News for 'Soviet Union'

Euro 2020 postponed until 2021 by UEFA over coronavirus

Euro 2020 postponed until 2021 by UEFA over coronavirus

Rediff.com17 Mar 2020

The Euro 2020 soccer Championship, trumpeted as a continent-wide feast of football from Dublin to Baku to mark UEFA's 60th anniversary, was postponed for a year on Tuesday as the coronavirus pandemic claimed its biggest sporting casualty yet. Europe's flagship tournament, staged every four years and second only to FIFA's World Cup in terms of prestige in soccer, will now be staged from June 11 to July 12, 2021.

China's moon rover Jade Rabbit comes 'back to life'

China's moon rover Jade Rabbit comes 'back to life'

Rediff.com13 Feb 2014

China's troubled moon rover Yutu or Jade Rabbit has come back to life from a troubled dormancy although experts are still trying to figure out the cause of its abnormality, officials said on Thursday.

How WhatsApp signed up 1.5 billion people

How WhatsApp signed up 1.5 billion people

Rediff.com16 Mar 2019

Several of WhatsApp's early features were designed keeping Indian conditions in mind, given the choppy connectivity and existence of devices of different makes. In fact, India was the first country where WhatsApp rolled out in-app video calling services in 2016, ahead of its global launch, underlining the importance of the market for the company.

A reluctant foreign secretary takes leave -- quietly

A reluctant foreign secretary takes leave -- quietly

Rediff.com1 Oct 2019

KPS Menon (Jr) had a quiet humility and playfulness, and was not motivated by money or power, recalls Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Kashmir casts shadows on India-Russia ties

Kashmir casts shadows on India-Russia ties

Rediff.com5 Sep 2019

'The Vladivostok visit marks a subtle reversal of trend discernible in the revival of India-Russia relations pioneered by Modi during the past couple of years,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Euro Previews: Germany won't accept underdogs tag; Hungary need unity

Euro Previews: Germany won't accept underdogs tag; Hungary need unity

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

The Germans will play their group matches in Munich

Rahul's 'Hum Do Hamare Do' won't hurt Modi

Rahul's 'Hum Do Hamare Do' won't hurt Modi

Rediff.com16 Feb 2021

It's time Rahul Gandhi became attuned to the reality of the 21st century instead of recycling failed political jargon of the 20th century,' argues Virendra Kapoor.

With only one Russian athlete in the fray, Americans eye bumper medals haul

With only one Russian athlete in the fray, Americans eye bumper medals haul

Rediff.com12 Aug 2016

The United States is expected to run away with the athletics competition in Rio, taking podium spots often the preserve of Russians such as double pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva and 110m hurdles world champion Sergei Shubenkov.

UN chief urges India, 7 others to ratify N-test ban treaty

UN chief urges India, 7 others to ratify N-test ban treaty

Rediff.com26 Aug 2014

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed to India, China and the US along with five other nations to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, saying the international community should complete the "unfinished business" of achieving a world free of atomic weapons.

India-US ties sailing in choppy waters

India-US ties sailing in choppy waters

Rediff.com10 Jan 2020

'2020 will show whether India's troubled domestic economic and political house reveals a mismatch in their strategic association or whether closer strategic ties are yet possible,' says Anita Inder Singh.

Meldonium tests reignite doping scandal in Russian athletics

Meldonium tests reignite doping scandal in Russian athletics

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

The Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) said on Monday four athletes had tested positive at the Russian Winter Indoor Athletics Championships in February.

India is talking to the Taliban because the Taliban are winning

India is talking to the Taliban because the Taliban are winning

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

But why should India be talking to the Taliban in the first place? There is no love lost there. India will never forget or forgive the humiliation to which the Taliban subjected it in the IC-814 hijack, notes Shekhar Gupta.

'Raj Kapoor: Indian showman of all time'

'Raj Kapoor: Indian showman of all time'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2017

The Great Showman's five children remember him on his 93rd birth anniversary.

What did Modi want from the Chinese?

What did Modi want from the Chinese?

Rediff.com4 May 2018

'Some have speculated that it has to do with Doklam and the 2019 elections.' 'That Modi asked Xi not to embarrass him by sending the Chinese army into Bhutan again, this time rolling over our resistance,' says Aakar Patel.

Biden: No cause to worry for India

Biden: No cause to worry for India

Rediff.com12 Nov 2020

Washington might occasionally make some noises about alleged human rights violations and related issues but commonality of interests will only see the Indo-US ties grow stronger, observes Virendra Kapoor.

Russian PM guarantees security at Sochi Olympics

Russian PM guarantees security at Sochi Olympics

Rediff.com1 Nov 2013

The Russian government and security services will overcome security threats and can guarantee safety at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

Was air strike a clear victory for India?

Was air strike a clear victory for India?

Rediff.com13 Mar 2019

'Though the prime minister has talked somewhat needlessly of pilot projects and the real stuff to come, India cannot be sure of a clean victory in any full-fledged conflict -- even if there is reason to engage in such,' points out T N Ninan.

Pakistan's devotion to LeT's Saeed runs deep

Pakistan's devotion to LeT's Saeed runs deep

Rediff.com13 Jan 2021

The perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attack, who shot dead 166 people, had confessed to details that should have been enough to hang him, but Pakistan enjoyed his anti-India rhetoric and let him spread his tentacles. A revealing excerpt from Khaled Ahmed's Pakistan's Terror Conundrum.

At 41, it's mission possible for Tom Cruise fan Chusovitina at Olympics

At 41, it's mission possible for Tom Cruise fan Chusovitina at Olympics

Rediff.com4 Aug 2016

Chusovitina may not want to look old for her Hollywood hero but in a sport over-populated with teenagers, she is almost pre-historic as her gymnastics lifespan of competing in seven successive Olympics defies logic.

FIFA World Cup: 42 per cent of goals have come from set-pieces

FIFA World Cup: 42 per cent of goals have come from set-pieces

Rediff.com9 Jul 2018

After more goals came from set-pieces in this World Cup's group stage than any other, dead-ball strategy has continued to have a huge impact in the knockout phase, with five of the 11 goals scored in the quarter-finals coming from free kicks or corners.

Rajnath pledges to rebuild Bamiyan Buddha in UP's Kushi Nagar

Rajnath pledges to rebuild Bamiyan Buddha in UP's Kushi Nagar

Rediff.com24 Jul 2013

The BJP chief and former chief minister of UP, who is on a five-day visit to the United States, reiterated his resolve on Tuesday at a major Afghan policy speech at Capitol Hill, jointly organised by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies; US India Political Action Committee and American Foreign Policy Council

The difference between Kargil and Balakot

The difference between Kargil and Balakot

Rediff.com26 Jul 2019

'We took the initiative after Balakot and continued to hold it, forcing Pakistan to react.' 'This was not the case in the Kargil conflict.' 'At that time we 'reacted' to Pakistan's actions,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Release the classified files already!

Release the classified files already!

Rediff.com19 Apr 2015

Nothing spawns the creation and perpetration of conspiracy theories more effectively than an official obsession with secrecy.

Factbox: List of French Open women's singles champions

Factbox: List of French Open women's singles champions

Rediff.com9 Jun 2018

Simona Halep became the first Romanian in 40 years to lift the French Open trophy at Roland Garros on Saturday.

China's first home-built aircraft carrier begins sea trials

China's first home-built aircraft carrier begins sea trials

Rediff.com14 May 2018

The 50,000-metric tonne vessel will focus on what a genuine aircraft carrier is supposed to do like conducting combat-ready patrols and safeguarding China's maritime sovereignty and interests, the report said.

The Gouri Amma I Knew

The Gouri Amma I Knew

Rediff.com12 May 2021

She was capable of a level of human compassion that is rare today among politicians, recalls Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who knew the Communist legend K R Gowri, who passed into the ages on May 11, from his childhood.

INS Arihant: The story of India's incredible hard work

INS Arihant: The story of India's incredible hard work

Rediff.com12 Aug 2013

With the launch of the first indigenous aircraft today, India will join a club of nations like the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France that possess nuclear-powered submarines

BJP's political Brahmastras

BJP's political Brahmastras

Rediff.com24 Oct 2019

The term, 'pro-Pakistani', is helpful for the BJP to depict its opponents as anti-nationals while the sedition law is handy for locking up or harassing the government's critics, points out Amulya Ganguli.

How US LOST to Pakistan in Afghanistan

How US LOST to Pakistan in Afghanistan

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

For two decades the US paid in blood and blood money for dependence on Pakistan to carry out one president's boast. Now, having been defeated by its proxies, another president will go into Rawalpindi's embrace to satisfy his constituents, predicts Shekhar Gupta.

Alcohol ban is like demonetisation

Alcohol ban is like demonetisation

Rediff.com6 Jan 2017

Sunanda K Datta-Ray considers them sound in theory, but incapable of making any dent in the corruption that is India's way of life.

China's first lunar rover back in action after 'nap'

China's first lunar rover back in action after 'nap'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2013

China's first moon rover is back to work after a "nap" and has succeeded in sending back the first images of the national flags on itself and the lander, space authorities said on Sunday.

We can't depend on the US to fight China

We can't depend on the US to fight China

Rediff.com31 Jul 2020

India must be aware that there is no question of the US fighting the Chinese on land. We have to fight our own battles, points out Virendra Kapoor.

IAF chief justifies govt decision to procure 36 Rafale jets

IAF chief justifies govt decision to procure 36 Rafale jets

Rediff.com12 Sep 2018

Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said that no country in the world is facing the kind of grave threat that India is confronted with.

Doomsday is closer than you thought

Doomsday is closer than you thought

Rediff.com27 Jan 2017

... and ONE man could be the reason for that, say scientists.

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Colombo seems to be veering to the middle path between China and the US on global matters, but in regional matters of strategic security, it is increasingly identifying with India, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Murli Deora: The politician who was loved by all

Murli Deora: The politician who was loved by all

Rediff.com24 Nov 2014

Congress stalwart Murli Deora passed away on Monday morning after battling a prolonged illness. He was a politician who shared rapport across the political and corporate spectrum.

How India outclassed Pak in diplomatic game over Kashmir

How India outclassed Pak in diplomatic game over Kashmir

Rediff.com26 Aug 2019

The battle to manage the international environment over Kashmir has just begun, but what is expected to help is the lifting of internal controls. All eyes are now on that exercise. Aditi Phadnis reports.

Asian Games: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to win cricket gold

Asian Games: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to win cricket gold

Rediff.com3 Oct 2014

Sri Lanka crushed Afghanistan by 68 runs to win the gold medal in the men's Twenty20 cricket event at the Asian Games on Friday.

Kalam made us believe the sky was never too high

Kalam made us believe the sky was never too high

Rediff.com28 Jul 2015

'As a nation we came up short, but that did not deter Kalam. He made it his life mission to exhort the young to greatness.'

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

'Any normal human being, even if he is the American president, will find it hard, at least in the initial stages, to get over the gnawing feeling that Modi is Trump's man.' 'Modi should not be surprised if India and its requirements are treated as of low priority by Joe Biden,' warns B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.