News for 'Agency for International Development'

Operation Snow Leopard still on: Army Commander amid LAC row

Operation Snow Leopard still on: Army Commander amid LAC row

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

Referring to the developments in Ladakh in the wake of Chinese aggression, he said disengagement with People's Liberation Army was completed from various areas in a peaceful manner and efforts are on through dialogue for disengagement from other areas.

'NADA will test cricketers whenever and wherever they want'

'NADA will test cricketers whenever and wherever they want'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2019

BCCI finally agreed to come under the ambit of NADA, in the process becoming a National Sports Federation despite being financially autonomous.

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

'Frankly, India has no role to play.' 'This is a showdown between the US and NATO on one hand and Russia on the other.' 'That said, the outcome of this titanic struggle in Central Europe will remould the world order and affect India profoundly,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

How IITs, NITs are grading students

How IITs, NITs are grading students

Rediff.com25 Jun 2020

To stay on course with their academic calendars, several steps for graduating batches and fresh incoming batches are being taken.

Modi-Biden talks: A call on Taliban to end terror

Modi-Biden talks: A call on Taliban to end terror

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

In a US-India Joint Leaders' Statement issued after the first in-person bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.

Lodha relaunches $350-mn overseas bond sale plan

Lodha relaunches $350-mn overseas bond sale plan

Rediff.com6 Mar 2015

Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan are bankers for the bonds

India's Russian revolution: Why refiners are buying more Russian crude

India's Russian revolution: Why refiners are buying more Russian crude

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

India may see a structural shift in supplies of crude oil with Russia emerging as a key source of fuels, a development that reduces New Delhi's dependence on West Asian oil, gives Indian refiners better bargaining power with price-setter Saudi Arabia, and improves overall energy security. The unexpected surge in supplies of Russian crude in the last few months, unthinkable until the war in Ukraine, may also deliver other unforeseen gains such as boosting exports of refined fuels to Europe, which historically has counted on Russian shipments. India has jumped on to the bandwagon of opportunistic buying of Russian crude but if calibrated carefully, Urals crude can be a long-term asset for India refiners.

Why finding COVID-19 vaccine won't be enough to end pandemic

Why finding COVID-19 vaccine won't be enough to end pandemic

Rediff.com13 May 2020

Medical experts have warned that the volume of vaccine available to fight the coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 in coming years is expected to fall far short of global demand, despite an unprecedented effort to manufacture billions of doses.

ICRA sacks Naresh Takkar as MD following probe

ICRA sacks Naresh Takkar as MD following probe

Rediff.com30 Aug 2019

Without disclosing reasons, ICRA informed the stock exchanges on Thursday, 'The board, after due consideration and taking into account the best interests of the company and its various stakeholders, has decided to terminate the employment of Takkar with immediate effect.'

Isinbayeva quits as Russian anti-doping chief

Isinbayeva quits as Russian anti-doping chief

Rediff.com31 May 2017

Isinbayeva was under pressure to quit as head of RUSADA's supervisory council after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) called for her removal, one of four steps it said were necessary for RUSADA to retrieve its right to oversee the testing of Russian athletes.

China endorses new Taliban govt; announces $31 million aid

China endorses new Taliban govt; announces $31 million aid

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

Taking part in the first meeting of Foreign Ministers of the neighbouring countries on Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will provide Afghanistan with 200 million yuan ($31 million) worth of grains, winter supplies, vaccines and medicines as per its requirements, official media in Beijing reported.

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Rediff.com10 Oct 2021

AQ Khan, a controversial scientist known as the father of Pakistan's clandestine nuclear programme, passed away here on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 85.

CBI arrests top Dawood aide Farooq Takla

CBI arrests top Dawood aide Farooq Takla

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

Takla fled from India after 1993 Mumbai blasts, following which a Red Corner Notice was issued against him in 1995.

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American woman administrator Nisha Desai Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, making her the first person from the community to hold the top diplomatic position.

India ranks fourth in clean energy investment

India ranks fourth in clean energy investment

Rediff.com30 Oct 2014

The country received $ 6bn in clean energy investment in 2013, out of a total of USD 62bn from 2006 to 2013.

Nabha jailbreak: Who is Harminder Singh 'Mintoo'?

Nabha jailbreak: Who is Harminder Singh 'Mintoo'?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2016

Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh 'Mintoo' who along with five others escaped from the high security jail in Nabha on Sunday, was arrested by Punjab Police after he was deported from Thailand in November 2014.

Tokyo gold winners to get Rs 75 lakh from IOA

Tokyo gold winners to get Rs 75 lakh from IOA

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

IOA also said that the member State Olympic Associations "will also receive a sum of Rs 15 lakh each, as a contribution from IOA towards developing sports infrastructure in the states and in encouraging more athletes to take up sports."

H-1B visas: Biden administration says lottery system to continue till Dec 31

H-1B visas: Biden administration says lottery system to continue till Dec 31

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

The Biden administration has announced that it is delaying the H-1B policy of the previous Trump administration on allocation of the popular foreign work visas by continuing with the lottery system until December 31, 2021, to give the immigration agency more time to develop, test and implement the modifications to the registration system. On January 7, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced to do away with the traditional lottery system in deciding the successful applicants for the H-1B visas. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Global Indian Diaspora seeks repeal of farm laws

Global Indian Diaspora seeks repeal of farm laws

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

India has called the remarks by foreign leaders and organisations on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted", asserting that the matter pertains to the internal affairs of a democratic country.

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

IPO-bound mobility platform Ola, said it has successfully raised $500 million via a Term Loan B (TLB) from marquee international institutional investors. This term loan has no impact on the valuation of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola. The Bengaluru-based firm recently raised $139 million. This is part of a $1 billion funding round for which the company is in talks with investors, increasing its valuation to about $7.5 billion, according to the sources.

L&T likely to win the contract to build Navi Mumbai airport

L&T likely to win the contract to build Navi Mumbai airport

Rediff.com10 Jun 2019

The airport, which will now be built to handle 20 million passengers, will likely start operations by mid-2020. However, rating agency CRISIL in its report in May-end had said operations are expected to start in 2023.

New India can achieve difficult targets: PM on 1bn jabs feat

New India can achieve difficult targets: PM on 1bn jabs feat

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

"It is a matter of pride for us that India's vaccination programme has been science-born, science-driven and science-based," Modi said.

'If the Taliban see my father, they could harm him'

'If the Taliban see my father, they could harm him'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2021

For Afghans in India, including medical tourists from the war-torn country as well as migrants and refugees staying here much longer, the safety of friends and families is the biggest concern - particularly for those linked to the now collapsed government or who have had work ties with the US.

Aryan Khan's bail plea to be heard on Oct 13

Aryan Khan's bail plea to be heard on Oct 13

Rediff.com11 Oct 2021

Aryan Khan was arrested on October 3. He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road prison in Mumbai.

How complex is the process of getting approval for a vaccine?

How complex is the process of getting approval for a vaccine?

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

Vaccine development is a long process to ensure safety and efficacy through different stages and involves regulatory supervision every step of the way. Ruchika Chitravanshi takes you through this carefully drawn journey of vaccine development.

President accepts Ashok Lavasa's resignation as EC

President accepts Ashok Lavasa's resignation as EC

Rediff.com19 Aug 2020

'...the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Ashok Lavasa, Election Commissioner with effect from the 31st August, 2020,' the notification said.

Afghanistan can't be terror haven: China warns Taliban

Afghanistan can't be terror haven: China warns Taliban

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The remarks by China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, came during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday after the sudden and rapid takeover of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban insurgents.

India's tryst with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck

India's tryst with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck

Rediff.com17 May 2022

India's jugalbandhi with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck, neither achieving adequate renewable generation nor ensuring sufficient coal-fired power in the quest to become a $5-trillion economy. Six months have elapsed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ambitious climate agenda for India at COP26 at Glasgow. The net zero emissions target by 2070 is a distant one, but there are nearer-term plans to meet 50 per cent of energy demand with renewables by 2030 by increasing capacity to 450 Gw. A cursory look at the balance sheet of India's climate progress since November reveals ponderous progress towards meeting the renewables target even as the country is scrambling to expand coal-fired generation in the face of a power crisis.

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.

'Nothing new about cyclones in May'

'Nothing new about cyclones in May'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

'It is the most prone month for the development of cyclones in the pre-monsoon period.'

Surging prices threaten to spoil India's coming-of-age gas party

Surging prices threaten to spoil India's coming-of-age gas party

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

Around 15 years ago, when Reliance Industries (RIL) struck natural gas in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin off the east coast, the government made plans to supply that fuel cheaply to scores of generators that sprang up in India triggered by the discovery. Most of the plants, which account for 6 per cent of India's total generation capacity, operate sparsely after the KG-D6 area first failed to meet production targets, and then finally shut shop. Affordable domestic gas was why those thermal plants came up and the rate of the fuel today is why those generators hardly operate. Record liquefied natural gas (LNG) rates may yet again unravel India's ambitions to expand use of gas in industries, households and vehicles. Rates, while volatile, may stay strong this decade as developed nations with higher purchasing power embrace gas as the transition fuel.

12 suggestions to solve India's COVID-19 economic woes

12 suggestions to solve India's COVID-19 economic woes

Rediff.com6 May 2020

'A total overall of the existing way of working by abolishing taxes and allowing citizens to help themselves without any government bottlenecks and impediments,' observes Rahul Mishra.

Global leaks: Why ED can't probe these 'culprits'

Global leaks: Why ED can't probe these 'culprits'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2019

This is because no prosecution complaint has been filed in any of these cases under the Black Money Act.

WhatsAppgate: Foreign lobbies involved, believes govt

WhatsAppgate: Foreign lobbies involved, believes govt

Rediff.com4 Nov 2019

Home ministry sources say there are fears that international lobbies might have been involved in spying, to create a narrative around Indian governance as well as the economy.

Illegal snooping not possible in India: IT minister in Lok Sabha

Illegal snooping not possible in India: IT minister in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

More than 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including of two serving ministers, over 40 journalists, three opposition leaders and one sitting judge besides scores of business persons and activists in India could have been targeted for hacking through an Israeli spyware sold only to government agencies, an international media consortium reported on Sunday.

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

Regional States will be worried that the US's nascent engagement with the Taliban behind the fig leaf of humanitarian aid enables the return of US intelligence personnel to Afghanistan, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Global vaccine supply hit due to Covid surge in India:

Global vaccine supply hit due to Covid surge in India:

Rediff.com28 May 2021

The 'terrible' surge of the coronavirus cases in India has severely impacted COVAX's vaccine supply in the second quarter of this year to the extent that there will be a shortfall of 190 million doses by the end of June, according to a joint statement by the WHO, UNICEF, GAVI and CEPI.

India eyes loans from China-led Asian Investment Bank

India eyes loans from China-led Asian Investment Bank

Rediff.com31 Mar 2016

India, the bank's second biggest shareholder after China, is looking to borrow from the AIIB.

COVID-19 effect on healthcare may kill 6,000 kids daily: UNICEF

COVID-19 effect on healthcare may kill 6,000 kids daily: UNICEF

Rediff.com14 May 2020

As the coronavirus outbreak enters its fifth month, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) requested $1.6 billion to support its humanitarian response for children impacted by the pandemic. The health crisis is 'quickly becoming a child rights crisis. And without urgent action, a further 6,000 under-fives could die each day', it said.

Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to speak at MIT and Harvard

Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to speak at MIT and Harvard

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

Indian mathematician and founder of Super 30, Anand Kumar, has been invited by the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University to speak on his globally acclaimed effort to mentor students from the underprivileged sections for admission to the prestigious IITs.