News for 'Transparency Initiative'

Biden's Democracy Summit Fails To Impress

Biden's Democracy Summit Fails To Impress

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

The Summit for Democracy seems to have done more harm than good, notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

India to begin bidding for 6 submarines worth Rs 55,000 cr by Oct

India to begin bidding for 6 submarines worth Rs 55,000 cr by Oct

Rediff.com30 Aug 2020

The defence ministry has already shortlisted two Indian shipyards and five foreign defence majors for the project, being billed as one of biggest "Make in India" ventures.

Omicron thrice more contagious, activate war rooms: Centre to states

Omicron thrice more contagious, activate war rooms: Centre to states

Rediff.com21 Dec 2021

In a letter to the states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan advised implementing strategic interventions for containment like imposition of night curfew, strict regulation of large gatherings, curtailing numbers in marriages and funerals besides increasing testing and surveillance.

COVID-19 puts brakes on IPOs of SMEs

COVID-19 puts brakes on IPOs of SMEs

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

The SME segment has been grappling with lack of liquidity and lacklustre institutional participation.

Google, Jio working closely to build affordable smartphones: Pichai

Google, Jio working closely to build affordable smartphones: Pichai

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Thursday said the company continues to engage closely with partner Jio on the initiative of building an affordable smartphone and that work is underway on the project. Last year, Google had picked up a 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 33,737 crore. It had also entered into a commercial agreement with Jio Platforms to jointly develop an entry-level, affordable smartphone.

China, WHO acted too slowly on COVID-19: Independent panel

China, WHO acted too slowly on COVID-19: Independent panel

Rediff.com19 Jan 2021

China was also slammed by the panel for "lost opportunities to apply basic public health measures at the earliest opportunity."

Google announces new privacy settings, AI tools

Google announces new privacy settings, AI tools

Rediff.com19 May 2021

Google has announced a slew of new features including new privacy settings, AI tools and release of the first beta of Android 12 that will become part of its products over the course of the year. Kicking off Google I/O 2021 in a virtual format from the Mountain View campus, Google CEO Sundar Pichai also announced additions to Google Workspace that will enable richer collaboration, especially in view of the pandemic that has driven enterprises across the globe to embrace remote working solutions. Pichai said that COVID-19 has deeply affected every community over the past year, and "places like Brazil, and my home country of India, are now going through their most difficult moments yet".

Will BCCI look into issues raised by Guha?

Will BCCI look into issues raised by Guha?

Rediff.com11 Jun 2017

Batting for larger transparency, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has urged the Committee of Administrators running the Board of Control for Cricket in India to look into the issues raised by historian Ramachandra Guha.

How Kharge Can Change Indian Politics

How Kharge Can Change Indian Politics

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

A new Congress leader may make an electoral impact by his very presence. Congress voters who had moved away from the party, after being influenced by the BJP's 'family rule' campaign, can now return with a certain moral satisfaction, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Friends tell me I am like a 5 year old'

'Friends tell me I am like a 5 year old'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2022

'I'm a very positive and optimistic human being.' 'You put a pile of garbage in front of me and I will find a flower in it.'

Will engage with govt on takedown requests: Twitter

Will engage with govt on takedown requests: Twitter

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

Days after it blocked dozens of posts allegedly critical of Covid-19 crisis handling, Twitter has said it will consider more requests from the government to withhold content and will continue to engage "openly and constructively" with it.

Chinese tennis star says she is safe in video call with Olympic official

Chinese tennis star says she is safe in video call with Olympic official

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The United States and Britain had also called for China to provide proof of Peng's whereabouts.

Mumbai's new top cop played key role during 26/11 attacks

Mumbai's new top cop played key role during 26/11 attacks

Rediff.com17 Mar 2021

Nagrale, an avid golfer and a tennis player, is a recipient of the President's Police Medal, Vishesh Seva Padak and Antarik Suraksha Padak.

ED lens on Rs 2-cr painting bought from Priyanka by Kapoor

ED lens on Rs 2-cr painting bought from Priyanka by Kapoor

Rediff.com9 Mar 2020

While the Congress party has said that the deal was transparent as payment of Rs 2 crore was received by Vadra from Kapoor through cheque and was reflected in income tax returns, the ED is probing if the painting was owned by her or the AICC.

India at UNSC highlights 'contemporary threats' to peacekeeping

India at UNSC highlights 'contemporary threats' to peacekeeping

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

"The 21st century peacekeeping must be anchored in a strong ecosystem of technology and innovation that can facilitate UN peacekeeping operations in implementing their mandates in complex environments," India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar said

Parliament passes bills to extend tenures of CBI, ED chiefs up to 5 yrs

Parliament passes bills to extend tenures of CBI, ED chiefs up to 5 yrs

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

Parliament has passed a bill to extend the tenure of the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to a maximum of five years from the present two years.

Indian-origin doctor couple begin legal battle with UK govt

Indian-origin doctor couple begin legal battle with UK govt

Rediff.com11 Jun 2020

Dr Nishant Joshi and his pregnant wife, Dr Meenal Viz, had initiated the legal action in April with a pre-action letter seeking answers from the UK's Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England. They decided to push ahead with the case in the high court in London on Wednesday because they feel they are "no longer willing to wait".

Fighting COVID-19: Why you should clean your nose

Fighting COVID-19: Why you should clean your nose

Rediff.com11 May 2020

Satish Kumar Bhat, 47 from Delhi shared some suggestions that he feels may help fight coronavirus.

Donald Trump's Facebook account suspended for 2 years

Donald Trump's Facebook account suspended for 2 years

Rediff.com5 Jun 2021

Social media behemoth Facebook on Friday said the account of former United States President Donald Trump will remain suspended for two years, and post that period it will re-assess the ban.

Reforms Need New Governance!

Reforms Need New Governance!

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Till such time that a new governance framework comes into being, the progress of reforms in health, education, land, labour, electricity and agriculture could remain fraught with problems, agitations and delays, observes A K Bhattacharya.

What Jaitley changed in his 2 stints at MoD

What Jaitley changed in his 2 stints at MoD

Rediff.com24 Aug 2019

Jaitley's tenure as defence minister saw clearance of a number of big ticket reform measures and simplification of military acquisition process.

Why RBI feels banks' asset quality 'may get dented'

Why RBI feels banks' asset quality 'may get dented'

Rediff.com29 Dec 2021

The Indian financial system's asset quality improved despite the pandemic, but it could be due to special dispensations by the regulator, and banks would likely see increased stress on their books once the schemes expire. According to the annual trend and progress report of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released on Tuesday, the data available for this financial year so far indicate that banks' bad debts have moderated while provision coverage ratios (PCRs), capital buffers as well as profitability indicators have improved relative to pre-pandemic levels.

'Atmanirbhar Bharat' should not result in protectionism: Rajan

'Atmanirbhar Bharat' should not result in protectionism: Rajan

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

Observing that it is not yet clear to him what the government means by 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Rajan said if it is about creating an environment for production, then it is a re-branding of the Make in India initiative.

China listening, Jaishankar brings up territorial integrity at BRICS online meet

China listening, Jaishankar brings up territorial integrity at BRICS online meet

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

The five-nation grouping BRICS on Tuesday resolved to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and vowed to step up joint efforts in building support for an India-backed global framework to effectively deal with the menace.

Online gold trading will soon be a reality

Online gold trading will soon be a reality

Rediff.com6 Feb 2018

BSE proposes two models for making gold trading and investment transparent

India a key pillar of Trump's foreign policy: Pompeo

India a key pillar of Trump's foreign policy: Pompeo

Rediff.com23 Jul 2020

The United States, he said, 'desires a new age of ambition' in its relationship with India. Asserting that the US has never been more supportive of India's security, he said New Delhi too, is an important partner and a key pillar of President Trump's foreign policy.

TN's Technocrat Finance Minister Faces First Test

TN's Technocrat Finance Minister Faces First Test

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

Finance Minister P T R Palanivel Thiagarajan has proclaimed his determination to set Tamil Nadu's fiscal house in order in five years, and Friday will show how he plans to go about it when he rises to present the Stalin government's maiden budget, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

e-payment system will reduce corruption: Pranab

e-payment system will reduce corruption: Pranab

Rediff.com31 Oct 2011

"The system covering all central government departments and ministries is expected to eliminate almost two crore cheques. When it becomes fully operational in civil ministries, defence and railways, it is expected to cover a total payment of over Rs 6 lakh crore," Pranab said...

Oxford Covid vaccine under lens after error: Report

Oxford Covid vaccine under lens after error: Report

Rediff.com26 Nov 2020

AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford are facing questions about their Covid-19 vaccine and whether regulators would quickly authorise its emergency use after the pharma company acknowledged an error in the vaccine dosage received by some participants and other irregularities and omissions, according to the New York Times.

Obama lauds efforts in Indian villages to empower citizens

Obama lauds efforts in Indian villages to empower citizens

Rediff.com21 Sep 2011

United States President Barack Obama lauded efforts being made in villages across India to empower citizens and promote transparency in governance at a global forum in New York, which incidentally India has decided not to join.

Charges don't contain any allegations pertaining to fixing: Jayasuriya

Charges don't contain any allegations pertaining to fixing: Jayasuriya

Rediff.com16 Oct 2018

Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday refused to comment on the International Cricket Council's charge of non-cooperation in an ongoing anti-corruption probe.

COVID-19 tip of the iceberg, says China's 'Bat woman'

COVID-19 tip of the iceberg, says China's 'Bat woman'

Rediff.com26 May 2020

Shi explained that she and a group of researchers obtained samples of coronavirus on December 30 last year and performed high-throughput sequencing of the samples and the isolation of pathogens.

Sebi diktat on splitting chairman, MD/CEO roles

Sebi diktat on splitting chairman, MD/CEO roles

Rediff.com6 Apr 2021

Capital markets regulator Sebi on Tuesday asked listed companies to work towards splitting the roles of chairman and managing director before the April 2022 deadline, as the new directive is not aimed at weakening the position of promoters. Listed entities were initially required to separate the roles of chairperson and MD/CEO from April 1, 2020 onwards. However, based on industry representations, an additional time period of two years was given for compliance. The regulation will now be applicable to the top 500 listed entities by market capitalisation, with effect from April 1, 2022.

How Tech Is Tackling Knotty HR Problems

How Tech Is Tackling Knotty HR Problems

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

Tech is also being used to stem resignations, which have recorded a rise amid COVID-19.

India received $20 bn in FDI during pandemic: FS Shringla

India received $20 bn in FDI during pandemic: FS Shringla

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

India has received over USD 20 billion in FDI amid the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday, showcasing the country as one of the most attractive destinations for investment globally.

IITs mull new placement model to ease student stress

IITs mull new placement model to ease student stress

Rediff.com28 Nov 2019

Experts believe modifying the placement model is a good decision given the changes that campus recruitment has undergone globally, says Vinay Umarji.

Star-studded economic panel marks Stalin's break with past

Star-studded economic panel marks Stalin's break with past

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

Chief Minister MK Stalin has shown that he is cut from a different cloth when it comes to embracing what is current, modern and absolutely necessary. Thus, even while retaining the spirit and content of the pan-Tamil, Dravidian socio-political and socio-economic ideology to the 't', his government has also acknowledged the need to accepting scientifically-proven facts in operational matters, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Northeast militants regrouping in China-Myanmar borderlands

Northeast militants regrouping in China-Myanmar borderlands

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

Naga splinter groups impatient with stalled talks as well as rebel Manipuri groups who have a stake in disrupting upcoming elections to the state assembly, are believed to be regrouping in the borderlands of China's Yunnan province and Myanmar, taking advantage of the turmoil in the latter by using it as a transit corridor.

The Illusion of Opposition Unity

The Illusion of Opposition Unity

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

There was near unanimity among the guests at the Sibal dinner that the country is ready for a change, that the ruling party has lost popularity. However in the same breath speaker after speaker lamented that without Opposition unity Modi could as well win a third successive term, reveals Virendra Kapoor.

Trump halts funding to WHO, says it failed in basic duty

Trump halts funding to WHO, says it failed in basic duty

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

The Trump administration has accused WHO of taking side with China in the coronavirus outbreak that has brought America's economy to a standstill.