This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma
Today is the 20th of March and here are the headlines.

Both Houses of Parliament were marred by protests staged by the DMK over the delimitation issue, with the presiding officers calling their behaviour unbecoming of the dignity of Parliament. Lok Sabha was adjourned within two minuates after it met at 11 am, as DMK MPs came wearing identical T-shirts as a mark of protest against the proposed delimitation. Speaker Om Birla said they cannot come to the House wearing T-shirts and protest in ways that lower the dignity of the House, and adjourned Lok Sabha till noon. The delimitation is expected after 2026 following the decennial census unless the Parliament extends the freeze yet again by amending the Constitution.

The Cyberabad police in Telangana booked 25 people on Sunday, including Tollywood actors and social media influencers, for allegedly promoting illegal betting, gambling and casino apps, causing financial losses to the public. Among the 25 named in the FIR are actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal. Named accused 1 and accused 2, Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj are alleged to have promoted Junglee Rummy through pop-up ads. Vijay Devarakonda is accused of promoting A23 Rummy, Manchu Lakshmi Yolo247, Praneetha Fairplay Live, and Nidhi Agarwal Jeet Win, all by way of pop-up ads, the police said.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Government, challenging the creation of a “parallel” and “unlawful” content censorship regime through a provision under the Information Technology Act. In its petition filed in the Karnataka High Court earlier this month, the company has contended that through the use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, multiple government departments and agencies are now issuing content takedown notices to social media companies like X, “attempting to bypass the multiple procedural safeguards” prescribed under Section 69A of the IT Act, which also allows for content blocking.

A jawan and 22 Maoists were killed in two encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region today. One encounter broke out at 7 am while security forces were undertaking an operation based on intelligence indicating the presence of Maoists in the jungles under the jurisdiction of Gangaloor police station in Bijapur district near the Dantewada border. The encounter involved intermittent firing for hours, said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range. A jawan from the Bijapur District Reserves Guard (DRG) and 18 Maoists were killed in the firing. “We have recovered explosives and weapons. Search operations are going on,” the officer said.


An Indian researcher at Georgetown University, Badar Khan Suri, has been detained by US immigration authorities days after another Indian national’s student visa was cancelled over accusations of supporting Hamas. According to a report in Politico that cited court documents, the US government has accused Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow, of allegedly having connections with Hamas — a Palestinian group that the US and several other Western countries have designated as a terrorist organisation. This comes just days after the student visa of Columbia University student Ranjani Srinivasan was revoked by the Donald Trump administration.

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Shubhangi Khapre who discusses the violence in Nagpur following the controversy over the Aurangzeb tomb demolition demand.

Next, The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha talks about Chandrayaan-3's new findings indicating the presence of water-ice on the Moon's polar regions. (18:07)

Lastly, we speak to The Indian Express' Arun Sharma about the 17 mysterious deaths in Jammu's village last month and the impending investigation. (27:57)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 19th of March and here are the headlines. 


The Opposition raised concerns about the Gaganyaan astronauts being kept away from public view. Minister Jitendra Singh stated this was to prevent distractions during their acclimatisation and training. He added that excessive media exposure could be counterproductive. One astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, will also join international astronauts on a mission to the ISS.


Prime Minister Modi welcomed back NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams after their nine-month space mission. He lauded their grit and courage, calling their return a testament to the human spirit. PM Modi expressed pride in their perseverance and the dedication of those who ensured their safe return to Earth.


An FIR details how a man accused in the Nagpur violence allegedly misbehaved and inappropriately touched a woman police officer. The accused also reportedly made obscene gestures towards other women, including police personnel. The incident occurred on March 17 and continued until late that night. The FIR was filed by a Sub-Inspector on March 18.


A woman and her lover were arrested in Meerut for allegedly murdering her husband. They dismembered his body and dumped parts in a cement-filled tank. Police said the couple killed the man on March 4 and used the cement to conceal the smell. The wife had purchased the tank, and the lover brought the cement.


The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2023 will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu. The awards recognize outstanding journalism across print, digital, and broadcast media in 13 categories. Winning stories include investigations into medical colleges, athlete villages, and the fight for justice by wrestlers, showcasing courageous reporting.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Divya A about  Ranjini Srinivasan, an Indian PhD scholar from Columbia University in the US,  whose F-1 student visa was revoked for allegedly advocating for violence and terrorism and supporting Hamas. Fearing action by the authorities, she chose to self-deport and return home.

Next, The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt talks about CAR T- cell therapy or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, which is a novel treatment method for cancer. She shares how the clinical trial results of India's CAR T-cell therapy were published in the Lancet and more. (11:24)

Lastly, we speak about Israel's biggest assault on the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire on 19th January. (19:28)

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

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 18th of March and here are the headlines.

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of US National Intelligence, emphasized strengthening security ties with India at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi. She highlighted collaboration in cybersecurity, emerging tech, and AI. Gabbard acknowledged India’s security concerns and reaffirmed that “America first is not America alone.” She stressed the importance of continuing a long-standing partnership, taking advantage of the new administration’s momentum to explore further opportunities for collaboration.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis described the violence in Nagpur on Monday as a “planned incident.” It followed a protest by VHP and Bajrang Dal members demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. Police were attacked, vehicles set on fire, and tear gas was used to disperse crowds. The violence spread across several areas of Nagpur, leaving several injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, calling it a milestone for an awakened nation. Speaking in Lok Sabha, he linked the event’s success to the spirit of the nation, reflecting the progress towards the next 1,000 years. Modi also noted how the Ram Mandir ceremony last year foreshadowed the national collective consciousness, reinforcing the country's strength and unity.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the 'Make in India' initiative in the Rajya Sabha, stating it had gained significant momentum, contrary to Opposition claims. She highlighted the success of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which attracted Rs 1.5 lakh crore in investments and generated 9.5 lakh jobs, countering criticisms of the government’s manufacturing policies.

Israel launched major airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, as reported by hospital officials. The airstrikes targeted Hamas positions, escalating tensions as ceasefire talks stalled. Israel's military vowed to continue its offensive against Hamas, accusing the group of rejecting multiple ceasefire proposals. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would intensify its military response.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Aditi Raja who discusses the Vadodara accident that has sparked concerns over reckless driving by a law student which claimed a life and left seven others critically injured. 

Next, we speak to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals about whether or not you need to take the flu vaccine.

Lastly, we discuss the detention of the BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu ahead of a planned protest against TASMAC.

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and Written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 17th of March and here are the headlines. 
 
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai was arrested by Chennai police on Monday morning, just before leading a protest against financial irregularities at TASMAC. Annamalai, who planned the demonstration outside TASMAC’s headquarters in Egmore, was detained near his Akkarai residence while attempting to leave. Several senior BJP leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, Vanathi Srinivasan, and Saraswathi, were also taken into custody at different locations across Chennai. The arrests came amid growing tensions over the state's liquor retailing practices. 
 
The Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks about the irrelevance of global organizations. In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi claimed organizations like the UN had become "almost irrelevant" due to the lack of reforms, adding that India had benefitted from them. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh responded, accusing Modi of trying to appease US President Donald Trump and repeating his friend’s views, questioning the Prime Minister's stance on international cooperation.
 
Intelligence leaders from the US, UK, New Zealand, and other nations met in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss security cooperation. The conference, hosted by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, included Tulsi Gabbard (US), Jonathan Powell (UK), and Andrew Hampton (New Zealand), along with top intelligence officials from various countries. The meeting, organized by the National Security Council Secretariat, is part of the Raisina Dialogue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, with New Zealand's PM Christopher Luxon as the chief guest.
 
Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked social media influencer Orhan Awatramani (Orry) and seven others for allegedly drinking alcohol in Katra town, near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. An FIR was filed under section 223 for disobedience of public orders, as Katra has a ban on liquor and non-vegetarian products due to its religious significance. The local administration enforces this ban to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrimage site and prevent disturbances.
 
The Trump administration deported alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, despite a court order blocking the action. The operation continued after Judge James Boasberg ruled against using the wartime Alien Enemies Act to expel the gang members. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that a single judge couldn’t halt the expulsion of individuals deemed a national security threat, asserting that deportation was a matter of executive authority despite legal challenges. 
 
 This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Vidhatri Rao about India's quest to create its own Large Language Model. She talks about Swecha, an NGO that is collecting data to create a Telugu LLM, by way of which she explains the nuances that developers will require to focus on in order to create an Indian LLM.

Next, The Indian Express' Sanath Prasad talks about the Karnataka government's announcement regarding capping all movie tickets at Rs 200, including multiplexes. He explores why the Kannada film industry is in favour of the decision while the multiplexes are not. (15:49)

Lastly, we speak about the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule reaching the International Space Station making way for NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to return back home after nine months. (29:26)

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

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma
Today is the 14th of March and here are the headlines.


In a major development this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navin Chandra Ramgoolam announced an "enhanced strategic partnership" between the two nations. India also pledged new projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees (around Rs 100 crore), including building Mauritius' new Parliament. Both nations agreed to conduct mutual trade in local currencies. Modi also outlined a vision for the Global South under the MAHASAGAR initiative, which focuses on mutual growth and security across regions, strengthening India-Mauritius ties in both trade and diplomacy.


In news from the Parliament , Opposition parties, including Congress and DMK, staged a protest in the Lok Sabha against a renewable energy project near the India-Pakistan border. Congress leader Manish Tewari raised concerns about national and energy security, arguing the project’s proximity to the border violates security protocols. According to Tewari, major infrastructure should be at least 10 km away from the border. Meanwhile, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 was introduced, aimed at modernizing India's immigration laws. Opposition parties called it unconstitutional and demanded its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.


In global headlines, separatist militants attacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, carrying 500 people. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for derailing the train, asserting that they had seized control, killed 50 security personnel, and taken 214 passengers as hostages, including active-duty personnel. However, their claims have not been independently verified. Meanwhile, Pakistani army confirmed the end of the rescue operation, stating that 33 militants and 21 hostages were killed, while over 300 passengers were rescued. 


Ukraine has proposed a 30-day ceasefire in its war with Russia, contingent on Moscow’s agreement. The announcement came after high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, where the United States declared it would lift its freeze on military aid to Ukraine. This marks a significant shift in efforts to pause the devastating conflict, which began in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to a joint statement from the White House and Kyiv, the temporary ceasefire could be extended if both sides agree to further terms.


Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m3, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report. The report reveals that 13 of the 20 most polluted cities globally are in India, including Byrnihat and Faridabad. India ranks as the fifth most polluted country, with a concerning average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50.6 μg/m3. This is ten times higher than the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 guideline, highlighting India's ongoing air quality crisis.


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

First, we talk to veteran journalist and Contributing Editor for The Indian Express Neerja Chowdhury about BJP's plans in the South and what challenges lie ahead of them.

Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu gives us details of the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the investigation and the reasons behind searches being conducted at former CM Bhupesh Baghel's residence. (15:59)

Lastly, we speak about heightened security and mosques being covered in UP on the occasion of Holi. (22:04)

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