This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 15th of October and here are the headlines.
India strongly refuted Canada's claims on Tuesday regarding evidence of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Government sources indicated that no specifics had been provided and criticized Canada for shifting the burden of proof onto India. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the importance of their upcoming national security advisor meeting, but no progress was reported. Indian officials dismissed Canadian assertions as vague accusations, asserting that they are unfounded and misleading.
The Election Commission of India announced today that the Maharashtra assembly polls will be held on November 20, while Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20. Results for both elections will be revealed on November 23. The BJP aims to regain power in Maharashtra, where it partners with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and seeks to gain ground in Jharkhand as well.
Heavy rain across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, led to the cancellation of at least eight flights today, driven by a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The state government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and surrounding districts. Waterlogging affected several areas, prompting IT companies to implement work-from-home orders from October 15 to 18. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed preparations and deployed disaster response forces. The IMD warns of extremely heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and surrounding areas through October 17.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in Islamabad for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years. This two-day meeting is taking place under heightened security due to recent militant activity. In response, Pakistani authorities have enforced a lockdown in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, declaring a three-day holiday to restrict movement and close key roads, with troops deployed and many businesses shut down to ensure safety for attendees.
Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Palestinians as operations intensified around Jabalia, focusing on clashes with Hamas fighters. Palestinian health officials reported that 17 people were killed near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, while a missile strike in Bani Suhaila claimed 10 lives. An earlier airstrike in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City destroyed three houses, killing two, with 12 others unaccounted for. Additionally, eight fatalities occurred from a strike in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express
