3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain. Today is the 10th of March and here are the headlines.Proceedings in Lok Sabha resumed after being adjourned due to chaos over the PM SHRI scheme. Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to be seated and respect Parliament or face action. Meanwhile, the opposition staged a walk-out in the Rajya Sabha. Tensions are rising between the government and opposition, with concerns over electoral roll manipulation, violence in Manipur, and India’s handling of the Trump administration. The government aims to secure Parliament's approval for grants, the Manipur budget, and the Waqf Amendment Bill.A fashion show in Kashmir's Gulmarg has sparked controversy, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying his government had no involvement. The event, held during Ramzan, was criticized by Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who called it “outrageous” and “obscene.” Abdullah, responding to the criticism, expressed that the show disrespected local sensitivities during the holy month. The fashion show, organized to mark the 15th anniversary of designer label Shivan & Narresh, took place on snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg on Friday. Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore, has links to a land deal in Karnataka. Rao was the majority shareholder of Ksiroda India, a company that received 12 acres of industrial land in Tumakuru from the BJP government in February 2023. Rao, also known as Harshavardini Ranya, was arrested at Bengaluru airport on March 3 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). A special court later handed her over to DRI custody for further investigation. Mark Carney, former central banker in Canada and the UK, has won the Liberal Party’s leadership race and will replace Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister of Canada. In his victory speech, Carney stated, “America is not Canada,” stressing the differences between the two nations. He criticized the U.S. for its resource-driven ambitions and vowed that Canada would never be part of the U.S. Carney’s comments on Canadian sovereignty highlighted his commitment to protecting the country's identity and way of life. Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, vowed to hunt down Bashar al-Assad loyalists after over 830 civilians were killed in brutal massacres on Syria's west coast. The deaths occurred from Friday to Saturday and targeted Alawite communities. Sharaa, whose rebel group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), overthrew Assad's regime in December, promised to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. His speech, broadcast on TV and social media, marked a firm stance against Assad loyalists amid escalating violence in the region.  This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry about her investigation into two past reports that raised concerns over the structural integrity of the Telangana tunnel, which collapsed last month, trapping eight workers.Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S. Naidu discusses a viral video that has sparked concerns about women's roles in local governance. (12:05)Finally, we talk about a Hindu temple vandalised in the US and India’s demand for stricter action. (18:18)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 7th of March and here are this week’s headlines.Starting in the news from the North, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring full statehood for the union territory. Speaking at the opening of the Budget Session, he acknowledged the emotional and political significance of statehood to the people of J&K and emphasized ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders. Sinha stated that the government is working to address the people’s desires while ensuring peace, stability, and progress. His remarks come as political activity in J&K intensifies, with opposition parties challenging the government on sensitive issues like Article 370.Now, from news in the South, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin led an all-party meeting that unanimously rejected the upcoming Parliamentary constituency delimitation process, set for 2026. The resolution passed in Chennai argued that the process would weaken Tamil Nadu and threaten India’s federal structure. It claimed that basing the delimitation solely on the upcoming census population data would harm the political representation of Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states, especially those with successful population control measures.In another news making headline, Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a raid at her residence, recovering jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of a senior Karnataka IPS officer and was intercepted after returning from Dubai, a frequent destination for her trips.In global headlines, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to sign a minerals deal with the United States, despite not finalizing it during his visit to Washington. Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges of his meeting with US President Donald Trump but reaffirmed Ukraine's openness to constructive dialogue. He emphasized that Ukraine’s position needs to be heard. The minerals deal was seen as a step towards strengthening security ties between the two nations. However, tensions over peace talks with Russia have led to growing frustrations between the US and Ukraine.New 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 20% tariff hike on Chinese goods have sparked trade tensions between the US and its top three trading partners. Canada quickly retaliated, announcing tariffs on $20.7bn worth of US goods, with further measures planned if Trump’s tariffs remain. China also imposed additional 10%-15% tariffs on US imports, alongside export restrictions on US entities, escalating the trade conflict. These tariffs came into effect immediately, adding strain to global trade.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

P Vaidynathan Iyer, Managing Editor of The Indian Express, shares insights on the alarming decline of the Indian stock market and the factors influencing investor sentiment. Ritu Sarin, an investigative journalist, revisits the infamous Bofors scandal, revealing its long-standing political repercussions and the complexities of ongoing inquiries. Lastly, the podcast delves into a controversy surrounding Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, exploring the political fallout and public reactions. A mix of finance, history, and sports keeps the conversation lively and engaging!

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 6th of March and here are this week’s headlines.In the biggest news today, India condemned a security breach incident during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s trip to the UK, saying it deplored “the misuse of democratic freedom by such elements”. According to a purported video of the incident circulating on social media platform X, a man with the tricolour is seen rushing towards the car in which Jaishankar is seated. A group of protesters with pro-Khalistan flags can be seen shouting slogans even as the policemen stationed at the spot block the man and take him away.In another news making headline, Several members of the Jain community have knocked on the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s doors after a family court in Indore denied them relief under the Hindu Marriage Act. First Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Dhirendra Singh recently refused to grant divorce to a couple who practice the Jain religion under provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, observing, “Jainism is a religion that opposes the fundamental Vedic traditions and beliefs of Hinduism and is not based on Vedic tradition, whereas Hinduism is entirely rooted in Vedic tradition.”In news from the North, following an order by the district administration on 28th of February, authorities have sealed 11 madrasas in Dehradun, citing non-registration with the state madrasa board or the education department. In January, before the local body elections, the state government ordered a verification drive and data from Dehradun was made public. The Dehradun District Magistrate, Savin Bansal, had stated that Sadar Dehradun tehsil had 16 unregistered and eight registered madrasas, Vikasnagar tehsil had 34 unregistered and 27 registered ones, Doiwala had one registered and six unregistered madrasas, and Kalsi had a single unregistered madrasa.In other news, a 27-year-old from Hyderabad who was pursuing higher studies in the United States was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Wisconsin, US in a suspected robbery at the local store where he worked part-time. Gampa Praveen Kumar, the deceased, was a native of K- sham-pet mandal in Telangana’s Rangareddy district. He was a second-year MS in Data Science student at the University of Wisconsin. Kumar had gone to the US in August 2023 after completing his BTech in Hyderabad.In global news, Tropical Cyclone Alfred lashed parts of eastern Australia today, with early winds and rain leading to schools being closed, public transport halted, and residents looking for alternatives to sandbags by buying potting mix to reduce the impact of flooding. Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall early Saturday along the Queensland coast, somewhere between the Sunshine Coast region and the city of Gold Coast. Alfred is expected to become the first cyclone to cross the coast near Brisbane since Cyclone Zoe hit Gold Coast in 1974 and brought widespread flooding.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

Deeptiman Tiwary, a reporter for The Indian Express, discusses the recent weapon surrender in Manipur, emphasizing the ethnic tensions and distrust lingering between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Himanshu Harsh sheds light on the struggles of Makhana farming in Bihar, detailing the labor-intensive process and the economic challenges farmers face. The conversation also touches on the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao for alleged gold smuggling, revealing intriguing connections to her family's controversial history.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 5th of March and here are the headlines.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin led an all-party meeting that unanimously rejected the upcoming Parliamentary constituency delimitation process, set for 2026. The resolution passed in Chennai argued that the process would weaken Tamil Nadu and threaten India’s federal structure. It claimed that basing the delimitation solely on the upcoming census population data would harm the political representation of Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states, especially those with successful population control measures.US President Donald Trump targeted India’s high tariffs during his speech to Congress, signaling limited room for concessions in ongoing trade talks. He specifically criticized the auto sector, where India charges tariffs exceeding 100%. Trump announced that reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, would penalize India for high tariffs by imposing equivalent trade barriers. He emphasized a tit-for-tat approach, accusing India of using non-monetary methods to limit US market access.Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a raid at her residence, recovering jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of a senior Karnataka IPS officer and was intercepted after returning from Dubai, a frequent destination for her trips.Kolkata police revealed that a debt of ₹16 crore triggered the triple murder of Sudeshna Dey, her sister-in-law Romi Dey, and Romi’s 14-year-old daughter. Prasun Dey, Romi's husband and a businessman, confessed to killing the three, whose bodies were found in a house in the Tangra area. The investigation indicated that the financial burden drove Prasun to commit the murders, which occurred on February 19 in a shocking crime that has rocked the city.After the US imposed new tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called President Trump’s decision “a very dumb thing to do.” In a speech, Trudeau expressed disagreement with Trump’s policies, criticizing the tariffs and warning that they would only play into the hands of global adversaries. Canada retaliated with tariffs on $30 billion worth of US goods and threatened further measures within 21 days. Trudeau confirmed Canada would challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Vikas Pathak about the BJP presidential elections. He shares the reasons behind the delay, the different levels at which the elections take place and more.Next, The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry gives us details of the impact of USAID funds being paused by US President Donald Trump. She shares the story of Mitr, the first comprehensive transgender health clinic which had to shut down due to a lack of funds. (12:10)Lastly, we speak about a software professional from Hyderabad who was found dead at her home. (23:30)Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 4th of March and here are the headlines.Supreme Court Discharges Man Accused of Hurting Religious SentimentsThe Supreme Court has discharged Hari Nandan Singh, who was accused of hurting the religious sentiments of a government official by calling him “miyan-tiyan” and “Pakistani.” While the Court acknowledged the remarks were in poor taste, they did not meet the threshold of the alleged offence. The court overruled the Jharkhand High Court’s decision to proceed with the case, emphasizing that the statements did not qualify as an offence under Section 298 IPC.Rajeev Chandrasekhar Criticizes Asianet News’ Maha Kumbh RemarksBJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar condemned remarks made on the Maha Kumbh by the Malayalam TV channel Asianet News, which he owns. In a Facebook post, he reminded the channel’s management that "faith is important for every Hindu." The controversial remarks were made during the program Cover Story, aired on March 1, which allegedly mocked Keralites attending the Kumbh Mela and taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam.Maharashtra MLA’s Son Detained After Argument Over DrivingAbu Farhan Azmi, son of Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi, was detained by Goa police after an altercation with two locals over driving behavior in North Goa’s Candolim. Azmi and the two locals, Zeon and Joseph Fernandes, were detained for disturbing the peace. The argument reportedly started when Azmi’s vehicle, a Mercedes SUV, made a lane change without signaling. The incident, which occurred near Newton Super Market, led to public complaints, but all involved were later released after police formalities.Odisha Man Kills Parents and Sister in Fit of RageA 22-year-old man allegedly killed his parents and sister in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district by striking them with a heavy stone early Tuesday. The accused, who had been under severe stress due to family arguments, told police his father had assaulted him, accusing him of drug use. He said his father had broken his tooth during the altercation. Police believe the killings occurred in a moment of anger triggered by these ongoing family tensions.Trump's Tariffs Trigger Trade War with Canada and MexicoNew 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 20% tariff hike on Chinese goods have sparked trade tensions between the US and its top three trading partners. Canada quickly retaliated, announcing tariffs on $20.7bn worth of US goods, with further measures planned if Trump’s tariffs remain. China also imposed additional 10%-15% tariffs on US imports, alongside export restrictions on US entities, escalating the trade conflict. These tariffs came into effect immediately, adding strain to global trade.Trump Orders Pause in Military Aid to UkraineUS President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary pause in military aid to Ukraine following a confrontation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The pause affects US military equipment not yet in Ukraine, including weapons in transit to Poland. While the halt is described as temporary, it reflects growing tensions between the two countries. US officials indicated that the pause would continue until further decisions are made about Ukraine's commitment to peace talks with Russia.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

Join Udit Misra, a reporter at The Indian Express, as he dissects the latest GDP estimates, raising questions about their accuracy and implications. Divya Goyal reveals the alarming results of the Punjab Police's investigation into agents trafficking Indians through perilous 'donkey routes' to the US. Apurva Vishwanath sheds light on PM Modi's controversial remarks about a colonial-era law still affecting public expression, unpacking the complexities of its historical significance and recent repeal. It's a captivating dive into contemporary issues!