3 Things

his is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 10th of July and here are today's headlines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a delegation-level meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, according to news agency ANI. He will also meet the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and hold a high-level business meeting in the country. He arrived in Vienna on Tuesday from Moscow for a one-day visit to the country. This visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in over 40 years since Indira Gandhi in 1983, aims to explore ways to further deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on various geopolitical challenges.

The Mumbai police investigating the BMW hit-and-run case said today that the family members of accused Mihir Shah, including his mother and sisters, escaped after the accident on Sunday. According to the police, they were scared of being attacked by a mob and also of being interrogated by them. On Tuesday, the Crime Branch arrested Mihir Shah and detained his mother Meena, his sisters Pooja and Kinjal, and a friend from a resort in Murbad in Thane. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde removed his father Rajesh Shah from the post of deputy leader of the Shiv Sena’s Palghar unit.

Opposing the Enforcement Directorate’s plea to cancel the bail granted to him in the excise policy case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informed the Delhi High Court that the agency had implicated him in a “false concocted story” and his arrest was “absolutely illegal”. The submission was made in the Aam Aadmi Party convener’s reply filed in the ED’s plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to him by a trial court on June 20. A single-judge bench today listed the matter on 15th of July, granting the ED time to respond to Kejriwal’s reply.

The Supreme Court today held that Muslim women can claim maintenance from their divorced husbands under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal by Mohd. Abdul Samad, who had been ordered to pay maintenance of Rs 20,000 to his ex-wife by a family court in Telangana. The woman had moved the family court under Section 125 of CrPC stating that Samad had given her triple talaq. He appealed to the high court which, while disposing of it on December 13, 2023, said “that several questions are raised which need to be adjudicated” but “directed the petitioner to pay 10,000/- as interim maintenance”.

Pakistan has legally authorised its army-run spy agency to tap telephone calls and messages, further strengthening its key role in the politics of a nation ruled by military regimes for almost half its independent history. The powerful military plays an oversized role in making and breaking governments in Pakistan, where the new powers for its Inter-Services Intelligence agency provoked outcry from the opposition and on social media. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told parliament the ministry of information technology and telecommunications had been advised of the change in a July 8 notice.

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

First, Indian Express' Arun Sharma talks to us about a recent terror attack in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir which killed five soldiers and injured five others. Arun talks about how the region has faced its first few attacks in decades, recently and how the troops are investigating the attack.

Next, Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha speaks to us about a recent consideration according to which the model followed for the Joint Entrance Examination or JEE might also be adopted for the NEET UG examination due to the recent irregularities that were brought to light. (6:37)

And in the end, we talk about Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team after Rahul Dravid stepped down from the position. (19:26)

Hosted, written and produced 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 9th of July and here are today's headlines.

Worli Police today arrested Mihir Shah, son of CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, who was absconding for three days after he allegedly mowed down a woman with his speeding BMW. The accused hit a 45-year-old victim in Worli while driving a BMW car around and was suspected to have consumed alcohol at Global Tapas Bar. The speeding BMW car owned by the Shinde Sena leader rammed into a two-wheeler on which she was travelling and dragged her on the bonnet for nearly two kilometres before flinging her on the road, in Mumbai on Sunday morning, police said.

In light of the subdued showers, the India Meteorological Department has downgraded the red alert and now sounded a yellow alert in Mumbai which is slated to remain in place until tomorrow morning. The weather department has indicated that the city may witness heavy rainfall in isolated pockets today. While no warning has been issued in Mumbai till tomorrow, a yellow alert has been sounded again between Thursday and Saturday.

In another indication that he intends to continue playing an active role in the BJD, party chief Naveen Patnaik has removed all state-level office-bearers of the BJD and got himself a first-ever ‘political secretary’. The removal of leaders across state units was done by Patnaik hours after he had attended the Rath Yatra in Puri. An order signed by the former chief minister said that the new officer-bearers will be appointed soon. The choice of the political secretary also sent a message, with Patnaik picking a former corporate executive who joined the BJD before the elections – and lost – Santrupt Misra.

Describing Russia as a trusted ally and all-weather friend at a community event in Moscow this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in the country — in Kazan and Yekaterinburg — to enhance travel and trade. On a two-day visit to Russia, PM Modi hailed President Vladimir Putin‘s leadership in strengthening the bilateral relationship over the past two decades during his address to the Indian diaspora. Meanwhile, Russia has broadly heeded to India’s call to end the recruitment of Indians as support staff to the Russian military and ensure the return of those still operating in the force, according to top sources.

As Modi met Putin in Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday expressed "huge disappointment", calling it a "devastating blow to peace efforts". Speaking about an attack on a children's hospital in the capital Kyiv, Zelenskyy wrote on X, quote, "It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day," Unquote.

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

First, Indian Express' Shiny Varghese explains the reasons why Delhi gets flooded every year, and what experts say we should be keeping in mind. 

Next, Indian Express' Divya Goyal tells us how a murder in Punjab has put a spotlight on the prominence of pigeon racing in rural Punjab (12:34).

Finally, we talk about Prime Minister Modi visiting Russia to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit (22:18).

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 8th of July and here are today's headlines.

In the highest 24-hour spell of rainfall since 2019, Mumbai’s Santacruz Observatory recorded 268 mm of rainfall today morning. Amid the downpour, 51 flights were cancelled to and from Mumbai till 11 am. Train and BEST bus services were affected due to submerged tracks and roads, and traffic movement was paralysed across the city. The BMC has declared a holiday for all BMC, government, and private schools and colleges due to the weather situation today.

The Supreme Court rejected the West Bengal government’s plea today challenging the Calcutta High Court order of a CBI probe into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan  asked why should the state be interested in protecting someone. It added that the counsel appearing for the state said the matter be adjourned after the apex court asked this specific query.

The Supreme Court today said, quote,"it is clear that leak of NEET UG question paper has taken place. We want to know the number of beneficiaries of the question paper leak, and what action has been taken against them.” The lawyers representing a petitioner said that they were seeking the cancellation of the exam on grounds such as paper leak, OMR sheet manipulation, impersonation and cheating. CJI DY Chandrachud said that “if leak has been propagated through social media, then re-test has to be ordered.”

In his day-long visit to the northeast, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met internally displaced people from the Meitei community members staying in a relief camp in Manipur’s Jiribam. Before heading to Manipur, he was in Assam where he visited relief camps with displaced Kuki-Zo members and even those in which flood-affected people are taking shelter in. He said the flood situation on ground “reflect the gross and grave mismanagement by BJP’s double-engine government.”

Set to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is looking forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with “friend Vladimir Putin.” He further said that both the leaders will “seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region.” Modi will arrive in Moscow late afternoon on 8th of July. It will be Modi’s first visit to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

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

First, Indian Express' Abhishek Angad talks to us about Hemant Soren returning as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand after former CM Champai Soren stepped down from the post. He also shares how these developments will impact the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections. 

Next, Indian Express’ Abhinaya Harigovind speaks to us about a new report card system introduced by PARAKH - a standard setting body created by the NCERT which aims for a more holistic assessment of students and not just based on their exam marks, unlike their standard report cards.(10:22) 

And in the end, we talk about another tragic hit and run case, where the son of a Shinde Sena leader allegedly rammed his BMW into a two-wheeler which led to a woman's death. (16:03)

Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for The Indian Express and I am Niharika Nanda
It’s the 5th of July and here are the top headlines of the week.

The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested six satsang organizers yesterday in connection with the Hathras stampede that killed 121 people and injured several others on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial probe into the incident, led by retired High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava and two other retired IAS officers, Hemant Rao and Bhavesh Kumar Singh.

A week after being granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court, JMM leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with his Cabinet, took the oath of office for a second term on Thursday. His predecessor, Champai Soren, met the Governor on Wednesday to submit his resignation after the ruling coalition’s 45 MLAs elected Hemant Soren as their leader. Hemant Soren had resigned as Chief Minister five months ago, prior to his arrest on money laundering charges, after which Champai Soren had assumed the role.

On Wednesday, the Union Government defended the Hindi nomenclature of the three new criminal laws that came into effect on Monday before the Madras High Court, asserting the constitutional legitimacy of the names against allegations of unconstitutionality. The three new laws — The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam passed in Parliament last December replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.

The Delhi Police stepped up security outside the house of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after receiving intelligence inputs about possible threats from right-wing groups. This action follows Rahul Gandhi’s maiden speech as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, where he took a swipe at the BJP, saying that those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in “violence and hate.” BJP leaders reacted sharply to the remark, alleging that Rahul Gandhi insulted Hindus.

The Lebanese Hezbollah group reported launching over 200 rockets at several military bases in Israel on Thursday in retaliation for a strike that killed one of its senior commanders. The attack by the Iran-backed militant group is one of the largest in the ongoing conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border, with tensions escalating in recent weeks. The Israeli military said that "numerous projectiles and suspicious aerial targets" entered its territory from Lebanon, many of which were intercepted. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

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

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First, Indian Express’ Dheeraj Mishra explains the circumstances that led to the Hathras stampede, which killed over 121 people, and what the investigation has revealed so far about the lapses and the preacher who convened the event.

Next, Indian Express' Chief of National Political Bureau Manoj CG discusses why Rahul Gandhi's first speech as Leader of the Opposition riled up the ruling government and what it signifies for the ongoing Lok Sabha session (09:25).

And in the end, Indian Express’ Amit Kamath talks about the rousing welcome received by the Indian T20 cricket team and the massive crowd that gathered for their victory parade in Mumbai (20:15). 

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 am Niharika Nanda
Today is the 4th of July and here are today’s headlines.

Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan invited Jharkhand Mukti Morcha executive president Hemant Soren to form the government in the state today, a day after his predecessor Champai Soren stepped down as Chief Minister. Party general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said that the Chief Minister, along with his Cabinet, will be taking the oath today. Champai met the Governor yesterday to submit his resignation after the ruling coalition’s 45 MLAs elected Hemant as their leader.

Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena resigned on late Wednesday, months after saying that he would quit the post if the BJP loses the Dausa Lok Sabha seat. In a statement to a news channel, Meena confirmed his resignation. He said that this was also the reason why he did not attend Chief Minister Bhajan Lal’s Cabinet meeting as he had “no moral right”. Sources said that he had submitted his papers a few days ago. However, the resignation has not been accepted yet.

After 121 people were killed and several others were injured in Hathras stampede incident on 2nd of July, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the site and meet those affected. Addressing the media, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, quote “It was an unfortunate incident. The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi) is planning to visit Hathras. He will go there and interact with the people who are affected.” unquote. While police filed an FIR against the organisers, Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari or ‘Bhole Baba’, the host of the satsang, has not been named in the case.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have deployed a new force of 960 trained policemen in the border areas of the Union Territory to exclusively work on combating infiltration and terrorism. The move, which many see as following the pattern of the US Marines, comes amid a spike in infiltration by heavily armed foreign terrorists from Pakistan. Nearly 560 of these police personnel have been deployed in the border areas of Jammu division and the remaining in Kashmir Valley.

The Indian cricket team touched down in New Delhi early today after winning the T20 World Cup. Team India has a full schedule at hand today; after meeting PM Narendra Modi, they have a BCCI felicitation function at the Wankhede Stadium besides doing an open bus trophy tour in Mumbai. The team was stuck in Barbados because of a hurricane but were flown out of the West Indies in a specially arranged charter flight.

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

First, Indian Express' Sweety Kumari talks to us about a case where a couple got brutally assaulted for an alleged extramarital affair in West Bengal by a TMC functionary as a part of a public punishment. 

Next, Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt speaks to us about the world's first brain implant done for controlling epileptic seizures and how the technology of deep brain stimulation might help in treating epilepsy to some extent. (13:38)

And in the end, we talk about Champai Soren's resignation and Hemant Soren's plan to return as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. (19:08)

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



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.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iassathi.IASsathi&hl=en