News for 'Department of International Relations'

Government appoints wrestler Babita, Kavita as sports dy directors

Government appoints wrestler Babita, Kavita as sports dy directors

Rediff.com30 Jul 2020

The Phogats became a household name in the country after the success of Hindi film 'Dangal', which is based on the lives of Phogat sisters, all of them wrestlers, and their father who coached them against all odds.

Vedanta drops cases against govt to settle retro tax dispute

Vedanta drops cases against govt to settle retro tax dispute

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

Billionaire Anil Agarwal's mining group Vedanta on Monday said it has withdrawn cases in the Delhi high court as well as before an international arbitration tribunal to settle a Rs 20,495 crore retrospective tax dispute with the government. Post slapping of a Rs 10,247 crore tax demand on UK's Cairn Energy Plc for alleged capital gains made on a 2016 internal reorganisation prior to the listing of its India business, the Income Tax Department had sought Rs 20,495 crore in taxes (including penalty) from Cairn India for failing to deduct tax on capital gains made by its British parent. Cairn India was in 2011 bought by Agarwal's group and subsequently, the firm was merged with Vedanta Ltd.

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.

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.

Bollywood's High Points of 2022

Bollywood's High Points of 2022

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

As 2022 readies to bid adieu, Sukanya Verma raises a toast to the 10 high points of the year.

Adani Ports junks Myanmar plans

Adani Ports junks Myanmar plans

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on Wednesday said it has decided to exit its investment in Myanmar by June next year. APSEZ, the largest port developer in India, is part of the globally diversified Adani Group. "The Board has decided to actively work on a plan on exiting Company's investment in Myanmar including divestment opportunities (expected to be concluded by March - June 2022)," APSEZ said in notes to its second quarter results.

Report improper behaviour even if...: Air India CEO to staff

Report improper behaviour even if...: Air India CEO to staff

Rediff.com6 Jan 2023

In an internal communication to airlines' employees, he reflected on the urinating incident to say that "the repulsion felt by the affected passenger is totally understandable and we share her distress.

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.

8 more Omicron cases in Maha, 4 in Delhi; country's tally rises to 61

8 more Omicron cases in Maha, 4 in Delhi; country's tally rises to 61

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

Eight new cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus were reported in Maharashtra -- seven of them in Mumbai -- and none of the patients had a history of international travel, the state health department said on Tuesday.

Draft ecommerce policy to ensure goods sold online meet standards

Draft ecommerce policy to ensure goods sold online meet standards

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

Conformity assessment procedures will be put in place to verify that goods and services sold on e-commerce platforms meet required standards and technical regulations, according to the draft e-commerce policy. The policy, which is under discussion, also stated that actions and things which cannot be done by the online platform entities "can also not be done" by any of its associates and related parties. Government may, from time to time, notify parties which fall in the definition of associates and related parties, it said.

No change in US' policy on J-K: Biden administration

No change in US' policy on J-K: Biden administration

Rediff.com12 Feb 2021

According to a 2019 Congressional Research Service report of August 2019, a longstanding goal of US policy in South Asia has been to prevent the India-Pakistan conflict from escalating to interstate war.

Govt sets up dedicated desk on Ayodhya

Govt sets up dedicated desk on Ayodhya

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

The move bears significance in the wake of November 9 judgement of the Supreme Court which allowed construction of a Ram Temple in the disputed site in Ayodha.

China blocks India-US bid for UN blacklist of Masood Azhar's brother

China blocks India-US bid for UN blacklist of Masood Azhar's brother

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

China has blocked a proposal by the US and India at the United Nations to blacklist Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and the deputy chief of the Pakistan-based terror group, in the second such move by Beijing in less than two months.

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."

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The Modi government has to embrace the history of Tamil conquests in South East Asia and stop obsessing about Babar/Humayun, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

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.

'3 drinks are more than enough on a long flight'

'3 drinks are more than enough on a long flight'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

'Passengers feel since they have paid for the ticket it means they are entitled to unlimited free drinks.' 'They don't differentiate between 'free' and 'complimentary' drinks.'

In MP, RSS internal report warns of unhappiness at ground level

In MP, RSS internal report warns of unhappiness at ground level

Rediff.com13 Nov 2018

Despite his ministers on shaky ground, Chouhan -- at the helm for three consecutive terms -- is holding the fort. He is being aided by a capable team for public relations and the RSS, which has deployed its workers to bolster the BJP's campaign, reports Sandeep Kumar.

Amid COVID-19 surge, TN health secretary shunted out

Amid COVID-19 surge, TN health secretary shunted out

Rediff.com12 Jun 2020

J Radhakrishnan, who was among top state officials who had a tab on the treatment of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016 at the Apollo Hospitals till her demise in December that year, has replaced her.

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

The US is 'putting every ounce of its energy' to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, according to a senior US visa officer. India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.

I-T Dept raids Aaditya Thackeray's close aide Rahul Kanal

I-T Dept raids Aaditya Thackeray's close aide Rahul Kanal

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

Aaditya, son of Shiv Sena president and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, dubbed the searches by the I-T department on Kanal as 'invasion by Delhi' ahead of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

China blocks Indo-US proposal to list Pak-based Makki a global terrorist

China blocks Indo-US proposal to list Pak-based Makki a global terrorist

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

Makki is a US-designated terrorist and brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Tayiba chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Despite biting inflation, analysts bullish on retail stocks for long haul

Despite biting inflation, analysts bullish on retail stocks for long haul

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

Notwithstanding the inflation pinch, analysts believe the Indian retail sector is on the 'cusp of accelerated earnings growth' as consumer sentiment and discretionary purchases bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic. "The shift in consumer preference from the unorganised sector to the organised, coupled with uptick in domestic demand as people resume work from office, will cheer the Indian retail sector," says Nishit Master, portfolio manager, Axis Securities. Shopping malls are witnessing increased footfall in lower tier towns and standalone stores as consumption picks up and mobility improves.

We have effected transformational changes, says NSE

We have effected transformational changes, says NSE

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

The National Stock Exchange (NSE), which is once again in the eye of a storm due to the co-location scandal, has said it has taken several transformational steps in the past few years on the regulatory, technological, and surveillance fronts to help improve stakeholder experience and to protect investors. Senior officials of the exchange briefed the media over the steps the exchange has taken on various fronts following changes at the helm with former managing director and chief executive officer Chitra Ramkrishna's ouster in December 2016. "Over the last few years, we have been looking to modernise and transform the entire value chain of technology.

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.

Adani keen to enter spectrum race; to face Ambani's Jio, Mittal's Airtel

Adani keen to enter spectrum race; to face Ambani's Jio, Mittal's Airtel

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

Billionaire Gautam Adani's group is said to be planning a surprise entry into the race to acquire telecom spectrum, which will pitch it directly against Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio and telecom czar Sunil Bharti Mittal's Airtel, sources said. Applications for participating in the July 26 auction of airwaves, including those capable of providing fifth-generation or 5G telecom services such as ultra-high-speed internet connectivity, closed on Friday with at least four applications. Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea -- the three private players in the telecom sector -- applied, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

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.

China's Olympic Games app has security flaws?

China's Olympic Games app has security flaws?

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

Winter Games in Beijing has glaring security problems that could expose sensitive data to interception, according to a report

Record Rs 32,000 Crore Seized in Tax Raids

Record Rs 32,000 Crore Seized in Tax Raids

Rediff.com24 Jan 2022

Since arraignment under money laundering is a tougher offence, the CBDT hopes it will also overcome its dismal score sheet to prove satisfactorily to the courts that these cases were genuine ones of tax evasion.

Imran names US diplomat involved in 'conspiracy' to topple his govt

Imran names US diplomat involved in 'conspiracy' to topple his govt

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

Pakistan's Opposition leaders have ridiculed Khan's allegation, and the US has dismissed it.

'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.'

Biden administration goes into mission mode to help India fight COVID-19

Biden administration goes into mission mode to help India fight COVID-19

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

'We are in close touch with Indian officials at all levels. We are also closely coordinating with our allies, friends, and Quad partners about how we can collectively support India in its hour of need,' a senior Biden administration official told reporters

60-65 small- to mid-sized cos on I-T radar for TDS mismatch

60-65 small- to mid-sized cos on I-T radar for TDS mismatch

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

Ahead of the second instalment of advance tax, the revenue department is scrutinising entities that have registered negative growth in their tax deducted at source (TDS) payments, even when they reported healthy advance tax payments. According to sources, taxmen have observed a mismatch in TDS payments from at least 60-65 small to mid-sized companies. Officials said it is unusual for TDS to not increase, given the improved turnover and profits - if higher advance tax payments are any indication.

'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.'

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'.

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

The Chinese dependence is far from over, industry players are also citing a shortage of electronic toys in the country.

Imran Khan meets Putin amid Ukraine attack; talks developments in S Asia

Imran Khan meets Putin amid Ukraine attack; talks developments in S Asia

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

The leaders of the two countries "discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional topics, including developments in South Asia," said a brief statement issued by the Russian President's office - Kremlin.

Dreams come true: IIT-Kharagpur alumni fund scholarships

Dreams come true: IIT-Kharagpur alumni fund scholarships

Rediff.com2 Apr 2018

14 students at IIT Kharagpur have been awarded scholarships.

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.