News for 'Department for International Development'

OneWeb inks pact with ISRO commercial arm for launching satellites

OneWeb inks pact with ISRO commercial arm for launching satellites

Rediff.com21 Apr 2022

Bharti group-backed OneWeb and New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, have entered into an agreement that will help ensure OneWeb completes its satellite launch programme. The first launch with New Space India is expected in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The launches will add to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications firm OneWeb's total in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites -- 66 per cent of the planned total fleet -- to build a global network that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs likely to be shifted to Goa ahead of floor test

Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs likely to be shifted to Goa ahead of floor test

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

A SpiceJet aircraft has been hired and the flight is expected to leave Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport for Goa's Dabolim airport at around 3 pm, sources privy to the development told PTI.

'Centre can't abdicate its responsibility'

'Centre can't abdicate its responsibility'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2023

'The Centre and state need to take a unified approach and take concerted action before this matter assumes menacing proportions because unemployment, the drug trade and the levels of frustration among the youth make them vulnerable to any maverick who promises something better.'

Modi's welcome ceremony at White House to be one of the biggest

Modi's welcome ceremony at White House to be one of the biggest

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

The first state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US is likely to be a defining moment for Indo-US relationship and both sides are working on a robust outcome document that may take up matters that would decide the contour of the bilateral ties for decades to come, according to people familiar with the planning of the high-profile trip.

SP leader's wife, mother killed in Lucknow building collapse

SP leader's wife, mother killed in Lucknow building collapse

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

A coordinated multi-agency search operation is underway to locate the two, even as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered setting up a three-member committee to probe the incident and submit a report in a week.

'Manipur peace committee members were superimposed by Centre'

'Manipur peace committee members were superimposed by Centre'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

'This committee underscores the Indian State's longstanding conventional approach to leverage top-down conflict management in North East India in general and Manipur in particular.' 'Trying to 'manage' violent conflicts top-down has not worked in the past, and apparently does not seem to work this time either.'

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Lord Palmerston, famed for regular territorial tiffs with neighbouring Downing Street mouse-catcher Larry, will see out his retirement in the English countryside, where he has been spending lockdown already at the home of a member of Foreign Office staff.

Flood-prone states rapped for not enacting law on prevention

Flood-prone states rapped for not enacting law on prevention

Rediff.com22 Jul 2022

The standing committee on water resources, tabled in Lok Sabha, said only Manipur, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand and erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir had enacted legislation, though delineation and demarcation of flood plains are yet to be undertaken.

'LIC keeps investing in companies...'

'LIC keeps investing in companies...'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

'In equities, it has diversified portfolios.' 'So the short-term movement of individual stocks does not impact them.'

Global agencies keen on Bihar growth

Global agencies keen on Bihar growth

Rediff.com18 Feb 2008

Global agencies have shown interest in Bihar's developmental projects. They met Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to chart out an investment plan.

India-Germany ties a model of success, says Modi, as 2 nations sign $10.5 bn green deal

India-Germany ties a model of success, says Modi, as 2 nations sign $10.5 bn green deal

Rediff.com2 May 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the partnership between India and Germany could serve as an example of success in a complex world as the two sides inked several agreements focused on sustainable development under which India would receive USD 10.5 billion assistance by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy.

Passenger opens plane emergency exit, walks on wing in US

Passenger opens plane emergency exit, walks on wing in US

Rediff.com6 May 2022

The incident happened when the plane was taxiing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Bilateral trade deal: India to import pork from US

Bilateral trade deal: India to import pork from US

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

India has agreed to allow import of pork and pork products from the US as a part of a bilateral trade deal which will facilitate export of Indian mangoes and pomegranate to the US. The development comes months after the two governments renewed the India US Trade Policy Forum (TPF), after which both nations agreed to iron out thorny issues that included market access issues pertaining to the agriculture sector.

Ranbaxy hires BCG, Mercer for internal strategic project

Ranbaxy hires BCG, Mercer for internal strategic project

Rediff.com1 Jun 2013

Consultants are working with various teams on manufacturing, R&D, etc, to assess per-month productivity of each department.

Amit Shah announces judicial probe, peace panel to resolve Manipur crisis

Amit Shah announces judicial probe, peace panel to resolve Manipur crisis

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

"Dialogue is the only solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur," Shah said.

Blinken announces $25 million for India's Covid vaccination drive

Blinken announces $25 million for India's Covid vaccination drive

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

At a media briefing after talks with Blinken, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the US for its 'truly exceptional' support to India during the second wave of the pandemic and for keeping the supply chain for raw material open for vaccine production in India.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official asserted that it is known that China used these balloons for surveillance.

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

A lesson we have not learnt from China is the urgent need to knit the vast country together to keep it from falling apart at the seams. While there is considerable dent in poverty, sadly, the North East remains as distant today as it always was, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

'Deeply concerned' about security of Chinese in Pakistan, Xi tells Sharif

'Deeply concerned' about security of Chinese in Pakistan, Xi tells Sharif

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

On his maiden visit to Beijing, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during which the two leaders agreed to strengthen the all-weather friendship and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Cricket Australia says to continue with tour of Sri Lanka

Cricket Australia says to continue with tour of Sri Lanka

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Cricket Australia continues to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka but has no plans to change the schedule of the upcoming tour of the island state despite continued violence, the governing body said on Thursday.

Ex-finance secy booked for corruption in currency security thread supply

Ex-finance secy booked for corruption in currency security thread supply

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

The CBI, in its FIR, alleged that Mayaram, the UK-based company De La Rue International Ltd and unidentified officials of the finance ministry and RBI hatched a criminal conspiracy to extend undue favour to the firm.

Cong seeks sacking of WFI chief, Rahul slams PM

Cong seeks sacking of WFI chief, Rahul slams PM

Rediff.com4 May 2023

The Congress on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government over a scuffle between the Delhi Police and the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with Rahul Gandhi condemning such 'shameful' behaviour with sportspersons and alleging the ruling party has 'never shied away' from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country.

US eases travel advisory for India

US eases travel advisory for India

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The new travel advisory came in the wake of the significant improvement in Covid situation in India.

Rs 62,000 Crore GST Evasion Detected

Rs 62,000 Crore GST Evasion Detected

Rediff.com26 Dec 2022

'There are unscrupulous traders who create fake invoices by showing bogus e-way bills, movement of goods.' 'Since the entities registered across different states, and kept on changing their numbers, tracing them was difficult.'

Meet Indian American community's first 'power couple'

Meet Indian American community's first 'power couple'

Rediff.com21 Dec 2009

United States President Barack Obama recently elevated Dr Rajiv Shah, who currently serves as Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture, as administrator for the United States Agency for International Development. Earlier, the Obama administration had named Shah's wife, Shivam Mallick Shah as Director of Special Initiatives, Office of Innovation and Improvement at the Department of Education.

Tata Power, IIT Delhi to collaborate in clean energy space

Tata Power, IIT Delhi to collaborate in clean energy space

Rediff.com23 Oct 2021

Tata Power on Saturday said it has inked a pact with IIT Delhi to work together on clean energy and other projects that can be transformed from research and development level to pilot stage. Tata Power, one of India's largest private sector integrated utilities, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in areas like smart grid technology, clean energy solutions, a company statement said. Considering the large number of experts with their excellence in different fields in IIT Delhi and Tata Power, there is an immense potential to collaborate between academia, research and domain experts from business with a high transformational impact, it added.

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

'If the authorities go about completing this project the way they have proposed, this is going to cause a HUGE environmental impact not only on Malabar Hill but also on the rest of the city.'

India may not get to play a major role in reconstruction of Ukraine

India may not get to play a major role in reconstruction of Ukraine

Rediff.com16 Mar 2022

Reconstruction efforts after the Russia-Ukraine war will be dominated by the heft of the membership of major nations across international organisations. India is hamstrung because it does not play host to any major global institution nor does it hold positions of significant influence in the ones in which it has membership. As a result, the world's sixth largest economy is obliged to follow the rules set by most of them.

Fund-raises by fintechs slowed by 47% in 2022

Fund-raises by fintechs slowed by 47% in 2022

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Recently, Slice, a payment app, acquired a 5 per cent stake in North East Small Finance (NESF) for $3.42 million - the first such deal by a fintech in a small finance bank. Slice (valued at $1.5 billion, and backed by Tiger Global, Blume Ventures and Axis Bank) will technically get a toehold in a scheduled commercial bank if NESF were to get a licence to morph into one down the line Such a transition is well within the banking regulator's declared framework. The transaction has to be seen in a larger context.

Airport PPPs on a crowded runway; private sector bids could be subdued

Airport PPPs on a crowded runway; private sector bids could be subdued

Rediff.com30 May 2022

Airports hold pride of place in the government's National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) programme to monetise public assets. Private airport operators, including the Adani group, Fairfax, GMR and Zurich Airport, are expected to evince interest in the next round of public private partnership (PPP) development of state-owned Airport Authority of India (AAI) airports. Industry analysts, however, do not expect bids to be as high as the last round, which saw Adani group gain control of six airports.

'Modi has moved foreign policy from elite to masses'

'Modi has moved foreign policy from elite to masses'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

'For the first time since I've been following Indian politics, one heard voters talking about India's role on the world stage and the fact that, due to Modi's leadership, India was once again a great power.'

Zawahiri remark on hijab proves 'unseen hands' behind row: K'taka minister

Zawahiri remark on hijab proves 'unseen hands' behind row: K'taka minister

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

He said the home and police department officials are keeping a watch on developments and track things in this connection.

Delhi-Doha flight makes emergency landing in Karachi

Delhi-Doha flight makes emergency landing in Karachi

Rediff.com21 Mar 2022

A Qatar Airways Delhi-Doha passenger plane was diverted to Karachi on Monday after it declared an emergency due to indication of smoke in the cargo hold, the airline said.

UK launches programme to reduce poverty in India

UK launches programme to reduce poverty in India

Rediff.com10 Dec 2009

The United Kingdom's Department for International Development launched its biggest civil society project on Thursday to mark World Human Rights Day. The Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme and the International NGO Partnerships Agreement Programme is worth 45 million (Rs 360 crores) spread across the next five years.

China asks US to respect Nepal's sovereignty as Kathmandu gives nod to MCC

China asks US to respect Nepal's sovereignty as Kathmandu gives nod to MCC

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

Much to the surprise of Beijing, Nepal's Parliament on Sunday ratified the contentious US-funded $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact along with an interpretive declaration a day ahead of the February 28 deadline set by Washington.

Bharat Biotech making single-dose intranasal Covid vaccine

Bharat Biotech making single-dose intranasal Covid vaccine

Rediff.com21 Apr 2021

Efforts are being ramped up for massive production of vaccines and make them available in the shortest possible time, a top government official said on Wednesday, stressing that India currently has a promising pipeline of four-five Covid-19 vaccine candidates, while three have already been approved for emergency use.

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2015

'The path to a resolution of the ethnic conflict is likely to be complicated and controversial with the majority Sinhalese community, and will become less likely if delayed.' 'It will certainly give Rajapaksa fresh political oxygen with which to revive himself and rally the opposition.'

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

'When the average growth in the last three years was just 2.5%, how does that make us the fastest growing country?' 'They only tell you what has happened in the last 2 years; they are not taking into account what happened in FY21 on account of their mistakes.'

British Indian ex-minister Alok Sharma knighted; 30 more PIOs to be honoured

British Indian ex-minister Alok Sharma knighted; 30 more PIOs to be honoured

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

Sharma was the president of the conference, the first since the Paris Agreement of COP21 that expected parties to make enhanced commitments towards mitigating climate change.