🔍Explained: The America COMPETES Act, and how it could increase opportunities for Indians in the US

https://ift.tt/32ztvD7

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: New research hints at 4 factors that may increase chances of long Covid-19

https://ift.tt/3r198Ij

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Enrolment up, learning outcomes down: What ASER’s pandemic-period study in Chhattisgarh schools shows

https://ift.tt/3fXf2UD

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: The controversy around Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

https://ift.tt/3o2L5a9

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Race in admissions to US universities: How has top US court ruled in the past?

https://ift.tt/3rWLlZk

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

☕ *Your Expresso is ready*

📬 Get this delivered straight to your inbox: https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/

To read this briefing in a single page: https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-briefing-today-7743459/

Good morning,

🚨 *The Big Story*

In a climbdown from its earlier threat to impose a lifetime employment ban on job aspirants protesting against the alleged “inaccurate results”, the Ministry of Railways decided to put its recruitment drives on hold and reach out to the protesters. Sources said the decision was taken in view of the worsening law and order situation in Bihar and over fears that the discontent would spread in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

https://www.inexp.in/ro1dVS

In Bihar, protesters torched four empty coaches of a stationary train in Gaya and blocked rail traffic between Gaya and Jehanabad on Wednesday. Protests were also held in Patna, Bhagalpur and Sasaram. In UP, three policemen were suspended a day after a crackdown on a group of students who allegedly tried to stop a train in Prayagraj on Tuesday.

https://www.inexp.in/A0GsfR

⚡ *Only in the Express*

Amid the Russian troops’ build-up at Ukraine's borders, Delhi appears to be walking a tight rope as it is yet to issue an official statement on the matter. New Delhi doesn't want to jeopardise its equation with Moscow or upset the US and Europe, both important strategic partners. India is also conscious that the hostility between the West and Russia, with talks of sanctions being considered, is likely to push Moscow in the direction of Beijing, hence strengthening the Chinese.

https://www.inexp.in/QJn-Vk

📰 *From the Front Page*

With Jats forming a substantial share of the population in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats which go to polls on February 10, the BJP, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reached out to Jat leaders saying the Centre was always there for them even if they had “issues” with the state government. The BJP also reached out to Jayant Chaudhary, the chief of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the foremost Jat party in west UP that is fighting the elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP), hinting that the BJP’s doors were still open to him.

https://www.inexp.in/aGiXY+

The entry of women into the armed forces has been a slow process, one that has even required judicial intervention. But at the Republic Day parade on Rajpath Wednesday, women officers, still few in numbers, stole the show. While several women officers led marching contingents, one of the highlights of the parade was the presence of the first woman pilot of the newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft.

https://www.inexp.in/XLOeiF

The Union government will likely come out with a system to rank ministries on facilitating ease of doing business by marking them on parameters such as single-window clearance of projects, time taken to clear files per department and the use of Digital India tools, among others, sources said.

https://www.inexp.in/Q9POJp

👩‍💻 *Must Read*

Delhi University’s Hansraj College is now home to a cow protection and research centre called the Swami Dayanand Saraswati Gau-Samwardhan ewam Anusandhan Kendra. According to the principal, the centre will not just do “research on various aspects of the cow”. It will also provide “pure milk and ghee” for the students, and for the monthly “havan” (prayer ritual) conducted on the campus.

https://www.inexp.in/8Qul+q

And then there were two. The recent exit of Congress MLA RPN Singh, and four others before him, has left the party with only two remaining MLAs in Uttar Pradesh. The spate of exits is symptomatic of a larger problem within the Congress. For a party desperately trying to stay in the fight, these exits are probably a sign that many of these leaders realised that the Congress’s prospects in the state, at least in the near future, are bleak.

https://www.inexp.in/rZV4xp

From veteran politicians, businessmen, and scientists to artists and ordinary people engaged in public service — a total of 128 people were selected for the Padma awards this year.

While most accepted the award, some — including former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Chattacharjee — refused to accept. We explain how these awards are given and whether the recipient’s consent is sought.

https://www.inexp.in/2o2dI+

While 93-year-old kalaripayattu master Sankaranarayana Menon is now finding it increasingly difficult to demonstrate the martial art’s intricate steps (“adavu”) on a daily basis, the movements are no longer muscle memory, but memory itself. After all, he has been practicing these very movements since he was seven years old. This week, he was conferred the Padma Shri for his contributions to martial arts. “I will continue teaching students as long as I am alive. It’s my duty,” he said.

https://www.inexp.in/qqQZdQ

⌛ *And Finally...*

From stunning fly-pasts to a host of cultural performances, this year’s Republic Day parade was arguably one of the grandest of all time. But it was an elite dark-bay coloured horse named Virat that stole the show. Having served in the President’s Bodyguard for over a decade, Virat has attended 13 Republic Day Parades. This one, however, was his last. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paused briefly during the parade to bid farewell to the horse, who is set to retire soon.

https://www.inexp.in/SzZkW6

🤐 Delhi Confidential: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday chose J&K police for praise among all police forces of the country that received gallantry medals this year. He tweeted, “J&K Police has been the spearhead of India’s fight against terrorism.”

https://www.inexp.in/YDOYL5

🎧 In today’s episode of the ‘3 Things’ podcast, we take a look at what RPN Singh’s exit from Congress means for the party, India finally acknowledging that there is community transmission, and a Dalit groom becomes the first in his village to ride a horse during his wedding.

https://www.inexp.in/hXOT+F

Until tomorrow,

Leela Prasad G and Rahel Philipose

🔍Quixplained: With 53 mutations, how Omicron defied the rules of evolution

https://ift.tt/3AxJyhr

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: What is the controversy over Tipu Sultan in Mumbai?

https://ift.tt/3u9wcXD

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: Understanding the potential impact of Fed rate hike on US and other economies

https://ift.tt/3AzI3PL

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: What’s known about ‘stealth’ version of Omicron?

https://ift.tt/3rUruKn

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍As Tatas get back Air India, recalling how the government had snatched away their beloved child 70 years ago

https://ift.tt/3IGMiff

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍As Tatas get back Air India, recalling how the government had snatched away their beloved child 70 years ago

https://ift.tt/3IGMiff

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: What happens after the Tata Group gets control of Air India today?

https://ift.tt/3ABSClo

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: Why Apple is releasing a ‘Personal Safety User Guide’ to address growing AirTag stalking cases

https://ift.tt/3IG6iia

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained

🔍Explained: Why is there an FIR against Sundar Pichai in Mumbai?

https://ift.tt/3G5kyzf

Go beyond the headlines with #ExpressExplained