News for 'Department of International Relations'

2 Noida schools shut over coronavirus fears

2 Noida schools shut over coronavirus fears

Rediff.com3 Mar 2020

Two private schools in Noida cancelled classes on Tuesday for the next few days as a precautionary measure over the father of a student testing positive for coronavirus, officials said. The two schools announced their closure in messages sent to the parents. One of the schools, where a student's father tested positive, said it will remain shut from March 4 to March 6.

Tatas, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh bid for Air India

Tatas, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh bid for Air India

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

"Financial bids for Air India disinvestment received by Transaction Adviser. Process now moves to concluding stage," DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted.

IMD may deploy cutting-edge tech to forecast weather accurately

IMD may deploy cutting-edge tech to forecast weather accurately

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

IMD has decided to increasingly use cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in forecasting, both to avoid such glitches and to counter the disruption of normal seasonal patterns as a result of climate change. It has formed various internal sub-groups of senior officials and meteorologists to decide on how best to use AI and ML in predicting cyclone intensity, and in making short-range weather forecasts (those valid for up to three hours) as well as long-range forecasts.

NEP, 4-year undergrad programme gets DU's implementation approval

NEP, 4-year undergrad programme gets DU's implementation approval

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

The implementation of the NEP and four-year undergraduate programme were approved by the Standing Committee on Academic Matters and the Academic Council last week.

China has militarised SCS to assert dominance: US

China has militarised SCS to assert dominance: US

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus on Sunday said five years ago on September 25, 2015 the Chinese President, standing in the White House Rose Garden, promised 'China does not intend to pursue militarisation' of the Spratly Islands, and China's outposts 'would not target or impact any country'.

Retro tax settlement with Cairn may hinge on Vedanta case

Retro tax settlement with Cairn may hinge on Vedanta case

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

The Union government's offer of settling the retrospective taxation case with Cairn Energy may hinge on Vedanta withdrawing the ongoing arbitration from the Singapore Tribunal on the same issue. The government has offered to refund Cairn Energy Rs 7,900 crore that it had collected under the retrospective tax demand on fulfilment of certain conditions, including withdrawal of pending litigation and furnishing of an undertaking to the effect that no claim for cost, damages, interest, etc., would be filed. This condition is also part of the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed by Parliament recently.

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Murthy, who currently is the top Indian-American advisor to President-elect Joe Biden on COVID-19, is a potential pick for the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and Stanford University Professor Arun Majumdar for the post of Secretary of Energy, The Washington Post and Politico said in their reports on Tuesday that mentions a list of potential picks for various Cabinet-level positions in the Biden administration.

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

Rediff.com26 May 2020

ILO acts upon a plea by 10 central trade unions objecting to the ordinances proposed to temporarily scrap labour laws in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, along with executive orders issued by at least 10 states to increase the daily working limit to 12 hours from eight hours, along with other labour law changes.

PM reviews India's COVID-19 vaccination strategy

PM reviews India's COVID-19 vaccination strategy

Rediff.com21 Nov 2020

Modi tweeted that the meeting discussed important issues related to the progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement.

Broad fines Broad: Chris penalises son Stuart for using 'inappropriate language'

Broad fines Broad: Chris penalises son Stuart for using 'inappropriate language'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2020

Stuart Broad was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match."

China conducts precision strikes over Taiwan Strait

China conducts precision strikes over Taiwan Strait

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

The Chinese military on Thursday said it has conducted precision strikes over the Taiwan Strait and 'expected results' were achieved, in apparent retaliation to the United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei disregarding Beijing's vociferous warnings.

'India among top countries in illegal wildlife trade'

'India among top countries in illegal wildlife trade'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

'With just 2.4 per cent of global landmass, India houses six to eight per cent of planetary biodiversity and hence is a prime target of wildlife criminals.'

India challenges Vodafone arbitration ruling in Singapore court

India challenges Vodafone arbitration ruling in Singapore court

Rediff.com24 Dec 2020

India has challenged in a Singapore court a verdict of an international arbitration tribunal that overturned its demand for Rs 22,100 crore in back taxes from Vodafone Group Plc, sources said on Thursday. An international arbitration court had on September 25 rejected tax authorities' demand for Rs 22,100 crore in back taxes and penalties relating to the British telecom giant's 2007 acquisition of an Indian operator. Two sources privy to the development said India had 90 days to file an appeal against the tribunal award, and the same was done in a Singapore court earlier this week.

How US-Russia frost affects India

How US-Russia frost affects India

Rediff.com22 Jun 2019

The stagnation in US-Russia relations does not augur well for New Delhi's strategic interests, says Harsh V Pant and Raj Kumar Sharma.

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

'We have the technical expertise, and international collaborations. We also have robust real-time data. We are a university of pandemic management. If the ministry neglects the role of NCDC, it is the loss of the country'

Pak failed to stop LeT, JeM funds, recruiting: US

Pak failed to stop LeT, JeM funds, recruiting: US

Rediff.com2 Nov 2019

The US State Department, in its Congressional mandated annual Country Reports on Terrorism for the year 2018, on Friday said even though the Pakistani government voiced support for political reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban, it did not restrict the terror group and the Haqqani Network from operating in Pakistan-based safe havens and threatening the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.

India battling climate change and it is getting worse, warn experts

India battling climate change and it is getting worse, warn experts

Rediff.com16 May 2022

The experts said that climate change is not only raising temperatures and making India's heatwaves hotter, but also changing weather patterns that further drive dangerous weather extremes.

E-commerce rules to get stricter; flash sales may soon be history

E-commerce rules to get stricter; flash sales may soon be history

Rediff.com21 Jun 2021

The Centre on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning mis-selling and fraudulent flash sale of goods and services on e-commerce platforms, and also on making registration of these entities mandatory with DPIIT. Ban on misleading users by manipulating search results, appointment of chief compliance officer and resident grievance officer are some of the other amendments being proposed. The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 were first notified in July last year.

Govt seeks India Inc's view on economic revival

Govt seeks India Inc's view on economic revival

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

Officers across departments and ministries have been asked to speak to people across sectors for 'SWOT' analysis of issues for revival of the economy.

Super 30 founder invited to speak at German university

Super 30 founder invited to speak at German university

Rediff.com24 Nov 2015

Anand will also interact with the Indian and German students at the Technical University of Chemnitz.

J-K: Imran calls Saudi prince, Bajwa meets Chinese gen

J-K: Imran calls Saudi prince, Bajwa meets Chinese gen

Rediff.com27 Aug 2019

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with China's Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Xu Qiliang when he visited the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters in Rawalpindi with a high-level delegation on Monday

How Mike Pompeo has rattled China's Communist leaders

How Mike Pompeo has rattled China's Communist leaders

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

Such criticism by China of a foreign government official, particularly of a major power like the US, is very unusual. It is clear that China will come under increasing pressure certainly till the US presidential elections are held, observes former senior RA&W officer and China expert Jayadeva Ranade.

Biden's Taiwan Threat Rattles China

Biden's Taiwan Threat Rattles China

Rediff.com24 May 2022

Key to China's decision regarding Taiwan will be its leadership's assessment whether the US will come to Taiwan's defence, explains Jayadeva Ranade, the former senior RA&W officer and China expert.

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.

2 top US senators ask Blinken to raise farmers' issue with India

2 top US senators ask Blinken to raise farmers' issue with India

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

Schumer and Menendez said the months-long demonstrations have been met with orders from the central government and local authorities to shut off internet access in protest areas, cut off water and electricity supplies for the tens of thousands living in protest camps, and impede the work of journalists reporting on the protests.

How will Biden deal with China?

How will Biden deal with China?

Rediff.com24 Aug 2020

It is premature to make the assumption that Biden's policy toward China will not be a break with Trump, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India was there for us, we will be there for them: Biden

India was there for us, we will be there for them: Biden

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

"The president pledged America's steadfast ongoing support for the people of India, who have been impacted by the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

Cong 'exposes' BJP's 'links with terrorists'; slams 'fake nationalism'

Cong 'exposes' BJP's 'links with terrorists'; slams 'fake nationalism'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

The brutal killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan's Udaipur was a "terrorist incident", he said, alleging that Riyaz Attari, one of the main accused, was a BJP member since 2019.

US imposes new visa restrictions on China over Tibet

US imposes new visa restrictions on China over Tibet

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was taking action against an unspecified number of Chinese officials, including from the ruling Communist Party, under a US law that calls on China to let Americans visit Tibet.

China bans BBC from broadcasting for violating reporting guidelines

China bans BBC from broadcasting for violating reporting guidelines

Rediff.com12 Feb 2021

Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party government's mouthpiece, said that the broadcaster is responsible "for falsified reporting" on China's handling of the coronavirus in the country.

Why China is flexing its muscles

Why China is flexing its muscles

Rediff.com6 Jun 2020

'India has ramped up infrastructure on its side, so the Chinese military is finding Indian soldiers in locations where they are not used to seeing an Indian footprint,' points out Harsh V Pant.

Former Asiad gold medallist Fortunato Franco dead

Former Asiad gold medallist Fortunato Franco dead

Rediff.com10 May 2021

He was a part of the 1960 Rome Olympics squad but didn't get a game but was an integral part of the 1962 Asiad gold winning team in Jakarta.

The chinks in India's arbitration laws

The chinks in India's arbitration laws

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

Treaty

'Imran has divided the Pakistan army'

'Imran has divided the Pakistan army'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

'Many senior officers are unhappy with him, but many lower level officers are still supportive.' 'This is also not something that has happened for a long time. So this is certainly a milestone.'

T20 WC PIX: Warner strikes form as Australia crush SL

T20 WC PIX: Warner strikes form as Australia crush SL

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12s match between Sri Lanka and Australia, in Dubai, on Wednesday.

India imposes restriction on public procurement from China

India imposes restriction on public procurement from China

Rediff.com24 Jul 2020

The Government of India amended the General Financial Rules 2017 to enable imposition of restrictions on bidders from countries which share a land border with India on grounds of defence of India, or matters directly or indirectly related thereto including national security, an official statement said.

Terrorist Syed Salahuddin's son arrested in Kashmir terror funding case

Terrorist Syed Salahuddin's son arrested in Kashmir terror funding case

Rediff.com24 Oct 2017

The agency alleged that Shahid is "one of several Indian contacts of Bhat" who have been in telephonic contact with him to receive the money transfer codes.

Govt set to overshoot FY22 tax collection target

Govt set to overshoot FY22 tax collection target

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

With the first quarter gross tax mop-up reaching Rs 5.6 lakh crore, Icra Ratings on Friday said the government is set to exceed the budgeted tax collection target of Rs 22.2 lakh crore for 2021-22, led by indirect taxes. The government has budgeted a modest 9.5 per cent growth in tax collections at Rs 22.2 lakh crore for FY22, over FY21 collections of Rs 20.2 lakh crore. However, despite the second wave of the pandemic, the April-June quarter tax collections rose to Rs 5.6 lakh crore, which is 39 per cent higher than Q1 of FY20.

UK allows quarantine-free travel to low-risk countries

UK allows quarantine-free travel to low-risk countries

Rediff.com3 Jul 2020

India and the US are among the countries excluded from the list of nearly 60 low-risk countries.

Trade war is Trump's bid to halt China's rise

Trade war is Trump's bid to halt China's rise

Rediff.com28 Sep 2018

Chinese observers believe the Sino-US relationship will be impacted by issues in North Korea, Japan, India, Ukraine and Iran and that conflicts with these 'third parties' will without exception ultimately become conflicts between China and the US, points out former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade.