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  • First, Indian Express’ Apurva Vishwanath discusses the major changes introduced by the new criminal laws and the concerns that they raise.

    Next, Indian Express’ Sohini Ghosh explains why the Gujarat police and the state BJP are in a predicament over a cake-cutting incident (17:00).

    And in the end, we provide an update on the stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 116 people (24:44).

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  • This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I am Niharika Nanda
    Today is the 2nd of July and here are today’s headlines.

    At least 27 people, including 23 women, 3 children, and 1 man, were killed in a stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras today. According to the police, a religious event was underway in the village of Mughalgarhi in Hathras district when the stampede occurred. The process of identifying the bodies is ongoing. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted a team, including the Additional Director General of the Agra Zone and the Police Commissioner of Aligarh, to inquire into the causes of the tragedy.

    A day after delivering his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament today that truth can be expunged in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's world, but not in reality. His remarks came shortly after significant parts of his speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address were reportedly expunged by the Chair.

    The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest and scheduled the hearing for the 17th of July in connection with the alleged corruption case related to the now-scrapped excise policy. On the 29th of June, a trial court ordered the Aam Aadmi Party leader to remain in judicial custody until the 12th of July as part of the CBI’s investigation into the matter. Kejriwal was officially arrested by the CBI on the 25th of June.

    The Madhya Pradesh State Government is preparing to introduce a new law to curb paper leaks, which may impose a 10-year prison sentence and hefty fines. This comes after the Congress attempted to corner the ruling BJP government in the state over paper leaks in the Assembly. In 2023, the then-school education minister Rao Uday Singh spoke about bringing in stricter laws to prevent exam leaks as the government was hit by protests after it was forced to cancel the recruitment of revenue officers after alleged irregularities in the patwari recruitment exam.

    The India Meteorological Department said today that the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country six days ahead of the normal date. The monsoon arrived in Kerala and the northeastern region on the 30th of May, six days earlier than usual. The country recorded 16 days of below-normal rainfall activity — from June 11 to June 27 — which led to an overall below-normal precipitation last month.

    This was the catch up on 3 things by the Indian Express.


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  • First, Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra talks to us about a case where an interfaith relationship led to some harsh consequences. Dheeraj shares how six houses that belonged to a Muslim family have been demolished because the members of the family tried to allegedly abduct a 20-year-old Hindu woman.

    Next, Indian Express’ Divya A speaks to us about the private papers of public personalities that have been preserved in the Prime Minister's Museum and Library. She shares who all have access to these papers and how former PM Nehru's papers' access was restricted. (7:37)

    And in the end, we talk about how Congress has been pushing for increasing the 50% cap on reservations and now Congress' general secretary Jairam Ramesh is asking PM Modi for an answer on whether or not it will be done. (21:40)

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    Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar


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  • This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Shashank Bhargava.
    It’s the 1st of July and here are today's headlines.

    A ruckus ensued in the Lok Sabha during the first speech of Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the 18th Lok Sabha. The commotion began when Gandhi gestured toward the Treasury Bench and remarked, “those who call themselves Hindus talk about violence.” This statement triggered an uproar in the Lower House, prompting intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP has since demanded an apology from him.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has consented to jailed Kashmir leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, taking his oath as an MP on the 5th of July. Tomorrow, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh will rule on the interim bail plea of Rashid, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, Delhi, in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. Rashid won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from the Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, defeating his nearest rival, Omar Abdullah, by over 200,000 votes.

    A Delhi court today sentenced activist Medha Patkar to five months' imprisonment in the defamation case filed against her in 2001 by Vinai Kumar Saxena, now the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. In 2000, Saxena had published an advertisement against Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan, which opposed the construction of dams on the river. Following this, Patkar allegedly issued a “press notice” against Saxena. In 2001, a defamation suit was filed against Patkar in an Ahmedabad court, which was later transferred to Delhi on the Supreme Court’s directions.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the Opposition to refrain from politicizing the new criminal laws that came into effect today and appealed to them for holding dialogue before resorting to protests. The three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) – were approved by Parliament last December to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.

    The Russian Defence ministry has reported that the country’s forces have taken over two villages in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. The ministry, in a brief statement on the Telegram messaging app, said its forces have also improved their positions along the frontline around the villages. Meanwhile, Ukraine's General Staff said that "heavy fighting" was taking place in the area around the villages.

    This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

    Preparing for Civil Services? The Indian Express content that keeps you ahead of the curve is now available also on IAS Saathi. This new AI-driven app provides you credible information and aims to keep a balance of study & health. Download today on Google PlayStore and Apple Appstore.
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  • Are you someone who does not have health insurance? Or you do, but are wondering if you should switch plans, or worried that you missed out on something? In this special episode, we speak to Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt to discuss the A to Z of getting health insurance. We will break down jargon, consider all important factors, and bust myths to help you make an informed decision.
    Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar


    Timestamps:

    How health insurance works (04:42)

    At what age should you get health insurance? (05:15)

    Is there an age limit? (06:45)

    Should one choose a public company or a private one? (07:28)

    What is a claim settlement ratio? (08:07)

    The importance of a good network of hospitals (08:58)

    How much coverage should you get? (09:50)

    What is a waiting period? (10:47)

    How much would you typically end up spending on health insurance? (12:06)

    Is the insurance provided by your workplace sufficient? (12:54)

    Benefits of sticking to an insurance plan (13:56)

    What factors determine your premium? (14:27)

    Why you should not lie when getting health insurance (15:45)

    Why almost no one covers OPD expenses (17:32)

    What do policies usually exclude? (19:34)

    How insurance companies avoid paying for mental health treatment (21:37)

    Are maternity-related expenses covered? (23:02)

    Are daycare procedures covered? (23:54)

    Discussing hospital room rents (25:32)

    Beware of Co-pay (26:08)

    How are pre- and post-hospitalization costs covered? (28:20)

    What is a no-claim bonus? (30:20)

    What are sub-limits? (31:02)

    Benefits and disadvantages of a family floater plan (31:57)

    Common reasons why claims get rejected (33:55)

    The types of individuals that insurance companies try to avoid (34:44)

    Key takeaways (36:39)



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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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    Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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).

    Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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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    Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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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    Audio clipped sourced by Niharika Nanda
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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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    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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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    Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
    Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

  • 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.