News for 'Commonwealth Office'

Australian PM Tony Abbott lays flowers at Sydney siege site

Australian PM Tony Abbott lays flowers at Sydney siege site

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday led a shocked nation in mourning the death of 2 Australians who lost their lives at the cafe siege in Sydney that ended with the killing of lone Iranian-born ISIS sympathiser who took 17 people hostages, including 2 Indians.

Sports Shorts: 'WADA didn't put money above clean sport on Russia'

Sports Shorts: 'WADA didn't put money above clean sport on Russia'

Rediff.com24 Sep 2018

A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday

The Army will always be there to keep the country together

The Army will always be there to keep the country together

Rediff.com12 Jul 2016

'Whether Kashmir or anywhere else, whether in peace or in war, pay commissions or no pay commissions, hollowness and shortages notwithstanding, the Indian Army -- and Sekin Fif -- will always be there to keep India together.'

Brazil's unusual protests -- and larger lessons from it

Brazil's unusual protests -- and larger lessons from it

Rediff.com21 Jun 2013

An objective observer can indeed see the improvement in all the social parameters in Brazil, but for the citizen the state of infrastructure, public transport, education and health is dissatisfying. Some of that pent-up frustration has led to the current protest, says B S Prakash

L K Advani: 'Whoever forms the government doesn't hesitate in committing excesses, even some of our people'

L K Advani: 'Whoever forms the government doesn't hesitate in committing excesses, even some of our people'

Rediff.com24 Jun 2015

Five years ago, Bharatiya Janata Party veteran L K Advani spoke to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com on the Emergency. On the 40th anniversary of Indian democracy's darkest hour, we reproduce the interview.

Wall St pares losses as Apple rebounds

Wall St pares losses as Apple rebounds

Rediff.com24 Aug 2015

The Dow has never lost more than 800 points in a day.

Sports Shorts: Shubhankar makes cut in Abu Dhabi

Sports Shorts: Shubhankar makes cut in Abu Dhabi

Rediff.com19 Jan 2018

A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Friday

Meet the dictators Modi will shake hands with

Meet the dictators Modi will shake hands with

Rediff.com7 Jul 2015

Brutal and ruthless, with terrible human rights records, these autocrats will welcome Narendra Modi to their realm this coming week.

AAP MLAs should be prepared for 'snap polls': BJP

AAP MLAs should be prepared for 'snap polls': BJP

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

On the eve of Arvind Kejriwal's swearing-in as Delhi chief minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday asked its newly elected members of Legislative Assembly to be prepared for "snap polls" in near future, stating that tenability of the Aam Admi Party government with Congress support looks extremely suspect.

In first sentencing in 2010 CWG scam, 5 sent to jail

In first sentencing in 2010 CWG scam, 5 sent to jail

Rediff.com2 Sep 2015

The case relates to the CWG street lighting scam, which had caused a loss of Rs 1.4 crore to the exchequer.

Kerala, TN, Puducherry ready to vote as campaigning ends

Kerala, TN, Puducherry ready to vote as campaigning ends

Rediff.com14 May 2016

The last leg of poll campaign saw many national leaders canvassing for their parties.

Jaitley files civil, criminal cases against Kejriwal for defamation

Jaitley files civil, criminal cases against Kejriwal for defamation

Rediff.com21 Dec 2015

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday filed civil defamation suit in the Delhi high court against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, amid a raging row over irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association and allegations of corruption against him by the Delhi government.

'We expect some hiccups with Trump'

'We expect some hiccups with Trump'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

'There will be some issues of contention, especially on H1B visa and on trade policy.'

Australian PM Rudd calls for election on September 7

Australian PM Rudd calls for election on September 7

Rediff.com4 Aug 2013

Five weeks after he seized the Labor Party leadership, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Sunday set September 7 as the date for the country's next parliamentary elections amid growing unemployment and budget deficit.

Brexit keeps India Inc, markets on the edge

Brexit keeps India Inc, markets on the edge

Rediff.com22 Jun 2016

The referendum will have long-term implications for Indian companies, which earn a substantial portion of revenue from the region.

A diplomat ahead of his times

A diplomat ahead of his times

Rediff.com10 Mar 2014

'His negotiations with Idi Amin and his men for compensation for the Indians, who left Uganda, were particularly tough. Apparently, Amin warned him that the body of the British negotiator, who came earlier, was found in a roadside gutter... As Jagat Mehta's special assistant during the last two years of his tenure as foreign secretary, I saw for myself how his conviction, courage and patriotism enabled him to fight against heavy odds, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Saif signs up as OGQ brand ambassador, pledges Rs 20 lakh annually!

Saif signs up as OGQ brand ambassador, pledges Rs 20 lakh annually!

Rediff.com6 Oct 2014

Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan signed up as brand ambassador for Olympic Gold Quest on Monday and immediately pledged Rs 20 lakh a year to support the training of athletes for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Rediff.com25 Oct 2013

If Indian PM boycotts the CHOGM, it is likely to add to Sri Lanka's bitterness. This would not help India's desire to add more depth and content to its relations with Sri Lanka but its ability to influence Sri Lanka's decision making process on the both strategic issues and on Tamil minority issues, says Colonel (retd) R Hariharan.

The price we pay for swanky airports in India!

The price we pay for swanky airports in India!

Rediff.com27 Aug 2015

Private airports are much better but because of poor regulation, the tariffs have shot up.

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

'We have to find a way out of this confrontational politics.'

India's anti-corruption campaign makes quiet strides

India's anti-corruption campaign makes quiet strides

Rediff.com9 Jul 2015

The government has made it much harder for tycoons to get special dispensations from Delhi

The rise and fall of Chhagan Bhujbal

The rise and fall of Chhagan Bhujbal

Rediff.com15 Mar 2016

Chhagan Bhujbal, son of a vegetable vendor, rose through the political ranks by hard work, determination and political opportunism. Now past ghosts have come to haunt him.

A Colossus says Goodbye

A Colossus says Goodbye

Rediff.com10 Jul 2017

Naresh Chandra -- distinguished civil servant and diplomat -- passed into the ages on Sunday, July 9. Ambassador T P Sreenivasan salutes a patriot like none other.<

Indian law does not bar chargesheeted persons: IOA

Indian law does not bar chargesheeted persons: IOA

Rediff.com16 Aug 2013

Stung by International Olympic Committee's directive to bar charge-sheeted persons from contesting elections, the Indian Olympic Association on Friday wrote to its parent body, saying that it cannot implement the provisions as it has to follow the law of the land.

Time for reshaping India's neighbourhood policy

Time for reshaping India's neighbourhood policy

Rediff.com28 Mar 2014

Abstaining from voting on a UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka was dictated as much by necessity and self-preservation as by a desire to place bilateralism at the front and centre of New Delhi's ties with Colombo, says Ramesh Ramachandran.

Sports shorts: Mary Kom voted India's 'Most Valuable' at Asian Games

Sports shorts: Mary Kom voted India's 'Most Valuable' at Asian Games

Rediff.com13 Oct 2014

London Olympics bronze medallist M C Mary Kom was on Monday voted the 'Most Valuable Player' of India's campaign at the Incheon Asian Games, at a felicitation for the medal winners by the contingent sponsors, Samsung India.

'I am looking to win the world title'

'I am looking to win the world title'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2015

'I have boxed at the amateur level for 15, 16 years and won every medal possible at the world level. I represented India in three Olympics, for 12 years, and that is not an easy thing. I am hoping to replicate my success in pro boxing.'

Bofors was not the only controversy Quattrocchi courted

Bofors was not the only controversy Quattrocchi courted

Rediff.com15 Jul 2013

Quattrocchi lived in India for several years as the representative of an Italian firm, Snam Progetti, in the 1980s. He was close to the Gandhi family and in 1999 was named one of the accused in the case regarding the Rs 64-crore pay-off for the supply of 155 mm Howitzer guns made by Bofors, for which a controversial deal was signed in 1986 when Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister.

Modi@1: All that did not happen. The 'No's have it

Modi@1: All that did not happen. The 'No's have it

Rediff.com19 May 2015

'In the last one year, it looks like there were bad things that didn't take place, and there were good things that didn't take place,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.

So proud of our beautiful boy: Parents of Sydney cafe manager killed in siege

So proud of our beautiful boy: Parents of Sydney cafe manager killed in siege

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

Two hostages who have been killed in the 17-hour-long hostage drama at a cafeteria in Sydney were identified as the manager of the Lindt Chocolate cafe and a lawyer. The 38-year-old lawyer, Katrina Dawson, was a mother of three young children who became the victim of the siege. She was a barrister at Selbourne Chambers and was married to Paul Smith, a partner at Mallesons.

Vijender Singh: Punching above his weight?

Vijender Singh: Punching above his weight?

Rediff.com8 Jul 2015

Vijender Singh gives up amateur boxing to turn full-time professional, perhaps the words ring truer than ever.

Rights abuse charges haunt Rajapaksa; Cameron gives ultimatum

Rights abuse charges haunt Rajapaksa; Cameron gives ultimatum

Rediff.com16 Nov 2013

Human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated in the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam haunted Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the CHOGM summit with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday giving the island country an ultimatum to conduct a credible probe into the war crimes by March, failing which he would seek an international investigation.

How Swapna Barman became the toast of Asia

How Swapna Barman became the toast of Asia

Rediff.com26 Sep 2018

'To be good at the heptathlon takes at least seven years; to compete internationally and win medals takes 10 years.' 'Swapna became Asia's best heptathlete in just five years!' 'Nobody would have believed it. but she did it.'

I am more deserving than Sodhi for Khel Ratna: Poonia

I am more deserving than Sodhi for Khel Ratna: Poonia

Rediff.com14 Aug 2013

Disappointed at being ignored for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, top woman discus thrower Krishna Poonia on Wednesday went to see Sports Minister Jitendra Singh to express her displeasure over the issue but failed to meet him.

Do you know these 10 famous Scots?

Do you know these 10 famous Scots?

Rediff.com12 Sep 2014

Scotland will vote on whether it will be an independent country or will remain a part of the United Kingdom on September 18. With the vote coming up next week, a look at ten famous Scots.

What it takes to be a Dangal wrestler

What it takes to be a Dangal wrestler

Rediff.com21 Dec 2016

'Some of the good wrestlers are making really good money.' 'If you look at their lifestyles, they are no less compared to our cricketers.'

Will a bill bring food on your plate, asks Modi

Will a bill bring food on your plate, asks Modi

Rediff.com14 Jul 2013

Taking a dig at UPA government's ambitious food security programme, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Centre was under the impression that merely bringing in the Bill would lead to food reaching the needy.

'There can be positive things on the Internet'

'There can be positive things on the Internet'

Rediff.com10 Oct 2016

'I always used to say ignore the trolls and move on and focus on your fans and friends,' Sreenath Sreenivasan tells Rediff.com's Monali Sarkar. 'That was easy for me to say. But now when I say it, I really mean it.'

Who will be the leader of the Opposition in the new Lok Sabha?

Who will be the leader of the Opposition in the new Lok Sabha?

Rediff.com22 May 2014

Nothing turns on the hair-splitting argument that the Congress does not have 55 seats because that is not a legal requirement to be the single largest legislature party in Opposition in the Lok Sabha, says Venkatesh Nayak.

The game corporate India plays

The game corporate India plays

Rediff.com15 Sep 2016

How bridge keeps corporate India sharp and quick-witted.