ThePrint

#cuttheclutter Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on Friday signed a peace deal, marking the end of decades-long fighting in eastern DRC that upended millions of lives. In Episode 1689 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta traces DRC's roots, from being a Belgian colony till 1960 to Mobutu's rule and the 2009 pact that led to the birth of Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group; he also explains how large reserves of tantalum and cobalt have brought the ‘resource curse' tag upon DRC and Rwanda. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

The bill criminalises speech that is factually incorrect and imposes unusually harsh penalties. Spreading fake news could get you the same prison time as that for kidnapping.  

Both parties object to the documentation process that people will have to go through to prove their eligibility to vote, and have termed it a 'devious, dangerous' idea.  

Member of Bikram Singh Majithia's legal team says Akali Dal leader ‘resigned as director of firm Saraya Industries, and his role was limited to that of a shareholder'.  

China has long criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, for drawing Indo-Pacific countries—Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand—into its orbit. From Beijing's perspective, this marks a troubling effort to export Western military influence to Asia and to contain China's rise. Among Chinese observers, the prospect of Japan aligning more closely with NATO has sparked particular concern. A commentary published on Baidu Baijiahao pointed to NATO's evolution from a regional defence bloc into what is now seen as an overstretched force projecting power far beyond the North Atlantic. Japan's increasing proximity to NATO and its willingness to speak on China's internal affairs are cast as foreign interference with potentially destabilising consequences. On the Chinese microblogging site, Weibo, a post framed Japan's engagement with NATO as part of an inflated narrative of China's threat.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/eye-on-china/japan-nato-not-indo-pacific-ties-china-us/2669010/

#cuttheclutter With a war raging in the European continent, the just concluded NATO Summit at The Hague witnessed an unprecedented agreement between member states to hike defence spending to 5% of GDP. In Episode 1689 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta traces the origins of NATO and the backstories of its constituents, most of which are former Soviet nations.

The brazenness with which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Iran is a direct function of nuclear confidence and the power it bestows. https://theprint.in/opinion/iran-nuclear-weapons-subrahmanyam-prediction/2670879/

#cuttheclutter Fifty years ago, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a nationwide Emergency that lasted almost 21 months. It had both intended and unintended consequences. In Episode 1688 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at how the Emergency altered the course of Indian politics, and how it has redefined public life since. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read National Interest articles: https://theprint.in/national-interest/crook-trp-hunter-idiot-clown-how-indian-journalist-fell-from-hero-to-zero-for-bollywood/762069/ https://theprint.in/sg-national-interest/national-interest-mere-paas-media-hai/544047/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read Opinion article:https://theprint.in/opinion/how-indira-gandhi-gifted-indian-democracy-a-new-generation-of-political-talent/74379/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Watch Cut The Clutter episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q6d6FFqcU4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StMGiEiioAs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To watch Amit shah's address on 50 Years of Emergency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4daLR6sxvE&t=7ss --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Indira Gandhi did not need to introduce new laws to give the Emergency teeth; such provisions already existed.  

India after Nigeria recorded highest number of zero-dose children in 2023. The lack of immunisation against deadly diseases puts children at risk of life-threatening diseases.  

#cuttheclutter The 21 months between October 2023 Hamas attack and the Iran-Israel war today tell the story of changing Middle East, shift in US-Israel power dynamics and role of 'peacemaker' Trump. In episode 1687, Shekhar Gupta analyses the key takeaways from this period. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Watch Cut The Clutter episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Mp9TWiIrTqQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nqmTrno_2U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj6EfaK4mMw --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To listen Audio Recording in Washington Post : https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/listen/2025/06/23/a386a6da-1174-498f-ba09-bedc86d9f038_video.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read The Wall Street Journal article: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-takes-control-of-irans-skiesa-feat-that-still-eludes-russia-in-ukraine-846ccb95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Iran's nuclear journey has been long and tortuous. It began under the Shah's regime in the 1950s to become a symbol of scientific progress and a source of nationalist pride.  

The poll this time was a high-decibel, high stakes quadrangular contest, between two panels backed by two Pawars, their traditional rival Taware and a panel of Independents.  

US lawmakers across the spectrum have opposed Trump's move to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, with some calling the military action an 'impeachable offence'.  

#cuttheclutter From 'I will stop all wars' to dragging US into the war with Iran, President Trump has gone through several flip-flops in first 5 months of his second term. In episode 1686 of #CutTheClutter, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta explains the Madman Theory and how Trump has used unpredictability in his foreign policy towards allies & adversaries alike.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read The Economist article: https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/06/23/hr-mcmaster-on-how-to-play-the-inconsistencies-in-trumps-worldview --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To check out article in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/trump-interview-iran-israel/683192/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read article in Foreign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/limits-madman-theory --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Tewari, who is gen secy of Congress's foreign affairs dept, says US violated Iranian sovereignty and there is no evidence to substantiate Tehran was close to acquiring nuclear bomb.

Both Russia and China are well-positioned to lead global efforts through multilateral institutions such as the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

What is the Strait of Hormuz that Iran is planning to block after US strikes?

For three decades de-hyphenation from Pakistan has been the centre-point of our grand strategy. BJP has now created an unexpected predicament for itself, and for India—when its domestic political interests are clashing with India's geopolitical priorities. BJP's politics should drop this re-hyphenation. Diminish, deter, de-hyphenate. That's the 3D solution to our Pakistan problem. Watch this week's #NationalInterest with ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta----more----Read this week's National Interest here: https://theprint.in/national-interest/india-is-re-hyphenating-itself-with-pakistan-all-over-again-it-needs-a-new-3d-strategy/2665101/

Rash Behari Bose planned the attack on Viceroy Charles Hardinge in 1912, was among the key organisers of the Ghadar Revolution, and founded the Indian Independence League. Watch this week's column by Author and Journalist Deep Halder.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/india-forgot-revolutionary-rash-behari-bose-abhishek-banerjee-brought-him-back-into-focus/2651789/

Far from keeping out of the Israel-Iran war, the US has waded deep into it by laying down conditions that are unacceptable not only to Iran but several other regional powers.  

The top court has often frowned upon senior advocates appearing before it amid the vacation, while the lawyers are divided on the matter of taking a break.  

DMK allies Congress, VCK, CPI (M) want more seats, say it would increase their presence & help alliance rather than weaken it. DMK says ‘our leader won't let anybody be unhappy'.----more----https://theprint.in/politics/eyeing-larger-share-of-pie-in-seat-sharing-talks-allies-keep-pressure-on-dmk-ahead-of-tn-polls/2663530/

CutTheClutter: Trump-Munir lunch, US's fatal attraction to Pakistani generals & curious case of ‘Pindi man' Naqvi

The reserve's iconic tigress, T-84, breathed her last Thursday at the age of 11, after battling bone cancer for months.  

Israel may crush Ayatollah's regime, but stopping Iran's nuke programme will need total overthrow

Modi govt needs to focus on building domestic capabilities and reducing internal polarisation. India's foreign policy should not be shaped by delusion and narcissism.  

https://theprint.in/education-2/chandigarh-tops-meghalaya-at-bottom-of-centres-school-education-performance-grading-index/2662706/

1 year or 200 trips: How annual toll pass will allow you to zip through national highways from 15 Aug   https://theprint.in/india/1-year-or-200-trips-how-annual-toll-pass-will-allow-you-to-zip-through-national-highways-from-15-aug/2662034/

CutTheClutter: Iraq,Libya to Afghanistan:What regime changes & US interventions say about Israel ‘end goal' in Iran

CutTheClutter: Iran, Pakistan & myth of Ummah: Why no Muslim country is coming to Tehran's aid amid Israeli strikes

CutTheClutter: The Op Sindoor 'tadka' for defence stocks & arms makers powering India's military-industrial complex

PM Modi must ask himself a simple question: what is the use of all my prestige and political capital if it ultimately does not get things done for the country?  

Madhya Pradesh, which has the largest tribal population in India, launched the digital literacy drive after spike in social media misinformation following Pahalgam attack & Op Sindoor.  

The last rites of 4 victims of the Air India crash were held Sunday at the Thaltej electric crematorium in the city, three days after the fatal incident.

'Question nobody's asking on Meghalaya murder: Why is inter-caste love a rebellion in India?'

In the wee hours of 13 June, as whispers of a second-generation nuclear agreement between Iran and the US were poised to emerge from the mediation by Oman, Israel acted with stunning finality. It did not wait for diplomacy to meander its hesitant path. Instead, it launched Operation Rising Lion, striking deep into the heart of Iran's military and nuclear command just 48 hours before the Americans were supposed to meet the Iranians.

Medical professionals are lining up for registration at DMC, which has been proposed for dissolution. Members allege procedural delays by Delhi govt.

In this episode of WorldView with Swasti, Dr Swasti Rao, Consulting Editor and Foreign Policy Expert, discusses Israel's bold new offensive, Operation Rising Lion, against Iran. Joining her are Professor Ehud Manor, renowned Israeli historian and expert on regional affairs, and Kabir Taneja, Deputy Director at the Observer Research Foundation. Together, they unpack the roots of the fresh conflict, the shadow war going public, and the global stakes—from oil markets to regional stability. How will the US respond under an unpredictable Trump? Can Iran's regime withstand this new pressure? And what does it mean for India's strategic interests, border security, and energy future? Tune in for an in-depth conversation on the real implications of a Middle East up in flames. #israel #iran #middleeast #netanyahu #trump

 For more than a hundred years, engineers fought to find ways to cut through the Pir Panjal mountains, to link Kashmir's agricultural markets with industrial powerhouses in India's plains. The easiest routes were through Lahore, but even before Independence, leaders had begun to dream of road and rail routes over Banihal to Jammu. 

#nationalinterest The dreaded H-word is back with us. H, as in hyphenation with Pakistan. Its return is dreaded because our successive governments have laboured for three decades to rid us of what we see as the equivalence the big powers (read the US) used to draw between us and Pakistan. If ally Washington sees the region through an India-Pakistan prism, it's unacceptable. Rather than endorse India's sphere of influence, this undermines it. Watch this week's #NationalInterest with @ShekharGupta --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read National Interest: https://theprint.in/national-interest/h-word-m-word-fading-k-word-india-pakistan-alphabet-soup-with-a-side-of-trump/2657357/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To watch CTC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ejbotKovEs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Ever since the first Hispanic and Black settlers arrived in the 18th century to settle in Los Angeles, the city has seen repeated rioting, with communities feeling themselves cornered using violence to assert their identity and rights. Like in other large cities, American culture has slowly evolved to accommodate growing demography. But Donald Trump's crusade against illegal immigrants has ignited incendiary questions of identity and belonging.