In Focus by The Hindu

Yet again, we are talking about a virus we would much rather forget – Covid-19 is in the news with over 4,300 cases and over deaths as of June 4. New sub-variants, descendent from the Omicron lineage first reported at the end of 2021, are believed to be driving the spike in cases. So far however, a majority of the cases have been mild, with very few requiring hospitalisation, according to the government. Is Covid-19 here to stay? Do we have any reason to be concerned about the new variants? Do we need vaccines or booster shots again? And, what as individuals, can we do to stay safe? Guest: V. Ramasubramanian, consultant infectious diseases specialist, Apollo Hospital, Chennai and medical director, Capstone Multispecialty Clinic, Chennai Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

At a time when Russia and Ukraine have been exchanging peace proposals, seemingly in a bid to start direct peace talks, Ukraine has carried out an unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials have claimed to have destroyed at least 40 Russian warplanes, including strategic bombers, and say they have imposed losses on Russia worth $7 billion dollars. This attack comes when Ukraine and Russia have just agreed on a prisoner swap deal. But there has been little progress on peace talks. On the military front, too, there have been no dramatic changes in the frontlines, and that trend seems likely to continue. What are the implications of Ukraine’s unprecedented drone strikes? How serious are the damages for Russia? Will Russia President Vladimir Putin be under pressure to retaliate harder or will he be more amenable to come to the negotiating table?   Guest: Stanly Johny, The Hindu’s International Affairs Editor. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu. Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

India is a union of states — a structure enshrined in the Constitution that gives States a central role in legislating critical areas like health, agriculture, and public order. But how well are India’s State Assemblies functioning? A new report by PRS Legislative Research that examines how 31 State Assemblies performed in 2024 has found that States passed over 500 Bills, yet most Assemblies met for just 20 days and spent around 100 hours in session. Many laws were cleared on the very day they were introduced, and States issued 100 ordinances in total. What does this say about legislative scrutiny, accountability, and the democratic process at the state level?  Guest: Niranjana S Menon, a Senior Analyst at PRS Legislative Research.  Host: Nivedita V. Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

It’s been a month since Canada’s federal elections. Canadians have voted in a Liberal government, although a minority one, for the fourth straight time. They have reposed their faith in Mark Carney, a former central banker who had no prior political experience and hadn’t held political office until the start of this year. Everyone seems to agree that the Trump factor played a big role in the electoral outcome. What are the challenges facing the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney? With the liberals and Conservatives together polling 85% of the votes, and the new Democrats decimated, is Canada moving toward a two-party system? And with the exit of Justin Trudeau, who was not exactly popular with the Indian political establishment, what are the chances of a reset in Indo-Canada ties? Guest: Sanjay Ruparelia, Jarislowsky Democracy Chair & Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Host: G Sampath Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, 2025. But this week, a group of 10 MLAs met the Governor and informed him that they would like to form a “popular government” with the support of a total of 44 MLAs. The Manipur Assembly has a strength of 60. At the same time, the state is again in turmoil over an incident in Gwaltabi village where security forces allegedly asked for the state’s name on a bus to be covered up. Angry protesters locked up central government offices, including the office of the Election Commission, and defaced government signboards as part of a state-wide agitation. What is behind the latest episode of civil unrest? What has been the impact of the President’s Rule so far? And what are the chances of a “popular” government being formed in the current scenario? Host: G Sampath Guest: Abhinay Lakshman from The Hindu’s Delhi Bureau. Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]