☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-9856786/ _*Good morning,*_ In a candid conversation with _The Indian Express_ ’ Liz Mathew, senior Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor reaffirmed his belief in liberalism and India’s pluralistic ethos. “I have always been a classic liberal. I oppose communalism and believe in social justice alongside economic growth,” he said. Moreover, he denied speculations that he would join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing ideological differences with the party. Tune in to our exclusive podcast, where Tharoor discusses his political future and intra-party differences in Congress, among various topics. https://www.inexp.in/JuexGF _With that, let’s move on to today’s edition:_ * Telangana tunnel collapse: 2 more km to go * US’ break from Europe * India’s ‘home’ advantage in the Champions Trophy 🚨 *Big Story* *Two kilometres to go:* A mix of water and slush at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse site in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district has presented challenges for the rescuers and the state government, all trying to find the eight men trapped inside. Among the devices deployed at the site are camera-mounted drones capable of flying in tight spaces, sonar, and portable camera robots. About 11 national and state agencies are now engaged in the operation, as the rescuers are two more kilometres away from the spot of the collapse. https://www.inexp.in/MPJ8SR *Challenging times:* In November 2023, a tunnel under construction on the Yamunotri National Highway, which connects Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, collapsed, trapping 41 workers. After approximately 400 hours, the men were finally rescued. However, water challenges and terrain differences made this situation more difficult. The Indian Express spoke with experts to understand how the rescue operations for the Telangana tunnel collapse differed from those for Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel rescue. https://www.inexp.in/glSKTN *Experts weigh in:* Ten engineering experts who looked into Telangana's SLBC tunnel's structural stability found that an “unexpected mudslide caused the roof to collapse”, leading to eight men being trapped. The tunnel, which carries water from the Krishna River to Nalgonda, was prone to mudslides. Here’s more on what experts have to say. https://www.inexp.in/uv36ER ⚡ *Only in Express* *A break from Europe?* For the first time ever, the United States voted with Russia and against its Western allies in the United Nations after the 15-member Security Council passed a resolution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The resolution called for “lasting peace” between the two nations but did not condemn Russia’s aggression. This policy reversal is in line with US President Donald Trump’s direct outreach to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin and his insults of Ukraine’s Zelenskyy. While Trump wants a “deal” with Russia to end the war, Ukraine wants firm security guarantees first. Here’s how the UN vote played out on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. https://www.inexp.in/Yjh+bJ *A sense of crisis:* President Trump has also proposed that Palestinians should be removed from the Gaza Strip, and the area should be turned into a “riviera” under American control. In both these cases, America seems willing and keen to move forward without the parties that are the worst affected – Palestinians and Ukrainians – being represented. What is driving the uncertainty and sense of crisis in global conversation today? Does the current moment represent a unique crisis in the Western-driven order? We explain. https://www.inexp.in/T7ks9J 📰 *From the Front Page* *India, EU bargain:* With just a day to go for the EU’s College of Commissioners’ first-ever visit to India, the European Union is seeking to drive a hard bargain to ensure India and the EU have a commercially meaningful Free Trade Agreement that covers tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and procurement commitments. During their visit, one of the key discussion items would be their expectations from India to develop stronger commitments, as the EU seeks lower tariffs on items of interest to Brussels, including whiskey, wine and cars, among others. https://www.inexp.in/M7o8p3 *CAG revelations:* According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that was tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday, the Delhi government incurred a loss of Rs 2,002 crore because of issues in formulating and implementing the excise policy in 2021-22. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who tabled the report, said the purpose of the previous AAP government’s policy was to “give benefit to its favourite businessmen” and that “personal interests were placed above the interests of the public”. https://www.inexp.in/gmxeMW 📌 *Must Read* *India-China ties:* Chinese ambassador to India Xu Feihong has advocated for “exchanges of resident journalists” and making “full use of the internet and social media” to present the real China and India comprehensively. Xu, moreover, expressed hope that the Indian side could further facilitate the visits of Chinese youths to India as part of Beijing’s wishlist after the troop disengagement was completed at two friction points in eastern Ladakh last year. https://www.inexp.in/WoEwlK In our _*Opinion*_ section today, C Raja Mohan delves deeper into European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India amid global political shifts triggered by Donald Trump’s return to the White House last month. He writes: "Despite their traditional emphasis on “strategic autonomy,” Brussels and Delhi have long relied on their partnerships with the US as the anchor of their global strategies. While neither can afford to disengage from the US, both India and Europe must now do more to strengthen their ties in response to Trump’s unpredictable policies." https://www.inexp.in/x3eXRB *Killing spree:* Venjaramoodu police station in one of Kerala’s rural districts witnessed an unpleasant evening when a 23-year-old alighted from an autorickshaw in front of its premises and headed straight to its front desk. It said, “I have come after killing five or six persons.” As the police teams rushed out to the scene of the crimes, spread across three villages, the next few hours unravelled five gruesome murders. While the motive remains elusive for the police, here’s what went down. https://www.inexp.in/Z5s0TB ⏳ *And Finally...* *‘Advantage’ to India:* The prefix ‘neutral venue’ of Dubai for India’s matches has invited chuckles as India feels more at home, while teams in Group B are sweating at the prospect of playing their semi-finals here on March 4. However, the criticism isn’t sudden. When the ICC adopted a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, there were noises about the unfair advantage India would gain by playing all their matches in Dubai. At the same time, other teams had to shuttle between at least two of the three venues in Pakistan. https://www.inexp.in/xVdr1M In today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, we talk about the government’s unprecedented Maoist encounters and deadline to end Naxalism in India, the seismic shift in the Indian Railways’ revenue structure since Covid hit, and life imprisonment to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. https://www.inexp.in/7Ybn8m _That’s all for today!_ _*Until next time,*_ _*Ariba*_