News for 'US Agency For International Development'

Why Did IMF Loan Pakistan Money During War?

Why Did IMF Loan Pakistan Money During War?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

It is time for India to raise its voice not just through military prowess, but through professionalism, principled voting and partnerships, asserts Deepak Mishra.

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'Within minutes, my mobile began ringing. It was National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, asking why the Iranians were complaining.' 'I explained that we had only restated our position in the light of the conclusion reached by the IAEA, but will remain helpful to Iran to reach a consensus.' 'Then came a call from Foreign Secretary Kamal Sibal, repeating what Mishra said about the Iranian complaint.' 'I was very impressed that Iran was able to reach two top officials in India to intervene at short notice,' recalls Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Did ISRO Play Role In Axiom Mission Delay?

Did ISRO Play Role In Axiom Mission Delay?

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

'ISRO recommended to carry out in-situ repairs or replacement and conduct a low-temperature leak test to validate system performance and integrity, before proceeding with launch.'

'By hosting 2036 Olympics, India will make a statement'

'By hosting 2036 Olympics, India will make a statement'

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics is not merely an attempt to make a statement internationally but also a well thought out plan to create world-class infrastructure, said Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse.

Concerning: Jaishankar on $21 million USAID row

Concerning: Jaishankar on $21 million USAID row

Rediff.com23 Feb 2025

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed concern over information regarding USAID funding in India, calling it "concerning" and hinting at potential "bad faith" activities. Jaishankar asserted that India is looking into the matter and that the country should know who is involved in such activities. He also emphasized the need to expand India's security definition in the digital age, highlighting the influence of technology and narratives on public perception. The statements come amid controversy surrounding USAID funding for certain activities in India, with the US President Donald Trump questioning the agency's funding of voter turnout efforts.

US freezes foreign aid for all countries including India

US freezes foreign aid for all countries including India

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce Sunday said, "President Trump stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people. Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative."

'Jhoot brigade': Cong slams BJP after FinMin report on USAID

'Jhoot brigade': Cong slams BJP after FinMin report on USAID

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The latest annual report of the finance ministry has disclosed that the agency funded seven projects worth USD 750 million in 2023-24.

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'If the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cuts funds, there could be more impact.'

China calls for 'lasting ceasefire', backs Pakistan

China calls for 'lasting ceasefire', backs Pakistan

Rediff.com21 May 2025

China on Tuesday called for a 'comprehensive and lasting ceasefire' between India and Pakistan, urging both countries to properly handle their differences through dialogue.

A Nuclear Scientist Who Advocated Disarmament

A Nuclear Scientist Who Advocated Disarmament

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

M R Srinivasan focused on the peaceful use of nuclear power at a time when the popular view among the 'hawks' was that India should build a nuclear arsenal as a deterrent.

UP plans high-tech defence shield against nuke, chemical attacks

UP plans high-tech defence shield against nuke, chemical attacks

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

Drawing lessons from security protocols of Parliament, the state is working closely with agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd to design a multi-layered safety mechanism.

Rs 1,500 cr incentive scheme in the works for recycling critical minerals

Rs 1,500 cr incentive scheme in the works for recycling critical minerals

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Following the disruption in the supply of rare earth or permanent magnets after China's notification on April 4, the mines ministry is planning to introduce a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme to recycle critical minerals, according to a top official.

Adani opts out of US funding for Colombo Port project

Adani opts out of US funding for Colombo Port project

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Billionaire Gautam Adani's group has pulled out of a loan deal with a US agency to fund a port terminal in Sri Lanka, saying it will use its own resources for the project. In an exchange filing late on Tuesday, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) said the project "is on track for commissioning by early next year". "The project will be financed through the company's internal accruals and capital management plan," the firm said.

Pahalgam attack: Pak seeks 'brotherly' help to cool India tensions

Pahalgam attack: Pak seeks 'brotherly' help to cool India tensions

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on "brotherly" countries, including Saudi Arabia, to urge India to de-escalate tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Sharif met with ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, reiterating Pakistan's commitment to peace in South Asia. He rejected India's accusations linking Pakistan to the attack, emphasizing Pakistan's own history as a victim of terrorism. The meeting comes amidst heightened tensions between the two countries.

How flight data recorders assist in aircraft crash investigations

How flight data recorders assist in aircraft crash investigations

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

In modern aircraft, there are cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder.

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Rediff.com21 May 2025

The announcement on expansion of CPEC was made following a meeting among Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing, according to a Pakistani readout.

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The era where nations thrived through rigid alignments is giving way to an age where the connective State defines power. For India, that era has arrived, points out Dr Nishakant Ojha.

Putin to visit India, dates being worked out

Putin to visit India, dates being worked out

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India. The visit is currently being prepared, though the dates have not yet been revealed. This visit follows Prime Minister Modi's trip to Russia in July 2024, his first since 2019. The two leaders have maintained regular contact and have emphasized the strength of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership.

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket was scheduled to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Tuesday evening.

SBI eyes Rs 25,000 crore via record QIP, sets floor at 2.5% discount

SBI eyes Rs 25,000 crore via record QIP, sets floor at 2.5% discount

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender in the country, has launched a share sale to institutional investors to raise upto Rs 25,000 crore, the biggest qualified institutional placement (QIP) so far by an Indian firm, and has set a floor price of Rs 811.05, which is at a 2.5 per cent discount on Wednesday's closing price.

Woman claims rape at IIM-Calcutta campus, her father says...

Woman claims rape at IIM-Calcutta campus, her father says...

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

The accused has been arrested on the basis of an FIR lodged by the woman at Haridevpur Police Station, they said.

IMF lowers India's growth projection to 6.2% for FY26

IMF lowers India's growth projection to 6.2% for FY26

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

The Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.2 per cent in 2025-26, slower than earlier estimated rate of 6.5 per cent, due to escalated trade tensions and global uncertainty, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday. "For India, the growth outlook is relatively more stable at 6.2 per cent in 2025, supported by private consumption, particularly in rural areas," IMF said in its World Economic Outlook (WEO).

'Acting Is In My Karma'

'Acting Is In My Karma'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'The industry has never accepted me.' 'When I was shooting Aashiqui, I would hear comments like, "Yeh toh bahut lambi hai. Heroine nahin dikhti hai".' 'Aashiqui became such a big hit, and you know how the industry is.' 'You have success, then you have everything.'

IndusInd accounting lapses: Sumant Kathpalia steps down as CEO

IndusInd accounting lapses: Sumant Kathpalia steps down as CEO

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

IndusInd Bank MD and CEO Sumant Kathpalia on Tuesday resigned with immediate effect, taking moral responsibility of accounting lapses in the derivatives portfolio, having financial implication of Rs 1,960 crore to the bank.

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Rediff.com22 May 2025

For the first time, the Data Security Council of India assembled a joint task force to source threat intelligence at the origin and ensure coordinated action across the cybersecurity spectrum.

Pak gets $1 bn IMF loan despite India's strong objection

Pak gets $1 bn IMF loan despite India's strong objection

Rediff.com10 May 2025

India registered its protest at the board of IMF, which met on Friday to review the EFF lending programme for Pakistan.

After IMF, now World Bank lowers India's FY26 growth forecast to 6.3%

After IMF, now World Bank lowers India's FY26 growth forecast to 6.3%

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

The World Bank on Wednesday lowered India's growth forecast for the current fiscal by 4 percentage points to 6.3 per cent amid global economic weakness and policy uncertainty. In its previous estimate, the World Bank had projected India's growth at 6.7 per cent for the fiscal year 2025-26.

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

At the end of the day, for many worldwide, the ongoing mutual attacks between Israel and Iran would seem a contest devoid of any moral high ground and only a bout between two ordinary adversaries, one that nevertheless risks spinning out of control into a larger conflagration, notes Shyam G Menon.

Intel agencies keep close watch on Punjab situation

Intel agencies keep close watch on Punjab situation

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

A senior official said that the state had sought several companies of paramilitary forces and these have been provided to maintain law and order situation.

ALERT! New coronavirus found in China's Wuhan

ALERT! New coronavirus found in China's Wuhan

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

A Chinese team of virologists has discovered a new bat coronavirus that can infect human cells, raising concerns about potential animal-to-human transmission. The virus, a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, uses the same human receptor as the virus that causes COVID-19. The study, led by Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was published in the journal Cell. The discovery comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Wuhan lab, which was previously accused of being the source of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the virus's origin and insists that the Wuhan lab never engaged in gain-of-function studies on coronaviruses.

US tariff jitters: Auto part exporters may take a Rs 4,500 crore hit

US tariff jitters: Auto part exporters may take a Rs 4,500 crore hit

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

Indian auto component exporters may suffer a hit of 2,700 crore to 4,500 crore on their earnings after the imposition of steep US tariffs on key automotive parts, credit rating agency ICRA said in a note on Monday. The new 25 per cent tariff on engines, transmission, electrical components, and other auto parts may moderate the overall auto component industry's revenue growth to 6-8 per cent in 2025-26 (FY26), down from an earlier projection of 8-10 per cent.

India pushes to get Pakistan back in FATF 'grey list'

India pushes to get Pakistan back in FATF 'grey list'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

India will argue for Pakistan's return to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list due to its alleged failure to combat money laundering and terror financing. The move comes after recent tensions between the two countries following a terror attack in Pahalgam, India. India believes Pakistan has not adequately addressed the issue of terrorism emanating from its territory and has diverted funds from multilateral agencies towards arms purchases.

China backs Pak, advocates 'fair probe' into Pahalgam attack

China backs Pak, advocates 'fair probe' into Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

China hopes both sides will remain restrained, move toward each other, and work together to de-escalate the situation.

Adani Group to redevelop Mumbai's Motilal Nagar

Adani Group to redevelop Mumbai's Motilal Nagar

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Adani Properties Pvt Ltd (APPL) has emerged as the highest bidder for the redevelopment of Motilal Nagar in Mumbai, offering more built-up area than its nearest rival, L&T. This will be the second mega redevelopment project of Adani Group in Mumbai, after the Dharavi slum redevelopment project. The total estimated redevelopment cost of Motilal Nagar is around Rs 36,000 crore, and the rehabilitation period is seven years from the project start/commencement date. The project will rehabilitate 3,372 residential units eligible under MHADA, 328 eligible commercial units and 1,600 eligible slum tenements.

Adani wins Rs 36,000-cr Mumbai project

Adani wins Rs 36,000-cr Mumbai project

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

After the Dharavi slum redevelopment project, billionaire Gautam Adani's group has emerged as the highest bidder for the Rs 36,000 crore redevelopment of Motilal Nagar in Mumbai, sources said. Motilal Nagar I, II & III is one of Mumbai's biggest housing redevelopment projects, covering 143 acres in western suburb of Goregaon (W).

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Terrorism Premiums To Drop 15% From April 1

Terrorism Premiums To Drop 15% From April 1

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'India has not faced a major terrorism loss since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008.'

May seek Interpol help in probing 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife: Sarma

May seek Interpol help in probing 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife: Sarma

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government may seek the help of agencies like the Interpol in investigating the alleged interference of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who allegedly has links with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife, in India's internal affairs. Sarma said the probe is at an initial stage and he has informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the developments in the case.

Private Hospitals to Add 34,000 Beds by FY29

Private Hospitals to Add 34,000 Beds by FY29

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Leading chains plan Rs 40K crore infra revival to close capacity gap over next 3-5 years

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's eligibility to enrol foreign students, raising concerns over the legal status of thousands of students, including nearly 800 from India, currently enrolled at the varsity.