Sajjad Hussain And Lalit K Jha

Stories by Sajjad Hussain And Lalit K Jha

Gita Gopinath to take No 2 role at IMF as First Deputy Managing Director

Gita Gopinath to take No 2 role at IMF as First Deputy Managing Director

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2021

Gita Gopinath, the IMF's Indian-American chief economist has been promoted as its First Deputy Managing Director recognising her exceptional intellectual leadership in helping the global economy and the Fund to navigate the "twists and turns" of the "worst economic crisis of our lives". Gopinath would replace Geoffrey Okamoto who plans to leave the International Monetary Fund early next year, Kristalina Georgieva, IMF's managing director announced on Thursday. Gopinath, who was scheduled to return to her academic position at Harvard University in January 2022, has decided to stay, she said. Gopinath, 49, has served as the first female chief economist of the Washington-based global lender for three years.

Harvard University adds caste as protected category for student workers

Harvard University adds caste as protected category for student workers

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2021

The historic addition marks Harvard as the first Ivy League school to have caste equity protection in its non-discrimination clause for unionised student workers.

Blinken calls for speedy trial of perpetrators 26/11 attacks

Blinken calls for speedy trial of perpetrators 26/11 attacks

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2021

'Thirteen years have passed since the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai. On today's anniversary, we remember the victims, including six Americans, and the resiliency of Mumbaikars. It is long overdue for the perpetrators to face justice,' Blinken said in a tweet on Friday.

Pak formally informs India of allowing wheat to Afghanistan

Pak formally informs India of allowing wheat to Afghanistan

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2021

Pakistan on Wednesday said it has formally informed India about its decision to allow the transportation of an Indian humanitarian shipment of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and life saving drugs to neighbouring Afghanistan through its territory on an 'exceptional basis for humanitarian purposes.'

Suspense remains over CAATSA waiver to India on S400 purchase

Suspense remains over CAATSA waiver to India on S400 purchase

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2021

The United States has not made a determination yet on any potential Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) waiver to India with regard to its purchase of S-400 missile defence system from Russia, the Biden Administration said Tuesday.

Pakistan to allow India to send wheat to Afghanistan: Imran

Pakistan to allow India to send wheat to Afghanistan: Imran

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2021

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Monday that his government will allow India to send a humanitarian shipment of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to neighbouring Afghanistan through its territory after finalisation of the transit modalities.

Containers seized at Mundra used for shipping fuel for nuclear plant: Pak

Containers seized at Mundra used for shipping fuel for nuclear plant: Pak

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2021

The Pakistan Foreign Office issued a statement in response to questions from the press about reports in the media on the 'seizure of possible radioactive material' by Indian authorities at Mundra Port on a cargo ship from Karachi Port to Shanghai in China.

Pak enacts law to allow Kulbhushan challenge his conviction

Pak enacts law to allow Kulbhushan challenge his conviction

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2021

The law allowed Jadhav to challenge his conviction in the high court through a review process which was a requirement of the ICJ verdict.

Don't want any conflict with any country, including India: Taliban

Don't want any conflict with any country, including India: Taliban

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2021

'Women have 100 per cent inclusion in the health sector. They are also teaching in the education sector. They are working in each and every one of those sectors where they are required'

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

Rediff.com   12 Nov 2021

In yet another immigration-friendly move that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women, the Biden administration has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, most of whom are Indian IT professionals.

Afghan foreign minister Muttaqi arrives in Pakistan to reset ties

Afghan foreign minister Muttaqi arrives in Pakistan to reset ties

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2021

Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Wednesday arrived in Islamabad, his first visit to the country, as part of efforts by the two sides to reset their ties in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.

Pak SC grills Imran in 2014 Army School massacre case

Pak SC grills Imran in 2014 Army School massacre case

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2021

The apex court gave a month-long deadline to the government to determine the responsibility for security failure in the horrific attack in which 147 people, 132 of them children, were killed when Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants stormed the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar.

Pak authorities restore land for first Hindu temple in Islamabad

Pak authorities restore land for first Hindu temple in Islamabad

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2021

According to the report, four kanals (0.5 acres) of land at H-9/2 in Islamabad was allotted to the community in 2016 for the construction of the first ever Hindu temple, cremation and community centre.

Pentagon reveals China's border tactics with India

Pentagon reveals China's border tactics with India

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2021

China has been taking "incremental and tactical actions" to press its claims at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and has unsuccessfully sought to prevent New Delhi from deepening its relationship with the US during and subsequent to the standoff, the Pentagon has said in a major report on China's military modernisation.

Bill in US Cong to declare Diwali a national holiday

Bill in US Cong to declare Diwali a national holiday

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2021

Led by Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney from New York, lawmakers on Wednesday announced that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to declare Diwali, festival of lights, a federal holiday.

Modi's plane flies over Pak airspace en route to Italy

Modi's plane flies over Pak airspace en route to Italy

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2021

Prime Minister Modi's plane Boeing 777, 300ER, K7066 entered the Pakistani airspace from Bahawalpur, passed through Turbat and Panjgur and via Iran and Turkey reached Italy, The Express Tribune reported.

Cash-strapped Pak thanks Saudi Prince for US$ 4.2 billion aid

Cash-strapped Pak thanks Saudi Prince for US$ 4.2 billion aid

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2021

Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide US$ 4.2 billion worth of assistance to cash-strapped Pakistan to support its economy, it emerged on Wednesday after Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh this week.

India Caucus chiefs ask Biden to not penalise India for buying S-400

India Caucus chiefs ask Biden to not penalise India for buying S-400

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2021

Two powerful US Senators have urged President Joe Biden not to impose provisions of the punitive Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act against India for buying the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia.

Indian army can't operate effectively sans Russian arms, says US report

Indian army can't operate effectively sans Russian arms, says US report

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2021

There has been a considerable drop in India's dependence on arms and equipment from Russia but the Indian military cannot operate effectively without Russian-supplied equipment and will continue to rely on its weapons systems in the near and middle terms, a Congressional Research Service report has said.

US lifts Covid curbs on fully-vaccinated travellers from Nov 8

US lifts Covid curbs on fully-vaccinated travellers from Nov 8

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2021

The US will lift all restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers, including from India, from November 8 but they will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight to the country, the White House has announced.