Daily Briefing: Part 4 of Cyprus Confidential; how Independents could influence Rajasthan elections; and more

1) In part 4 of our ‘Cyprus Confidential’ investigation, in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), we explore how in GMR’s global web, a Cyprus thread connected its offshore entities. 

🔎 We also take a look at four big Russian corporations supplying crude oil to India– Rosneft, Lukoil, Surgutneftegas and Gazprom– and how they too own offshore entities in tax haven Cyprus.

2) With anticipation building up for the ICC World Cup final match between India and Australia tomorrow, we take a look back at Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s role as an ‘aggressor’ during the tournament, and how that has influenced the team’s batting outcomes. 

3) Decision 2023: Back in the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections, one crucial factor had given Ashok Gehlot a clear edge over his rival Sachin Pilot in the race to become the Chief Minister: the support of at least 10 Independent MLAs.

We take a look at the Independent candidates in the poll fray this time, and how they could again tilt the balance of power in favour of specific leaders, depending on the scenario after the elections.

In our Opinion section today, Sudha Pai writes on the tribal factor in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh elections: “With tribals unhappy with the incumbent BJP, the Congress is hopeful of increasing its total of 31 reserved seats it won in 2018, which should help it win the election.”

4) Over the past week, Myanmar’s resistance forces have captured two towns close to the India-Myanmar border after fierce fighting with the military. The fall of the latter, Rikhawdar, has resulted in the influx of some 5,000 refugees into Mizoram.

We explain the reasons behind this recent flare-up in Myanmar, and what the situation means for India.

5) This weekend is all about revisiting old, beloved franchises on the big screen!

Tiger 3 review: “Salman Khan is looking his age, but the good thing is that he isn’t hiding it. And of course, the best part of the film is when Pathaan aka Shah Rukh Khan comes flying into the horizon with his hair still in that sexy man-bun.”

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes review: “Though the narrative, with 158-minute runtime, slackens at some points, especially after the competition is over, the film manages to awe the audience with powerful performances and grand visuals.”

Khichdi 2 review: “Why did this ultra-loud, blindingly colour-coordinated bunch who did nothing of any consequence in the first movie, bother to circle back for a sequel?”

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Until next time,

Arushi Bhaskar

Business As Usual by E P Unny