News for 'International Development Association'

Did FB fail to stop hate-filled user content in India?

Did FB fail to stop hate-filled user content in India?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2021

Internal documents at Facebook show "a struggle with misinformation, hate speech and celebrations of violence" in India, the company's biggest market, with researchers at the social media giant pointing out that there are groups and pages "replete with inflammatory and misleading anti-Muslim content" on its platform, US media reports have said.

US intel says Covid not a bio-weapon, unsure about its origins

US intel says Covid not a bio-weapon, unsure about its origins

Rediff.com28 Aug 2021

The United States intelligence community has failed to reach any firm conclusion on the exact origin of COVID-19 and is split on whether it leaked from a lab in China or emerged in nature, even though it does not believe the virus was developed as a biological weapon, according to results of a detailed review ordered by President Joe Biden.

'If he was in India, Einstein wouldn't have got out of school'

'If he was in India, Einstein wouldn't have got out of school'

Rediff.com24 Mar 2023

'Most students find it difficult to cope with the way they are expected to learn at the IITs.' 'So, all the students face the same stress.' 'But those students who are mentally weak are more affected.'

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Here's the full text of the maiden address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day 2022.

Mobile phone PLI scheme extended by a year

Mobile phone PLI scheme extended by a year

Rediff.com28 Jun 2021

The government on Monday extended the period of production-linked incentive scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing with a focus on mobile phones by a year until 2025-26. The base year of the scheme 2019-20 remains the same but the companies will have the option to choose their five-year period either from the base year or the year 2020-21 for calculation of the incentives under the scheme. "Now we have extended the tenure of the scheme from 2020-21 to 2025-26. "Earlier, it would have ended in 2024-25.

Covid, economy figure in President Murmu's maiden address to nation

Covid, economy figure in President Murmu's maiden address to nation

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

India has helped the world discover the true potential of democracy and the keyword for the country today is compassion for the downtrodden, needy and those on the margins, President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday.

PM Modi inaugurates Khelo India Winter Games

PM Modi inaugurates Khelo India Winter Games

Rediff.com26 Feb 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the second Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg and said that the event is a step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports in the country.

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Joe Biden's B3W proposal aims to bring democracies together. India should come up with its own plans to contribute to the initiative, states Rahul Mishra.

Manufacturing activities gain further strength in Oct

Manufacturing activities gain further strength in Oct

Rediff.com1 Nov 2021

India's manufacturing sector activities gained further strength in October as companies scaled up production and stepped up input purchasing in anticipation of further improvements in demand, a monthly survey said on Monday. Robust gains in new work aided production growth in October as output and new orders expanded at fastest rates in seven months, while business optimism hit a six-month high, the survey said. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose from 53.7 in September to 55.9 in October, pointing to the strongest improvement in overall operating conditions since February.

Multi-agency group to probe Indian names in 'Pandora Papers'

Multi-agency group to probe Indian names in 'Pandora Papers'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2021

The government will investigate every Indian name appearing in an unprecedented leak of financial records, known as the 'Pandora Papers', which alleged that many world leaders have secret offshore stores of wealth.

U'khand tragedy caused by massive rock and ice avalanche

U'khand tragedy caused by massive rock and ice avalanche

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

The study suggests that climate change is contributing to such events happening more frequently, and highlights risks of increasing development projects in fragile environments.

NSE blockchain platform for gold a game changer

NSE blockchain platform for gold a game changer

Rediff.com25 Oct 2021

In a first for India, bullion derivatives contracts will be settled on a blockchain platform. This will help in global acceptance of gold refined by Indian bullion refineries, giving a fillip to the local industry, exports, as well as investments. From November 1, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will accept gold delivery only on the blockchain platform.

IIT alumni are opening their wallets wide to give back despite Covid-19

IIT alumni are opening their wallets wide to give back despite Covid-19

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

While the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur may have attracted among the highest donations by an individual (former student and IndiGo Airlines co-founder Rakesh Gangwal) at Rs 100 crore last week, IITs have largely seen such contributions rise over recent years, despite the Covid pandemic. According to Mahesh Panchagnula, dean, Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, in the last five years, the premier institute has raised more than Rs 135 crore under the endowment category of education alone. Despite the pandemic, there has been an increasing trend in endowment funding received at IIT Madras, with an average increase of about 20 per cent year-on-year across the last five years.

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.

Canada court orders seizure of Air India, AAI assets over dues

Canada court orders seizure of Air India, AAI assets over dues

Rediff.com4 Jan 2022

A court in Canada has ordered the seizure of amounts collected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on behalf of Air India and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Separate orders were passed on November 24 and December 21 on pleas by shareholders of Devas Multimedia Private Limited who have filed multiple petitions to enforce arbitration awards against the Indian government. According to a Devas spokesperson, more than $30 million has been seized to date under the IATA action.

Tata Motors to raise $1 bn in passenger EV biz

Tata Motors to raise $1 bn in passenger EV biz

Rediff.com12 Oct 2021

Homegrown auto major Tata Motors on Tuesday said it will raise $1 billion (Rs 7,500 crore) in its passenger electric vehicle business from TPG Rise Climate at a valuation of up to $9.1 billion. Tata Motors Ltd (TML) and TPG Rise Climate, the dedicated climate investing strategy of private investment firm TPG, have entered into a binding agreement in this regard. Under the agreement, TPG Rise Climate along with its co-investor ADQ, will invest in a subsidiary of Tata Motors that will be newly incorporated, the company said in a statement.

China sanctions Pompeo, 27 other Americans

China sanctions Pompeo, 27 other Americans

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

The sanctioned individuals and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China. They and companies and institutions associated with them are also restricted from doing business with China, according to the statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

Indian plants -- who plan to begin production with 28 nano metre chips -- will take two to four years to get off the ground. By that time, in the fast changing world of chip making, the global market would have shifted to 22 nm.

US apologises for Kabul drone strike that killed 7 kids

US apologises for Kabul drone strike that killed 7 kids

Rediff.com19 Sep 2021

The strike by a Hellfire missile in Kabul on August 29, which was launched in an effort to kill ISIS-K planners, instead killed 10 civilians, he said.

With open offer to buy 26% stake, Adanis seek to become majority shareholder in NDTV

With open offer to buy 26% stake, Adanis seek to become majority shareholder in NDTV

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

Three firms, Vishvapradhan Commercial Pvt Ltd along with AMG Media Networks and Adani Enterprises Ltd, have offered a price of Rs 294 for the acquisition of up to 1,67,62,530 fully paid-up equity shares of NDTV having a face value of Rs 4 from the public shareholders.

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.

UK announces 'first round of sanctions' against 5 Russian banks, 3 businessmen

UK announces 'first round of sanctions' against 5 Russian banks, 3 businessmen

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

The United Kingdom government on Tuesday imposed tough sanctions against five Russian banks and three super-rich oligarchs from the country over President Vladimir Putin's aggressive action on the Ukraine border.

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.

IOC releases COVID-19 regulations for Tokyo Olympics

IOC releases COVID-19 regulations for Tokyo Olympics

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

The Games' Sport-Specific Regulations (SSR) has been developed jointly by IOC and the IFs to determine the impact of a confirmed positive COVID-19 case and its management in competition formats and structures.

2022: 10 Important Career Skills to Succeed

2022: 10 Important Career Skills to Succeed

Rediff.com4 Jan 2022

Leadership, teamwork, communication, productivity, and wellness skills are essential for every employee's success.

Why inflation pain could get worse

Why inflation pain could get worse

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

As India looks to mend its Covid-battered economy, one thing that will grab the attention of all concerned is the path that both wholesale and retail inflation will follow. Even the Reserve Bank of India in its latest policy statement said, "Going forward, the inflation trajectory is likely to be shaped by uncertainties impinging on the upside and the downside.

Seizing India's foreign assets won't be easy for Cairn Energy

Seizing India's foreign assets won't be easy for Cairn Energy

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Cairn Energy has threatened the Indian government that it is looking at executing the favourable $1.2 billion international tribunal award in the retrospective taxation case by seizing India's overseas assets.

'If Putin succeeds, Russia will be an unquestioned great power'

'If Putin succeeds, Russia will be an unquestioned great power'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

'The aim of Russian policy is to reform European security, stop NATO expansion and in a more general sense -- set up the new rules of relations between the great powers.' 'From this perspective. the invasion of Ukraine is quite pointless.'

Anil Pahwa chosen as Jefferson Science Fellow

Anil Pahwa chosen as Jefferson Science Fellow

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

Anil Pahwa, Logan-Fetterhoof chair professor of electrical and computer engineering, Kansas State University, was last month named among the 13 Jefferson Science Fellows. The prestigious program is administered by the National Academies and supported through partnerships with the science, technology and engineering academic community, professional scientific societies, the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.

How BCCI can reschedule IPL 2021

How BCCI can reschedule IPL 2021

Rediff.com11 May 2021

Niranjan Shah suggests that the BCCI not rush to take a decision and wait for a couple of months to see how the COVID-19 situation develops before taking a call on IPL 2021.

Teen sensation Hooda named in Indian Badminton Team

Teen sensation Hooda named in Indian Badminton Team

Rediff.com21 Apr 2022

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will spearhead the women's challenge in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games while London Olympics bronze winner Saina Nehwal did not expectedly feature in the squads.

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

'Frankly, India has no role to play.' 'This is a showdown between the US and NATO on one hand and Russia on the other.' 'That said, the outcome of this titanic struggle in Central Europe will remould the world order and affect India profoundly,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India well-set to extend winning run in final SA T20I

India well-set to extend winning run in final SA T20I

Rediff.com18 Jun 2022

A lot of grey areas are yet to be addressed, but a young Indian team, with an admirable collective temperament, will start as favourites in the series-deciding fifth T20 International against South Africa, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.

Conflicts should be resolved by peaceful means: BRICS

Conflicts should be resolved by peaceful means: BRICS

Rediff.com5 Sep 2020

The BRICS stressed on resolution of conflicts in a declaration issued after a virtual meeting of foreign ministers of the member nations of the grouping. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Mary Kom 'favourite' to win Asian Boxing Championships

Mary Kom 'favourite' to win Asian Boxing Championships

Rediff.com7 May 2021

Mary Kom, who is an Asian Games winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will start the tournament as favourite in the women's category.

Badminton: Satwik-Chirag, Sameer for Arjuna

Badminton: Satwik-Chirag, Sameer for Arjuna

Rediff.com2 Jun 2020

Besides, the BAI also recommended renowned National Institute of Sports (NIS)-certified coaches -- S Murlidharan and Bhaskar Babu -- for the Dronacharya Award.

Chandrayaan-3 Will Head To Moon In 2022

Chandrayaan-3 Will Head To Moon In 2022

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

ISRO hopes to put a crew on the moon, but it has to learn how to keep people alive and healthy in space first.

Can't live under Taliban: Afghan students in India

Can't live under Taliban: Afghan students in India

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

The Taliban have been known for using violence to force the people to accept their agenda and views, he added.

How Instagram influences your teen's eating habits

How Instagram influences your teen's eating habits

Rediff.com8 Dec 2019

According to a study, social media is leading young adolescent girls and boys to develop body image issues and eating disorder behaviours.

India's infra sector gets a major funding boost

India's infra sector gets a major funding boost

Rediff.com17 Mar 2021

The Cabinet has cleared a Bill to set up a government-owned development finance institution (DFI) with initial paid-up capital of Rs 20,000 crore so that it can leverage around Rs 3 trillion from the markets in a few years to provide long-term funds to infrastructure projects as well as for development needs of the country. To put it in perspective, Rs 3 trillion constitutes slightly less than 3 per cent of the Rs 111 trillion to be spent on over 7,000 projects in the National Infrastructure Pipeline from 2019-20 to 2024-25. Besides, the government will give Rs 5,000 crore as grant to the institution, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday told the media after the Cabinet meeting.