News for 'State Department Spokesman'

UP ministers splurged Rs 9 crore on 'chai-samosa'

UP ministers splurged Rs 9 crore on 'chai-samosa'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2016

Tea and snacks like samosa and gulab jamun offered to guests by ministers have cost the Uttar Pradesh state exchequer nearly Rs 9 crore during four years of Akhilesh Yadav government.

J&K: Srinagar-Jammu NH stays shut; snow, rains continue

J&K: Srinagar-Jammu NH stays shut; snow, rains continue

Rediff.com10 Mar 2017

About 10 inches of snow had accumulated on ground around Jawahar Tunnel areas, but the real problem is continuous landslides and shooting of stones triggered by incessant rains in Ramban sector which is hampering the efforts of early restoration of the highway.

Xi Plays Tibet Card, Appoints Hardliner

Xi Plays Tibet Card, Appoints Hardliner

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

Wang Junzheng, Tibet's new Communist party boss, is on a number of sanctions lists by the US, Britain, the EU and Canada, for his tough role in Xinjiang, aimed at China's Uyghur ethnic minority, observes Jayadeva Ranade, the retired senior RA&W officer and distinguished China expert.

2022 World Cup in Qatar faces fresh bribe allegations

2022 World Cup in Qatar faces fresh bribe allegations

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the only major scheduled football event left unchanged after this year's calendar was wrecked by the coronavirus, has become the focus of fresh FIFA corruption allegations after the release of a new US Department of Justice indictment. According to the prosecutors, representatives working for Russia and Qatar bribed FIFA executive committee officials to swing votes in the crucial decision of world football's governing body.

Chillai-Kalan freezes Kashmir; weatherman predicts rains

Chillai-Kalan freezes Kashmir; weatherman predicts rains

Rediff.com26 Dec 2015

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, an increase of two degrees from the previous night's minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, a spokesman for the MET department said in Srinagar.

China quietly resumes activities in Doklam area: US official

China quietly resumes activities in Doklam area: US official

Rediff.com27 Jul 2018

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed tri-junction by the Chinese army.

Latest from China: Falling rocket debris from the sky

Latest from China: Falling rocket debris from the sky

Rediff.com7 May 2021

Breaking its silence on its tumbling space rocket, whose debris is expected to fall on Earth this weekend, China said most of it would be burnt during re-entry and it is "highly unlikely" to cause any damage on the ground.

US count of Pak's F-16s contradicts India's claim: Report

US count of Pak's F-16s contradicts India's claim: Report

Rediff.com5 Apr 2019

A US count of Pakistan's F-16 fleet has found that all the jets are present and accounted for, a report claims.

Indian-American behind Biden's inaugural address

Indian-American behind Biden's inaugural address

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Reddy -- an Indian-American from Telangana who wrote the speech that outlined Biden's goals for his administration, focusing on healing from the current state of division in national politics -- has been praised for his "calming" and "inspiring" words.

Taliban Govt: ISI Has The Last Laugh

Taliban Govt: ISI Has The Last Laugh

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

ISI chief Faiz Hameed coerced the Taliban to announce an interim government guaranteed to preserve Pakistan's control over the levers of power in Kabul, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Adityanath is painting the town saffron!

Adityanath is painting the town saffron!

Rediff.com31 Oct 2017

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan, known as the secretariat annexe building which houses the chief minister's office as well as those of senior officials, is being painted saffron replacing the traditional white and blue.

US military says readying plans for Sochi Olympics security assistance

US military says readying plans for Sochi Olympics security assistance

Rediff.com22 Jan 2014

The Pentagon said US military commanders are "conducting prudent planning and preparations" should American support be required during the Winter Olympics.

We respect Pak's sovereignty but will target terrorists: US

We respect Pak's sovereignty but will target terrorists: US

Rediff.com24 May 2016

The United States respects Pakistan's sovereignty but will carry out strikes to eliminate terrorists who are targeting its forces, the Obama Administration said on Monday as Islamabad expressed concern over the drone strike by American forces on its territory to kill Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour.

Our nuclear programme modest compared to India: Pak

Our nuclear programme modest compared to India: Pak

Rediff.com1 Apr 2016

He said Pakistan was working with the international community to ensure the security of its nuclear installations, which were always in safe hands.

PHOTOS: Heavy rain lashes Karnataka, Kerala

PHOTOS: Heavy rain lashes Karnataka, Kerala

Rediff.com22 Oct 2019

The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall over Karnataka and Kerala for the next few days.

US expects India to talk to Pakistan

US expects India to talk to Pakistan

Rediff.com4 Apr 2018

'The Modi government would chaff at the very idea of holding talks with Pakistan, facilitated by Washington and under close US monitoring, when the 2019 poll is sailing into view.' 'But in politics and diplomacy, there may be moments when drinking from the chalice of poison is necessary,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

At minus 0.5 degree, Srinagar records coldest night so far

At minus 0.5 degree, Srinagar records coldest night so far

Rediff.com28 Nov 2015

The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at a low of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.

White Paper on irrigation not an enquiry report: NCP

White Paper on irrigation not an enquiry report: NCP

Rediff.com29 Nov 2012

The Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday said that the White Paper on irrigation projects in Maharashtra was not an enquiry report but a compilation of the status of various projects in the state. NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said there was no probe going on in the irrigation department and hence there was no question of a clean chit being given to former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

Punjab minister flips coin to decide on posting of lecturers

Punjab minister flips coin to decide on posting of lecturers

Rediff.com13 Feb 2018

Two lecturers -- one from Nabha and another from Patiala -- wanted to be posted to a government polytechnic institute at Patiala.

'Wonder what they are trying to hide'

'Wonder what they are trying to hide'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

'The Indian government has accepted and is a party to international agreements, standards and conventions on religious freedom.' 'We did not force it on them. We are not trying to impose something on them that they haven't already agreed to...' 'India has never allowed us to visit, which is very disappointing for such a wonderful country with such a rich democratic tradition. They seem to be afraid to let us in.'

China may once again block bid to list JeM chief as global terrorist

China may once again block bid to list JeM chief as global terrorist

Rediff.com13 Mar 2019

China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC, has blocked the move by India and other member nations three times in the past to designate Azhar.

Kerala coast on high alert after intel report on IS boat

Kerala coast on high alert after intel report on IS boat

Rediff.com26 May 2019

Coastal police stations and police chiefs have been alerted about suspicious vessels.

Amarnath Yatra: NDRF plans mock drill to enhance disaster preparedness

Amarnath Yatra: NDRF plans mock drill to enhance disaster preparedness

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

In a bid to enhance preparedness for disaster management among government officials involved in management of the annual Amarnath Yatra starting July 2, National Disaster Management Authority has planed to conduct a three-day mock drill.

China Connection and India-US Ties

China Connection and India-US Ties

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

'India should not be taken by surprise if the Biden administration seeks China's cooperation at some point,' alerts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Pistorius moved to different prison to aid rehabilitation

Pistorius moved to different prison to aid rehabilitation

Rediff.com14 Nov 2016

South African Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius has been moved to a prison better suited to his rehabilitation while serving a six year jail term for murdering his girlfriend, a prison service spokesman said on Monday.

Fire damages historic shrine in Srinagar

Fire damages historic shrine in Srinagar

Rediff.com15 Nov 2017

As many as 22 fire tenders along with pumps were dispatched to the spot immediately to douse the flames.

Retired NFL star Will Smith shot dead in New Orleans

Retired NFL star Will Smith shot dead in New Orleans

Rediff.com11 Apr 2016

Will Smith, a prominent member of the New Orleans Saints team that won the NFL's Super Bowl in 2010, was killed by a gunman who shot the retired football player after ramming his car near the city's famed French Quarter, police said on Sunday.

Curfew-like 48-hr total shutdown in 3 Odisha cities

Curfew-like 48-hr total shutdown in 3 Odisha cities

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

The ongoing lockdown in force in other parts of the state will continue during which essential supplies like groceries, vegetables, fruits and milk will be available to the people.

PLA Unrest: Why Xi Is Worried

PLA Unrest: Why Xi Is Worried

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

Protests at this time when efforts are underway to strengthen the PLA and keep morale high would be worrying for the military leadership, observes Jayadeva Ranade, the retired senior RA&W officer and distinguished China expert.

Mumbai power outage may have been handiwork of China: Report

Mumbai power outage may have been handiwork of China: Report

Rediff.com1 Mar 2021

A report details the campaign conducted by a China-linked threat activity group RedEcho targeting the Indian power sector.

Kristina-Timea forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 restrictions

Kristina-Timea forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 restrictions

Rediff.com6 Sep 2020

Kristina Mladenovic had complained saying she felt like she was being treated like a prisoner after she was placed inside a 'bubble within a bubble' despite 'thirty negative tests'.

7 suicide bombers carried out Easter blasts in Sri Lanka

7 suicide bombers carried out Easter blasts in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com22 Apr 2019

The National Tawheed Jamath is suspected of plotting the deadly Easter blasts.

Maha govt sets up panel to probe killing of tigress Avni

Maha govt sets up panel to probe killing of tigress Avni

Rediff.com9 Nov 2018

An official statement issued by the forest department stated that the committee has been formed on directions of Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to conduct an 'in-depth' inquiry into the death of the tigress.

14 senior officers found 'absent' during CM's surprise check

14 senior officers found 'absent' during CM's surprise check

Rediff.com30 Jun 2014

Fourteen senior IAS officers were found "absent" during a surprise check conducted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the state government's Mini Secretariat in Chandigarh on Monday.

Lucknow hooch tragedy: Toll mounts to 38, police launches crackdown

Lucknow hooch tragedy: Toll mounts to 38, police launches crackdown

Rediff.com14 Jan 2015

The toll in the hooch tragedy in Lucknow and Unnao districts climbed to 38 on Tuesday with the death of seven more persons even as the state excise commissioner was removed in connection with the incident and a state-wide crackdown launched by police against sale of spurious liquor.

Modi visit will advance fight on terror, Tillerson tells Jaishankar

Modi visit will advance fight on terror, Tillerson tells Jaishankar

Rediff.com24 Jun 2017

Secretary Tillerson met with Foreign Secretary Jaishankar on Friday to discuss the US-India relationship and the agenda for Prime Minister Modi's meetings at the White House on June 26, a State Department spokesman said told PTI.

India is ready to play tough with China

India is ready to play tough with China

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

'India's preference today seems to be to exploit the deepening chill in relations with China to breathe new life into its meandering partnership with the US,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Nepal: How did India lose the plot?

Nepal: How did India lose the plot?

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

'By treating Nepali politicians as shabby buffoons to be pampered one day and collared another day, India badly exposed itself.' 'A belief got entrenched in the Nepalese mind that we are a dangerous neighbour,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

US-Taliban treaty: Why Pakistan is grinning

US-Taliban treaty: Why Pakistan is grinning

Rediff.com23 Feb 2020

'Pakistan is determined to garner the peace dividends.' 'On the diplomatic front, this will be, principally, in terms of a revival of Pakistan's relations with the US,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

2 villagers, who nabbed Pak terrorist, recommended for Shaurya Chakra

2 villagers, who nabbed Pak terrorist, recommended for Shaurya Chakra

Rediff.com11 Aug 2015

The police also issued appointment orders to the duo who were taken hostage by the terrorist while looking for an escape route.