The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

As part of our year-ender series, today we look back at the key political developments that shaped 2025 and what they reveal about the moment we’re in. Joining us for this conversation is veteran journalist and contributing editor at The Indian Express, Neerja Chowdhury, who picks five political figures who defined the year and explains why their choices, actions, and influence mattered in Indian politics.

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

This week, we take a look at the biggest moments of 2025 and the watchpoints for 2026. We’ll be discussing the trends that shaped politics, international affairs, sports, technology, and health.

In this episode, we're joined by The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt to discuss the field of health and medicine, where the conversation over the past year has been shaped by a few recurring developments: weight-loss drugs, policy push toward the use of AI in healthcare and the state of air pollution.

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

This week we are talking about the biggest moments of 2025 and what all we can look forward to in 2026. We'll be discussing the trends that shaped politics, international affairs, sports, technology, and health.

We begin this series today with Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express’ Film Critic, who joins us to discuss the biggest hits and misses of 2025, the films and TV shows that had a lasting impact, while highlighting the major trends and developments in the realm of entertainment and pop culture.

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

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

An investigation by The Indian Express, in partnership with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), has revealed how cryptocurrency has increasingly become a channel for money laundering, creating a shadow economy that regulators around the world are struggling to keep up with.

In this episode, we speak with The Indian Express’s Ritu Sarin, Soumyarendra Barik, and Jay Mazoomdar, who led the India leg of Coin Laundry — a 10 month global investigation involving 113 reporters across 38 newsrooms, including The New York Times. They discuss how crypto exchanges have facilitated illicit transactions, the challenges this poses for law enforcement agencies, and why the Indian government has yet to pass legislation to regulate this industry.

Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Sohini Ghosh about how the government is asking online platforms to takedown specific content, and what that means for the freedom of speech online.

Next, The Indian Express' National Legal Editor Apurva Vishwanath talks about a key court order in the National Herald case that has stalled the ED prosecution against the Gandhis. (12:15)

In the end, we talk about a university professor’s suspension over an exam question and the larger debate it has sparked about academic freedom. (21:45)
 
Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Jay Mazoomdaar about the new definition of the Aravalli hills proposed by the Environment Secretary and approved by the Supreme Court. He shares how this new definition will impact the hills and the activities that are taking place there, like mining and construction. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the concept of data exclusivity, which if implemented in India, can impact the future of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. She explains what it is, why the Indian government is making efforts towards it and how it will impact the industry. (15:04)

Lastly, we speak about the Enforcement Directorate and its efforts towards speedy trials and completing open investigations after receiving criticism. (26:37)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda 
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda 
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar


This episode includes AI-generated content.

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the situation in Bangladesh. After the killing of a protest leader who played a key role in the movement that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is witnessing a fresh round of turmoil and an anti-India sentiment once again.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry, who shares about a recent conflict that has emerged in Andhra Pradesh regarding ten new government medical colleges and the development of their infrastructure through a Public Private Partnership. (11:08)

Lastly, we speak about a case where a Former Punjab Police inspector general, allegedly shot himself after reportedly losing crores of rupees in an online scam. (19:16)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda 
Produced by Niharika Nanda, Ichha and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha talks about Parliament’s consideration of a rewrite of India’s nuclear power rulebook, a move that could change who builds and maintains nuclear power plants in the country. 

Next, we speak to The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about a brutal assault in Bihar that began as a suspicion of theft, and ended in a man’s death. (12:35)

In the end, we take a look at data on political funding showing how corporate donations through electoral trusts surged this year. (18:15)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda, and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the recent govt data that underlines the wide gap between demand and availability in the country’s organ transplant system.

Next, The Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah discusses the protests that have brought academic activities to a complete halt in one of Assam’s central universities. (17:15)

And in the end, we also talk about the crisis looming over Tamil Nadu’s textile towns. (25:05)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Udit Misra about the newly introduced Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin Bill, 2025 which proposes to repeal and replace the MGNREGA Act 2005. He shares what changes can be expected if the bill is passed, how it will impact rural employment and more.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sophiya Mathew about the Delhi government's new regulation to curb pollution as a part of which non-BS VI private vehicles registered outside the capital will not be allowed to enter the city, considering that vehicular emissions are one of the biggest and most stubborn contributors to air pollution in the region. (19:58)

Lastly, we speak about the Indian film Homebound which has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. (30:18)

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