The Catch Up: 16 January

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 16th of January and here are the headlines.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully docked its SpaDeX satellites on Thursday, after bringing them within 3 meters of each other. Following the docking, ISRO confirmed the satellites were functioning as a single unit. The space agency mentioned that undocking and power transfer checks would follow in the coming days. The docking process had previously been delayed twice, on January 7 and 9, due to technical issues. The satellites were launched on December 30.

Saif Ali Khan, after undergoing surgery for stab wounds sustained in a home attack, is now in stable condition, according to doctors at Lilavati Hospital. The attack occurred early Thursday when an intruder stabbed Khan multiple times, including a serious wound near his spine. Police believe the attacker may be linked to a domestic worker who allowed him entry. The intruder was briefly locked in a room but managed to escape. Theft is suspected as the motive.

Nearly 50,000 international students failed to show up at Canadian colleges and universities in March-April 2024, with Indian students making up a significant portion. Of the 20,000 “no-shows,” 5.4% were from India, representing a sizeable portion of the country’s study permit holders. This data, compiled under the International Student Compliance Regime, highlights the non-compliance of 6.9% of international students, prompting educational institutions to report on enrolment twice a year to ensure adherence to study permits.

Hindenburg Research, the US-based short seller whose allegations caused significant financial turmoil, including for India's Adani Group, has announced its closure. The decision to disband the firm came shortly after US Congressman Lance Gooden wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland, asking for clarification on the US Department of Justice's case against Adani. The letter highlighted concerns over the investigation's focus on a foreign company while Hindenburg's own role in global financial disruptions has been scrutinized.

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israeli negotiators is set to end the 15-month Gaza conflict, with the deal taking effect on January 19. The agreement, brokered by US President Joe Biden, includes swapping hostages for imprisoned Palestinians in Israel. Biden, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations, views this achievement as a significant foreign policy legacy. While he is credited with ending the bloodiest phase of the Israel-Gaza conflict, he shares this accomplishment with his successor, Donald Trump.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.