United States President Donald Trump and his tech bro ally Elon Musk have made fairly a hue and cry in regards to the $21 million funding supposedly meant for “voter turnout in India”. They claimed victoriously that that they had put an finish to it. The place did the $21 million come from? That’s a simple reply. The cash was earmarked for disbursal from the now-defunct United States Company for Worldwide Improvement (USAID).
Information of the matter: The place did the cash go? Properly, that’s the place issues get difficult. Opposite to Trump and Musk’s claims, an investigation by my colleague Jay Mazoomdar reveals that the $21 million grant was the truth is meant for Bangladesh. There was no USAID-funded challenge by the Consortium for Elections and Political Course of Strengthening (the organisation that acquired the cash) in India since 2008.
Rabble rouser: The US President’s declare has stirred the political lot in India. Trump’s unchecked remark—”guess they had been making an attempt to get anyone else elected”—didn’t assist both. The ruling BJP has constructed upon these remarks to accuse the Congress of utilizing “overseas interference” in elections. The Congress, in the meantime, has rubbished Trump’s claims, demanding a White Paper on the matter.
⚡ Solely in Specific
Whose peace? Trump has successfully upended the worldwide order, taking a pro-Russia flip and leaving Ukraine out of peace negotiations for a struggle in… Ukraine. Trump has dialled again the West’s isolation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and turned towards Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India, a spectator for now, must pull off a balancing act between the US and Europe whereas protecting its bilateral relations with Russia intact. India took its first step yesterday when Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart to debate the developments.
On this week’s Dis/Agree column, we debate India’s subsequent steps. Manav Sachdeva, the worldwide goodwill ambassador for Zelenskyy’s workplace, argues that India might help guarantee Ukraine a seat on the desk. Former secretary for the Ministry of Exterior Affairs, Anil Wadhwa, says that with the world changing into extra transactional than ever, the time was ripe to reset diplomatic ties.
📰 From the Entrance Web page
Get, set, go: Delhi’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, has set the ball rolling for the Centre’s flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat within the nationwide capital. This was amongst her first duties as CM apart from approving 14 pending audit stories.
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Second probabilities: The Central Board of Secondary Training (CBSE) is contemplating a two-exam system beginning subsequent yr. The transfer is aimed toward taking the strain off college students over one high-stakes annual examination.
📌 Should Learn
One thing’s fairly off with the afforestation challenge in Uttarakhand. An audit report has discovered that the funds meant for compensatory afforestation to make up for misplaced greenery had been spent on the acquisition of iPhones, laptops, fridges and coolers.
⌛And Lastly…
How far does your monetary standing matter in sports activities? Indian badminton nationwide coach Pullela Gopichand thinks {that a} sporting profession is probably not for everybody. He induced fairly a stir, suggesting that athletes ought to suppose twice earlier than taking over sports activities critically in the event that they belong to middle-class households. Learn all that he has to say on this unique interview with The Indian Specific.
Earlier than you go, don’t neglect to tune in to in the present day’s episode of the ‘3 Issues’ podcast, the place we talk about the row over the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, getting bail in Enforcement Directorate (ED) instances, and the brand new Delhi Chief Minister.
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That’s all for in the present day, people! Completely satisfied weekend-ing!
Sonal Gupta
