News for 'Northern Province'

Cameron says he will ask Lanka to investigate rights abuses

Cameron says he will ask Lanka to investigate rights abuses

Rediff.com7 Nov 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday said he will demand that Sri Lankan government independently and transparently investigate alleged war crimes and allegations of continuing human rights abuses in the country.

Taiwan Prez seeks international help as China steps up military drills

Taiwan Prez seeks international help as China steps up military drills

Rediff.com6 Aug 2022

Taiwan says it detected multiple Chinese aircraft and naval vessels taking part in military drills around the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, in what could be a possible simulated attack against the island.

India Must Engage with the Taliban

India Must Engage with the Taliban

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

The activation of diplomatic channels is likely to yield better results than a simmering hostility, recommends Ajai Shukla.

Rajinikanth cancels visit to Lanka after protests from Tamil groups

Rajinikanth cancels visit to Lanka after protests from Tamil groups

Rediff.com25 Mar 2017

The actor said he took the decision after founders of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Vaiko and Thol Thirumavalavan respectively, and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan asked him to consider withdrawing from the programme.

Meetha Khazana: Diwali Recipes From All Over India

Meetha Khazana: Diwali Recipes From All Over India

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

Diwali is a season in India for sweet-making. A treasure of traditional Diwali recipes from all corners of our India.

From Kargil To Peace Talks, Musharraf's Strange Legacy

From Kargil To Peace Talks, Musharraf's Strange Legacy

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Chastened by the Kargil conflict, Pervez Musharraf will be remembered for gradually lowering the profile of terrorism and seeking a realistically negotiated settlement to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, notes Ambassador G Parthasarathy, who served as India's high commissioner to Pakistan when Musharraf seized power in a coup in October 1999.

6.1 magnitude quake rattles Afghanistan; tremors in Pakistan, India

6.1 magnitude quake rattles Afghanistan; tremors in Pakistan, India

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

The quake hit at 12:37 pm near Afghanistan's northern border with Tajikistan in the Hindu Kush mountains at a depth of 191 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

Modi becomes first Indian PM to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years

Modi becomes first Indian PM to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years

Rediff.com13 Mar 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flew into Colombo in the early hours for a historic visit during which he is expected to hold talks with the country's top leadership.

PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka as part of 3-nation tour

PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka as part of 3-nation tour

Rediff.com9 Mar 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets off on Tuesday on a five-day tour of Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka that is expected to give traction to the country's Indian Ocean outreach during which he also visit a former war zone and Tamil heartland of Jaffna.

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Rediff.com1 Nov 2018

In a Sri Lankan House of 225 members, the cut-off figure comes to 113. With Wickremesinghe side touching 102 and Rajapaksa's team at 101, the three-party Tamil National Alliance with 16 members and the left-leaning Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna with 6 members hold the key. But with the latter declaring that they will not support either formation in a vote count,that leaves the TNA as the deciding factor, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Beijing turns yellow as city sees worst sandstorm

Beijing turns yellow as city sees worst sandstorm

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

The Chinese capital Beijing was shrouded in thick brown dust on Monday morning as a result of heavy winds blowing in from Inner Mongolia and other parts of northwestern China.

Rights abuse charges haunt Rajapaksa; Cameron gives ultimatum

Rights abuse charges haunt Rajapaksa; Cameron gives ultimatum

Rediff.com16 Nov 2013

Human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated in the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam haunted Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the CHOGM summit with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday giving the island country an ultimatum to conduct a credible probe into the war crimes by March, failing which he would seek an international investigation.

40 killed as rains, snowfall wreak havoc in north Pak

40 killed as rains, snowfall wreak havoc in north Pak

Rediff.com6 Feb 2013

At least 40 people were killed as heavy rains and snowfall wreaked havoc in the northern parts of Pakistan, snapping road links and forcing people to remain indoors at many places.

Pak Army raises white flag on LoC to recover bodies

Pak Army raises white flag on LoC to recover bodies

Rediff.com14 Sep 2019

Army sources said the Pakistan Army could not recover the bodies despite repeated attempts for over two days.

Why did Pakistan change Gilgit Baltistan's status?

Why did Pakistan change Gilgit Baltistan's status?

Rediff.com9 Nov 2020

Pakistan perceives that if it had declared Gilgit-Baltistan, PoK or both, which are only a part of the territories of J&K, as legitimate provinces of Pakistan it would weaken its case for the entire J&K and lead to legal complications, observes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

Will Mahinda Rajapaksa be defeated?

Will Mahinda Rajapaksa be defeated?

Rediff.com2 Jan 2015

As the island heads for elections, two major factors worry Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One is the division in the Sinhala vote and the other is the prospect of the Tamils and Muslims voting heavily against him.

The rise of IS in Pak is alarming: Think tank

The rise of IS in Pak is alarming: Think tank

Rediff.com8 Jan 2018

IS, especially active in northern Sindh and Balochistan, was also behind the abduction and killing of two Chinese nationals last year.

Chinese city sounds alert for bubonic plague

Chinese city sounds alert for bubonic plague

Rediff.com5 Jul 2020

Bayannur, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced a level III warning of plague prevention and control, state-run People's Daily Online reported. The suspected bubonic plague case was reported on Saturday by a hospital in Bayannur.

Don't make Commonwealth 'punitive' body: Pres Rajapaksa

Don't make Commonwealth 'punitive' body: Pres Rajapaksa

Rediff.com15 Nov 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday made a historic visit to the former war zone of Jaffna to "shine a light on the chilling events" during the last phase of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, hours after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa cautioned against turning the Commonwealth into a "punitive and judgemental body".

Beijing to shut coronavirus hospital, clears all cases

Beijing to shut coronavirus hospital, clears all cases

Rediff.com28 Apr 2020

Xiaotangshan Hospital in Beijing, which was used in 2003 to quarantine SARS patients, cleared all COVID-19 cases on Tuesday and is scheduled to cease operation on Wednesday, official media reported.

After 18 days, all 12 boys, coach rescued from Thai cave

After 18 days, all 12 boys, coach rescued from Thai cave

Rediff.com10 Jul 2018

8 Thai boys were brought out of the over the first two days.

China sends officials to villages to eradicate poverty

China sends officials to villages to eradicate poverty

Rediff.com25 Jun 2012

About 15,000 officials from Hebei provinces were dispatched to over 5,000 villages across the northern Chinese province to live and work with local villagers between February and December this year.

Is Sri Lanka arm-twisting India into talks on fishermen's row?

Is Sri Lanka arm-twisting India into talks on fishermen's row?

Rediff.com31 Jul 2014

Any official-level talks between India and Sri Lanka, without any clear-cut understanding on the livelihood issues, could end up in India having to acknowledge bilaterally even more than what it had no hesitation in accepting in Parliament and outside, says N Sathiya Moorthy

PM to skip CHOGM in Lanka, Khurshid to represent India: Sources

PM to skip CHOGM in Lanka, Khurshid to represent India: Sources

Rediff.com9 Nov 2013

Amid indication that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unlikely to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Sri Lanka, the external affairs ministry on Saturday said no decision has been taken on the visit, which has been opposed by parties in Tamil Nadu as well as a section in Congress.

Postcards from Earth: The planet's most breathtaking locales

Postcards from Earth: The planet's most breathtaking locales

Rediff.com21 Nov 2014

'The poetry of the earth is never dead,' John Keats once wrote. But when Keats wrote these lines, man had no way of reaching up to the hem of the sky and gaze down upon earth.

In PHOTOS: Spectacular ice marvels of Harbin

In PHOTOS: Spectacular ice marvels of Harbin

Rediff.com6 Jan 2012

Glimpses from the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which was officially launched on January 5

20 photos you won't believe were taken on an iPhone

20 photos you won't believe were taken on an iPhone

Rediff.com24 Jul 2018

The best camera is the one you have in your pocket. Ever since the release of the first iPhone, the iPhone Photography Awards, now in its 11th year, highlights the best of the best. This year's winners were selected from thousands of entries and from photographers in 140 countries. The winning image, taken by Jashish Salam of Bangladesh and titled "Displaced," shows a crowded refugee camp with Rohingya children watching a film about sanitation. Other awards included prizes for photographer of the year and 18 other categories like Nature, Children and Travel. Check out the winning images.

Cricket Buzz: Indian govt grants $1m for Afghanistan stadium

Cricket Buzz: Indian govt grants $1m for Afghanistan stadium

Rediff.com9 Aug 2014

The Indian government has passed a grant of $1 million for the construction of a cricket stadium in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, according to a report.

Lanka court acquits ex-LTTE child soldier in murder case

Lanka court acquits ex-LTTE child soldier in murder case

Rediff.com13 Jan 2021

A former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam child soldier-turned-politician was acquitted by a court in Sri Lanka on Wednesday in the 2005 murder case of a senior ethnic Tamil lawmaker at the height of the country's bloody civil war.

Mission impossible? Incredible rescue effort to save kids from Thai cave

Mission impossible? Incredible rescue effort to save kids from Thai cave

Rediff.com6 Jul 2018

In northern Thailand, hundreds of international rescue workers have been spending their last waking hours for the past 11 days trying to get a group of 12 boys, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old soccer coach who have been trapped in a cave after flooding caused by relentless monsoon rains. On July 2, rescue teams discovered all of the boys and their coach alive and in relatively good health, sheltering deep inside the cave complex. Outside, family and friends, who had gathered, welcomed the news. While the boys have been found, extracting them from the cave still remains a difficult task -- much of the return trip is underwater and even though pumps are lowering the water level, the rainfall is not letting up. Here's what's happening and what officials are planning to get them out.

Astounding Images from Sony World Photography Awards 2022

Astounding Images from Sony World Photography Awards 2022

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Over 340,000 images from 211 territories were submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards 2022 and over 156,000 were entered into the Professional competition - the highest number of entries in the history of the Awards.

Now that's cool! China's fantabulous SNOW festival

Now that's cool! China's fantabulous SNOW festival

Rediff.com7 Jan 2014

We present images from the 30th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in China which opened on Sunday and lasts for weeks.

Sri Lanka hails Indian housing assistance

Sri Lanka hails Indian housing assistance

Rediff.com23 May 2013

Sri Lanka has welcomed a whopping Rs 1,372 crore Indian housing assistance programme to build around 4000 homes in the country's eastern province.

7 Indian engineers abducted in Afghanistan by Taliban gunmen

7 Indian engineers abducted in Afghanistan by Taliban gunmen

Rediff.com6 May 2018

The incident happened in Bagh-e-Shamal village of the provincial capital Pul-e-Khomre, TOLOnews reported, citing local officials.

Are Xi's Policies Disastrous For China?

Are Xi's Policies Disastrous For China?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Xi Jinping's recent actions in South Asia have amply demonstrated the disastrous impact of China's embrace, observes Jayadeva Ranade, the retired senior RA&W officer and China expert.

Musharraf to contest polls from Chitral in north Pak

Musharraf to contest polls from Chitral in north Pak

Rediff.com27 Mar 2013

Former President Pervez Musharraf will contest the upcoming general election from a parliamentary constituency in Chitral in northern Pakistan, members of his political party announced on Wednesday.

Musharraf to contest polls from Chitral in north Pak

Musharraf to contest polls from Chitral in north Pak

Rediff.com27 Mar 2013

Former President Pervez Musharraf will contest the upcoming general election from a parliamentary constituency in Chitral in northern Pakistan, members of his political party announced on Wednesday.

China's Kingdom of Ice dazzles one and all

China's Kingdom of Ice dazzles one and all

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

Harbin, China is considered to be one of the coldest places on Earth. It's a superlative the city's million million residents don't take lightly. In fact, for the last 36 years, the community has embraced its frigid identity and invited people from around the globe to experience it for themselves with its famed International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Billed as the world's largest winter festival, the ice and snow sculpture festival is truly a sight to behold. Don't believe us, take a look!

43 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack on army camp

43 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack on army camp

Rediff.com19 Oct 2017

Just two soldiers are known to have survived unscathed after the attack on the base.

Pakistan Army's Imran Nightmare

Pakistan Army's Imran Nightmare

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

There has always been a risk-taking edge to Imran Khan. Like him or hate him, it had to be someone like him to finally threaten to demolish the Pakistani establishment, explains Shekhar Gupta.