deaths of 329 individuals, including 268 Canadians and 24 Indians. The Indian Consulate's statement is a sign that bilateral ties between India and Canada are likely to spiral further downwards.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express’ Ankita Upadhyay tells us about North India’s first heat stroke unit, set up at RML Hospital, and about Raju Kumar, who was recently admitted there.
Next, Indian Express’ Abhinaya Harigovind discusses the Ministry of Education’s decision to cancel the recently conducted University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) (08:42).
And in the end, Indian Express’ Mihir Vasavda talks about the expert who will be accompanying the Indian Olympic contingent to help them improve their sleep (13:30).
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 20th of June and here are today's headlines.
As the controversy around the NEET-UG 2024 heightens, the Supreme Court refused to put a stay in the counselling process ,while hearing fresh petitions seeking cancellation of the exam. The apex court sought responses from the Centre, the National Testing Agency and others on petitions seeking the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024, and a court-monitored probe into the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam. Meanwhile, the Congress has decided to hold a nationwide protest on June 21 (Friday) demanding justice for the NEET candidates.
Patna High Court set aside the Bihar government’s notifications to raise reservations in government jobs and educational institutions from 50 per cent to 65 per cent today. On 7th of November last year, the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government raised the Bihar quota and reservation in the state effectively became 75 per cent when the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) is taken into consideration. The bench said that it is “infringing upon right to equality”.
The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Tamil Naidu increased to 34 today, with around 100 others hospitalised — five of them in critical condition. Most of the victims consumed the spurious liquor at Karunapuram in Kallakurichi on Tuesday night. As the spurious liquor started to take effect yesterday, they were admitted to hospitals. Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident, and emphasised the urgency of holding those responsible to account.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has levied a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh — almost equal to a semester’s fee — on a student who participated in a play titled “Raahovan” during the institute’s Performing Arts Festival held in March this year. The play, loosely based on the Ramayana, sparked protests from a section of students who alleged it was disrespectful to Hinduism and derogatory towards Ram and Sita. At least seven other students were penalised, but the nature of disciplinary action and quantum of fine, could not be ascertained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of multiple development projects in Jammu and Kashmir today. PM Modi will be on a two-day tour in the Union Territory and he will lead the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations in Srinagar tomorrow. Assembly elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir this year and PM Modi’s first visit after forming his third government assumes significance in this backdrop.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu explains what happened in Chhattisgarh where 8 Maoists were killed in an encounter by the security forces on June 15. He also shares how the frequency of such anti-Naxal encounters are increasing and why is it so.
Next, Indian Express’ Divya A speaks to us about the extradition of Nikhil Gupta to the United States. Indian national Nikhil Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic last June on the allegation that he was involved in the murder plot of Khalistani Separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. (8:22)
And in the end, we talk about the rise in fatalities due to the heatwave conditions prevailing across many states in India and what the Health ministry is doing in order to improve the situation. (16:31)
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 19th of June and here are today's headlines.
Beeda Madhuri, the daughter of YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao, allegedly ran over a 22-year-old man sleeping on a pavement in Chennai on Monday evening. The incident has sparked a furore as Madhuri, who was allegedly driving the BMW car, was released on station bail after she surrendered on Tuesday morning. According to a top police source, the police erred by letting the accused leave on station bail instead of court bail. The incident has triggered anger among locals and the victim’s relatives who have accused the police of inaction.
A Delhi Court today extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till 3rd of July in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy case. His regular bail arguments were also heard. The CM, who is currently in judicial custody, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 21st of March in the case. The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail from 10th of May to 1st of June, allowing him to campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Delhi CS Naresh Kumar has been given additional charge of New Delhi Municipal Corporation Chairperson.
After inaugurating the new campus of Nalanda University, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a golden era of India will begin with the rebuilding of the ancient University. Along with ambassadors from 17 countries, Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were present at the event. Ahead of the inauguration, PM Modi visited the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, located less than 20 km from the campus.
Hundreds of visitors have died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca amid scorching heat, according to press reports and foreign ministries. At least 550 people have died on haj, diplomats told AFP on Tuesday. Saudi state TV said temperatures rose on Monday as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 Fahrenheit) in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Three hundred and twenty-three of the dead were Egyptians, most of whom perished due to heat-related illness, AFP reported, citing two Arab diplomats.
A United States group of lawmakers, following their visit to the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today, asserted that they would not allow China to influence the choice of his successor. Former United States Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, quote, "His Holiness Dalai Lama, with his message of knowledge, tradition, compassion, purity of soul and love, will live a long time and his legacy will live forever. But you, the President of China, you'll be gone and nobody will give you credit for anything." Unquote.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express’ Chief of the National Bureau Ritika Chopra discusses the changes made to the 11th and 12th standard NCERT political science textbooks regarding the Babri Masjid demolition and the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Next, Indian Express’ Apurva Vishwanath explains why writer and activist Arundhati Roy and Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former professor at the Central University of Kashmir, may soon face prosecution under the stringent anti-terror law, UAPA (10:50).
And finally, Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt talks about a private medical college where not a single batch has graduated in 13 years, the reasons the National Medical Commission has taken action against it, and the harassment she encountered while reporting on this story (19:45).
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 18th of June and here are the top stories of the week.
Hearing petitions highlighting the alleged irregularities in this year’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams, the Supreme Court today told the Centre and the National Testing Agency that “even if there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with”. The bench said that all these matters ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation. The court also referred to the effort candidates put in to prepare for the exam.
Saddam Qureshi, who was among three people allegedly assaulted by a mob in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur while they were transporting cattle, died in hospital today after battling for his life for 10 days. The two others with him died on June 7 – the day of the alleged attack. According to doctors the 23-year-old had been in a coma until his death. Chhattisgarh Police had registered a case of attempted murder and culpable homicide in the case after Qureshi’s relative Shoaib said he had received a frantic call from him while the three were being assaulted.
Curfew was imposed in Odisha’s Balasore town late last night following a clash between two communities over suspicion of cow slaughter earlier in the day. Though the administration initially imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 in certain pockets of the town, it later decided to impose curfew in the entire town to prevent the situation from escalating. The state government has also ordered suspension of internet services in Balasore town and nearby areas. Additional director general of police, law and order, said 34 people from both communities have been arrested and the number is likely to go up.
AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal has written to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, the Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, the Shiv Sena’s (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and the Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav seeking appointments with them to discuss the assault she was allegedly subjected to at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s home. All the parties are constituents of the Opposition INDIA bloc. Maliwal also alleged that she had been receiving “multiple rape and death threats” since the AAP started a “smear campaign” against her in “electronic and social media to undermine my reputation, character and credibility”.
With 172 nuclear weapons, India is now ahead of Pakistan in the ranking of nuclear-armed countries across the world, according to findings of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). According to the report, India’s nuclear arsenal has seen a slight expansion in a year, growing from 164 warheads in January 2023 to 172 warheads in January this year, placing it 6th among the world’s nuclear-armed states. Pakistan, meanwhile, has recorded no increase in the number of warheads which stood at 170 both in January 2023 and 2024. In the same period, China’s nuclear arsenal has increased significantly from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express' Deeksha Teri joins us to talk about the NEET UG 2024 controversy. She talks about the high-powered committee that was formed to look into the grace marks awarded to the candidates and whether or not it was fair to do so. She also shares the recommendations of the committee.
Next, Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar speaks to us about the Western Ghats and why protecting their ecology is of utmost importance. He also shares how parts of the Western Ghats have been identified as eco-sensitive areas but that is causing friction between the states and the authorities. (10:44)
And in the end, we talk about a tragic train accident where the Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train in West Bengal, killing 9 people and leaving 25 injured. (20:29)
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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 17th of June and here are today's headlines.
At least nine people were killed and 25 others were injured today after the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train in West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri. According to reports, three coaches at the back of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed between Neechbari and Rangapani stations under the Indian Railways’ Northeast Frontier Railway zone due to the impact of the goods train and fell to the side. Meanwhile, rescue work to get the trapped passengers out was affected by the heavy rain that has been lashing Siliguri since the morning.
The revised NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook, which hit the market last week, disclosed changes where the chapter on secularism in both versions of the textbook has two paragraphs on ‘vote bank politics’ in a section on “criticism of Indian secularism”. The book reads, quote,"Vote bank politics in India is associated with “minority appeasement” and this means political parties “disregard the principles of equality of all citizens and give priority to the interests of a minority group”.
As the Indian economy grapples with the problem of flagging consumption, policymakers in the government are in favour of rationalising the existing income tax structure, especially at lower income levels. According to two government officials The Indian Express spoke with, it is likely that tax rate cuts for those earning less may likely take precedence over freebies or excessive welfare spending given the focus on fiscal consolidation.
Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is accused by the US of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was extradited from the Czech Republic on 14th of June. Officials at the Czech Ministry of Justice told The Indian Express the decision to extradite Gupta was taken on 3rd of june. India has said it is holding a high-level probe into the US inputs on the alleged assassination plot since November last year, but there have been no outcomes so far.
In the first visit by a senior American official since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was re-elected for a third term, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reached India on a two-day official visit beginning today. Sullivan met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval today. Sullivan’s visit comes at a time when India-US ties are going through challenges, especially in the context of an alleged assassination plot against Khalistani separatist figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express. -
First, Indian Express’ Aditi Raja tells us about the residents of a housing complex in Gujarat who are protesting against a Muslim woman and her family moving into the area.
Next, Indian Express’ Adrija RoyChowdhury discusses the efforts made by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to find evidence for the Mahabharata (13:24).
And in the end, Indian Express’ Deeptiman Tiwary explains the context behind the recent comments made by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat (25:08).
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