News for 'Country'

Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact could reduce US role in West Asia: Experts

Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact could reduce US role in West Asia: Experts

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence pact, agreeing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Analysts suggest this alliance could significantly diminish the United States' strategic influence in West Asia and elevate Pakistan's geopolitical standing, potentially acting as a deterrent in regional conflicts.

Navneet Kaur wants hockey team to repeat cricket's feat

Navneet Kaur wants hockey team to repeat cricket's feat

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Veteran striker Navneet Kaur believes the Indian women's hockey team is inspired by the cricket team's ODI World Cup triumph and aims to script a similar title-winning story at the FIH Women's World Cup.

Trump secretly switched planes via catering truck to foil Iran threat

Trump secretly switched planes via catering truck to foil Iran threat

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

How US President Donald Trump employed a clandestine 'decoy' Air Force One operation to secretly depart Turkiye following a NATO Summit.

Claude AI Gets India Data Residency

Claude AI Gets India Data Residency

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The move comes amid growing demand from organisations in India for local access to Claude.

Sarla Aviation Secures Design Organisation Approval For Indigenous Electric Air Taxis

Sarla Aviation Secures Design Organisation Approval For Indigenous Electric Air Taxis

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Bengaluru-based electric air taxi startup Sarla Aviation has received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a crucial step towards commercial production of its indigenous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also inaugurated its new headquarters and announced partnerships, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced aerospace technology.

'Will pure petrol come from your father's house': BJP MP sparks row

'Will pure petrol come from your father's house': BJP MP sparks row

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

BJP MP Janardan Mishra has strongly defended the Centre's ethanol blending policy amidst ongoing controversy, highlighting India's high crude oil import dependency and global geopolitical challenges. He questioned opponents of ethanol blending, citing Brazil's successful use of 100 per cent ethanol in vehicles and experts' views on its engine compatibility.

Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36: 7 Roles To Remember Her By

Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36: 7 Roles To Remember Her By

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

From a child star to a superhero icon and horror favourite, Hayden Panettiere left behind a memorable body of work far beyond her years.

Faster than Don Bradman: Virat Kohli's Record-Breaking 18 Years For India

Faster than Don Bradman: Virat Kohli's Record-Breaking 18 Years For India

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Virat Kohli, who debuted 18 years ago, has amassed over 28,000 international runs and 85 centuries, establishing himself as one of cricket's all-time greats with numerous unmatched records across all formats.

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant overhaul of its national team under party president Nitin Nabin, introducing numerous new faces and promoting prominent leaders like former Union minister Smriti Irani to general secretary and former RSS functionary Ram Madhav to vice president. The revamp aims to balance youth and experience while preparing for upcoming assembly and general elections.

US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill with 100% tariff on India, 4 others

US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill with 100% tariff on India, 4 others

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which aims to punish Russia and its major petroleum product buyers, including China and India. The legislation allows the US President to impose 100 per cent tariffs on goods from the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, and also extends sanctions on Iran's energy sector. The bill, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, now moves to the House of Representatives for further approval.

Will India Extradite Sheikh Hasina?

Will India Extradite Sheikh Hasina?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

India's position appears to be anchored around three red lines: Hasina's safety and the guarantee of a fair trial; assurances that Bangladeshi territory will not be used for activities hostile to India; and the restoration of an inclusive democratic process in Bangladesh.

Govt ready for Lok Sabha debate on student protests, Amit Shah to respond

Govt ready for Lok Sabha debate on student protests, Amit Shah to respond

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

The Indian government has confirmed its readiness for a Lok Sabha debate on the ongoing student protests and police action, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah set to address the concerns, particularly those related to the NEET paper leak issue.

Nagaland churches body opposes compulsory 'Vande Mataram'

Nagaland churches body opposes compulsory 'Vande Mataram'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has voiced strong opposition to any directive making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory, especially for Christians. They argue that patriotism should not be reduced to forced conformity and that India's constitutional values of liberty, pluralism, and freedom of conscience must be respected. The council also called for dialogue and sensitivity from state institutions.

US revoked over 1.75 lakh visas during Trump's tenure

US revoked over 1.75 lakh visas during Trump's tenure

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The US on Monday announced that it had revoked more than 1.75 lakh visas during President Donald Trump's tenure for a range of crimes from reckless driving to sexual assault.

Bangladesh PM seeks Hasina's extradition in meeting with Indian envoy

Bangladesh PM seeks Hasina's extradition in meeting with Indian envoy

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Bangladesh has once again sought the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina from India during High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi's first meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, amidst fresh strains in ties between the two countries following Hasina's controversial virtual media interaction in New Delhi.

AI could erode India's outsourcing advantage, warns WB report

AI could erode India's outsourcing advantage, warns WB report

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to alter hiring patterns in South Asia, with multinational companies (MNCs) and firms integrated into global value chains (GVCs) reducing recruitment more sharply than domestic firms, signalling the technology's early impact on the region's export-oriented services sector, according to the World Bank's World Development Report 2026.

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

The BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram at an Independence Day event, sparking a political row. The Congress denied the charge, stating Gandhi was only seeking a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and clarified the historical context of the song's usage.

Sindhu's 'hunger' drives her 6th World Championships medal bid

Sindhu's 'hunger' drives her 6th World Championships medal bid

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is aiming for a historic sixth World Championships medal, driven by her enduring "hunger towards the game" since starting her senior career in 2009.

Ben Shelton wins back-to-back Canadian Open titles

Ben Shelton wins back-to-back Canadian Open titles

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Ben Shelton successfully defended his Canadian Open title, defeating fellow American Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final.

Census 2027: What personal details will you have to disclose?

Census 2027: What personal details will you have to disclose?

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

In addition to caste details, the Census will, for the first time, collect personal information such as the total number of bank accounts held by individuals, along with their mobile number, Aadhaar number, voter ID number, passport number and driving licence status, according to the 40 questions notified by the Registrar General of India on Friday.

Tricolour to fly in former Maoist bastions this I-Day: Chhattisgarh CM

Tricolour to fly in former Maoist bastions this I-Day: Chhattisgarh CM

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said Maoism was once considered difficult to eliminate, but the menace has now been wiped out, and this year the 'Tiranga Yatra' will also reach remote villages and schools in former Maoist strongholds of the state

PoK people would've joined India before 2019: Omar on Independence Day

PoK people would've joined India before 2019: Omar on Independence Day

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has renewed his call for the restoration of special status and statehood to the region, asserting that the decision to accede to India 80 years ago was correct. He highlighted the importance of upholding India's federal structure and suggested that if Article 370 hadn't been revoked, PoK residents might be seeking reunification. Abdullah also criticised centralised governance models, arguing they erode state autonomy.

Lakshya Sen leads India's charge at BWF World Championships in New Delhi

Lakshya Sen leads India's charge at BWF World Championships in New Delhi

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and Ayush Shetty are preparing for the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. Sen, a former bronze medallist, aims for a deep run despite an inconsistent year, while the doubles pair focuses on adapting to court conditions. Rising star Ayush Shetty faces a tough opening challenge against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi, with all players expressing excitement about playing in front of a home crowd and noting improved venue conditions.

Bengal govt revokes BJP MP's award for remarks on Netaji

Bengal govt revokes BJP MP's award for remarks on Netaji

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

The West Bengal government has revoked the Banga Bibhushan award from Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj following his controversial remarks describing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a 'war criminal' and questioning the Azad Hind Fauj's role in India's freedom struggle.

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Microsoft has announced the activation of its latest data centre in Hyderabad, significantly expanding its Cloud infrastructure in India and enabling organisations to leverage AI-era services with enhanced local choice and security.

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Metals and mining conglomerate Vedanta aims to achieve $10 billion in group Ebitda by FY27, a significant increase from $6 billion in FY26, and plans to reduce its overall debt by more than 20,000 crore during the same period, according to CFO Ajay Goel.

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar attributes his country's hockey decline to the absence of a robust domestic structure, contrasting it with India's strategic investment in grassroots and domestic ecosystems after failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. He highlights India's subsequent success and calls for similar foundational changes in Pakistan.

Left AAP because...: Harbhajan Singh opens up on joining BJP

Left AAP because...: Harbhajan Singh opens up on joining BJP

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh revealed in a podcast interview that his decision to switch from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stemmed from the AAP government's alleged neglect of his concerns regarding drug abuse and sports promotion in Punjab.

Chandigarh tense as march seeking Beant Singh assassin release turns violent

Chandigarh tense as march seeking Beant Singh assassin release turns violent

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Chandigarh police on Saturday used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters who tried to breach barricades during a march towards Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's residence, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals helped India secure a 3-1 victory over Wales in their first match of the men's Hockey World Cup, with Sanjay also contributing to the scoreline.

Defence Minister Praises Armed Forces Athletes As 'Soldier And Champion' Blend

Defence Minister Praises Armed Forces Athletes As 'Soldier And Champion' Blend

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded armed forces athletes for their medal-winning performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, calling them a 'perfect blend of a soldier and a champion'. He highlighted their strong willpower and the inspiration they provide to the nation, especially the youth. Indian Army athletes secured 16 medals, including 8 gold, contributing significantly to India's overall tally.

Australia meet Bangladesh in rare home winter Tests

Australia meet Bangladesh in rare home winter Tests

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Australia is set to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in the country's tropical north, marking the first time since 2003.

Jharkhand protesters want Rahul Gandhi to break ties with JMM-led govt

Jharkhand protesters want Rahul Gandhi to break ties with JMM-led govt

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Students in Jharkhand are intensifying their protests against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations, demanding Chief Minister Hemant Soren's resignation and planning to gherao his residence on August 20, while the CM assures impartial investigations and systemic reforms.

Pannun murder plot: US court to announce sentence on Nov 20

Pannun murder plot: US court to announce sentence on Nov 20

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

A US federal court has postponed the sentencing of Nikhil Gupta, who admitted guilt in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to November 20. The delay was requested by the "intended murder victim" to allow for their participation in the sentencing hearing.

'Still no job': India's U20 javelin silver medallist opens up

'Still no job': India's U20 javelin silver medallist opens up

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Ashish Yadav, a 19-year-old javelin thrower, won a silver medal at the World Under-20 championships, becoming the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to achieve this feat. Despite his sporting success and significant improvement in performance through systematic training in Hisar, Yadav continues to search for a job to support his family, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many aspiring athletes.

BCI chief apologises for letter banning NALSAR graduates

BCI chief apologises for letter banning NALSAR graduates

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has issued an apology to law students, particularly those from NALSAR, for any hurt caused by the recent controversy surrounding their convocation and enrolment, urging them to make independent decisions.

Churning reels not enough, youth need jobs: Congress slams Modi

Churning reels not enough, youth need jobs: Congress slams Modi

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The Congress party has accused the Modi government of creating a "deep crisis" in India's job market due to its "flawed" economic and employment policies. Citing a media report on a 27% decline in new jobs at major companies, the opposition party stated that the government is engaged in "headline management" and "politics of distraction" instead of addressing the youth employment crisis.

Drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya to be extradited to India

Drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya to be extradited to India

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

In a significant victory against international drug trafficking, India has secured the return of fugitive drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya from the UAE.

UPI payments to remain free, charges to apply only on...: Govt

UPI payments to remain free, charges to apply only on...: Govt

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

The Indian government has clarified that consumers will not be charged for UPI transactions, and most merchant transactions will also remain free. This comes amidst speculation following an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be nominal, threshold-based, and aimed at ensuring UPI's long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.

Why India Got Freedom At The Stroke of Midnight

Why India Got Freedom At The Stroke of Midnight

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

August 15 was the date of India's Independence, so why did transfer of power happen at the stroke of midnight August 14-15?