News for 'Foreign Office'

How US State Department Is Leveraging UFC For Global Diplomacy

How US State Department Is Leveraging UFC For Global Diplomacy

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.

How US State Department Is Leveraging UFC For Global Diplomacy

How US State Department Is Leveraging UFC For Global Diplomacy

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.

BMW has maxi plans for Mini Cooper, drive into Tier 2 markets

BMW has maxi plans for Mini Cooper, drive into Tier 2 markets

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

The luxury carmaker plans to drive growth through local assembly of the MINI Countryman, expansion into 10 new cities and a broader product portfolio.

Pak steps up US-Iran peace push with third ministerial visit to Tehran

Pak steps up US-Iran peace push with third ministerial visit to Tehran

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran for the third time recently to mediate peace amidst rising tensions between the US and Iran. Pakistan is actively leading diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in West Asia, which has impacted global energy markets and trade.

US Navy attacked 3 merchant ships, India lodges strong protest

US Navy attacked 3 merchant ships, India lodges strong protest

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

India has strongly protested to the United States after three merchant ships with Indian crew members were attacked by the American military off the coast of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian nationals.

US confirms firing 2 Hellfire missiles at Indian vessel

US confirms firing 2 Hellfire missiles at Indian vessel

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed striking the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indian seafarers, in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly violating the US blockade against Iran. This incident marks the third commercial vessel attacked by US forces in the region this week, with three Indian seafarers previously losing their lives in an attack on the MT Settebello.

Pakistan Issues Strong Demarche To Afghanistan Over Terror Attack

Pakistan Issues Strong Demarche To Afghanistan Over Terror Attack

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Pakistan has strongly condemned Afghanistan for allegedly harbouring terrorists responsible for a deadly attack on a police post, issuing a stern warning and demanding action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.

Delhi HC upholds blocking of Telegram ahead of NEET retest

Delhi HC upholds blocking of Telegram ahead of NEET retest

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Indian government's decision to temporarily restrict access to Telegram, citing the messaging app's capacity for 'automated dissemination' of large content, which could facilitate misinformation during the crucial NEET-UG retest.

ED Conducts Fresh Searches In Ex-Cop's Extortion Case

ED Conducts Fresh Searches In Ex-Cop's Extortion Case

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted fresh searches at the Kandi residence of arrested former Kolkata Police officer Santanu Sinha Biswas in connection with the alleged 'Sona Pappu' extortion and land-grab case.

US navy hits sanctioned tanker off Oman, all 24 Indians safe

US navy hits sanctioned tanker off Oman, all 24 Indians safe

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

An oil tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers reported a fire off the coast of Oman, with all crew members confirmed safe. The incident occurred amidst renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran, who exchanged attacks on petrochemical facilities.

Governor Review: Oversimple Take On India's Monetary Muddle

Governor Review: Oversimple Take On India's Monetary Muddle

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Governor: Simplistic narrative, questionable historical accuracy, underwhelming production quality, notes Sukanya Verma.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Rally on US-Iran Peace Deal

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Rally on US-Iran Peace Deal

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged significantly in early trade, tracking a global rally fueled by US President Donald Trump's declaration of an end to the war with Iran and a subsequent drop in crude oil prices.

Indian Techies Face Green Card Uncertainty

Indian Techies Face Green Card Uncertainty

Rediff.com25 May 2026

This could come as a setback to thousands of Indian engineers who have waited for years for their work visas to pave the way for the coveted Green Card.

How Punjab Police Dismantled Drug Trafficking Networks

How Punjab Police Dismantled Drug Trafficking Networks

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Punjab Police has dismantled the financial infrastructure of drug-trafficking networks, freezing assets worth Rs 300 crore linked to alleged drug smugglers.

Netanyahu's Alleged UAE Visit Sparks Diplomatic Tension With Iran

Netanyahu's Alleged UAE Visit Sparks Diplomatic Tension With Iran

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Iran has warned of consequences for any collusion between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, following reports of a secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Operation Roaring Lion.

Illegal migration impact spreads beyond border areas: Govt

Illegal migration impact spreads beyond border areas: Govt

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes to study the impact of illegal immigration and other factors on India's demographic landscape.

Global Rally Propels Sensex Up 1,695 Points, Nifty Gains 2% on US-Iran Peace Hopes

Global Rally Propels Sensex Up 1,695 Points, Nifty Gains 2% on US-Iran Peace Hopes

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed sharply higher, with the Sensex climbing 1,695.40 points and the Nifty surging nearly 2 per cent, driven by a global market rally and a decline in crude oil prices following US President Donald Trump's declaration that his country has ended the war with Iran.

Pakistan offers to host US-Iran talks after call with Saudi Crown Prince

Pakistan offers to host US-Iran talks after call with Saudi Crown Prince

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered to mediate between the US and Iran to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in West Asia, following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran. Sharif has been in contact with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other nations to promote dialogue and diplomacy.

Punjab Police Uncovers Babbar Khalsa International Terror Plot

Punjab Police Uncovers Babbar Khalsa International Terror Plot

Rediff.com19 May 2026

The Punjab Police have dismantled a terror module supported by the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), arresting two individuals and seizing hand grenades intended for targeting government institutions.

Gujarat ATS Seizes Rs 1,150 Crore Cocaine Consignment

Gujarat ATS Seizes Rs 1,150 Crore Cocaine Consignment

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard seized 115 kg of cocaine worth nearly Rs 1,150 crore from a vessel off Mundra port, arresting three foreign nationals and disrupting an international drug trafficking network.

BJP eyeing 2/3rd majority to end reservations: Jairam Ramesh

BJP eyeing 2/3rd majority to end reservations: Jairam Ramesh

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has alleged that the BJP's "real and ultimate target" in seeking a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha is to amend the Constitution to end reservation, rather than genuinely implement women's reservation.

AI boom reshapes global equity markets, India slips to sixth place

AI boom reshapes global equity markets, India slips to sixth place

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The global artificial intelligence (AI) boom has significantly reshaped equity markets, with Taiwan surpassing India to become the world's fifth-largest stock market. India has seen its market capitalisation decline by 7% year-to-date, while AI-linked economies like Taiwan and South Korea have surged.

Modi under Cong fire over US statements after killing of Indian seafarers

Modi under Cong fire over US statements after killing of Indian seafarers

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

The Congress on Sunday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US' statements after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks on ships, with party leader Rahul Gandhi saying the "compromised PM" listens "like an obedient servant" and "complies with the orders".

Gujarat ATS Seizes Huge Cocaine Haul Off Mundra Port

Gujarat ATS Seizes Huge Cocaine Haul Off Mundra Port

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard seized 115 kg of cocaine valued at nearly Rs 1,150 crore from a vessel off Mundra port and apprehended three foreign nationals.

Indian official found dead at Chattogram mission in B'desh

Indian official found dead at Chattogram mission in B'desh

Rediff.com20 May 2026

An Indian High Commission official in Chattogram, Bangladesh, was found dead inside the mission premises. The deceased has been identified as Naren Dhar, who was serving as an Assistant Protocol Officer. Police suspect a possible cardiac arrest, pending a post-mortem report.

Increasing mission strength: Pak foreign office

Increasing mission strength: Pak foreign office

Rediff.com6 Mar 2007

The summary is presently under review by the Finance Ministry that does not find the Foreign Ministry's proposal convincing enough to be given a serious thought, the newspaper quoted officials as saying.

Modi's Austerity Push Faces Reality Test

Modi's Austerity Push Faces Reality Test

Rediff.com25 May 2026

Following through announcements with enforcement of measures is key, as a run through recent Indian economic history shows, points out A K Bhattacharya.

US makes U-turn on 'return to home country' order for green cards

US makes U-turn on 'return to home country' order for green cards

Rediff.com30 May 2026

The US Department of Homeland Security has clarified that not all immigrants seeking green cards will be required to return to their home country to make such applications, partially walking back a previous announcement.

Chennai-born architect of Trump's AI policies exits White House

Chennai-born architect of Trump's AI policies exits White House

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

The 42-year-old, who has had stints at Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter, made the announcement of leaving his role as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in a post on X on Saturday.

Delhi Police Nab Key Operative In Arms Trafficking Module

Delhi Police Nab Key Operative In Arms Trafficking Module

Rediff.com10 May 2026

Delhi Police have arrested Praveen Kumar, a key operative linked to a transnational arms trafficking and terror module. Kumar, an associate of gangster Rohit Chaudhary, is accused of being a 'receiver' for the module backed by Pakistan's ISI. The arrest brings the total number of accused in the case to 14.

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Batala Double Murder: Punjab Police Arrest Key Suspects

Batala Double Murder: Punjab Police Arrest Key Suspects

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Punjab Police, in collaboration with central agencies, arrested three key suspects in the Batala double murder case from the Indo-Bhutan border in West Bengal. The accused were allegedly linked to a foreign-based fugitive gangster, Happy Jatt.

How Delhi Police Busted Illegal Forex Trading Call Centre

How Delhi Police Busted Illegal Forex Trading Call Centre

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Delhi Police busted an illegal forex trading call centre in Indore, arresting six individuals involved in defrauding victims nationwide through fake online investment schemes. The syndicate allegedly used a fake trading platform to lure people into investing in forex and online trading products, showing fabricated profits and gains.

How Punjab Police Busted A Cross-Border Drug Ring

How Punjab Police Busted A Cross-Border Drug Ring

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Punjab Police have dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling operation, arresting four individuals in Ferozepur and seizing a significant quantity of heroin and cash.

Delhi fire: Hotel owner was arrested for helping Bangladeshis get IDs

Delhi fire: Hotel owner was arrested for helping Bangladeshis get IDs

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

The owner of the Malviya Nagar hotel, Lavkesh Bajaj, where a recent fire killed 21 people, was previously arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal stay of Bangladesh nationals by helping them procure fraudulent Indian identity documents. Bajaj is currently in police custody as investigators probe the circumstances of the deadly blaze and search for other individuals linked to the hotel's management.

US tightens Green Card rules, visa holders must apply from home countries

US tightens Green Card rules, visa holders must apply from home countries

Rediff.com23 May 2026

The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in "extraordinary circumstances".

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures, including avoiding destination weddings abroad and reducing edible oil consumption, to mitigate the impact of the West Asia crisis on India's economy.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty50 Open In Red Weighed By West Asia Crisis

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty50 Open In Red Weighed By West Asia Crisis

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Indian equity benchmark indices experienced a significant drop in early trade, with the BSE Sensex falling over 525 points and the NSE Nifty down more than 164 points, primarily due to rising crude oil prices and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict.

24 Nigerians Detained In Thane For Illegal Residency

24 Nigerians Detained In Thane For Illegal Residency

Rediff.com23 May 2026

24 Nigerian nationals, including seven women, were detained in Dombivali, Thane district, during a combing operation for residing illegally.

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

While the Andaman and Nicobar islands serve as a vital, stationary asset for projecting power in the Indian Ocean, referring to them as an unsinkable aircraft carrier ignores key military and geopolitical limitations, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).