3 Things

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3 Things

Our flagship daily news show, where we talk to in-house experts about what is going on and why you need to care about it.

  1. The Catch Up - 16 April

    7시간 전

    The Catch Up - 16 April

    This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma. Today is the 16th of April and here are this week’s headlines. The Supreme Court strongly criticized the recent violence linked to amendments in the Waqf Act. During a hearing on related petitions, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna remarked that the unrest was "very disturbing" and stressed the matter is now under judicial review. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta agreed, warning of a growing trend to pressure legal institutions. The three-judge bench’s focus was both on assessing the legality of the amendments and addressing the troubling nationwide unrest, which has sparked political and public concern amid ongoing legal deliberations. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has formally recommended Justice B R Gavai as his successor in a letter to the Union Law Ministry. Once approved, Justice Gavai, currently the second-most senior judge in the Supreme Court, will become India’s 52nd Chief Justice. Elevated to the top court in May 2019, Justice Gavai, now 64, will assume office following Justice Khanna’s retirement on May 13, 2025. His tenure is expected to last until November 23, 2025, the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges being 65 years. NCERT defended its decision to name English textbooks after Indian classical ragas and instruments, saying the move honors the nation’s diverse musical traditions. The response came after Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty criticized the Hindi-titled books as undermining India’s federal structure and linguistic diversity. NCERT emphasized that the titles were not about imposing Hindi but reflecting shared cultural heritage. Sivankutty had argued that changing decades-old English titles was “absolutely wrong” and went against the spirit of linguistic inclusion enshrined in the Constitution. In a dramatic escalation of the U.S.–China trade war, the Trump administration has imposed 245% tariffs on all Chinese imports. The announcement, made via a late-night White House fact sheet, came after Beijing retaliated against earlier U.S. tariffs, sparking global market jitters. Citing unfair taxation by foreign nations, Trump had previously levied 10% tariffs on all such countries, which were later paused to encourage trade talks. The revived tariff blitz, unveiled on Liberation Day, underscores rising tensions and signals a hardened U.S. trade stance under Trump’s leadership. Harvard Rejects Trump Administration’s ‘Academic Freedom Ultimatum’ Harvard University has rejected sweeping demands from the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold federal funds unless the institution dismantled diversity programs, reformed hiring practices, and cooperated with immigration enforcement. In an April 11 letter, the government accused Harvard of tolerating antisemitism and failing to meet conditions for federal support, demanding 10 specific reforms. The move echoed previous pressure on Columbia University. Harvard, however, stood firm, defending its academic autonomy and rejecting what it saw as political coercion. The standoff highlights growing tensions between elite universities and Trump’s education policies. This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

    4분
  2. 1일 전

    The Catch Up: 15 April

    This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma. Today is the 15th of April and here are this week’s headlines. India’s retail inflation in March dropped to 3.34%, the lowest since August 2019, as food prices continued to ease, according to government data. This figure was below economists’ expectations of 3.60%, and down from February’s 3.61%. The sharp decline may provide room for the Reserve Bank of India to consider deeper interest rate cuts amid global concerns triggered by the U.S.-China trade war. Lower inflation could boost economic stability and consumer demand, especially at a time when global growth remains uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the chargesheet on April 9 to consider cognisance and scheduled further proceedings for April 25. Other individuals named include senior Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey. The case, which has long been politically contentious, involves allegations of financial irregularities linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, formerly owned by Congress-linked entities. The ED’s action intensifies legal scrutiny on the Gandhi family and Congress leadership. The Supreme Court criticised the Allahabad High Court for its March 11 remarks suggesting a rape complainant “invited trouble” and was “responsible” for the incident. The apex court said judges must be cautious and sensitive in such cases. A bench led by Justices B R Gavai and A G Masih was hearing another matter when it addressed the High Court’s observations, also citing a March 17 order that downplayed acts like breast grabbing and pulling pyjama drawstrings as insufficient for rape charges. The SC’s response highlights concern over judicial insensitivity in sexual assault cases. Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised Harvard University for defying the Trump administration after it froze $2.3 billion in federal funding. The White House demanded changes to admissions policies, including "merit-based" hiring, limited student activism, and a government-led audit of campus diversity. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these requirements, and Obama called the university's stance a model for other institutions. The funding freeze follows tensions over campus freedoms and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. Obama’s support emphasizes academic independence in the face of political pressure from government bodies. In response to new U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, China has reportedly instructed its airlines to stop buying Boeing jets, escalating trade tensions. Bloomberg sources say the ban also applies to U.S. aircraft parts, likely increasing operational costs for existing Boeing fleets in China. The move adds further strain to Boeing, whose shares fell 3% in premarket trading. China is one of Boeing’s largest markets, where European rival Airbus already has a stronger presence. The development reflects worsening ties as the U.S.-China trade war spreads into high-stakes sectors like aviation. This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

    4분
  3. The Catch Up: 14 April

    2일 전

    The Catch Up: 14 April

    This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain. Today is the 14th of April and here are today's headlines. Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium After India’s Extradition Request Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by India, according to sources. Choksi is wanted by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. He had been residing in Antwerp on a residency card after previously living in Antigua and Barbuda. Earlier this year, India, via the Ministry of External Affairs, formally requested Belgium to extradite him. Choksi’s wife, Preeti, holds Belgian citizenship, and the legal process for extradition is now underway. Accused Child Murderer Shot Dead in Karnataka Encounter Ritesh Kumar, a 35-year-old migrant labourer from Patna, was killed in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka, after being accused of murdering a five-year-old girl. Police suspect the child was also raped, though a post-mortem report is awaited. The incident occurred when Kumar allegedly tried to attack police while attempting to escape. He was shot in the leg and back, then declared dead at a local medical college. Kumar had been working in the city for 2–3 months. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the child’s death. Fresh Death Threat Sent to Salman Khan via WhatsApp Bollywood actor Salman Khan received another death threat early Sunday through a message sent to the Mumbai police traffic department’s WhatsApp number. Sent around 6:30 a.m., the message threatened to enter Khan’s home and kill him, as well as plant a bomb in his vehicle. A senior officer confirmed that a case has been registered, and efforts are underway to trace the sender. This incident adds to a series of previous threats aimed at the actor, prompting heightened security around Khan and his residence. China Races Exports Ahead of Harsh New US Tariffs China’s exports surged in March, jumping 12.4% year-on-year, as factories rushed shipments before tough new U.S. tariffs kicked in on April 2. The growth marks a five-month high, up from 2.3% in January-February. However, imports fell by 4.3%. The US has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% after Beijing retaliated, with no exemptions for electronics, including semiconductor chips. President Donald Trump’s administration has warned of a national security investigation targeting Chinese technology imports, increasing tension between the world’s two largest economies. Teen Kills Parents in Plot to Assassinate Trump, Says FBI A 17-year-old Wisconsin student, Nikita Casap, has been arrested for allegedly killing his parents to fund a plan to assassinate US President Donald Trump, according to FBI documents. Casap faces nine felony charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and hiding a corpse. His mother, Tatiana Casap, 35, and stepfather, Donald Mayer, 51, were found dead on February 28. Investigators found writings and messages in which Casap called for Trump's assassination and overthrowing the US government. He is currently in custody as federal investigations continue. That's all for today. This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

    4분
  4. The Catch Up: 11 April

    5일 전

    The Catch Up: 11 April

    This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma. Today is the 11th of April and here are this week’s headlines. The US officially enforced a sweeping 104% tariff on all Chinese imports starting Wednesday, escalating its trade confrontation with Beijing. This move follows President Trump’s ultimatum to China to withdraw its retaliatory 34% tariffs. China hit back sharply at Washington's escalating trade war rhetoric, saying it does not seek conflict but won’t tolerate bullying either. US further escalated the situation with its decision to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 125% while pausing tariffs for other nations. Responding to this, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing, “This cause will not win popular support and will end in failure.” Lin emphasized that Beijing will defend its people's rights, signaling that retaliatory action may still be on the table. Meanwhile, Asian markets surged on news of the 90-day tariff pause for other countries, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 soaring 8%, South Korea’s Kospi rising over 5%, and Australia’s ASX 200 up 5% in early trading. In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court declared Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi’s decision to reserve 10 re-passed Bills for Presidential consideration as illegal. The court held that the Governor showed scant respect for judicial precedent and unduly delayed action. Using Article 142, the bench declared that the 10 Bills are deemed to have received assent, overriding the governor’s withholding. This rare step sends a strong message about constitutional propriety and reinforces legislative autonomy amid growing tensions between elected governments and appointed constitutional heads. The Reserve Bank of India has slashed the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6% in its latest monetary policy review. This signals lower interest rates on home, personal, and auto loans soon. The Monetary Policy Committee also shifted its stance from "neutral" to "accommodative," hinting at more rate cuts ahead. GDP growth for 2025–26 has been revised down to 6.5% from 6.7%, while retail inflation is projected at 4%. Lower rates aim to boost borrowing and spending amid slowing economic momentum. Russia has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend its Victory Day Parade on May 9, commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed that the invitation has been sent, and the visit is under discussion. The gesture comes after Moscow confirmed President Putin’s scheduled visit to India later this year. Russia has extended invitations to several “friendly nations,” reinforcing diplomatic ties amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Modi’s participation would signify India’s balancing act in global power dynamics. A deadly Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in northern Gaza’s Shijaiyah neighborhood on Wednesday, killing at least 23 people, including eight women and eight children, according to officials at Al-Ahly Hospital. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the toll and said rescue teams were still searching through rubble for survivors. Nearby buildings were also damaged, according to Gaza’s civil defense, which operates under the Hamas-run government. The strike is the latest in a wave of intensifying attacks, as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the besieged Palestinian enclave with no signs of a ceasefire in sight. This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

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