News for 'Department for International Development'

India to fly out citizens in Ukraine from neighbouring countries

India to fly out citizens in Ukraine from neighbouring countries

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

The government is organising evacuation flights for Indians in Ukraine, the sources said, adding that the cost will be completely borne by the government.

US deploys 6000 troops at Kabul airport for evacuation

US deploys 6000 troops at Kabul airport for evacuation

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

Simultaneously more than 60 countries led by the United States and the European Union issued a joint statement urging those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.

'Xi's Main Challenge Is Taking Over Taiwan'

'Xi's Main Challenge Is Taking Over Taiwan'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2022

'Even though as Xi will seemingly continue to stay in power beyond his third term, competitions for the post-Xi leadership would be inevitably unfolded beneath the surface of water, and that will be a big headache for Xi the dictator.'

Chintan Shivir: Cong to bring these sweeping changes in the party

Chintan Shivir: Cong to bring these sweeping changes in the party

Rediff.com13 May 2022

The Congress is likely to enforce the 'One family, one ticket' formula granting exemption to only another family member who has been doing 'exemplary work' for the party for a period of at least five years, as the grand old party promised big ticket changes while acknowledging that it had not kept pace with changing times.

Nithyananda's Kailasa cons 30 US cities with 'sister city' pact

Nithyananda's Kailasa cons 30 US cities with 'sister city' pact

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

Self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Nithyananda's 'United States of Kailasa' has signed a 'cultural partnership' with over 30 American cities, a media report has said, days after the city of Newark in the United States state of New Jersey said it rescinded a 'sister-city' agreement with the fictional country.

Spy balloon raises tension between US, China; Beijing clarifies

Spy balloon raises tension between US, China; Beijing clarifies

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

A suspected Chinese spy balloon, said to be the size of three buses, was spotted over the United States' airspace, the Pentagon has said, a development that has further strained the already tense bilateral ties as Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday abruptly postponed his key visit to Beijing.

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

Amid growing concerns of surging COVID-19 cases, the US has announced that it will waive the in-person interview requirement for a range of visa applicants during the entire year in 2022, including for H-1B workers and students, many of whom are from India. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

PIX: Australia ride Green energy to down NZ in 1st ODI

PIX: Australia ride Green energy to down NZ in 1st ODI

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

Cameron Green braved cramps to smash a career-best 89 not out and secure Australia's nervy two-wicket victory against New Zealand in the opening one-day international in Cairns on Tuesday.

SC to hear pleas on hate speech after 6 weeks, issues notice to home ministry

SC to hear pleas on hate speech after 6 weeks, issues notice to home ministry

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

The top court said the secretary may collate necessary information by corresponding directly with the secretary of the home department of respective states and UTs within three weeks and compile it state-wise.

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Tharoor argued that the proposed bill represents a "grave chapter in the history of the Indian republic, seeking to ratify an ordinance that in many ways is an assault on our democratic heritage and the spirit of federalism."

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Phase-I clinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Cadila Healthcare Ltd and their immunogenicity testing is now in progress, minister of state for health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Ela Bhatt, whose SEWA empowered unorganised women workers, passes away

Ela Bhatt, whose SEWA empowered unorganised women workers, passes away

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

Renowned women's rights activist and founder of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Ela Bhatt passed away in Ahmedabad on Wednesday due to age-related ailments, her associates said.

Nicobar to lose 8.5 lakh rainforest trees for mega project

Nicobar to lose 8.5 lakh rainforest trees for mega project

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

The project involves development of a military-civil, dual-use airport; international container trans-shipment terminal; a gas, diesel, and solar-based power plant, and a township.

'Ours is called the land of Kama Sutra, but what happened?'

'Ours is called the land of Kama Sutra, but what happened?'

Rediff.com25 May 2023

'I knew that I want to do a film about sexuality and sex, without playing safe.' 'I knew in India, that was going to be really difficult. I was taking up a big battle.'

After Namibia, India likely to get 12 more S African cheetahs in Feb

After Namibia, India likely to get 12 more S African cheetahs in Feb

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Modi had released the first batch of eight eight spotted felines -- five females and three males -- from Namibia into a quarantine enclosure at Kuno on his 72nd birthday on September 17 last year.

Pak's new PM quietly exchanges letters with Putin to 'strengthen ties'

Pak's new PM quietly exchanges letters with Putin to 'strengthen ties'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin have quietly exchanged letters to strengthen bilateral relations, a media report said on Sunday, amidst allegations by Imran Khan that his maiden visit to Moscow, much against Washington's wishes, led to his ouster.

Microsoft gives ONDC its first Big Tech push

Microsoft gives ONDC its first Big Tech push

Rediff.com10 Aug 2022

Microsoft has become the first global Big Tech company to join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an Indian government initiative for developing a first-of-its-kind open network for digital commerce. The world's second-largest technology firm intends to introduce social e-commerce via its app in the Indian market later this year. ONDC is expected to open to the public in Bengaluru over the next fortnight as it enters into the next phase of the pilot for further fine-tuning before rollouts in other cities, according to a source in the know.

Relationship with China has to be based on '3 mutuals': Foreign secy

Relationship with China has to be based on '3 mutuals': Foreign secy

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

India has made it clear to China that peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for the development of overall bilateral ties and the relationship has to be based on the 'three mutuals' of respect, sensitivity and interest, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

UK preparing to end aid programme to India: Report

UK preparing to end aid programme to India: Report

Rediff.com18 Mar 2012

Britain is preparing to end its aid programme to a booming India and is unlikely to renew its commitment after 2015, a media report on Sunday said.

IL&FS sells environment biz to pare Rs 1,200 cr debt

IL&FS sells environment biz to pare Rs 1,200 cr debt

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

Bankrupt Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) has sold the entire stake in the waste management arm IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure & Services (IEISL) and its subsidiaries to EverEnviro Resource Management (EverEnviro), an arm of the PE major Everstone Group, the companies said in separate statements. Though the value of the deal was not specifically disclosed, the crippled IL&FS -- which is under bankruptcy proceedings in NCLT -- said the sale will reduce its overall debt by Rs 1,200 crore, which is the combined debt of entities under the group's environment businesses. IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure & Services (IEISL) is one of the leading integrated waste management companies that is into municipal solid waste management apart from presence across various segments including construction and demolition, collection and transportation and waste to energy and currently manages over 8,400 tonnes per day solid municipal waste.

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

This will be done across five cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong. Thereafter, it will be scaled up and launched in 100 cities over a period of six months, said a senior government official.

India to run 31 flights to bring back 6300 Indians over next few days

India to run 31 flights to bring back 6300 Indians over next few days

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

As many as 31 evacuation flights will be operated to neighbouring countries of crisis-hit Ukraine and will bring back more than 6,300 Indians stranded in the eastern European nation, according to official sources.

Maharashtra lifts stay on Metro car shed at Aarey, puts project on fast track

Maharashtra lifts stay on Metro car shed at Aarey, puts project on fast track

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

In an important decision, the new government in Maharashtra on Thursday announced lifting of the stay on the construction of Mumbai Metro-3 car shed at the controversial site in the Aarey Colony, a green belt in the city's western suburbs.

UK agrees to support India's defence manufacturing

UK agrees to support India's defence manufacturing

Rediff.com23 Apr 2022

After his wide-ranging talks with Modi on the second and final day of his India visit, Johnson said the new defence and security partnership will enable India to strengthen its domestic defence industry as well as help the two countries protect vital shared interests in the Indo-Pacific.

New Covid variant yet to be detected in India, say officials

New Covid variant yet to be detected in India, say officials

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium is closely tracking the new variant of COVID-19 called B.1.1.529 and its presence has not been detected in the country yet, officials said on Friday.

What you will see at the Republic Day 2023 parade

What you will see at the Republic Day 2023 parade

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

The Republic Day parade, which will begin at around 1030 am, will be a unique mix of the country's military prowess and cultural diversity, depicting the country's growing indigenous capabilities, Nari Shakti and emergence of a 'New India'.

Terror attacks in JK see major drop after scrapping Article 370: Govt in LS

Terror attacks in JK see major drop after scrapping Article 370: Govt in LS

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

The number of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has shown significant decline since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

US special representative for Tibet Uzra Zeya to visit India, Nepal this week

US special representative for Tibet Uzra Zeya to visit India, Nepal this week

Rediff.com17 May 2022

US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues Uzra Zeya will travel to India and Nepal this week to deepen cooperation on human rights and democratic governance goals with the two nations, the state department has announced.

Killings of KPs meant to keep terrorism in J-K alive: Army commander

Killings of KPs meant to keep terrorism in J-K alive: Army commander

Rediff.com16 May 2022

Northern Army commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and non-local labourers by militants was to keep terrorism alive in Kashmir.

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

In a first of its kind move, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticket booking arm of the Indian Railways, is looking to monetise its bank of passenger data while conducting business with private and government companies. IRCTC has a large bank of data related to every online railway ticket ever generated as it is the country's only railway ticketing platform, an IRCTC official told Business Standard. The public sector undertaking, which has sought the services of a consultant to assist with the monetisation process, plans to raise Rs 1,000 crore through this exercise.

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

India has secured approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the export of domestic mangoes to America in the new season, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as the USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the USDA signed a framework agreement for implementing the "2 Vs 2" agri-market access issues.

US hopes for Indian support if Russia invades Ukraine

US hopes for Indian support if Russia invades Ukraine

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

'We know that our Indian partners are committed to that rules-based international order. There are any number of tenets in that order. One of them is that borders cannot be redrawn by force'

Expert groups to explore adoption of common chargers

Expert groups to explore adoption of common chargers

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The government will set up expert groups to explore the adoption of common chargers for mobile and all portable electronic devices, and submit a detailed report in two months, Consumer Affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said. The department of consumer affairs on Wednesday called a meeting with industry stakeholders. After the meeting, Singh said India can initially think of exploring shifting to two types of chargers, including a C-Type port.

Obama nominates Indian American to key USAID post

Obama nominates Indian American to key USAID post

Rediff.com2 Jul 2010

Announcing her nomination among several others, Obama said: "I am grateful that these impressive individuals have agreed to join my administration. I am confident they will serve ably in their new roles, and look forward to working with them in the coming months and years."

Obama nominates Indian American to head USAID

Obama nominates Indian American to head USAID

Rediff.com11 Nov 2009

Dr Rajiv Shah, the senior-most Indian American in the Barack Obama administration, has been nominated as the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development -- the country's top foreign assistance programme.In nominating Shah, Obama said, "The mission of USAID is to advance America's interests by strengthening our relationships abroad. Rajiv brings fresh ideas and the dedication and impressive background necessary to help guide USAID."

Who Will Admit To Committing Fraud?

Who Will Admit To Committing Fraud?

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

Banks do extensive investigation before declaring an account fraud; they owe it to us as they deal with our money. Why would they try to fix an innocent borrower? asks Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

US eases travel recommendations on India as Covid cases fall

US eases travel recommendations on India as Covid cases fall

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

When last month's advisory was issued, India was struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported.

Army Still Up To Mischief In Pakistan

Army Still Up To Mischief In Pakistan

Rediff.com4 Nov 2022

But it is less adventurous. It seems, at last, that in its eighth decade, Pakistan has settled into being a parliamentary democracy just like Bangladesh has and like we have always been, observes Aakar Patel.

Modi to attend 3 key sessions at G20 summit in Bali

Modi to attend 3 key sessions at G20 summit in Bali

Rediff.com13 Nov 2022

The prime minister will leave for the Indonesian city of Bali on Monday on a three-day visit to attend the summit that is expected to deliberate extensively on pressing global challenges including the Ukraine conflict and its implications.