Government waived anti-corruption clauses in Rafale deal
The €7.87-billion Rafale deal between India and France involved major and unprecedented concessions from the Indian government, with critical provisions for anti-corruption penalties and making payments through an escrow account dropped days before the signing of the inter-governmental agreement (IGA). This has significant political implications for the Narendra Modi government which has claimed that eliminating corruption is a major plank of its agenda for governance and promised action against alleged corruption in defence deals struck during the United Progressive Alliance Government.
Govt. application to correct Rafale verdict awaits hearing
The Supreme Court is yet to hear an application filed by the government on December 15, 2018, for a correction in the Rafale judgment. The silence that shrouds the application belies the urgency with which the government returned to the apex court on December 15 — the very next day of the pronouncement of the judgment. The government has so far not made any oral mention before the court for an early hearing of its application.
A.P. CM Chandrababu Naidu to observe one-day fast in Delhi
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will observe a daylong hunger strike in the national capital on Monday over the Centre’s failure to deliver on special status to his State.
Saudis don’t know where Khashoggi’s body is: official
Riyadh does not know the location of dissident Jamal Khashoggi’s body, despite having detained the Saudi team that murdered him, a high-ranking foreign affairs official in the kingdom said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
WI vs England: Wood takes five wickets to put England on top in third Test
Mark Wood picked up his first five-wicket haul to bowl England into a commanding position on the second day of the third Test against West Indies on Sunday. Wood scooped 5-41 as the visitors bowled out West Indies for 154 for a 123-run first innings lead at Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
Budget shortfall worries Defence Services
The shortfall in Defence allocation in the interim Budget 2019-20, especially in its capital allocation, has left the Services worried as it threatens to derail the capability enhancement and modernisation underway. This comes at a time of fast-paced developments in the region, and China’s rapid advancements will only leave India further behind in terms of military capabilities.
Gully Boy opens to thundering response at Berlinale 2019
Zoya Akhtar’s much-awaited film Gully Boy , featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead, had a packed house premiere at the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival.
Congress accuses CAG of conflict of interest
Ahead of the possible tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on the Rafale deal in Parliament, the Congress has questioned how CAG Rajiv Mehrishi could conduct the audit when he himself had been part of the Rafale negotiations.
Senator Amy Klobuchar joins crowded presidential race
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was expected to enter the 2020 presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first moderate in an increasingly crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump.
CPI(M) for tactical tie-up with Congress in West Bengal
The CPI (M) Polit Bureau on Sunday, at the end of the two-day meeting to discuss electoral strategy, resolved to have a tactical understanding in select seats with the Congress in West Bengal, to consolidate anti-BJP and anti-Trinamool Congress votes.
