News for '-us-national'

Myths About Chinese Ship in Sri Lanka

Myths About Chinese Ship in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

The Yuan Wang 5 can easily monitor the Indian coast while operating in international waters. She does not have to enter a port in Sri Lanka to fulfill this mission, points out Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Salman Rushdie on ventilator, likely to lose an eye; suspect in custody

Salman Rushdie on ventilator, likely to lose an eye; suspect in custody

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

The New York Times reported that according to Rushdie's agent, Andrew Wylie, the Mumbai-born controversial author was on a ventilator and could not speak.

Salman Rushdie still in critical condition, but feisty and defiant: Son

Salman Rushdie still in critical condition, but feisty and defiant: Son

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

The family expressed gratitude to the audience members who bravely leapt to Rushdie's defence and administered first-aid after he was stabbed multiple times at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York.

Ask Tax Guru: 'ULIPs are tax-free if...'

Ask Tax Guru: 'ULIPs are tax-free if...'

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

Anil Rego, CEO, Right Horizons, answers your personal income tax queries.

China, Russia to be the focus of Quad deliberations

China, Russia to be the focus of Quad deliberations

Rediff.com23 May 2022

The leaders of the Quad comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan are set to demonstrate that the grouping is a 'force for global good' and has a unifying commitment to a rules-based international order amid China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour.

Modi's Diwali With Nowshera Brigade

Modi's Diwali With Nowshera Brigade

Rediff.com4 Nov 2021

Continuing his tradition of spending Diwali with soldiers who protect the Motherland, Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi on Thursday wished troops posted in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir a Happy, Healthy and Safe Diwali.

India joins 11 nations in another US-led China-centric group

India joins 11 nations in another US-led China-centric group

Rediff.com23 May 2022

India on Monday joined a US-led initiative to set up an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to bind partner countries to achieve common goals, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that New Delhi will work with the stakeholders to make it an "inclusive and flexible" structure to pave the way for development, peace and prosperity in the region.

PIX: Fajdek makes history with 5th World hammer title

PIX: Fajdek makes history with 5th World hammer title

Rediff.com17 Jul 2022

A summary of the finals on Day 2 at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Govt doubles gas price to record levels; CNG rates may go up

Govt doubles gas price to record levels; CNG rates may go up

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

The government on Thursday more than doubled the price of natural gas that is used to produce electricity, make fertilisers, turned into CNG and piped to household kitchens for cooking, on the back of a spike in global energy prices. The price of gas produced from old regulated fields, such as the nation's largest gas field of Bassein of ONGC, will rise to a record high of $6.10 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) from the current $2.90 per mmBtu, according to the oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC). The new price, which is likely to result in a hike in CNG and piped cooking gas rates, will be for six months beginning April 1.

Why are electric two-wheelers in India catching fire?

Why are electric two-wheelers in India catching fire?

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Nearly a decade ago, the first fully electric vehicle (EV) caught fire on the road in the US. It was a model from Tesla, the world's most admired EV maker. A metal fragment punctured the underbelly of the vehicle, penetrating its battery pack, leading to a fire. Indian lawmakers and automakers have had nine years to study the incident (in fact, three Tesla Model Ss caught fire in two months in 2013) but seem to have learnt little.

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Rediff.com3 Sep 2021

In the second-biggest city of Kandahar, a long line of green armoured vehicles was driven in single file on Wednesday, with the group's flags attached to it, Dawn reported cities agencies.

Kabul blasts may turn out to be a political windfall for the Taliban

Kabul blasts may turn out to be a political windfall for the Taliban

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

Afghanistan will remain a frontline state for Washington for a foreseeable future in terms of the potential threats to US national security from terrorist groups, asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who played a stellar role in beginning India's dealings in Afghanistan in 1994.

Has India Changed Its Tibet Policy?

Has India Changed Its Tibet Policy?

Rediff.com18 May 2022

One priority for Delhi (for the new foreign secretary in particular) is to have an in-depth discussion with Dharamsala as soon as possible, suggests Claude Arpi.

Ukraine War Has Reduced Russia To An Even Lesser Power

Ukraine War Has Reduced Russia To An Even Lesser Power

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

The fault line between the West and Russia has widened into a deep chasm and this is likely to endure in the foreseeable future. Far from forcing its way into the European tent, Russia may be reduced to the status of an even more sullen and weakened bystander on its periphery. The US appears to have won this hand with little cost to itself, observes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Maskless indoor interactions pose greatest Covid risk, finds study

Maskless indoor interactions pose greatest Covid risk, finds study

Rediff.com9 Jun 2021

The research, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine on Tuesday, describes how different sized respiratory droplets emitted while speaking have a range of sizes, and can carry different amounts of virus.

1971 War: US feared India will destroy Pakistan

1971 War: US feared India will destroy Pakistan

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

A day after Dhaka was liberated on December 16, 1971, then US President Richard Nixon was told by his strategic advisor Henry Kissinger that he had 'saved West Pakistan,' according to confidential papers since declassified by the US department of state.

R-Day eve address: Prez stresses on observance of Fundamental Duties

R-Day eve address: Prez stresses on observance of Fundamental Duties

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

In his address to the nation on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, President Kovind noted that democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity form the bedrock of India and stressed that the observance of Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Constitution creates the proper environment for the enjoyment of Fundamental Rights.

Armed forces show collective spirit of 130 crore Indians: Modi

Armed forces show collective spirit of 130 crore Indians: Modi

Rediff.com4 Nov 2021

"Our armed forces represent India's diversity and the collective spirit of 130 crore Indians. Our forces are not only known for their utmost professionalism but also they are at the forefront helping people in times of crisis. Our forces are synonymous with trust," Modi said.

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.com27 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.

Trump issues emergency declaration for for Biden inauguration

Trump issues emergency declaration for for Biden inauguration

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

The emergency in Washington DC will be effective from Monday till January 24.

Gas price hiked by 62%; CNG rates may go up

Gas price hiked by 62%; CNG rates may go up

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

The government on Thursday hiked by 62 per cent the price of natural gas that is used to produce electricity, make fertilisers and turned into CNG to use as fuel in automobiles and cooking gas for household kitchens. This is the first increase in rates since April 2019 and comes on back of firming benchmark international prices but does not reflect the spurt in spot or current price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) witnessed during the last couple of weeks. The oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) said the rates paid for gas produced from fields given to state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will be $2.90 per million British thermal unit for the six-month period beginning April 1.

China demands details of where US N-sub struck in SCS

China demands details of where US N-sub struck in SCS

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Expressing grave concern over a US nuclear-powered submarine sustaining damage in the disputed South China Sea, China on Friday demanded Washington to reveal the details and the location of the accident and blamed America's frequent air and naval sorties in the Indo-Pacific to assert the "freedom of navigation" as the "root cause" of the incident.

Dominic Thiem, a Grand Slam Champ with many firsts

Dominic Thiem, a Grand Slam Champ with many firsts

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

Grit, determination, nerves were all on show at the US Open final.

Full Text: President's address to nation on the eve of Republic Day

Full Text: President's address to nation on the eve of Republic Day

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of address to the nation by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of the Republic Day 2022.

Biden Checkmates China in Kabul

Biden Checkmates China in Kabul

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Beijing's growing assertiveness as kingmaker in Kabul has suffered a setback with Washington quietly moving in, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Vaccination only solution to Covid crisis in India: Fauci

Vaccination only solution to Covid crisis in India: Fauci

Rediff.com10 May 2021

Dr Fauci said that India needs to immediately build makeshift field hospitals like what China did a year ago.

Shirisha Bandla becomes 3rd Indian-American woman to fly into space

Shirisha Bandla becomes 3rd Indian-American woman to fly into space

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

Aeronautical engineer Sirisha Bandla on Sunday became the third Indian-American woman to fly into space when she joined British billionaire Richard Branson on Virgin Galactic's first fully-crewed successful suborbital test flight from the United States state of New Mexico.

Tambe, the oldest and first Indian player in CPL T20

Tambe, the oldest and first Indian player in CPL T20

Rediff.com26 Aug 2020

Pravin Tambe made his IPL debut at the age of 41 in 2013.

Founder of Tik-Tok's parent company steps down

Founder of Tik-Tok's parent company steps down

Rediff.com20 May 2021

Chinese tech unicorn ByteDance co-founder billionaire Zhang Yiming on Thursday announced that he will step down as CEO, in a surprise move that signalled a major leadership shake-up at the nine year-old technology firm which created popular global short-video app TikTok. Zhang, 38, who is one of China's wealthiest entrepreneurs, said he is ready to step down after nearly a decade of running the world's largest unicorn, becoming the latest among the country's technology founders to quit in their prime. Zhang will step down from his role as CEO of the Beijing-based ByteDance, giving up his day-to-day responsibilities to "be more impactful on longer-term initiatives," the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted the company announcement on Thursday.

LeBron James voices outrage over death of unarmed black man

LeBron James voices outrage over death of unarmed black man

Rediff.com27 May 2020

LeBron James was among a number of high-profile athletes who took to social media to speak out on the death of an unarmed black man seen in a video lying face down in the street while a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. Four Minneapolis police officers were fired on Tuesday over Monday's incident in which a handcuffed George Floyd can be heard repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleads, "Please, I can't breathe, please, man."

The cost of Tokyo's pandemic-delayed Olympics

The cost of Tokyo's pandemic-delayed Olympics

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

Organisers said last December that the entire cost of holding the Games would come to about $15.4 billion, including $2.8 billion in costs for the unprecedented postponement from 2020. Since then, the projected bill for postponement has risen to $3 billion.

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

Rediff.com30 Aug 2021

The Biden administration expects the Modi government to continue to remain as its loyal camp follower even as Washington continues to act in self-interests, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

US to deploy more supplies, support to Covid-hit India: Blinken

US to deploy more supplies, support to Covid-hit India: Blinken

Rediff.com25 Apr 2021

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (local time) said the US is working closely with its partners in the Indian government to deploy more supplies and additional support amid the record upsurge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

No 'exclusive cliques' should be formed: China on Quad

No 'exclusive cliques' should be formed: China on Quad

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

China said on Monday that no 'exclusive cliques' should be formed as it accused some countries of trying to 'drive a wedge' among regional nations citing the 'China threat' and asserted that they will 'end up nowhere'.

Biden advised to keep 2500 troops in Afghanistan

Biden advised to keep 2500 troops in Afghanistan

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Taliban failed to honour Doha accord, never renounced Al-Qaeda: US general Mark Milley

India opened up prematurely: Dr Fauci on COVID-19 crisis

India opened up prematurely: Dr Fauci on COVID-19 crisis

Rediff.com11 May 2021

Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Fauci said that India made the "incorrect assumption" that they were finished with COVID-19.

Talks won't make China change aggressive stance: US NSA

Talks won't make China change aggressive stance: US NSA

Rediff.com10 Oct 2020

"CCP's (Chinese Communist Party) territorial aggression is also apparent on its Indian border where China has attempted to seize control of the Line of Actual Control by force," US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said in a remark on China early this week in Utah.

Twitter says Olympics, IOC accounts hacked

Twitter says Olympics, IOC accounts hacked

Rediff.com16 Feb 2020

The accounts were hacked through a third-party platform, a spokesperson for the social media platform said in an emailed statement, without giving further details.

75 years on, the horror of Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombings

75 years on, the horror of Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombings

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

On August 6 and August 9 of 1945, warfare changed forever when the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, devastating the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and killing more than 100,000 people. The attack on the people of Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, and the second attack on the city of Nagasaki at 11:02 am on August 9 killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting men, women, and children in a horrible blast of fire and radiation, followed by deadly fallout. In years that followed, those who survived -- the hibakusha -- suffered from the trauma of the experience and from the long-term effects of their exposure to radiation from the weapons. Before the blast, they were thriving cities. In a flash, they became desolate wastelands. Seventy-five years later, take a glimpse at the destruction.

Athletes should be allowed to protest during Olympic Games: IOC chief

Athletes should be allowed to protest during Olympic Games: IOC chief

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

'Athletes are a part of the world and they want to reflect the world they live in. For me, that is perfectly acceptable.'