News for 'Department for International Development'

Australia women crush India for 25th consecutive ODI win

Australia women crush India for 25th consecutive ODI win

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

Meg Lanning's ruthless Australia women's team registered their 25th consecutive victory in one-day internationals on Tuesday after crushing India by nine wickets in the series opener in Mackay.

Assam Accord: Govt forms 8-member panel for implementation

Assam Accord: Govt forms 8-member panel for implementation

Rediff.com2 Oct 2021

The Assam government has set up an eight-member committee to prepare a framework for implementation of all clauses of the 36-year-old Assam Accord, especially the Clause-6 report prepared by a central panel pertaining to protecting the cultural, social and linguistic identity and heritage of the indigenous people, officials said on Saturday.

10 HOT Tech Careers

10 HOT Tech Careers

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

From cloud computing to people analytics, most lucrative future jobs will be dominated by people with digital skills and expertise, explains Sarita Digumarti, chief learning officer, UNext Learning.

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Rediff.com1 Jun 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade has rejected Walmart-backed Flipkart's proposal seeking approval for entry to the food retail sector, citing a regulatory issue, an official said on Monday. The government permits 100 per cent foreign direct investment in food retail for food produced and manufactured in India.

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Senate confirms Nisha Desai as US asst secretary of state

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American woman administrator Nisha Desai Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, making her the first person from the community to hold the top diplomatic position.

Pak army disputes Imran Khan's claim of US trying to topple his government

Pak army disputes Imran Khan's claim of US trying to topple his government

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Pakistan's powerful Army has contradicted Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks accusing America of hatching a conspiracy to topple his government, saying there was no evidence of interference in the country's internal matters, according to a media report.

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

Moving quickly towards ending a retrospective tax dispute with a firm that gave India its largest oilfield, the government has accepted Cairn Energy PLC's undertakings which would allow for the refund of taxes, sources said. Meeting the requirements of the new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company had earlier this month given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government has now accepted this and issued Cairn a so-called Form-II, committing to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand, two sources with direct knowledge of the development said.

Strictly enforce one hand bag rule: Govt to airlines

Strictly enforce one hand bag rule: Govt to airlines

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

Airline executives said the rule is conflicting as regulator's own rules permits a passenger to carry multiple other things like laptop bag, ladies' hand bag, blanket, item bought at duty free shops, reports Arindam Majumder.

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Rediff.com21 May 2021

To address the shortage of COVID-19 jabs in the country, the government is exploring the possibility of boosting production of vaccines, including identifying manufacturing sites for indigenously developed Covaxin outside India, sources said.

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Rediff.com10 Oct 2021

AQ Khan, a controversial scientist known as the father of Pakistan's clandestine nuclear programme, passed away here on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 85.

Jaishankar-Blinken talks focus on Covid relief, LAC situation

Jaishankar-Blinken talks focus on Covid relief, LAC situation

Rediff.com29 May 2021

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that he had a productive meeting with visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during which they discussed the bilateral ties, COVID-19 relief efforts, India-China border situation and Afghanistan and vowed to work together to address areas of shared concern.

Experts for Covid test, restoring mask rule to check virus spread in Delhi

Experts for Covid test, restoring mask rule to check virus spread in Delhi

Rediff.com17 Apr 2022

The COVID-19 positivity rate in the national capital has jumped from 0.5 per cent to 5.33 per cent in two weeks.

Disquiet in Sri Lanka over maritime pact with India, govt tries to firefight

Disquiet in Sri Lanka over maritime pact with India, govt tries to firefight

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

The Sri Lankan government has asserted that the recently signed maritime security pacts with India will "neither result in hindrance nor threat" to the island nation's security as "misinterpreted" by several media outlets in this country.

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Rediff.com27 Nov 2021

No longer Bengal's finance minister, Amit Mitra, Mamata's principal chief advisor, will still advise and aid the 'chief minister and finance department on all matters relating to management of state finance', represent the 'state government in national and international events/meetings/committees' and examine 'important proposals/files and policy issues relating to financial matters referred to him for advice/views'.

Cabinet okays private participation in space sector

Cabinet okays private participation in space sector

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the participation of the private sector in the entire range of space activities, including planetary exploration missions, Union minister Jitendra Singh said. The newly-created Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure, Singh, who is the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, said.

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2023

This doctor couple put their faith in India. And in return India has put faith in them.

'I paid Rs 10 a night to sleep in stations...'

'I paid Rs 10 a night to sleep in stations...'

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

'These experiences were necessary for my journey.'

Rohit, Rahul, Pant likely to be rested for SA T20Is

Rohit, Rahul, Pant likely to be rested for SA T20Is

Rediff.com14 May 2022

Many seniors including captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are all set to be rested for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, with an eye on the marquee tour of England in July.

Harris' win latest in growing list of desi lawmakers

Harris' win latest in growing list of desi lawmakers

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

Countries across the world -- from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada to Singapore and New Zealand, are witnessing phenomenal strides by Indian-origin politicians, who are now taking on influential and prominent roles in governments and cabinets.

Priti Patel named UK's 1st Indian-origin Home Secretary

Priti Patel named UK's 1st Indian-origin Home Secretary

Rediff.com25 Jul 2019

In a cabinet that was already being touted as the most diverse in British history, Priti Patel became the first Indian-origin home secretary with Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid moving from the UK Home Office to become the new chancellor.

Lankan presidential secretariat reopens after blockade; 3 held for theft

Lankan presidential secretariat reopens after blockade; 3 held for theft

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

The presidential secretariat which was occupied by the protesters from July 9 till Friday last is re-opened and the staff reported to work on Monday, officials said.

Govt looking into securing part of J&J vaccines: Sources

Govt looking into securing part of J&J vaccines: Sources

Rediff.com26 May 2021

According to the sources, there are limited prospects of J&J exporting its vaccine from the US to other countries in the near future and the "entire production" at the BE facilities in India, beginning July/August, will be handed over to the pharma giant under a contract between the companies.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

Spurring the economy, currently in the throes of a slowdown, remains the prime focus for most ministries, but the government is also looking to make women's welfare and environmental protection key to policymaking in this term.

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

'Modi had not discussed demonetization with me prior to his announcement on 8 November 2016. 'I learnt of it along with the rest of the country. 'I was not surprised when he did not discuss the issue with me prior to making the public announcement. 'It fitted in with his style of making dramatic announcements.' A fascinating excerpt from Pranab Mukherjee's The Presidential Years: 2012-2017.

Don't leave diplomacy to diplomats

Don't leave diplomacy to diplomats

Rediff.com20 Jan 2014

The perfunctory management of external affairs has left India's foreign policy establishment largely unprepared to manage the consequences of dramatic international developments, says Nitin Pai.

US Is Back In Business In Afghanistan

US Is Back In Business In Afghanistan

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

Russia and China are tight-fisted and Iran is broke and none of them has the political will or capacity to bankroll the Afghan economy, which only the US can, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Islamic State had 66 Indian-origin fighters, says US report; lauds NIA

Islamic State had 66 Indian-origin fighters, says US report; lauds NIA

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

The UN Security Council Resolution 2309 calls governments to meet their responsibility to keep citizens secure while travelling by air.

Aditya Birla group to take over Reebok's India operations

Aditya Birla group to take over Reebok's India operations

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

In a major expansion into sportswear and lifestyle wear segment, the Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Authentic Brand Group of New York, which has the marketing and branding rights of Reebok, to run the operations of the global sportswear, athletic and lifestyle major in the country and ASEAN markets. The new agreement between the largest domestic multi-brand fashion retailer and Authentic Brand is an extension of their existing relationship as ABFRL already markets and sells some ABG brands like Forever 21. The agreement follows the global transfer of ownership of the Reebok brand from Adidas to ABG, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

Adani, GMR among 20 firms keen on rebuilding New Delhi railway station

Adani, GMR among 20 firms keen on rebuilding New Delhi railway station

Rediff.com23 Sep 2020

The Rail Land Development Authority has invited online bids from private players to redevelop the station into an integrated commercial, retail, and hospitality hub.

John Kerry arrives in India on three-day visit

John Kerry arrives in India on three-day visit

Rediff.com23 Jun 2013

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in New Delhi onto participate in the fourth round of Indo-US strategic dialogue even as US announced to invest $100 million in India's burgeoning clean energy sector.

Will finish term, come back after polls: Gehlot

Will finish term, come back after polls: Gehlot

Rediff.com2 Oct 2021

Amid internal rumblings in the Punjab and Chhattisgarh Congress, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said his government will complete its full five-year tenure.

Gail Omvedt, expert on India's caste system, passes away

Gail Omvedt, expert on India's caste system, passes away

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

The American-born Indian scholar, sociologist and human rights activist was well known for her writing on Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis.

TERI offers innovative solutions in UP village

TERI offers innovative solutions in UP village

Rediff.com6 Sep 2013

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) led by Nobel laureate R K Pachauri on Wednesday has commissioned a solar micro-grid connection (SMG) in Tanda village of Jagdishpur block (about 80 km from Lucknow) in Rahul Gandhi's Amethi parliamentary constituency.

R-Day passes off peacefully in Kashmir

R-Day passes off peacefully in Kashmir

Rediff.com26 Jan 2020

The 71st Republic Day was celebrated in Kashmir amidst tight security. Lieutenant Governor's advisor presided over the main function. However most mainstream politicians stayed away.

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The US on Thursday raised concerns over India's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill and draft non-personal data governance framework, claiming these could potentially threaten innovation and economic growth. In its latest 'Special 301' Report, the US Trade Representative (USTR) kept India on the priority watch list, maintaining the country remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP). In December 2021, a joint parliamentary committee released a report recommending changes to the PDP Bill, 2019, that could undermine important IP protections in India.

Move to cut health, diplomacy budget a grave mistake: Clinton

Move to cut health, diplomacy budget a grave mistake: Clinton

Rediff.com1 Apr 2017

The Trump administration's proposal to significantly cut the budget of international health, development and diplomacy is a "grave mistake" which will "undermine" America's world standing, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.

US says Covaxin successfully neutralises Delta variant

US says Covaxin successfully neutralises Delta variant

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

The NIH said results of two studies of blood serum from people who had received Covaxin suggest that the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralise the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the United Kingdom and India, respectively.

India should have settled PoK question during 1971 war: Rajnath

India should have settled PoK question during 1971 war: Rajnath

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that decision on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) should have been taken during 1971 war between India and the neighbouring country.

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Washington is signalling to Delhi that it can rely on American support in any great game vis-a-vis China. Delhi shouldn't fall into the trap, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.