The Catch Up: 2 January

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain, wishing all our listeners a very happy new year!

It’s the 2nd of January and here are the headlines.

With the nationwide transportation strike entering its second day today, vehicles lined up outside petrol pumps as fuel supply was impacted in cities across the country. The three-day strike was launched by truck, bus and tanker drivers to protest against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the newly-launched Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for hit-and-run cases. Since Monday, protestors have blockaded roads and highways across states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and MP.

Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said that India is focusing on how to expand its relationships with nations across the world, and responded to the criticism over his recent Russian visit in Western media by asserting that every nation has its values and interests. He also weighed in on the difference between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s and then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s policies with regard to neighbouring China, stating that India should deal with China on the basis of realism as Patel had advocated.

Hours after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks and tsunami hit Japan’s western coast, officials said that at least 48 people have been killed as relief and rescue operations continued. Thousands of rescuers are still struggling to reach the worst-hit area in Ishikawa due to badly damaged and blocked roads. More than 90 tremors have been detected since the quake first hit on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which has warned more strong shocks could hit in the coming days.

Speaking of Japan, a Japan Airlines aircraft with passengers still on board was on fire on a runway at Tokyo’s Haneda airport today after a possible collision with a Coast Guard aircraft. Live footage on public broadcaster NHK showed flames coming out of the windows of the aircraft. NHK, citing Japan Airlines, stated that roughly 400 people on board have been evacuated.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram appeared before the Enforcement Directorate today for a fresh round of questioning in a money laundering case linked to issuance of visas to some Chinese nationals in 2011. He was questioned in this case on 23rd of December last year and the central agency recorded his statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

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