News for 'Critics Association'

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

India's $280-billion IT industry heads into 2026, balancing visa-related headwinds and global trade uncertainty against its biggest-ever push into artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of global capability centres (GCCs). Heightened scrutiny of the US H-1B visa programme - including a proposed $100,000 fee for new visas and concerns over a potential 25 per cent outsourcing tax - has complicated cross-border delivery for Indian firms, even as companies accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on onsite staffing.

'India's biggest health crisis since Covid'

'India's biggest health crisis since Covid'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

Experts warn that air pollution in India is a major public health crisis, leading to a surge in undiagnosed airway diseases and cardiovascular issues. They urge for urgent action, early detection, and treatment.

How will India's auto industry perform in 2026?

How will India's auto industry perform in 2026?

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

After a record-breaking year, India's automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments.

RBI Warns Against Stablecoins, Backs CBDCs

RBI Warns Against Stablecoins, Backs CBDCs

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

'We have seen that stablecoins lack the basic attributes of money, their advantages are neither unique nor unambiguous and their risks are all too real.'

Police stop protesters' march towards Indian mission in Dhaka

Police stop protesters' march towards Indian mission in Dhaka

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

A protest march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was halted by police, prompting India to express strong concerns about the security of its mission. The protesters demanded the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others involved in the 'July Uprising'.

'Maoists Will Be Extinct In 2 Months'

'Maoists Will Be Extinct In 2 Months'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

'From every point of view, they have faced an extremely difficult couple of years, and the setback they have suffered is irreversible.' 'This reality has begun to set in even amongst the top-level cadres. That is why, in recent times, we have witnessed a huge number of senior-level cadres emerging from the jungle and deciding to renounce violence and join the mainstream.'

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

Rupee Slide Makes Overseas Trips Costlier

Rupee Slide Makes Overseas Trips Costlier

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Travel firms expect package prices to rise by 5 to 10 per cent, depending on destination and inclusions.

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'Tourists from long-haul markets such as the US, UK, and Western Europe are especially sensitive to such news, and short-term cancellations or postponements of planned trips can be expected.'

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: A Heart Threat

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: A Heart Threat

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Women who experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death within five years of giving birth.

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'

'Wrong Word, Wrong Time': Gavaskar Slams Conrad

'Wrong Word, Wrong Time': Gavaskar Slams Conrad

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Shukri Conrad's 'grovel' remark has sparked an unexpected storm, and Sunil Gavaskar has stepped in with a sharp reminder: South African cricket has long been supported and in many ways sustained -- by India

Key Sandeshkhali witness injured in accident, son killed

Key Sandeshkhali witness injured in accident, son killed

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Ghosh's elder son, Biswajit, claimed that this was a planned attempt to murder his father, and alleged that Shahjahan pulled strings sitting in jail to carry out the crime.

SC removes criticism of Allahabad HC judge over order

SC removes criticism of Allahabad HC judge over order

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has deleted its critical observation against Allahabad High Court judge Prashant Kumar, clarifying that it did not intend to embarrass or cast aspersions on him. The decision follows a request from Chief Justice B R Gavai to reconsider the matter.

Rs 1,500 cr incentive scheme in the works for recycling critical minerals

Rs 1,500 cr incentive scheme in the works for recycling critical minerals

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Following the disruption in the supply of rare earth or permanent magnets after China's notification on April 4, the mines ministry is planning to introduce a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme to recycle critical minerals, according to a top official.

Delhi blast: Umar stored explosives in deep freezer

Delhi blast: Umar stored explosives in deep freezer

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

Intelligence agencies investigating the November 10 Delhi terror attack involving a suicide car blast have uncovered fresh details pointing to a wider transnational terror network, a structured chain of handlers, and preparations for multiple coordinated attacks, official sources told ANI.

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Outgoing CJI Gavai defends SC verdict on governors' powers

Outgoing CJI Gavai defends SC verdict on governors' powers

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Outgoing Chief Justice of India BR Gavai defends the Supreme Court's verdict on governors' powers, emphasizing the principle of separation of powers and judicial independence.

World No 1 faces backlash for playing lucrative event

World No 1 faces backlash for playing lucrative event

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Carlos Alcaraz has defended his decision to play in the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well

Assam minister's 'gobi farming' post on NDA's Bihar win sparks row

Assam minister's 'gobi farming' post on NDA's Bihar win sparks row

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

An Assam Cabinet minister's use of 'gobi farming' imagery after the Bihar election results has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, who allege it references the Bhagalpur communal riots.

India a top priority: Prosus CEO

India a top priority: Prosus CEO

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Highlighting India as the company's most important growth market, Fabricio Bloisi, group chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dutch technology investor Prosus signaled a sharp acceleration in artificial-intelligence investments across its portfolio in the country.

Digital Arrest Scams: What You Must Know

Digital Arrest Scams: What You Must Know

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable due to their high savings, trust in authorities, and limited familiarity with online frauds.

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Whether it was in the company of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan -- or, on rare occasions with both together, among others -- Saravanan's demeanour would stand out, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

What Links Srijit Mukherji, Sherlock Holmes?

What Links Srijit Mukherji, Sherlock Holmes?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

'Elementary, My Dear Holmes imagines Arthur Conan Doyle stepping into his own fiction, a man haunted by the clarity he created, forced to apply it to a world far messier than the one on paper.'

Young Earners, Start With A Minimum Rs 1 Cr Cover

Young Earners, Start With A Minimum Rs 1 Cr Cover

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Younger customers should opt for increasing cover as their financial commitments are likely to rise in the future.

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The DMK may consider a two-tier campaign, where they keep the focus on Chief Minister Stalin, as a senior statesman with 50-plus years of political experience, and let EPS and the BJP shout in the wilderness. In such a case, the second-tier may project Udhayanidhi as the contender and chosen obstructionist in Vijay's path. The attempt, if any, would be to reduce Vijay to Udhayanidhi's level when the former is aiming at Stalin and Stalin alone in the state's political horizon, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

US Judgment Against Byju Raveendran Faces Steep Hurdles in India

US Judgment Against Byju Raveendran Faces Steep Hurdles in India

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

A US court's $1.07-billion default judgment against Byju Raveendran can't be enforced directly in India because the US isn't a "reciprocating territory." Creditors must file a new case in an Indian court.

India, US sign 10-year defence pact amid tariffs row

India, US sign 10-year defence pact amid tariffs row

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

India and the US have signed a framework agreement for defence cooperation for the next 10 years, enhancing their partnership and aiming for regional stability.

Live 9mm rounds found near exploded car at Red Fort

Live 9mm rounds found near exploded car at Red Fort

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Security agencies are probing three bullet cartridges, two of them live rounds, recovered from the debris near the Red Fort blast site, a source said on Sunday.

OpenAI WARNS Of Superintelligence Risks

OpenAI WARNS Of Superintelligence Risks

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

To prevent the race for superintelligence from going off the rails, OpenAI recommends shared standards and insights from frontier labs, public oversight and accountability proportional to capabilities, building an AI-resilient ecosystem, and reporting and measurement by labs and governments on AI's impact.

Ladakh Buddhist groups seek judicial probe into Leh violence

Ladakh Buddhist groups seek judicial probe into Leh violence

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Buddhist religious bodies and the Kargil Bar Association are demanding a judicial inquiry into the recent violence in Leh, Ladakh, which resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries. They are also calling for the release of detained individuals and compensation for victims' families.

'Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai' mirrors Nitish Kumar's refusal to slow down

'Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai' mirrors Nitish Kumar's refusal to slow down

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

The Bihar chief minister had a point to prove in the latest assembly elections, which were held amid speculations of a fatigue factor, if not downright anti-incumbency, made worse by rumours of his indifferent health.

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

Top Government Exams In 2026

Top Government Exams In 2026

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

rediffGURU Nayagam PP, founder of EduJob360, breaks down the top government competitive exams aspirants can target in 2026, along with their eligibility criteria, important dates, syllabus essentials and preparation strategies.

Amazon VP's Warning After 14k Employees Were Sacked

Amazon VP's Warning After 14k Employees Were Sacked

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

The future belongs to those who move fast, use AI deeply and focus relentlessly on customer impact.

'So Many Doctors Converging In A Single Conspiracy Is Unusual'

'So Many Doctors Converging In A Single Conspiracy Is Unusual'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'India has experienced any number of doctors, engineers, and individuals from professional backgrounds being implicated in terrorism. This is not a novel development.' 'These are mobilisations of opportunity. One does not exclusively associate with one's own kind. A comprehensive conspiracy requires diverse skill sets.' 'One needs individuals with local community contacts, those possessing physical capabilities, technical expertise -- an entire spectrum of capacities.'

50 Mn To 100 Mn Indians Suffer From Long Covid

50 Mn To 100 Mn Indians Suffer From Long Covid

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Even by conservative assumptions that 5 to 10 per cent of infected individuals develop long Covid, India today may be home to 50 to 100 million infected individuals -- many silently coping with breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, brain fog, or unexplained clotting tendencies.

Bengaluru Faces Urban Breakdown

Bengaluru Faces Urban Breakdown

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Bengaluru is at a critical juncture, where its economic model, reliant on attracting and retaining skilled professionals, is directly threatened by a measurable decline in urban quality of life, point out Shishir Gupta and Rishita Sachdeva.