News for 'State Department'

IIT Bhubaneswar Unveils Portable Device For Rapid Arsenic Detection In Water

IIT Bhubaneswar Unveils Portable Device For Rapid Arsenic Detection In Water

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

IIT Bhubaneswar researchers have developed 'ArsenSafe', a portable, low-cost device for rapid, on-site detection of arsenic in drinking water. This innovation aims to address the critical public health challenge of arsenic contamination in groundwater, offering a solution that doesn't require laboratory infrastructure.

St Stephen's Appoints New Principal Despite University Objections

St Stephen's Appoints New Principal Despite University Objections

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Susan Elias has taken charge as the new principal of St. Stephen's College despite objections from Delhi University, marking a new chapter in the ongoing dispute between the college and the university.

Centre turns down Karnataka's hate speech bill, says existing laws adequate

Centre turns down Karnataka's hate speech bill, says existing laws adequate

Rediff.com26 May 2026

The bill was passed by both houses of the state legislature during the winter session in Belagavi that concluded on December 19 last year, despite strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-Secular.

Delhi CM Orders Redevelopment Plan For Burari DTO

Delhi CM Orders Redevelopment Plan For Burari DTO

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered officials to prepare a redevelopment plan for the Burari district transport office (DTO) following complaints about inadequate facilities.

British High Commissioner Pays Tribute To Air India Crash Victims In Ahmedabad

British High Commissioner Pays Tribute To Air India Crash Victims In Ahmedabad

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, including 52 British nationals. She visited the crash site and attended a prayer meet, where 260 trees were planted and a blood donation camp was organised.

British High Commissioner Pays Tribute To Air India Crash Victims In Ahmedabad

British High Commissioner Pays Tribute To Air India Crash Victims In Ahmedabad

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, including 52 British nationals. She visited the crash site and attended a prayer meet, where 260 trees were planted and a blood donation camp was organised.

West Bengal govt mandates Vande Mataram in madrassas

West Bengal govt mandates Vande Mataram in madrassas

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The West Bengal government has mandated the singing of 'Vande Mataram' at assembly prayers in all madrassas with immediate effect. This decision follows a similar directive for all schools in the state and aims to bring uniformity in assembly practices across institutions.

Maharashtra Cyber Nabs Telegram Seller In Child Exploitation Case

Maharashtra Cyber Nabs Telegram Seller In Child Exploitation Case

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Maharashtra Cyber has arrested a Telegram-based seller, Adiraj Rajendra Bait, for allegedly dealing in Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The arrest followed an extensive investigation involving digital ecosystem monitoring, technical verification, and forensic analysis of the accused's mobile phone.

FBI foils major attack on White House UFC event attended by Trump

FBI foils major attack on White House UFC event attended by Trump

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

The FBI announced it foiled a potential attack on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held at the White House last weekend, leading to multiple arrests. The alleged plot involved using explosive-laden drones and a sniper team to target the event attended by President Trump, with a "second wave" planned to storm the White House gate.

Assam Rifles Seize Meth Tablets In Mizoram

Assam Rifles Seize Meth Tablets In Mizoram

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Assam Rifles and the Excise and Narcotics Department seized methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 17.10 lakh in Champhai district, Mizoram. The suspected drug traffickers fled towards Myanmar, leaving behind the consignment.

Gurugram Clinic Run By Fake Doctor Busted

Gurugram Clinic Run By Fake Doctor Busted

Rediff.com27 May 2026

A man was arrested in Gurugram for allegedly running a fake clinic and treating patients without a medical degree for six years.

Kerala's PM SHRI Scheme: LDF Accuses UDF Of Misinformation And Double Standards

Kerala's PM SHRI Scheme: LDF Accuses UDF Of Misinformation And Double Standards

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Senior CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty has criticised the Kerala UDF government for allegedly spreading misinformation about the Centre's PM SHRI scheme and attempting to implement it despite earlier opposition. He clarified that the previous LDF government froze the agreement over concerns about the National Education Policy and that funds received were not for PM SHRI. The scheme continues to be a politically contentious issue in the state.

'Baseless': Iran dismisses Trump's claim on attacking Indian ships

'Baseless': Iran dismisses Trump's claim on attacking Indian ships

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Iran has dismissed US President Donald Trump's assertion that Iran was responsible for a drone attack on Indian ships in the Strait of Hormuz as 'simply baseless'. The Iranian embassy stated that Trump's comments were an attempt to deflect attention from recent US military strikes on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners.

Delhi Government To Formulate New Rules For Coaching Centres

Delhi Government To Formulate New Rules For Coaching Centres

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The Delhi government is establishing a multidisciplinary committee to develop a regulatory framework for coaching institutes. This initiative follows recent tragedies, including the Saket building collapse and the Old Rajendra Nagar coaching centre incident, and aims to address issues like fee structures, student safety, infrastructure, and grievance redressal.

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigns

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigns

Rediff.com14 Mar 2011

United States State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigned on Sunday, days after criticising the Pentagon's treatment of the man accused of leaking secret cables to Wikileaks as "ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid". "Given the impact of my remarks, for which I take full responsibility, I have submitted my resignation as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Spokesman for the Department of State," Crowley said in his resignation statement.

Nagaland Aims To Adapt Juvenile Justice Act To Local Customs

Nagaland Aims To Adapt Juvenile Justice Act To Local Customs

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Nagaland is seeking to implement the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations in a way that respects the state's customary laws and traditional systems of care, while remaining legally sound.

LDF govt left Rs 5 lakh cr liabilities, says Kerala CM on tabling white paper

LDF govt left Rs 5 lakh cr liabilities, says Kerala CM on tabling white paper

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday hit out at the previous Left Democratic Front government, claiming that it had left behind huge liabilities, including Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board borrowings, amounting to Rs 5.07 lakh crore.

30 Indian truck drivers arrested for living illegally in US, to be deported

30 Indian truck drivers arrested for living illegally in US, to be deported

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

About 30 Indian nationals living illegally in the US and working as commercial truck drivers have been arrested and will be deported as part of 'Operation Checkmate'.

Odisha CM Under Fire For Alleged Rise In Police Brutality

Odisha CM Under Fire For Alleged Rise In Police Brutality

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Opposition parties in Odisha, BJD and Congress, have criticised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accusing him of a surge in police brutality. The allegations stem from a custodial death in Ganjam district and other instances of alleged police misconduct. The BJP has defended the government, stating that prompt action has been taken in response to these cases.

Doctor Attacked At Pulwama Hospital After Dispute

Doctor Attacked At Pulwama Hospital After Dispute

Rediff.com22 May 2026

A doctor at a government hospital in Pulwama was injured after allegedly being assaulted by a patient's attendant following a dispute over examination timings.

Pune hooch tragedy claims 14 lives, 8 held; CID to probe case

Pune hooch tragedy claims 14 lives, 8 held; CID to probe case

Rediff.com29 May 2026

At least 12 people have died in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad after consuming suspected spurious liquor. Police have arrested eight individuals, including a key bootlegger, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the illegal operation.

Don't keep saying 'by the inspiration of CM': Suvendu to officials

Don't keep saying 'by the inspiration of CM': Suvendu to officials

Rediff.com11 May 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari has directed senior officials to ensure transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to rules in governance. He emphasised the importance of honest opinions and actions for the state's development, urging officials to restart stalled centrally sponsored schemes and implement promises from the BJP's election manifesto.

Teen Daughter Of IPS Officer Found Dead In Bhopal

Teen Daughter Of IPS Officer Found Dead In Bhopal

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The 17-year-old daughter of IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Kanchan allegedly committed suicide at their residence in Bhopal. She was found hanging at their home in the Char Imli area.

Govt to Crack Down on Industrial Users Diverting Cheaper Retail Fuel

Govt to Crack Down on Industrial Users Diverting Cheaper Retail Fuel

Rediff.com28 May 2026

The Indian government has issued a stern warning to industrial users who are reportedly procuring cheaper retail fuel instead of industrial-grade fuel, leading to significant losses for state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) and potential local shortages. This diversion, driven by a substantial price difference between retail and bulk diesel, is adversely impacting OMCs, which are absorbing daily losses of approximately 550 crore to keep retail prices stable.

'Unlawful': US court strikes down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee

'Unlawful': US court strikes down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

A US federal judge has ruled that the USD 100,000 fee imposed by former President Donald Trump for H-1B visa applications was unlawful, as it lacked congressional approval. The ruling states the fee was a tax, exceeding the administration's authority and impacting skilled global talent.

HimClimX: New AI Platform For Himalayan Climate Insights

HimClimX: New AI Platform For Himalayan Climate Insights

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

BIT Mesra has launched 'HimClimX', an AI-powered platform designed for Himalayan climate intelligence and visualisation. It integrates over a century of climate data to offer trend analysis, anomaly detection, spatial visualisation, impact assessment, and AI-driven forecasting for the Himalayan region.

'Annamalai Is A Proxy For The BJP'

'Annamalai Is A Proxy For The BJP'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

'The generational shift belongs to Vijay, Udhayanidhi and Annamalai.' 'The BJP cannot fit into the shift.' 'So they threw Annamalai into the situation where he is comparable with Vijay and Udhayanidhi.'

Prez Murmu's Village Gears Up For PM Modi

Prez Murmu's Village Gears Up For PM Modi

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

In the remote tribal village of Pahadpur, preparations are in full swing as it looks to script history.

Mandaviya To Review National Games Preparations In Meghalaya

Mandaviya To Review National Games Preparations In Meghalaya

Rediff.com28 May 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Meghalaya to review preparations for the 39th National Games and inaugurate a sports complex.

CID notice to Abhishek over TMC MLAs' complaint: Suvendu on signature row

CID notice to Abhishek over TMC MLAs' complaint: Suvendu on signature row

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denies political vendetta in the CID's investigation into alleged signature forgery by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, following complaints from within his own party.

Make Iran pay: US weighs using frozen assets for Gulf reconstruction

Make Iran pay: US weighs using frozen assets for Gulf reconstruction

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

A source familiar with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's thinking revealed on Saturday that the department "intends to utilise all available authorities to make Iranian assets accessible for rebuilding and repair efforts related to any future damage inflicted by Iran."

Rajasthan Teachers Face Action Over Minister Protest

Rajasthan Teachers Face Action Over Minister Protest

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Several teachers in Kota have been booked for allegedly holding an unauthorised demonstration against Rajasthan's Education Minister, including burning his effigy and raising slogans.

What Modi Govt Plans To Do About Illegal Immigration

What Modi Govt Plans To Do About Illegal Immigration

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

The NDA government has gradually nuanced its position on the issue of demographic challenge.

West Bengal To Re-Verify Caste Certificates Issued Since 2011

West Bengal To Re-Verify Caste Certificates Issued Since 2011

Rediff.com15 May 2026

The West Bengal government has initiated a re-verification process for all caste certificates issued since 2011, following allegations of irregularities during the previous administration.

2 fires in Noida: High-rise evacuated, no injuries reported

2 fires in Noida: High-rise evacuated, no injuries reported

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Two separate fire incidents occurred in Noida on Friday morning, one in a 12th-floor flat of a high-rise residential society in Sector 75, leading to a full evacuation, and another in a building in Sector 52. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incidents, directing immediate relief and rescue operations. No casualties or injuries have been reported in either incident, and the causes are under investigation.

Kerala on high alert as fresh Nipah case found in Kozhikode

Kerala on high alert as fresh Nipah case found in Kozhikode

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The patient initially developed a fever that subsided but later returned, prompting hospitalisation.

Mandaviya To Review National Games Preparations In Meghalaya

Mandaviya To Review National Games Preparations In Meghalaya

Rediff.com28 May 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Meghalaya to review preparations for the 39th National Games and inaugurate a sports complex in Shillong.

25,000 Litres Of Illegal Diesel Seized In Thane, Maharashtra

25,000 Litres Of Illegal Diesel Seized In Thane, Maharashtra

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Police in Thane, Maharashtra, seized 25,000 litres of diesel worth Rs 24.5 lakh from a tanker transporting the fuel illegally. A case has been registered against eight people, including the tanker owner and driver.

Rajasthan ACB Nabs Engineer, Middleman In Bribe Case

Rajasthan ACB Nabs Engineer, Middleman In Bribe Case

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a JVVNL assistant engineer, Navneet Singh Gurjar, and a middleman, Mohammad Shazim, in Tonk for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. The bribe was demanded to return a removed electricity meter and prevent further action.

Madhya Pradesh Refers Dowry Death Case To CBI

Madhya Pradesh Refers Dowry Death Case To CBI

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The Madhya Pradesh government has proposed transferring the case of Twisha Sharma, who allegedly died due to dowry harassment, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The notification has been issued by the Home Department, granting consent to extend the powers and jurisdiction of the Delhi Special Police Establishment for investigating the case.