In Focus by The Hindu

Nagraj Adve, a founder member of Teachers Against the Climate Crisis, shares insights on the recent COP29 conference. He highlights the disappointment expressed by developing nations over inadequate climate finance commitments from developed countries, deeming them an 'insult.' The podcast dives into the complexities of new carbon market agreements and the ethical dilemmas they pose for indigenous communities. Adve also discusses the significance of the new methane reduction declaration and the critical need for fair funding solutions in the face of urgent climate challenges.

Kallol Bhattacharjee, a journalist from The Hindu’s New Delhi Bureau, delves into the complex extradition controversy surrounding Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Bangladeshi leader. He discusses the implications of political activities she continues from India, alongside Bangladesh's attempts to involve Interpol. Bhattacharjee explores the extradition treaty’s exemption clauses, the historical context of India-Bangladesh relations, and the current political turbulence in Bangladesh under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The dialogue captures the intersection of law, politics, and national security.

The National People’s Power (NPP), the ruling alliance led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has secured a historic mandate in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections. By winning 159 seats in the 225-member Parliament, it has secured two-thirds majority, a feat never achieved before in Sri Lanka’s proportionate representation system. This victory, coming two months after his election as President, leaves Dissanayake supremely well-placed to fulfil the expectations of a people exhausted by economic travails. But then, he will also be under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stick with the program of permanent austerity. Can he navigate these contradictory pulls on his government? If so, how? And will he use his two-thirds majority to establish a new political culture, say, by abolishing the executive presidency? Guest: Dr Ahilan Kadirgamar from the University of Jaffna. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada venkatasubramanian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sriram Lakshman, a foreign correspondent for The Hindu, dives deep into Trump's unexpected victory as the 47th President. He highlights the miscalculations by Democrats and the diverse voter support Trump garnered, including from traditionally Democratic groups. Lakshman discusses the implications of Trump's controversial staff picks, touching on potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation also addresses the evolving Democratic strategies and the global ramifications of this election outcome, hinting at a rise in divisive politics worldwide.

Saurabh Bhattacharjee, an expert on migrant worker issues from the National Law School, unpacks the grim realities faced by Indian laborers in Saudi Arabia's Neom project, including shocking stats on deaths and disappearances. He delves into the oppressive kafala system, questioning why young Indians still seek jobs in the Gulf amid such risks. Bhattacharjee calls attention to outdated legal protections, the cycle of exploitation from recruitment to labor, and the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the rights of these vulnerable workers.

Negotiators, government representatives, and activists from across the world will assemble in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 for COP29, this year's U.N. climate summit.  This COP or Conference of Parties is dubbed the "climate finance COP" as it has a big goal - setting a new climate financing target. Negotiators will discuss ways to set up a fund to help developing countries fight against climate change. But, the issues of climate financing are not just about setting a target; it is about incentivising the private sector to invest in greener technologies, forming regulations to aid the process and finding ways to fund transition from fossil fuels.  Guest: Dr. Monika Gupta, Assistant Professor, Finance and Economics, SPJIMR Host: V Nivedita Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The much-delayed Census may finally be conducted next year, with the process being completed in 2026. Following the Census the Central government may go ahead with a delimitation exercise – re-drafting constituencies, based on updated population numbers. This seems to have sparked concern amongst some south Indian States, who believe that the number of seats they represent in Parliament could decrease, as their populations are lower than those of certain States in the north, as they have achieved population control milestones. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently expressed concerns about his State’s ageing population and called on residents to have more children. Two days later, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, while attending a mass wedding event, referred to a blessing about acquiring 16 different kinds of wealth, said in jest that with delimitation coming up, perhaps residents should rethink having small families.So what’s going to happen with the delimitation exercise? Will southern States lose out on a large number of seats while those in the north get more? Will these place a wedge between two halves of the country, driving ‘north-south’ politics? Is there are a fairer system to ensure adequate representation without penalising States that have performed better?Guest: Sonalde Desai: Professor at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), and Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, U.S.Host: Zubeda HamidEdited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans are all set to pick their 47th President on November 5. The campaigning has been one of the most fractious in US history, and the stakes have perhaps never been higher. With the Trump campaign focussed on immigration and Harris on women’s rights, whose narrative has won? With just a couple of days of campaigning left, where do the candidates stand with regard to key constituencies such as Latinos, Blacks, especially Black men, Arab/Muslim communities, and women? And who is ahead in the battleground states?Guest: Sanjay Ruparelia, Associate Professor, Jarislowsky Democracy Chair, in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University.Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year’s Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson [AJR] for their work in understanding how good institutions play are essential role for a country’s prosperity. They explain how 'inclusive institutions' can help countries grow and create long-term benefits for everyone. They also explain how 'extractive institutions' provide short-term gains for the people in power.  In a press release announcing the winners of this year's Nobel Prize for Economic Science, the The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted that societies changed when Europeans colonised large parts of the globe. "This was sometimes dramatic, but did not occur in the same way everywhere. In some places, the aim was to exploit the indigenous population and extract resources for the colonisers’ benefit. In others, the colonisers formed inclusive political and economic systems for the long-term benefit of European migrants," the press release says. AJR's hypothesis explains the role of institutions in wealth creation why some former colonies are poor. However, their work has come under sharp criticism from several quarters for ignoring the effects colonisation had on the colonised countries and how many of these countries still reel under the effects of colonisation.Guest: Dr. Surbhi Kesar, a senior lecturer at the Department of Economics at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.Host: Nivedita. VEdited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

B. Kolappan, a political analyst for The Hindu, dives into actor Vijay's political debut with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. They discuss the massive rally that indicated a strong fanbase ready for political action. Kolappan analyzes Vijay's rhetorical positioning against the BJP and DMK, questioning the potential shifts in Tamil Nadu's bipolar political landscape. He also examines the complexities of caste and religion within Vijay's support, highlighting challenges in uniting diverse voter blocks as the 2026 assembly elections approach.