News for 'Agenda'

China tones down 'ready for war with US' rhetoric

China tones down 'ready for war with US' rhetoric

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

China has toned down its rhetoric on fighting a trade or any other type of war with the US, saying that no such wars should be fought because they cannot be won. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's remarks that his country doesn't seek a war with China, but will rebuild the military and prepare for war. However, on Tuesday, Lin had said that China is ready to fight till the end if the US wants a trade war or any other type of war. Hegseth said on Wednesday that the US is not actively seeking conflict with China, but is rebuilding its military and establishing deterrence.

'US Remains Invested In Quad'

'US Remains Invested In Quad'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

'Trump's aggressive stance towards China and preference for military posturing could shift the Quad's balance towards overt militarisation.'

Said what 1st dy CM said about 2nd dy CM: Kamra on Shinde row

Said what 1st dy CM said about 2nd dy CM: Kamra on Shinde row

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

In a lengthy statement on X late Monday night, a defiant Kamra said those busy leaking his number on social media or calling him incessantly should know that it all goes to his voicemail where they will be subjected to "the very song" that they hate.

US top court to hear Tahawwur Rana's new plea against extradition

US top court to hear Tahawwur Rana's new plea against extradition

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has renewed his application to the US Supreme Court seeking a stay of his extradition to India. The Supreme Court will hear the application next month. Rana, currently detained in Los Angeles, claims his extradition would violate US law and expose him to torture in India due to his health and Muslim background. The US government has denied these claims and authorized his surrender to India, citing the Extradition Treaty between the two countries. The Supreme Court's decision will determine if Rana will face justice in India or remain in the United States.

'No Speed Bumps In The Relationship'

'No Speed Bumps In The Relationship'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'For the Indian economy to maintain a growth rate of 7 to 8 per cent, it needs large foreign direct investment coming in, and that's mainly coming from the US.'

Crime Beat Review: Gripping Binge-Watch

Crime Beat Review: Gripping Binge-Watch

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Crime Beat is engrossing enough to binge-watch, endorses Deepa Gahlot.

Fadnavis steps in to douse fire, says Marathi language of Mumbai, Maha

Fadnavis steps in to douse fire, says Marathi language of Mumbai, Maha

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday asserted that Marathi is the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra and anyone who lives here should learn and speak it. Fadnavis was speaking in the state assembly after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said the government should clarify its stand on senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi's comments that a person coming to Mumbai may not necessarily learn Marathi.

'Not Easy For New Delhi To Overlook Delimitation'

'Not Easy For New Delhi To Overlook Delimitation'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'If delimitation is not handled well by the Centre, the southern states are certainly going to challenge it.'

How Scammers Steal Your Money: 5 Red Flags To Watch Out For

How Scammers Steal Your Money: 5 Red Flags To Watch Out For

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

Fraudsters read your mind, weave convincing stories, earn your trust and then vanish with people's savings. Ramalingam Kalirajan reveals five simple tricks that cons use to steal money from you.

Why Has FATF Summoned Indian Gaming Firms?

Why Has FATF Summoned Indian Gaming Firms?

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Dream11, Baazi Games, Zupee and WinZO among others are invited for the discussion with the anti-money laundering watchdog.

President's rule in Manipur 'undemocratic': COCOMI

President's rule in Manipur 'undemocratic': COCOMI

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has condemned the imposition of President's rule in Manipur, calling it "undemocratic" and "most unfortunate." The Meitei body alleges the President's rule is a ploy to push the state into further turmoil and that the central government is using it as a means to shift the blame onto the BJP's alleged incompetency rather than addressing the real issues at hand. COCOMI also criticized the BJP legislators for failing to choose a new leader and demanded an immediate and time-bound process to elect a new leader and restore a government at the earliest.

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'Spend, but create assets, spend but make sure that people benefit from it.' 'This has been a beautiful guiding principle. And I think as a finance minister I owe so much to the prime minister for keeping this path clear before us.'

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

From bhikshus of Ashokan 3rd century BC and medieval Sufis to Oxfam, Omidyar and Soros now, non-State actors have any real power only when they work in conjunction with a real State, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Trump Turns Up At Lit Fests All Over!

Trump Turns Up At Lit Fests All Over!

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The dramatic moves of Donald Trump, which have shaken up the global order, dominated the discussion. A sense of bewilderment prevailed, but there was also expectation that President Trump would settle down to a more traditional style of governance after a time of shock and awe, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, an attendee at literary festivals in Calicut, Jaipur, Kochi, Sharjah and Thiruvanathapuram.

Noel Tata To Debut At Tata Sons Board Meeting Today

Noel Tata To Debut At Tata Sons Board Meeting Today

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Indications are that the Tata Sons stand on listing of the company may come up for a discussion even if it's not part of the agenda

Will PM have courage to...: Cong ahead of Modi-Trump meet

Will PM have courage to...: Cong ahead of Modi-Trump meet

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Posing a series of questions to the prime minister, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also asked if Modi would convey to the US president that India would send its own aircraft -- like Venezuela and Colombia did -- to bring back Indian deportees in the future.

BJP Hands 'Tamil Pride' On A Platter To DMK

BJP Hands 'Tamil Pride' On A Platter To DMK

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

If the DMK is able to sustain the momentum until the assembly polls, the AIADMK especially and the PMK and possibly the infant TVK too would find it hard to sign up with the BJP, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

'3-Language Formula Is A Burden On All Students'

'3-Language Formula Is A Burden On All Students'

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

'Why should children, who are already burdened with so many subjects, be over-burdened with three languages?'

'India Can't Be Left Out of Global AI Policy'

'India Can't Be Left Out of Global AI Policy'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

The government wants the AI Summit to give it an early start in becoming part of any global body setting policies for the emerging technology.

IOA row gets murkier as Usha lambasts Chaubey

IOA row gets murkier as Usha lambasts Chaubey

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Livid PT Usha declares no confidence bid against her illegal

Trump to roll back some of Biden's orders

Trump to roll back some of Biden's orders

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

Donald Trump is expected to sign a series of executive orders upon taking office, including those related to immigration, border security, energy and governance. These orders are intended to implement Trump's policy priorities, including restricting immigration, increasing energy production, and streamlining government operations. The executive orders will include declaring emergency on the southern border, preparing military deployment on the borders, classifying cartels as "foreign terrorist organisations", reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, ending the "Catch and Release" policy, and declaring emergency related to energy. Trump is also expected to roll back some of the executive orders and actions of outgoing President Joe Biden, such as the Paris Climate agreement, lifting restrictions on fossil fuel production, and expanding domestic oil drilling.

Days after Trump's inauguration, Quad's strong message to China

Days after Trump's inauguration, Quad's strong message to China

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

In a move sending a strong signal to China, foreign ministers from Quad countries -- India, Australia, Japan and the United States -- in a joint statement on Tuesday strongly opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.

'Blaming India Is Pakistan's Go-To Excuse'

'Blaming India Is Pakistan's Go-To Excuse'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

'Neither are Baloch insurgents capable of breaking up Pakistan, nor has Pakistan learned any lessons from the 1971 debacle that led to the country's dismemberment.'

India hosts grand G20 Summit: What's on agenda

India hosts grand G20 Summit: What's on agenda

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

'Pinnacle or Circus?': Poor arrangements for swimmers at National Games

'Pinnacle or Circus?': Poor arrangements for swimmers at National Games

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Logistical issues at the National Games have left swimmers and officials grappling with inadequate arrangements, as their accommodations are located far away from the venue in Haldwani.

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The US move to align with Russia is prompted by fear of a Sino-Russian joint threat. Russia, fully aware of its military vulnerability vis a vis China may cautiously welcome the American move, assesses Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Congress Has Many Capable Leaders In Kerala'

'Congress Has Many Capable Leaders In Kerala'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

'Maybe this has created some minor issues which can happen in any party.'

Fadnavis-Shinde 'cold war' talks hot up in Maharashtra

Fadnavis-Shinde 'cold war' talks hot up in Maharashtra

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

From disagreement over guardian minister's post to taking separate review meetings to separate medical cells and 'war rooms' for monitoring projects, the unease between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde seems to be growing.

Indian team for Champions Trophy to be picked on...

Indian team for Champions Trophy to be picked on...

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

India play their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh on February 20.

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

'While suppression of information is acceptable for the government, the Opposition's efforts at pinning the government and its leaders is labeled anti-national,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Rajnath, US counterpart Hegseth agree on 10-year defence partnership plan

Rajnath, US counterpart Hegseth agree on 10-year defence partnership plan

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

India and the US have agreed to work together to draft a comprehensive framework on defence cooperation, aimed at structuring the bilateral collaboration for the 2025-2035 period. The framework will cover multiple domains in land, air, maritime and space, and will focus on intelligence, logistics, operational and industrial engagement. The agreement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned trip to Washington, where he is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss boosting India-US cooperation in the areas of trade, energy and defence.

'I Told Shreyas To Shut Outside Noise'

'I Told Shreyas To Shut Outside Noise'

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

'Shreyas Iyer likes a challenge, tough situations, playing against the top teams.'

India, Qatar to double trade in next 5 yrs; discuss Israel-Hamas issue

India, Qatar to double trade in next 5 yrs; discuss Israel-Hamas issue

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

India and Qatar on Tuesday agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership and double bilateral trade to USD 28 billion over the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani signed agreements and MoUs to strengthen economic cooperation, including a revised double taxation avoidance agreement. The strategic partnership will cover the "entire spectrum" of the bilateral relationship, including trade, energy security, and regional and international cooperation. Both leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen and broaden the energy partnership, including "exploring mutual investments." The Amir's visit provided an "excellent opportunity" for the top leadership of the two countries to discuss and "cement a strategic partnership for enhanced future cooperation."

Jobs will come only when...: Akhilesh on UPPSC exam row

Jobs will come only when...: Akhilesh on UPPSC exam row

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

"If the BJP had governed with the same intensity with which it is running the bulldozer of injustice, today its members wouldn't have to hide in their homes, fearing the anger of students," he said.

Why Modi's White House Visit Was A Success

Why Modi's White House Visit Was A Success

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Modi lived up to his declaration that his visit was purely meant to strengthen India's relationship with the US, but there may be situations in which our silence on some issues will haunt us in the future, cautions Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Was Saif attacked or just acting, asks Maha minister

Was Saif attacked or just acting, asks Maha minister

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

In a fresh statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader has raised questions on the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan suspecting if the attack on the actor was real or if Khan was just acting. Rane while addressing a public gathering in Maharashtra's Pune, raised questions on attack on Saif saying -- "I doubted whether he had been stabbed or he was acting."

Waqf panel releases draft report, rules out retrospective scrutiny

Waqf panel releases draft report, rules out retrospective scrutiny

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

Seeking to allay fears that existing Waqf properties will be subject to scrutiny after the amended Waqf law comes into force, a parliamentary panel on Tuesday recommended that no cases will be reopened against such properties on a retrospective basis, provided the asset is not in dispute or belongs to the government.

Protesters set afire Mujibur Rahman's home in Dhaka during Hasina's address

Protesters set afire Mujibur Rahman's home in Dhaka during Hasina's address

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

A large group of protesters vandalized and set fire to the residence of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka during a live online address by his daughter and deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The incident occurred as Hasina was delivering a speech organized by the Awami League's now disbanded student wing Chhatra League, calling upon the countrymen to resist the current regime.

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Trump knows by now that the western narrative of Biden's war is a load of bullshit peppered with falsehoods and outright lies, and that the war erupted only out of the diabolic western plot to poke the bear, which got provoked finally and hit out, explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Despite warning, JNU students screen BBC documentary on Modi

Despite warning, JNU students screen BBC documentary on Modi

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) defied an advisory from the university administration and screened a banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The screening, organized by the Left-backed All India Students' Federation (AISF), was initially planned to be displayed on a projector but was moved to a laptop after security personnel allegedly damaged the projector. The university had warned of disciplinary measures for violating the advisory, which stated that the documentary could "disrupt communal harmony" on campus. The AISF and the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) condemned the advisory, calling it an attack on students' fundamental rights and alleging that the administration was attempting to stifle dissent and curb freedom of expression.