The Catch Up: 15 April

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 15th of April and here are this week’s headlines.

India’s retail inflation in March dropped to 3.34%, the lowest since August 2019, as food prices continued to ease, according to government data. This figure was below economists’ expectations of 3.60%, and down from February’s 3.61%. The sharp decline may provide room for the Reserve Bank of India to consider deeper interest rate cuts amid global concerns triggered by the U.S.-China trade war. Lower inflation could boost economic stability and consumer demand, especially at a time when global growth remains uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the chargesheet on April 9 to consider cognisance and scheduled further proceedings for April 25. Other individuals named include senior Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey. The case, which has long been politically contentious, involves allegations of financial irregularities linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, formerly owned by Congress-linked entities. The ED’s action intensifies legal scrutiny on the Gandhi family and Congress leadership.

The Supreme Court criticised the Allahabad High Court for its March 11 remarks suggesting a rape complainant “invited trouble” and was “responsible” for the incident. The apex court said judges must be cautious and sensitive in such cases. A bench led by Justices B R Gavai and A G Masih was hearing another matter when it addressed the High Court’s observations, also citing a March 17 order that downplayed acts like breast grabbing and pulling pyjama drawstrings as insufficient for rape charges. The SC’s response highlights concern over judicial insensitivity in sexual assault cases.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised Harvard University for defying the Trump administration after it froze $2.3 billion in federal funding. The White House demanded changes to admissions policies, including "merit-based" hiring, limited student activism, and a government-led audit of campus diversity. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these requirements, and Obama called the university's stance a model for other institutions. The funding freeze follows tensions over campus freedoms and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. Obama’s support emphasizes academic independence in the face of political pressure from government bodies.

In response to new U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, China has reportedly instructed its airlines to stop buying Boeing jets, escalating trade tensions. Bloomberg sources say the ban also applies to U.S. aircraft parts, likely increasing operational costs for existing Boeing fleets in China. The move adds further strain to Boeing, whose shares fell 3% in premarket trading. China is one of Boeing’s largest markets, where European rival Airbus already has a stronger presence. The development reflects worsening ties as the U.S.-China trade war spreads into high-stakes sectors like aviation.

This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.