3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 13th of May and here are the headlines.

Asserting that no place in Pakistan remained safe for terrorists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told soldiers at the Adampur air base in Punjab that India’s drones, and missiles gave sleepless nights to Pakistan. His speech came a day after his first public address since India launched Operation Sindoor. PM Modi also reiterated the new 3-point doctrine he had unveiled a day earlier, including that New Delhi will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail. During his early morning visit to Adampur, the Prime Minister hailed the Indian Air Force personnel, saying that they made every Indian proud, and had created history. Modi got briefed by the Air Force personnel on the situation, and also interacted with jawans. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a key briefing with military chiefs on Tuesday, with the CDS, Army Chief, Navy Chief, Vice Air Chief and Defence Secretary in attendance.


At least three militants have been killed in the ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Shopian in South Kashmir. Gunshots were heard Tuesday morning after which senior police officials confirmed the presence of militants in the area. In the contact, there was an exchange of fire between security forces and militants. However, with the operation ongoing, officials have refrained from divulging further details at this point.

In a verdict six years in the making, the Mahila Court in Coimbatore on Tuesday convicted all nine accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case and awarded them life imprisonment. The nine men were found guilty of multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, rape, gangrape, and extortion. The incident, which came out just weeks before the 2019 general elections, led to Tamil Nadu’s then ruling AIADMK getting politically cornered with allegations of inaction and links to the accused. Judge R Nandhini Devi pronounced the sentence Tuesday afternoon, following arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the Class 12 results 2025 today (May 13). The result of Class 10 will also be announced soon. In Class 12, there is a minor increase in pass percentage as compared to the previous year. In the CBSE Class 12 examinations, a total of 17,04,367 students were registered. Out of these, 16,92,794 students appeared, and 14,96,307 students passed the exam. Students can check their results on the official websites — cbse.gov.in, cbseresults.nic.in, and results.cbse.nic.in. The CBSE Class 10 board exams were conducted by the board from February 15 to March 18, 2025, in a pen and paper format. This year, 24.12 lakh CBSE Class 10 students appeared for the exams in 84 subjects.

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia, in what will be the first stop of a three-day tour that will also see him visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, has greeted Trump upon arrival in Riyadh. US President Donald Trump was greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the sounds of a 21-gun salute and trumpets. The two leaders then headed to the Royal Court where a lengthy procession of dignitaries, officials, business figures waited their turn to shake hands with them. The Saudi-US Investment Forum has also begun, with the two leaders expected to take part later today. Saudi Arabia is the first leg of Trump’s regional tour that also includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

That's all for today. This was the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ Ravi Dutta Misra about the newly signed Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom and its potential impact on tariffs, jobs, and investment, and why its timing is significant. 

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha about the new government data that indicates India's actual Covid-19 death toll may have been higher than officially reported. (11:04)

And in the end, we discuss Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address following Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack. (22:10)

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This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 12th of May and here are the headlines.

India's Air Defence Foils Pakistani Strikes Amid Operation Sindoor
India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, but the Pakistani military intervened, said Air Marshal A.K. Bharti. Speaking after a high-level security meet with PM Modi, he confirmed all Indian air bases and defence systems are fully operational. Indian air defences successfully intercepted enemy threats, including Chinese-origin PL-15 missiles, long-range rockets, and loitering munitions. He highlighted the professionalism of India’s air defence crews in neutralising incoming threats. The briefing underscored India's preparedness for any escalation following its precision strikes under Operation Sindoor.

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket Ahead of England Tour
Virat Kohli announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket via Instagram on Monday, just before India’s five-match England tour. His decision follows Rohit Sharma’s recent Test exit. Kohli, widely considered one of India's greatest batters, scored 9,230 runs in 210 Test innings at an average of 46.85. He now ranks fourth among Indian Test run-scorers, behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar. Kohli’s retirement marks the end of a golden era in Indian Test cricket and signals a generational shift in the team’s leadership and batting core.

India Reopens Airports After Ceasefire With Pakistan
India has lifted the temporary ban on civil flight operations at 32 airports in northern and western regions following a ceasefire understanding with Pakistan. The restrictions, imposed amid rising cross-border tensions and air strikes, were initially to last until May 15. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued Friday were cancelled on Monday, and flight operations are expected to resume soon. The airports, many located near military bases or conflict zones, were closed to protect civilian traffic from potential threats as hostilities peaked last week.

First Quiet Night in J&K Since Start of India-Pakistan Standoff
The Indian Army confirmed a peaceful night across Jammu and Kashmir and along the international border on Sunday, marking the first calm since the May 7 launch of Operation Sindoor. This pause in hostilities comes after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday. Although explosions were reported in Srinagar and Punjab-Rajasthan border areas shortly after the announcement, no further firing occurred overnight. The lull offers a temporary reprieve after days of artillery fire and cross-border shelling that intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack.

US-China Strike Deal to Slash Tariffs and Pause Trade War
The US and China have agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs and pause their trade war for 90 days, according to Reuters. After Geneva talks, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both countries aim to de-escalate tensions. China will fix tariffs on US goods at 10%, suspend 24% additional tariffs, and scrap 91% of other duties. Bessent noted the US wants greater Chinese market access. The move could ease pressure on global markets, which have been rattled by months of retaliatory measures between the world’s two largest economies.

That's all for today. This was the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the situation between India and Pakistan. He talks about the 'ceasefire' that was agreed upon on Saturday, its violation and all the developments that have happened since.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Shubham Tigga about the abduction of five Indian migrant workers from Jharkhand who had been working in the West African country of Niger. He shares the details of the case, the people abducted and the response of the Jharkhand government. (12:43)

Lastly, we speak about Russian President Vladimir Putin rejecting a ceasefire ultimatum from key European leaders and proposing negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul instead. (24:20)

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This is the Catch Up on 3 things by The Indian Express and I am Ichha Sharma
Today is the 9th of May and here are this week’s headline

In a decisive military action, India launched "Operation Sindoor" in the early hours of Wednesday, executing precision strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists. During a press briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh detailed the operation's objectives and outcomes. They confirmed the destruction of camps associated with notorious terrorists Ajmal Kasab and David Headley. The strikes were meticulously planned to avoid civilian casualties, utilizing advanced weaponry and precision-guided munitions. Targets were carefully selected to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while sparing Pakistani military installations, underscoring India's intent to avoid escalation.

A day after India struck Pakistan terror camps, during a special briefing on Operation Sindoor the government said today that the “Pahalgam attack was the first escalation,”. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media again on a day India neutralised an air defence system in Lahore. This comes on a day of fast-paced developments after India asked OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content originating from Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that those trying to test India’s patience should be ready to face ‘quality action’ like yesterday’s in a reference to Operation Sindoor. The day started with India’s reveal that Indian Armed Forces neutralised an air defence system in Lahore after Pakistan attempted overnight strikes on multiple Indian cities.

India conducted a nationwide civil defence exercise, codenamed 'Operation Abhyas,' across 244 districts. This large-scale mock drill, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority, aimed to bolster emergency preparedness amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The drills simulated various hostile scenarios, including air raids with siren activations, blackout procedures, urban fire emergencies, search and rescue operations, casualty evacuations, and the establishment of temporary hospitals. Major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Pune participated, with specific activities like a 10-minute blackout observed in Haryana and siren activations in Delhi's 11 districts.

The Supreme Court warned Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on March 25 that AIIMS may take over its management if it continues to violate land lease terms requiring free treatment for poor patients. Over 12 years, Apollo reportedly allocated only 17% of its mandated Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beds, with some years as low as 12%. The court’s rebuke follows a review of internal records revealing chronic underperformance. The hospital was granted land at concessional rates with the condition of providing EWS care, a commitment it now risks losing if non-compliance continues.

India and the United Kingdom inked a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Tuesday (May 6), bringing to an end around three years of negotiations. The timing of the deal, signed by the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies, respectively, is significant. It comes as global trade is reeling under the tariffs unleashed by US President Donald Trump in early April. The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion a year, from 2040 onwards, Britain said. Trade between the two nations totalled £42.6 billion in 2024. Total UK exports to India amounted to £17.1 billion, while total UK imports from India amounted to £25.5 billion in 2024. India was Britain’s 11th-largest trading partner last year. Britain said the deal was the “biggest and most economically significant” bilateral trade agreement it had signed since leaving the European Union in 2020 (what was dubbed “Brexit”).

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Ankita Upadhyay about the Indraprastha Apollo hospital and its commitment to the government to provide free medical services to EWS patients and the reason why more than 30 years later, the promise is now under scrutiny by the Supreme Court of India.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sweety Kumari about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's two day visit to Murshidabad and her interactions with the victims of the violence that happened last month. (11:54)

Lastly, we speak about the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan post Operation Sindoor. (22:49)

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Produced and written by Niharika Nanda, Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
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This is the Catch Up on 3 things by The Indian Express and I am Ichha Sharma
Today is the 8th of May and here are today's headlines

A day after India struck Pakistan terror camps, during a special briefing on Operation Sindoor the government said today that the “Pahalgam attack was the first escalation,”. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media again on a day India neutralised an air defence system in Lahore. This comes on a day of fast-paced developments after India asked OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content originating from Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that those trying to test India’s patience should be ready to face ‘quality action’ like yesterday’s in a reference to Operation Sindoor. The day started with India’s reveal that Indian Armed Forces neutralised an air defence system in Lahore after Pakistan attempted overnight strikes on multiple Indian cities.

India said today that an “Air Defence system at Lahore” is “reliably learnt” to have been “neutralised” after Pakistan “attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India”. “Today morning Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,”  a Press Information Bureau statement read. Earlier in the day, sources had told The Indian Express that any military target in Lahore or other parts of Pakistan will only be hit in response to any offensive action from their side.

The Border Security Force (BSF) troops in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector shot dead an unidentified Pakistani intruder when he tried to enter the Indian territory on the intervening night last night and today, said officials. The body has been handed to the police, and investigations are going on to ascertain his identity. According to officials, the incident occurred near Gate No. 207 at the Lakha Singhwala Hithar BSF checkpost in the Mamdot sector of the Ferozepur district, one of the six border districts in Punjab.

Built as a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles form a crucial part of India’s arsenal, with Uttar Pradesh set to be the centre of its production. On May 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a BrahMos missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow whose target is to produce 80 to 100 missiles annually. The unit, whose foundation stone was laid in 2021, is part of a Defence Industrial Corridor that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in 2018 during the global investors’ summit.

Ukraine’s parliament voted today in favour of ratifying a minerals deal signed with the United States, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure future military assistance from Washington in its fight to repel Russian troops. Despite misgivings by some Ukrainian lawmakers over whether the government had provided them with all the information on the deal and over some of its compromises, 338 voted in favour of ratifying the agreement, with none against. Some lawmakers had raised concerns over the lack of detail of some of the deal’s provisions, such as how an envisaged investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction would be governed or how any contributions would be made.

In the early hours of Wednesday, in what is being described as the most expansive attack on terror originating from Pakistan, Indian armed forces targeted and destroyed nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These included the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Today on the show, we’re first joined by The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor, Shubhajit Roy, who explains the details of the operation and unpacks the strategic messaging from India regarding it.

Next, The Indian Express’ Arun Sharma shares his ground report on the cross-border shelling by Pakistan in response to the operation, which left nine dead and 40 injured. (14:07)

And finally, The Indian Express’ Deeptiman Tiwary explains why civil defence drills, such as air sirens, blackouts, and the revival of bunkers, are making a comeback, and what they suggest about India’s current threat preparedness. (20:18)

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This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I am Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 7th of May and here are the headlines.

In a decisive military action, India launched "Operation Sindoor" in the early hours today, executing precision strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists. During a press briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh detailed the operation's objectives and outcomes. They confirmed the destruction of camps associated with notorious terrorists Ajmal Kasab and David Headley. The strikes were meticulously planned to avoid civilian casualties, utilizing advanced weaponry and precision-guided munitions. Targets were carefully selected to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while sparing Pakistani military installations, underscoring India's intent to avoid escalation.

Colonel Qureshi emphasised that the operation aimed to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and their families. Wing Commander Singh highlighted the use of "niche technology weapons" to ensure that only intended targets were neutralized, minimizing collateral damage. In the wake of the operation, Pakistan has condemned the strikes as an "act of war," claiming civilian casualties and asserting that Indian military aircraft were downed—a claim not corroborated by India. The situation has led to heightened tensions along the Line of Control, with reports of cross-border shelling and civilian casualties on both sides. The cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces has claimed at least nine civilians lives and 38 injured in Jammu and Kashmir today. The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed concern and urged both nations to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.

The ministries of IT and Information and Broadcasting are “constantly monitoring” content being uploaded to social media platforms for misleading content related to the aftermath of ‘Operation Sindoor’ to issue takedown orders, and have sensitised social media platforms to block any content that is unlawful, a senior government official told The Indian Express. Agencies and organisations which are in charge of India’s critical infrastructure, such as the Power Ministry, financial institutions including banks, and telecom operators are also on “high alert” after having faced a number of cyber attacks following the Pahalgam terror attack last month. “There have been some DDoS attacks on some infrastructure, but we have contained them. Now we are on high alert because such attempts will certainly be made,” the official said. A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is a cyberattack where an attacker overwhelms a website, server, or network with malicious traffic from multiple sources, making it slow or inaccessible to legitimate users.

India conducted a nationwide civil defence exercise, codenamed 'Operation Abhyas,' across 244 districts. This large-scale mock drill, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority, aimed to bolster emergency preparedness amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The drills simulated various hostile scenarios, including air raids with siren activations, blackout procedures, urban fire emergencies, search and rescue operations, casualty evacuations, and the establishment of temporary hospitals. Major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Pune participated, with specific activities like a 10-minute blackout observed in Haryana and siren activations in Delhi's 11 districts.

Cardinals from around the world will begin casting their votes for a new pope under Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment as 133 cardinals would begin their secretive and centuries old ritual to elect the successor of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. The conclave to select the new pope will begin behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel today afternoon as cardinals from 70 countries will be secluded, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed in order to find the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church. Ahead of the Papal Conclave, a few names have propped up who are being seen as favourites to succeed Pope Francis, namely Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo among others. The uncertainty over the level of support for any one cardinal amongst the 133 cardinal electors suggests that it is one of the most wide-open conclaves in history.

First, The Indian Express' Amrita Nayak Dutta discusses shift in the pattern of Pakistan’s ceasefire violations at the border after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu talks about the significance of Mission Sankalp which is being carried along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border. (13:15)

Lastly, we talk about the alleged forging of NEET admit cards and facilitating proxy candidates for the medical entrance exam. (21:50)

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Produced and written by Ichha Sharma and Niharika Nanda
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