3 Things

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ Arun Sharma about the 17 mysterious deaths that have happened in Jammu's Baddal village. The cause of the deaths couldn't be identified. Arun shares how the deaths have stumped the doctors and how the state administration has responded to the issue.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt who explains why packaged drinking water has been added to the high risk food category in a recent notification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). (8:14)

Finally, we talk about US President Donald Trump saying that US will take over the Gaza Strip. (14:41)

Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
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 5th of February and here are the headlines.

A military aircraft from the United States carrying over 100 deported Indian immigrants landed at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport this afternoon. The deported individuals include 25 women, 12 minors, and 79 men. In addition to the deported Indian nationals, the aircraft also had 11 crew members and 45 US officials on board. Besides Punjab, the deported individuals are from Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Among the deportees, 33 are from Gujarat, while 30 belong to Punjab.Two deportees each are from Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, while three are from Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the high-stakes Delhi election is underway in 70 Assembly constituencies. In the triangular contest between the AAP, the BJP, and the Congress, the ruling party aims for a third consecutive term, while the saffron party hopes to make a return to power after 25 years, and the grand old party strives to make a comeback. As of 1 pm today, the voter turnout stood at 33.31 per cent. Meanwhile, police force was deployed in large numbers outside a polling booth in Seelampur after the BJP alleged fake votes were being cast.

In other news, India and the US are expected to start negotiations for a free trade agreement in the coming weeks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the US to meet President Donald Trump between the 12th and 14th of February. The Prime Minister, who will travel to France and co-chair the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris between 10th - 11th of February, is also expected to travel to Marseille on 12 of February. From there, he is likely to travel to the US to meet President Trump.

In another news headline, After submitting a Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Olympics last October, India is learnt to have opened an “informal” dialogue with the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the centenary edition in 2030 — 20 years after the country first held it. Officials involved in the process told The Indian Express, that unlike 2010, when the Games were hosted in New Delhi, Ahmedabad has emerged as the frontrunner, with Bhubaneswar also in the mix. On the sidelines of the National Games opening ceremony in Dehradun, Commonwealth Games Federation president Chris Jenkins also met Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha where the possible Indian bid was discussed.

Meanwhile, OpenAI founder Sam Altman during a fireside chat today said that India is the second biggest market for ChatGPT, where it has tripled its user base in the last year. Altman is on a whirlwind world tour and landed in India late on Tuesday night. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with a number of the country's start-ups and venture capital funds. During the chat Altman said, quote, “India is an incredibly important market for AI in general and OpenAI in particular. It is our second biggest market, we tripled our users here in the last year.” 

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor, Shubhajit Roy, about the US' massive crackdown on illegal migrants and the first-of-its-kind deportation of Indian migrants since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Next, The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt talks about the Guillain-Barré Syndrome, whose spread has intensified in Pune, with over 150 suspected cases and five suspected deaths.

Finally, we talk about a child from Kerala who sparked discussions about anganwadi meal programs in the state, attracting attention from Kerala’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Veena George.

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Ichha Sharma 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 4th of February and here are the headlines.

In his reply to the Motion of Thanks in the parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the House for the 10th time. He highlighted that 25 crore people had overcome poverty due to NDA-led government schemes. PM Modi emphasised that the government’s focus was on providing water connections to the people, with 75 per cent of households lacking tap water before the NDA's tenure.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s claims regarding the border issue with China. Rahul had quoted the Army Chief, suggesting Chinese forces were inside Indian territory, while Prime Minister Modi denied such claims. Rajnath clarified that Rahul had misquoted the Army Chief, reaffirming the government’s stance on the border situation, and emphasising that the military continues to address the issue diplomatically.

In another headline making news, the United States has started deporting Indian migrants as part of US President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement strategy. A C-17 aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals departed from San Antonio, Texas. A US embassy spokesperson in Delhi confirmed that the deportation, emphasised the administration’s stance on tightening immigration laws and sends a message against illegal migration, which affects an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

In news from the national capital, Delhi Police filed a case against Chief Minister Atishi for violating prohibitory orders a day before the Delhi Assembly elections. Atishi, who is the AAP candidate from Kalkaji, was reportedly involved in a gathering with party volunteers in Govindpuri. Police claimed that despite the requests to disperse under the Model Code of Conduct, the crowd persisted. Two AAP workers were also charged for allegedly assaulting a police officer during the incident.

In global news today, China announced retaliatory tariffs on United States imports after the US imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods. Beijing will levy 10-15 per cent tariffs on US products including crude oil, agricultural machinery, and liquefied natural gas. Coal and LNG imports will face a 15 per cent tariff, while items like pickup trucks and large-engine cars will incur a 10 per cent tariff. The measures will take effect on 10th of February, escalating trade tensions between the two nations.

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

As Delhi goes to polls tomorrow, that is the 5th of February, we are dedicating today's episode to discussing the Aam Aadmi Party's progress and schemes over the last decade, why are these elections crucial for the BJP, where does the Congress stand and what are the major narratives dominating the polls. To help us unpack all this, we have the Indian Express' Mallica Joshi joining us.

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Niharika Nanda, 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 3rd of February and here are the headlines.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, alleged that 70 lakh voters were added to Maharashtra's electoral rolls between the Lok Sabha and state elections. He demanded that the Election Commission provide voter data to opposition parties. Gandhi questioned the integrity of the 2022 Maharashtra polls and expressed doubt that the EC would release the requested details. He emphasized that the Constitution relies on secure votes, without which its significance is diminished.

In his reply to the President’s address, Rahul Gandhi criticized both the UPA and NDA governments for failing to provide a clear employment plan for India’s youth. He expressed dissatisfaction with President Murmu’s inaugural address, calling it similar to past speeches. Gandhi emphasized that the country’s future hinges on young people and highlighted that any proposals should address their concerns and challenges, urging the Opposition bloc to focus on this issue.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to Rahul Gandhi’s claims regarding his U.S. visit in December 2024. Gandhi had alleged that Jaishankar went to the U.S. to secure an invitation for PM Modi’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration. Jaishankar denied the accusation, stating that his visit was for meetings with U.S. officials and to chair a consuls general gathering. He clarified that the Prime Minister typically does not attend such events and India is represented by special envoys.

The Supreme Court called the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh “unfortunate” but directed the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court, where a judicial commission had already been set up to investigate the incident. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, hearing the case, stated that the matter was concerning but advised that the High Court be approached. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi confirmed that the judicial commission was already in place to address the issue.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staffers were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters after Elon Musk claimed he and President Trump had agreed to shut down USAID. Over 600 employees were locked out of USAID’s computer systems, and those still in the system received emails about the closure. Musk, who is leading a review of the federal government with Trump’s approval, said the two agreed on shutting down the agency, which has been active for over six decades.

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

On Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the twelfth Union Budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

This budget came at a time when India has been struggling to achieve its desired growth rate while grappling with challenges like unemployment and rising prices. After introducing reforms such as GST and implementing various ease-of-doing-business measures in the past, the government this time announced an unprecedented tax break for the middle class, hoping it would provide a much-needed boost to the economy.

To break down the key takeaways, what this could mean for India's growth story, and other major highlights from the Union Budget, The Indian Express’ Udit Misra joins us.

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
Additional help from Ichha Sharma

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 31st of January and here are this week’s headlines.

The Indian government has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission, a 16,300 crore rupees initiative to reduce country’s dependency on foreign mineral imports on Wednesday. The mission focuses on domestic exploration, mining, and processing of essential minerals to support technological growth and industrial needs. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of securing India’s mineral future as the nation seeks to strengthen its economic infrastructure and ensure sustainability in key industries.

Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of Parliament has adopted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, despite criticism from Opposition MPs about the rushed process and lack of sufficient review time. The bill, which proposes changes to the management of Waqf properties, has sparked disagreement within the committee. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the short notice to review the 655-page report, accusing the government of undermining parliamentary procedures in the final stages of the bill's consideration.

Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday dared leaders from BJP and Congress to drink the water of Yamuna river after the Election Commission responded to the Aam Aadmi Party chief amid the ongoing row over Yamuna, asking the former Delhi chief minister not to mix the issue of increased ammonia in Yamuna with his allegation of river poisoning. The EC gave Kejriwal another chance to explain his charges against the Haryana government. The EC further asked Kejriwal to provide factual evidence with specific and pointed response to type, quantity, nature and manner of poisoning of Yamuna.

On the global front, an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed near Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday. The passenger jet, carrying 64 people, was on approach to the airport when the incident occurred. Initial reports indicate that at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the river, with search and rescue operations ongoing amid challenging cold weather conditions. Emergency responders, numbering over 300, are actively engaged in the recovery efforts, which have been complicated by the frigid temperatures. The airport has suspended all operations until at least 11 a.m. EST on Thursday. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, officials have confirmed that fatalities are expected.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed his first piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act, during his second term, which allows for the pre-trial detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes such as theft, burglary, and assault. Additionally, a group of Republican Senators introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 in the US Senate, aiming to restrict birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants and non-immigrants on temporary visas. Trump’s administration also rescinded a controversial memo that temporarily froze federal spending on loans and grants just two days after its issuance, leading to widespread confusion and legal challenges.

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

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ Maulshree Seth about the stampede that happened at the Maha Kumbh Mela. She shares details of the casualties, rescue operations and how changes and arrangements have been made after this incident.

Next, The Indian Express' Bijin Jose talks about the newly launched Chinese AI models by Deepseek. He shares how the models were developed, why they are being liked by people worldwide and why the US feels these models could pose a threat. (13:01)

Finally, we talk about a tragic accident where an American Airlines regional passenger jet with 64 people aboard collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.(24:29)

Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda
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 30th of January and here are the headlines.

The Indian government has announced its plan to create a domestic large language model under the IndiaAI Mission, a Rs 10,370 crore initiative. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the development today. To support this, 10 companies, including Yotta, Jio Platforms, and Tata Communications, will supply 18,693 GPUs. Yotta alone will provide nearly half of these chips, totaling 9,216 units, to help build the AI model.

Arvind Kejriwal has challenged BJP and Congress leaders to drink Yamuna river water after the Election Commission intervened in his claims about river poisoning. The EC had asked Kejriwal to clarify his accusations of ammonia pollution and provide factual evidence of the alleged poisoning. The commission is also seeking more specific details about the nature, quantity, and source of contamination, with Kejriwal facing scrutiny for his allegations.

A Canadian report dismissed claims of foreign involvement in the disinformation campaign surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Nijjar. Relations between India and Canada soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind Nijjar's murder in June 2023. India strongly rejected the accusations, calling them politically motivated, which led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries, further damaging bilateral ties.

A political controversy erupted in Goa after the BJP government ordered South Goa SP Sunita Sawant to relinquish her charge. The Congress party accused the transfer of being politically motivated due to Sawant’s inquiry about Bajrang Dal leaders. The government has temporarily assigned Tikam Singh Verma, SP of the anti-narcotics cell, to oversee South Goa. Sawant was appointed in February 2024, and an official transfer order has yet to be issued.

A tragic collision occurred between an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington D.C. on Wednesday night. The plane, carrying 64 people, collided with the helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard. President Trump was briefed on the accident, and emergency operations were launched. All flights were suspended, and rescue teams, including firefighters, were engaged in operations on the Potomac River. 18 fatalities were confirmed, though details remain unclear.

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