*☕ 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/top-news-today-briefing-9847904/ Good morning, in today's edition: * Where did $21 million go? * Trump's Russia manoeuvre * Is sports for everybody? *🚨 Big Story* United States President Donald Trump and his tech bro ally Elon Musk have made quite a hue and cry about the $21 million funding supposedly meant for “voter turnout in India”. They claimed victoriously that they had put an end to it. Where did the $21 million come from? That’s an easy answer. The money was earmarked for disbursal from the now-defunct United States Agency for International Development (USAID). *Facts of the matter:* Where did the money go? Well, that’s where things get complicated. Contrary to Trump and Musk’s claims, an investigation by my colleague Jay Mazoomdar shows that the $21 million grant was in fact meant for Bangladesh. There has been no USAID-funded project by the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (the organisation that received the money) in India since 2008. https://www.inexp.in/lajLqt *Rabble rouser:* The US President's claim has stirred the political lot in India. Trump's unchecked comment—"guess they were trying to get somebody else elected”—did not help either. The ruling BJP has built upon these remarks to accuse the Congress of using "foreign interference" in elections. The Congress, meanwhile, has rubbished Trump's claims, demanding a White Paper on the matter. https://www.inexp.in/PZrFKX *⚡ Only in Express* *Whose peace?* Trump has effectively upended the global order, taking a pro-Russia turn and leaving Ukraine out of peace negotiations for a war in… Ukraine. Trump has dialled back the West’s isolation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and turned against Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India, a spectator for now, would have to pull off a balancing act between the US and Europe while keeping its bilateral relations with Russia intact. India took its first step yesterday when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart to discuss the developments. https://www.inexp.in/ny3aB6 In this week’s *Dis/Agree* column, we debate India’s next steps. _Manav Sachdeva_ , the global goodwill ambassador for Zelenskyy’s office, argues that India can help ensure Ukraine a seat at the table. https://www.inexp.in/087oD0 Former secretary for the Ministry of External Affairs, _Anil Wadhwa_ , says that with the world becoming more transactional than ever, the time was ripe to reset diplomatic ties. https://www.inexp.in/VSJ2+8 *📰 From the Front 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 in the national capital. This was among her first tasks as CM besides approving 14 pending audit reports. https://www.inexp.in/CgjR-U *Second chances:* The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering a two-exam system starting next year. The move is aimed at taking the pressure off students over one high-stakes annual examination. https://www.inexp.in/JSZYP0 *📌 Must Read* Something’s quite off with the afforestation project in Uttarakhand. An audit report has found that the funds meant for compensatory afforestation to make up for lost greenery were spent on the purchase of iPhones, laptops, fridges and coolers. https://www.inexp.in/EsYpAR *⌛And Finally...* How far does your financial status matter in sports? Indian badminton national coach Pullela Gopichand thinks that a sporting career may not be for everyone. He caused quite a stir, suggesting that athletes should think twice before taking up sports seriously if they belong to middle-class families. Read all that he has to say in this exclusive interview with The Indian Express. https://www.inexp.in/zUjGK+ Before you go, don’t forget to tune in to today’s episode of the *‘3 Things’* podcast, where we discuss the row over the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, getting bail in Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases, and the new Delhi Chief Minister. https://www.inexp.in/KbzjpG That’s all for today, folks! Happy weekend-ing! _Sonal Gupta_