3 Things

Residents in Gujarat protest against a Muslim woman's arrival, ASI searches for Mahabharata evidence, RSS Chief's comments on BJP politics

Controversy over NEET-UG results, Kannada film star murder case, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi's security review, and a tragic fire in Kuwait. Plus, an ad for Granger products.

First, Indian Express' Arun Sharma joins us to talk about the terrorist attack that happened in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, where 9 pilgrims were killed and 33 were left injured when fire was opened on a bus which then plunged into a gorge. Next, Indian Express’ Amrita Nayak Dutta speaks to us about the Agnipath scheme that was introduced by the government for recruitment of young individuals in the armed forces. She talks about the scheme, the opposition it faced and how the government responded to it. (9:16)And in the end, we talk about a fraud that is being investigated by the CBI in Odisha. It pertains to the submission of forged class 10 certificates for recruitment in postal services. (20:00)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 13th of June and here are today's headlines.BJP leader Pema Khandu was sworn in as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister for the third consecutive term at Itanagar today. The BJP returned to power in the northeastern state for the third time in a row, winning 46 seats in the 60-member Assembly. Chowna Mein secured the Deputy Chief Minister’s position again and a total of 10 other ministers were inducted into the Cabinet.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed all reports of paper leaks in NEET UG 2024 today and came out in support of the National Testing Agency who has announced a retest for the 1563 candidates who were awarded grace marks due to ‘loss of exam time’. As per the decision announced by NTA today, the affected candidates will now be given two options — either to accept the score that they were originally awarded, without the grace marks, or re-appear for the exam on the 23rd of June. Meanwhile, the Opposition demanded an SC-monitored investigation into the NEET UG case.The Indian Express has learnt the Army is conducting an internal survey on the Agnipath scheme to assess its impact on its recruitment process so far. Based on the findings, it is likely to draw up recommendations for the incoming government on possible changes to the scheme. One of the changes being discussed is a hike of retention percentage from the current 25 per cent to 60-70 per cent for regular troops and nearly 75 per cent for technical and specialist soldiers, including Special Forces.At least five workers were killed and five others injured in an explosion at an explosives manufacturing factory in Nagpur today. ANI news agency quoted the Police Commissioner saying, quote, “About four-five people died in this incident, including 4 women. Our investigation is ongoing. Our team, crime branch and senior officers are present on the spot, and action is being taken.” Unquote. The incident took place at Chamundi Explosive Pvt Ltd at Dhamna when the workers were packing explosives.Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya assured full support to the Indians affected in the fire at an apartment housing foreign workers and vowed to promptly investigate the tragedy that killed 49 people, including about 40 Indians. He gave this assurance after meeting Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who landed in the country this morning. About 24 people from Kerela and 5 from Tamil Nadu are among the 40 Indian casualties.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This podcast discusses the arrest of popular Kannada actor Darshan in a murder case, Odisha's new Chief Minister chosen by BJP, and a tragic fire in Kuwait where 49 Indian nationals died. The topics cover the actor's controversies, political implications, and challenges in Odisha, along with the tragic incident in Kuwait.

Today's headlines cover a militant encounter in Indian Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi's remarks on PM Modi, Kannada actor's arrest for murder, fatal fire in Kuwait, and India-China relations. The podcast emphasizes the importance of maintaining stable relations between the two countries.

First, Indian Express' Vikas Pathak joins us to talk about the new cabinet that has been formed under the Modi government 3.0. With some changes and some similarities, the new cabinet is signaling towards continuity. Next, Indian Express’ Rural Affairs Editor Harish Damodaran speaks to us about the appointment of Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the Union Agriculture minister and what makes this appointment particularly important. (12:34)And in the end, we talk about US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's possible visit to India to discuss projects and initiatives that India and the US are taking up together. (22:14)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 11th of June and here are today's headlines.The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and National Testing Agency (NTA) on a plea seeking cancelling of NEET-UG 2024 exams over allegations of leak of question papers. The bench said the “sanctity has been affected” and that they need answers. However, the court refused to stay the counselling process for admission of those who have cleared the exam. Two days after the NEET-UG 2024 results were declared, The Indian Express reported that out of the 67 top scorers, 44 got a basic Physics question wrong but were awarded “grace marks” because of an error in an older version of the NCERT Class 12 textbook. More than 13,000 NEET-UG 2004 candidates challenged it, citing information in the textbook indicating a different answer, even though the provisional answer key released by the NTA selected the correct answer from the choices given.Two days after the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers, S Jaishankar assumed charge as the Minister of External Affairs once again. Expressing confidence in Modi 3.0’s foreign policy, Jaishankar highlighted key priorities such as addressing challenges posed by China’s tactics along the frontier and safeguarding India’s interests amidst developments in West Asia and the conflict in Ukraine.The national capital today witnessed massive power cuts, following a fire at UP’s power grid, Delhi minister Atishi said. She wrote on X, quote, “This is due to a fire at a sub-station of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) in Mandola, UP,” Unquote. However, she said that the process of restoration had begun and power had returned in some areas. While highlighting that Delhi has a very limited production of power, the AAP minister said that she would speak to the Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the Chairman of PGCIL to ensure that such a major failure is not repeated.In his first public remarks on the outcome of the elections in which the BJP fell short of a majority in Lok Sabha, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that a true sevak (one who serves the people) does not have “ahankar” (arrogance) and works without causing any hurt to others. Referring to the bitter poll campaign, he said “decorum was not maintained”.Malawi’s vice president and nine others were killed in a plane crash, the country’s president said today. The wreckage of the military plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima was located in a mountainous area in the north of the country in a search that lasted more than a day. There were no survivors of the crash, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said in a live address on state television. Hundreds of soldiers, police officers and forest rangers searched a missing military plane carrying Malawi's vice president, a former first lady and eight others.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express’ Deeksha Teri discusses the controversy surrounding the NEET UG results, where an unprecedented 67 candidates scored a perfect 720 out of 720 marks.Next, Indian Express’ Sukrita Baruah talks about the fresh tensions arising in Manipur and the recent attack on a police convoy escorting Chief Minister Biren Singh (10:22).And in the end, we provide an update on a large mob that rampaged through the Baloda Bazar district collector’s office in Chhattisgarh, torching part of the government building and several vehicles within its perimeter (19:18).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 10th of June and here are today's headlines.A day after Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister along with his new Cabinet and Council of Ministers, he signed his first file authorising the release of around Rs 20,000 crore to about 9.3 crore farmers. Approving the 17th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, he said, quote, “Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.” Unquote. Meanwhile, all eyes are now on who gets what in NDA 3.0. The new portfolios are likely to be announced today prior to the new Cabinet’s first meeting this evening.Former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna Monday has been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody in first of the three sexual assault cases lodged against him. He has been remanded to the Bengaluru Central Prison till June 24. The special investigation team (SIT) probing these cases may seek custody in a second case of sexual assault for custodial investigations at a later stage. Prajwal has sought anticipatory bail in the two other cases and the matter is being heard by a special court.Sikkim Krantikari Morcha convenor Prem Singh Tamang took oath as the chief minister of the Himalayan state for the second consecutive term today. Tamang and his Council of Ministers were administered the oath of office at the Paljor stadium in Gangtok. The ruling SKM secured a resounding victory in the state, by capturing 31 out of 32 seats in the assembly elections. In contrast, the Sikkim Democratic Front only managed to secure a victory in the Shyari constituency.Indicating that the battle for the control of the Nationalist Congress Party would continue, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said today her party will continue to pursue the case in the Supreme Court strongly. On the occasion of the 25th foundation day of NCP, she said the voters have stood strongly behind the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the party was very grateful to them.Pakistan's coalition government is expected to lay out ambitious fiscal targets in the 2024/2025 (July-June) budget on Wednesday that will help strengthen its case for a new bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund, officials and analysts said. Pakistan is in talks with the IMF for a loan estimated to be anything between $6 billion to $8 billion to avert a default for an economy that is growing at the slowest pace in the region.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.