3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 1st of April and here are the headlines.

Domestic Stock Market Crashes Ahead of Trump's Tariff Announcement
On Tuesday, Indian stock markets experienced a sharp decline due to massive selling, driven by uncertainty over the upcoming US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs set to be implemented on April 2. The BSE Sensex plunged by 1.69%, losing 1,313 points, while the Nifty fell by 1.41%, down 332 points. Investors are awaiting details on how these tariffs will impact various sectors globally, with market reactions likely hinging on the specifics of the tariff announcement tomorrow, said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments.

Assam CM Condemns Bangladesh Official’s Statement on Northeast India
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned the statement by Bangladesh interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus, who claimed that Bangladesh is "the only guardian of the ocean" for Northeast India. Yunus had stated that Bangladesh holds a unique position to benefit from the economic possibilities of the region. Sarma called the remark offensive, highlighting its connection to India’s vulnerable "Chicken Neck" corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of India, emphasizing India’s territorial integrity and strategic concerns.

Ruckus in Lok Sabha Over Question Hour Adjournment
A heated scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha after the Question Hour concluded, with Samajwadi Party MPs protesting the decision and demanding that Akhilesh Yadav be allowed to speak. Despite Speaker Om Birla assuring that Yadav would get time during Zero Hour, the MPs continued with slogans and placards, leading to the adjournment of the House until 2 pm. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge called for an immediate decadal census and caste census, highlighting the delay’s impact on welfare schemes. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is scheduled for discussion tomorrow.

Mohali Court Sentences Pastor to Life for 2018 Rape Case
Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed Christian pastor, was sentenced to life imprisonment in a rape case dating back to 2018 by a Mohali court. Singh had been convicted for luring a woman under the pretext of helping her settle abroad, only to rape her and threaten to post a video of the act online. The court convicted him under IPC sections related to rape, voluntary hurt, and criminal intimidation. Singh had been arrested at Delhi airport in 2018 and released on bail until his recent conviction.

Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Could Lead to Uncertainty in Global Trade
As trade tensions escalate, all eyes are on the US President’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs scheduled for April 2. Trump’s plan to impose tariffs matching those charged by other countries has raised concerns about how the levies will be rolled out. With over 200 trading partners and thousands of tariff categories, the US could face an administrative nightmare. The initial focus is likely on the 20 countries the US has trade agreements with, with some speculating a blanket tariff could simplify the process but complicate global trade relations.

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah who tells us about the arrest of journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar following his coverage of a protest against a government-affiliated bank in Assam.
Next, The Indian Express' Nikhil Ghanekar discusses the parliamentary report highlighting the severe underutilisation of funds allocated for pollution control. (13:42)

Lastly, we speak to The Indian Express' Parul Kulshrestha who talks about an initiative that has helped hundreds of people with disabilities in Rajasthan's Salumber district. (22:19)

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 31st of March and here are the headlines.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday said there is “no need to search” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successor as he will continue to hold the top post again in 2029. The statement came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claim that the RSS is set to pick Modi’s successor. Earlier in the day, Raut said Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday was to convey the message to Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that he is retiring. “There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue,” Fadnavis said, speaking to reporters in Nagpur.

Kashmir’s chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday condemned the decision of the Valley authorities to “not allow” Eid prayers at the sacred spaces of Eidgah and Jama Masjid and said it showcases the “oppressive and authoritarian approach that prevails in Kashmir today”. In a video statement on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, he also claimed that he has been placed under house arrest ahead of the prayers. “Eidgah and Jama Masjid belong to the people. Barring them from these sacred spaces even on Eid reflects an oppressive and authoritarian approach that prevails in Kashmir today,” Mirwaiz said in a post on X.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the Centre’s decision to permit offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar. Urging the government to cancel the tenders issued for the offshore mining blocks, Gandhi asserted that rigorous scientific studies must be undertaken to assess the environmental as well as socio-economic impact of offshore mining. “But most importantly, all stakeholders, especially our fisherfolk must be consulted before any major decision is taken. Their lives are intertwined with the fate of our oceans. Let us work collectively towards building a sustainable future for all,” the Congress leader has written in the letter.

US President Donald Trump has said that he is “very angry” and “pissed off” with Russian President Vladimir Putin after attempting to broker a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and said he would impose sanctions on buyers of Russian oil if he feels that the Kremlin is blocking the deal negotiation.

Citing a telephone interview with NBC News, it’s reported that Trump was angry with Putin after he raised doubts over the credibility of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership last week. The US president even threatened to impose a 50% tariff on countries buying Russian oil if Putin doesn’t agree to a ceasefire deal. Trump’s frustration grew due to a lack of movement in the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire agreement, as he said that he could impose new trade restrictions on Russia within a month. The war began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday rejected direct negotiations with the United States over the nuclear program, offering Tehran’s first response to President Donald Trump’s explosive letter wherein he threatened to bomb Iran if it doesn’t negotiate over the nuclear deal. President Pezeshkian said that the response of Iran via the sultanate of Oman still has the possibility of indirect negotiations with Washington. During Trump’s first term in 2018, he had unilaterally withdrawn America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. “We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far. They must prove that they can build trust,” Pezeshkian said. The US State Department, in its response to President Pezeshkian, stated that America cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about the demolitions happening in Gujarat. He shares why the authorities have been tearing down illegally-constructed homes, offices, shops and other establishments that are on the state police’s list of “anti-social elements”.

Next, The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh talks about Jharkhand's State Migrant Control Room. He shares how the SMCR rescued 47 migrant workers from the Central African country of Cameroon. (10:24)

Lastly, we speak about the Bengaluru-Kamakhya Superfast Express getting derailed and leading to one death and multiple people getting injured. (17:40)

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Asad Rehman who discusses the concerns of the proposed changes in the Waqf Bill ahead of a parliamentary approval.

Next, The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha talks about India's bioeconomy sector and the potential it holds for greater opportunities. (12:51)

Lastly, we discuss the Member Private Bills tabled in Jammu and Kashmir's Assembly demanding the restoration of the region's statehood (25:24)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Sureah Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma
Today is the 27th of March and here are the headlines.

A day after a face-off in the Lok Sabha over Speaker Om Birla abruptly adjourning the House after noting that members, especially Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, should conduct themselves “in a manner that maintains the high standards and dignity” of Parliament, a delegation of INDIA bloc parties met Birla today and raised concerns over a range of issues, including the “politicisation of the statement made by Birla outside the House”. A letter was submitted by the delegation to Birla, which The Indian Express has learnt contained eight broad points, including “non-appointment of Deputy Speaker in Lok Sabha”, “denial of speaking opportunity to the Leader of Opposition (LoP)”, and “disregard for Business Advisory Committee (BAC) decisions”.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy moved a resolution against delimitation in the legislative assembly today. The resolution read, quote “The house expresses its deep concern on the manner in which the impending delimitation exercise is being planned, without transparent consultations with stakeholders.” unquote. The resolution was later adopted by the House and passed. Reddy posted about it on X stating:quote  “…We passed a resolution today asking the Centre not to take any steps that compromise the political self-respect and legitimate rights of our people. People of Telangana and citizens of all other states of south India are united in protecting our rights”, unquote

Three separate Private Member Bills are coming up in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly – two by the ruling National Conference legislators and the third by an independent legislator – seeking the restoration of statehood. The Bills for restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir would come up for discussion on April 7. The Private Member Bill introduced by National Conference legislator reads, quote “The House resolves that statehood be restored immediately as promised by the central government in the Parliament of India,” unquote

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India soon, the country’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed in a televised address today. Speaking at the “Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” conference, hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Lavrov said preparations for Putin’s visit are underway. While the date of Putin visit has not been disclosed, it follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Russia in July 2024—his first in nearly five years. Modi had previously visited Vladivostok in 2019 for an economic conclave. During last year’s visit, he formally invited Putin to India.

US President Donald Trump has decided to expand his trade war to the world’s most traded product — automobiles and auto parts — by announcing 25 per cent tariffs on them from April 3. This has raised the uncertainty over Indian exports of auto components worth nearly $7 billion to the US and their future growth potential in the North American market. Citing national security concerns, the White House said that automobiles would be subject to 25 per cent tariffs starting on April 3 — a day after US reciprocal tariffs are set to come into effect — while auto parts would face similar tariffs “no later than May 3 2025,” unless such actions are expressly “reduced, modified, or terminated.”

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the country’s effort to eliminate tuberculosis as a part of which a new set of tools ranging from AI-powered screening to strip tests for treatment adherence is being integrated into India’s TB elimination drive.

Next, The Indian Express' Abhinaya Harigovind talks about the Centre withholding funds for the Samagra Shiksha scheme in Tamil Nadu due to the state’s refusal to implement the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020. (11:42)

Lastly, we speak about Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha. (19:57)

Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
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 26th of March and here are the headlines.

In a late-night order on Tuesday, former Enforcement Directorate chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra was appointed a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). The EAC-PM, an independent advisory body, has had one vacancy since the death of its former chairman Bibek Debroy in November 2024. The former Ed chief had a high-profile stint, and somewhat ignominious end, as the ED Director. After he took over in 2018, the agency went about pursuing money laundering investigations at a break neck pace. By 2022, 65% of all asset attachments carried out by the ED in the previous 17 years had been made under his signature, with the agency carrying out more than 2,000 raids.

The Assam police arrested journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar last night after detaining him for several hours following his coverage of a protest against the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank (ACAB). Hussain is a reporter with the Assam-based digital media portal The CrossCurrent, known for its investigative reportage on the state government. He is also the assistant general secretary of the Guwahati Press Club. The grounds for his arrest, which were presented to his family hours after he was detained, state that he was arrested for alleged criminal intimidation and violation of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for “offensive remarks” against the complainant.

A spate of chain-snatching incidents in Chennai, executed within an hour on yesterday culminated in the fatal police shooting of one of the suspects near Taramani railway station today. Police said the men, part of a notorious gang, targeted elderly women and morning walkers in neighbourhoods along East Coast Road, Adyar and Besant Nagar. According to the police, two suspects, both from Uttar Pradesh, were intercepted at Chennai International Airport as they attempted to board a flight to New Delhi.

A day after what Donald Trump termed as “the only glitch in two months”, US National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, said he took full responsibility for leak of military plans in a Signal chat. He said quote, “I take full responsibility. I built the group. My job is to make sure everything is coordinated,” unquote in an interview with Fox News, in which he conceded: “it’s embarrassing”. Waltz’s comments came a day after Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, revealed that he was added to a group on Signal, a private messaging app, that included vice-president JD Vance, defense secretary Pete Hegseth, secretary of state Marco Rubio and other high-profile figures discussing “operational details” of US airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen.

South Korea’s government has been held responsible for multiple human rights violations for fabricating birth records, falsely reporting that children had been abandoned over decades for a programme which sent about 200,000 children and babies abroad for adoption, a landmark enquiry by the truth commission has found. Private agencies were able to export babies and children due to government’s lack of oversight and the agencies were driven by profit which enabled the “mass exportation of children” and numerous examples of coercion, false records and fraud have been found in the scheme.

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

An investigation by The Indian Express has revealed that tiger poaching is once again on the rise in India. Officials from five states, four central agencies, and Interpol are currently tracking poaching networks, with over a dozen arrests made this year alone. According to arrest records and investigation findings reviewed by the paper, the illegal trade has claimed "100 to any number" of tigers since 2022 from various parts of India.

In this episode, we are joined by The Indian Express' Jay Mazoomdaar, who led the investigation, to discuss its key findings, what government agencies are up against, and the internal challenges they face in trying to stop this practice.

Hosted, Produced and Written by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar