News for 'Center for Democracy'

Why Arcadia Mayor Is Pleading Guilty As Illegal China Agent

Why Arcadia Mayor Is Pleading Guilty As Illegal China Agent

Rediff.com12 May 2026

The mayor of Arcadia, California, Eileen Wang, has agreed to plead guilty for acting as an illegal agent of China, according to the US Department of Justice. Wang, along with her then-fiance, Yaoning 'Mike' Sun, were charged with promoting pro-China propaganda in the US at the behest of Chinese government officials.

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.

SC Orders States to Develop Protocol for Open Prisons

SC Orders States to Develop Protocol for Open Prisons

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union territories in India to develop a time-bound protocol for improving the functioning of open prisons, ensuring they serve as effective institutions for reformation and rehabilitation.

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet, meeting at the new PMO complex 'Seva Teerth', resolved to prioritize citizen empowerment and service in all its decisions, guided by the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'.

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court of India resumed hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, addressing the use of Aadhaar and concerns about voter deletions.

Bihar on edge: RJD warns of 'Nepal-like situation' if.....

Bihar on edge: RJD warns of 'Nepal-like situation' if.....

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

Bihar is preparing for the counting of votes in the recent assembly elections, with political leaders reviewing preparations and expressing confidence in their respective alliances' prospects. Security measures are in place to ensure a smooth and transparent counting process.

'Mahagathbandan Lost Steam After Vote Chori Campaign'

'Mahagathbandan Lost Steam After Vote Chori Campaign'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'The campaign by the Mahagathbandan has failed to capture the imagination of the electorate given the fatigue factor with the Nitish government.'

Bangladesh: What Next?

Bangladesh: What Next?

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

One year after Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule ended in Bangladesh, hopes for real democracy are fading.

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

'His love of money goes beyond all reasons,' says Trump watcher Arjun Appadurai.

Why Trump Turned on India, Embraced Pakistan

Why Trump Turned on India, Embraced Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Trump's new rules for how countries should treat him have led to the current breakdown in India-US relations, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'It flows through families, caste groups, and local WhatsApp communities where trust is personal.' 'Children are taught to defer to elders, so if a parent or uncle forwards something, you don't question it.'

Should 'custodian of Constitution' sit idle, asks SC in Prez plea

Should 'custodian of Constitution' sit idle, asks SC in Prez plea

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

Calling itself the "custodian of the Constitution", the Supreme Court on Thursday asked if it could "sit idle" if a constitutional functionary like governor failed to discharge duties, as it reserved its verdict on the presidential reference on grant of assent to bills.

The 25 Books Banned In Kashmir

The 25 Books Banned In Kashmir

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Bookstore owners were cautioned against keeping or distributing the books. Police personnel briefed the bookstore owners about the legal consequences of violating the ban.

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Trump has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image, notes Manish Dabhade.

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

At the end of the day, for many worldwide, the ongoing mutual attacks between Israel and Iran would seem a contest devoid of any moral high ground and only a bout between two ordinary adversaries, one that nevertheless risks spinning out of control into a larger conflagration, notes Shyam G Menon.

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

In his petition, Suri's lawyer said that he is being punished as his wife, who is a US citizen, is of Palestinian heritage and because the government suspects that he and his wife are against the US foreign policy towards Israel.

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, is facing deportation after US authorities accused him of "spreading Hamas propaganda" and having "close connections to a suspected terrorist." The Department of Homeland Security claims Suri has been actively promoting antisemitism on social media and is connected to a senior Hamas advisor. Suri's lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, argues that his client is being targeted due to his wife's Palestinian heritage and their opposition to US foreign policy towards Israel. The incident follows the self-deportation of another Indian student from Columbia University who was also accused of supporting Hamas.

Pahalgam Attack: Unfinished Battle Against Terrorism

Pahalgam Attack: Unfinished Battle Against Terrorism

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The Pahalgam massacre highlights the evolution of terrorism into a multi-domain challenge. India's response must similarly evolve -- from tactical retaliation to comprehensive strategic deterrence. To establish a credible and sustained deterrent, India must also carry out continuous kinetic operations, both overt and covert, suggest Sakshit Raina and Rahul Mishra. To establish a credible and sustained deterrent, India must also carry out continuous kinetic operations, both overt and covert, suggest Sakshit Raina & Rahul Mishra.

'Trump Will Unite America Provided...'

'Trump Will Unite America Provided...'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

'...he keeps his campaign promises, does what he said he will do which led to his huge victory.'

'US deserves a badass commander-in-chief right now'

'US deserves a badass commander-in-chief right now'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

Of the view that the comeback of president-elect Donald Trump is the American comeback, entrepreneur-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy on Wednesday said that the country deserves a "badass commander-in-chief" right now and that's exactly what it got.

'Putin Is A Liar'

'Putin Is A Liar'

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

'Putin dreams about his legacy. He wants to forcibly restore the Russian empire.' 'Unfortunately, after three years of large-scale war with massive human losses, Putin will not budge from his goal because human life is the cheapest resource in the Russian State.'

Modi invites G20 to witness 'festival of democracy' in 2024 polls

Modi invites G20 to witness 'festival of democracy' in 2024 polls

Rediff.com21 Jun 2023

Modi said India's next general elections will be held in 2024 and he invited G20 delegates to visit the country to witness the "festival of democracy" in the "mother of democracy".

'Trump is me me me, Kamala is...': Top Democratic leaders at DNC

'Trump is me me me, Kamala is...': Top Democratic leaders at DNC

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

"Trump failed our country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump is a chaos agent who is focused on himself, not the American people. Trump tried to destroy our democracy by lying about the election and inciting a violent mob to attack the Capitol," he said.

God spared my life for a reason: Trump in victory speech

God spared my life for a reason: Trump in victory speech

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Former US President Donald Trump addressed his supporters on Wednesday, thanking them for giving Republicans an unprecedented and powerful mandate, and said this moment will help the country "heal".

'Trump will pick up from where he left off with India'

'Trump will pick up from where he left off with India'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to President Trump and as National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, said she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran. Curtis, however, said both countries could never enter an alliance but develop a partnership that is "short of an alliance". She hoped them to achieve a cooperation that deters China, but also prepares both countries in case of a crisis or conflict, be it in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, or another flare-up on the India-China border.

Passing the torch to new generation: Biden in Oval Office address

Passing the torch to new generation: Biden in Oval Office address

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

Telling his fellow countrymen that America is at an inflection point, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he has decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

TRUMP ELECTED 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE USA

TRUMP ELECTED 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE USA

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

Former United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday is cruising towards winning the race for the White House in one of the greatest political comebacks in American history by almost defeating his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in an election that virtually divided the country into two camps.

America Stoops to Conquer

America Stoops to Conquer

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The Biden administration's failure in stopping two major wars and several minor ones was seen as a major disaster by many Americans and the world at large, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

In acceptance speech, Kamala warns Americans against re-electing Trump

In acceptance speech, Kamala warns Americans against re-electing Trump

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Kamala Harris used her forceful presidential acceptance speech to present herself as a leader who could unite the country to chart a 'new way forward' and warned Americans of 'extremely serious' consequences of putting her Republican rival Donald Trump back in the White House.

NASA will soon train Indian astronauts for joint ISS mission: Garcetti

NASA will soon train Indian astronauts for joint ISS mission: Garcetti

Rediff.com25 May 2024

National Aeronautics and Space Administration will soon provide advanced training to Indian astronauts, with the goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station, a top American diplomat said Friday.

Indo-US virtual co-ordination centre on democracy

Indo-US virtual co-ordination centre on democracy

Rediff.com23 Sep 2005

This was decided during PM Singh's July meeting with President Bush.

Belarus activist, Russian, Ukrainian groups get Nobel Peace prize

Belarus activist, Russian, Ukrainian groups get Nobel Peace prize

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Center for Civil Liberties, another awardee of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, was founded for the purpose of advancing human rights and democracy in Ukraine. It has taken a stand to strengthen Ukrainian civil society and pressure the authorities to make Ukraine a full-fledged democracy.

'BJP Doesn't Own The Country'

'BJP Doesn't Own The Country'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2024

'My mother feels it will be tough and emotional for her to enter an assembly which has essentially been reduced to a municipality now.' 'My opinion is that even if it is a municipality one cannot cede that space to the BJP.'

'We love you too': New York Crowd Tells Rahul

'We love you too': New York Crowd Tells Rahul

Rediff.com5 Jun 2023

'A democracy cannot mean the rule of just two people,' said one audience member, who recalled that he too had chanted 'Modi, Modi' when the PM had visited the USA. Many of those gathered admitted to having been Modi supporters. What had changed them was the growing concentration of power. Jyoti Punwani reports from New York.

Modi to address diaspora in Washington, DC, on June 23

Modi to address diaspora in Washington, DC, on June 23

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a gathering of Indian Americans from across the US in Washington on June 23 on the role of diaspora in India's growth story, an eminent community leader has said.

This American Actress To Perform At Modi's event

This American Actress To Perform At Modi's event

Rediff.com18 Jun 2023

African American singer and actress Mary Millben, known for her moving rendition of Om Jai Jagadish Hare and Jana Gana Mana, will perform at a diaspora event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra D Modi in Washington, DC on June 23.

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Wrapping up his four-day state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.

Modi's visit will set the course for strategic ties: White House

Modi's visit will set the course for strategic ties: White House

Rediff.com21 Jun 2023

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications (NSCCSC) John Kirby on Tuesday told a press conference in Washington, DC: "India will be a critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades."

If Kejriwal's Government Is Dismissed...

If Kejriwal's Government Is Dismissed...

Rediff.com9 Apr 2024

'Kejriwal could have easily deputed someone to step in as chief minister, but being the authoritative and self-centered personality that he is, he chose not to do it.' 'If the AAP loses Delhi, where it has a huge majority, the only one to blame would be Kejriwal,' asserts Ramesh Menon.