News for 'US Agency for International Development'

Anand Teltumbde 'active member' of CPI (Maoist): NIA

Anand Teltumbde 'active member' of CPI (Maoist): NIA

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

Scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, is an 'active member' of the Communist Party of India-Maoist and 'deeply involved' in furtherance of the outfit's agenda, the National Investigatoin Agency (NIA) has told a special court in Mumbai.

Xi asks Chinese media, diplomats to tone down aggressive approach

Xi asks Chinese media, diplomats to tone down aggressive approach

Rediff.com2 Jun 2021

President Xi Jinping has called for better international communication, urging the bellicose official Chinese media and 'wolf warrior' diplomats to adopt a tone that displays openness and conveys modesty, in what observers see as a rare admission of Beijing's growing isolation exacerbated by COVID-19.

Long Covid can negatively impact overall quality of life, says study

Long Covid can negatively impact overall quality of life, says study

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

According to a new Mount Sinai study, patients experiencing post-acute COVID syndrome (also known as 'long COVID') may have symptoms for at least 12 months after initial COVID-19 infection, significantly and negatively impacting their cognition, ability to work, participation in physical activity, interaction with others, and overall quality of life.

Experts sceptical about CMIE's unemployment data

Experts sceptical about CMIE's unemployment data

Rediff.com3 May 2022

Economists on Tuesday are not convinced about the latest monthly unemployment data released by the Centre for Monitoring India Economy (CMIE), particularly about the statistics of the rural areas. They asserted that it is difficult to get the real picture of unemployment from the methodology used by the CMIE to get the data. The overall unemployment rate in India has increased to 7.83 per cent in April 2022 as compared to 7.60 per cent in the previous month, CMIE said in its report.

Antrix dispute: Devas seizes $87,457 cash in US

Antrix dispute: Devas seizes $87,457 cash in US

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

Devas Multimedia has seized $87,457.47 cash that ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation held in the US as it looked to enforce a $1.2 billion compensation it had won over a cancelled satellite deal, its lawyer said on Wednesday. Devas Multimedia America Inc had sought seizure of $145,000 but the actual recovery was $87,457.47 (a little less than Rs 70 lakh). This came after it secured a favourable order from the Eastern District Court of Virginia, Matthew D McGrill said.

US shoots down Chinese 'spy balloon', China warns of repercussions

US shoots down Chinese 'spy balloon', China warns of repercussions

Rediff.com5 Feb 2023

The balloon, which was being used by the People's Republic of China in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above US territorial waters.

Arunachal Pradesh has ALWAYS been part of India

Arunachal Pradesh has ALWAYS been part of India

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

China has long coveted Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Southern Tibet. But, as Venkataraghavan Subha Srinivasan explains, in 1947, the present state of Arunachal Pradesh constituted the North East Frontier Tract of Assam. When India adopted its Constitution on 26 January 1950, NEFT became 'a separate politico-administrative entity' although it was constitutionally still a part of Assam. Its administration was brought directly under the President of India with the Governor of Assam acting as his agent. A revealing excerpt from his book The Origin Story of India's States.

Chandrayaan-3 Will Head To Moon In 2022

Chandrayaan-3 Will Head To Moon In 2022

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

ISRO hopes to put a crew on the moon, but it has to learn how to keep people alive and healthy in space first.

Bill introduced in US House to end non-defence aid to Pakistan

Bill introduced in US House to end non-defence aid to Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Feb 2018

The lawmakers alleged that Pakistan "knowingly" provides resources to terrorists.

India more secure, free of corruption after 2014: Modi

India more secure, free of corruption after 2014: Modi

Rediff.com31 May 2022

At the rally in Shimla's Ridge Maidan to mark the eighth anniversary of becoming prime minister, Modi said, "Now our borders are more secure than they were before 2014."

New Ways To Fight Terrorism in Kashmir

New Ways To Fight Terrorism in Kashmir

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

In the Kashmir Valley, we need to begin to make a distinction between an insurgent who fights the security forces and a terrorist who murders unarmed civilians, suggests Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

IMF cuts India's FY22 growth forecast to 9%

IMF cuts India's FY22 growth forecast to 9%

Rediff.com26 Jan 2022

The IMF on Tuesday cut India's economic growth forecast by 0.5 percentage points to 9 per cent for the current fiscal year, with its chief economist Gita Gopinath saying that the slight downgrade is mainly due to the impact of the spread of the Omicron variant. "If you look at the 2021-22 fiscal year, we have a slight downgrade of -0.5 percentage points and for the next fiscal year 2022-23 we have a slight upgrade of 0.5 percentage points. So, growth for the previous fiscal year is now nine per cent and for this year now is at nine per cent. We moved it up slightly," Gopinath told reporters during a news conference in Washington. In its latest update of World Economic Outlook on Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund has cut India's economic growth forecast to 9 per cent for the current fiscal year ending March 31, joining a host of agencies which have downgraded their projections on concerns over the impact of the spread of Omicron on business activity and mobility.

CBI updates its crime manual after 15 years

CBI updates its crime manual after 15 years

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

The manual has a new chapter on procedures to be followed while conducting investigations abroad and coordinating and operating with Interpol.

Govt likely to unveil new DFI framework in Budget

Govt likely to unveil new DFI framework in Budget

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Industry players believe the new DFI model will be initially risk capital, which will then be used to mobilise additional resources from development agencies such as World Bank.

Strictly enforce one hand bag rule: Govt to airlines

Strictly enforce one hand bag rule: Govt to airlines

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

Airline executives said the rule is conflicting as regulator's own rules permits a passenger to carry multiple other things like laptop bag, ladies' hand bag, blanket, item bought at duty free shops, reports Arindam Majumder.

In MP, RSS internal report warns of unhappiness at ground level

In MP, RSS internal report warns of unhappiness at ground level

Rediff.com13 Nov 2018

Despite his ministers on shaky ground, Chouhan -- at the helm for three consecutive terms -- is holding the fort. He is being aided by a capable team for public relations and the RSS, which has deployed its workers to bolster the BJP's campaign, reports Sandeep Kumar.

Indian-American astronaut in NASA's manned Moon mission

Indian-American astronaut in NASA's manned Moon mission

Rediff.com11 Dec 2020

Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari, 43, a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, MIT and US Naval Test Pilot School, is the only Indian-American in the list.

Hindujas's 1.2 Billion Project Makes Waves

Hindujas's 1.2 Billion Project Makes Waves

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

'Our family philosophy is to build a bridge between India and Britain.'

Prophet remark: 3 countries summon Indian envoys; outrage in Gulf

Prophet remark: 3 countries summon Indian envoys; outrage in Gulf

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

Qatar, Iran and Kuwait on Sunday summoned India's Ambassadors and the key Gulf nations expressed their strong protest and condemnation of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Muhammad.

Trust Indian industry: WHO on delay in Covaxin nod

Trust Indian industry: WHO on delay in Covaxin nod

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

A technical advisory group of the UN health agency which met on Tuesday has sought "additional clarifications" from Bharat Biotech for Covaxin to conduct a final "risk-benefit assessment" for Emergency Use Listing of the vaccine.

PFI involved in 'disturbing' India's secular fabric: Officials

PFI involved in 'disturbing' India's secular fabric: Officials

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

The PFI is alleged to have been continuously involved in anti-government propaganda and spreading the narrative that Muslims were being persecuted in India.

Why Switzerland is as desperate as Adityanath for Noida airport to take off

Why Switzerland is as desperate as Adityanath for Noida airport to take off

Rediff.com5 Oct 2021

There is little that Andreas Schmid, the Swiss-born chairman of Flughafen Zurich AG (Zurich Airport International AG), and Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP), could have in common. But Schmid, whose company is building the Noida airport in partnership with the UP government, finds himself on the same footing as the firebrand Hindutva leader who rules the state. Both hope the Rs 30,000-crore ($4 billion) project, hanging fire for 20 years, shows some progress when UP goes to the polls in 2022.

Australia formally recognises India's Covaxin

Australia formally recognises India's Covaxin

Rediff.com1 Nov 2021

Australia's medicines and medical devices regulator on Monday formally recognised India's Covaxin, a vaccine against the coronavirus as the country's border was reopened for the first time in nearly 20 months.

COVID-19: 13% museums around the world may never reopen

COVID-19: 13% museums around the world may never reopen

Rediff.com19 May 2020

On the occasion of International Museum Day Monday, two studies by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the International Council of Museums said that museums have been especially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 90 per cent of them, or more than 85,000 institutions, having closed their doors for varying lengths of time during the crisis.

Why Moody's outlook on India need to be viewed with scepticism

Why Moody's outlook on India need to be viewed with scepticism

Rediff.com18 Oct 2021

The improved outlook on the Government of India announced by rating agency Moody's might need to be viewed with some scepticism. There is no doubt the performance of the Indian economy has sharply improved from the deep trough it hit last year. But the ability of the second largest global ratings agency to assess an upside and downside before events make everyone wise about India has been dismal for a long time, as the chart shows.

There will be no winning side in Ukraine war: India at UN

There will be no winning side in Ukraine war: India at UN

Rediff.com6 May 2022

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said India remains on the side of peace.

US Influence in Afghanistan has touched Ground Zero

US Influence in Afghanistan has touched Ground Zero

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

A confrontation with the Taliban in Kabul in this fading light of a twilight zone would have been sheer madness, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

MDs on 'forced' leave, but its business as usual for ICRA and Care Ratings

MDs on 'forced' leave, but its business as usual for ICRA and Care Ratings

Rediff.com26 Jul 2019

The reason for both the officials being sent on leave is the same - an anonymous complaint received by the market regulator against the agency.

Heavy security across country for 76th Independence Day

Heavy security across country for 76th Independence Day

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

India has not only been decked in tricolour hues in the lead up to the 76th Independence Day celebrations, but also put under a heavy security blanket, right from Delhi, the epicentre of the mega celebrations, to Jammu and Kashmir.

Obama's India visit signals signing of energy deal

Obama's India visit signals signing of energy deal

Rediff.com23 Jan 2015

Experts hail Obama's India trip as a big step towards signing of imp trade agreements.

No Time To Lose On Afghanistan

No Time To Lose On Afghanistan

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The key is to act and not wait and watch before the limited window of opportunity shuts, argues Shanthie Mariet D'Souza.

Govt to deploy 30,000 central forces for Bihar polls

Govt to deploy 30,000 central forces for Bihar polls

Rediff.com27 Sep 2020

The maximum 80 companies, as per an official order, will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force followed by 70 from the Sashastra Seema Bal, 55 from the Border Security Force, 50 from the Central Industrial Security Force, 30 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police force and 15 from the RPF.

Decoded: All you wanted to know about Pegasus

Decoded: All you wanted to know about Pegasus

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

Given the costs, you would need to be a high-value target for a government agency to spend this sort of money, points out Devangshu Datta.

Look, who all are supporting India's financial inclusion drive

Look, who all are supporting India's financial inclusion drive

Rediff.com28 Jan 2015

USAID looks forward to working with each to make financial inclusion a long-lasting and sustainable reality in India.

Chintan Shivir: Cong to bring these sweeping changes in the party

Chintan Shivir: Cong to bring these sweeping changes in the party

Rediff.com13 May 2022

The Congress is likely to enforce the 'One family, one ticket' formula granting exemption to only another family member who has been doing 'exemplary work' for the party for a period of at least five years, as the grand old party promised big ticket changes while acknowledging that it had not kept pace with changing times.

US to send raw material to India for Covishield

US to send raw material to India for Covishield

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.

Human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine initiated in India: ICMR

Human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine initiated in India: ICMR

Rediff.com14 Jul 2020

Since India is one of the largest vaccine producers in the world, it is the country's 'moral responsibility' to fast-track vaccine development process to break the chain of coronavirus transmission, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said referring to the two vaccine candidates developed indigenously.

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan steps aside as CPI-M secy days after son's arrest

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan steps aside as CPI-M secy days after son's arrest

Rediff.com13 Nov 2020

While the CPI-M in a statement after the secretariat on Friday maintained that Balakrishnan, who is also a Polit Bureau member, had sought leave for further treatment which had been accepted, the leader of opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala dubbed the move as a delayed dawning of wisdom.

Covid impact: Economy unlikely to see double-digit growth in FY22

Covid impact: Economy unlikely to see double-digit growth in FY22

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

India's economy is unlikely to see double-digit growth and may grow between 8 per cent and 9 per cent this fiscal year (2021-22, or FY22), against the estimated 11.5 per cent, according to leading economists and rating agencies. The downward revision of growth projections to as low as 10 per cent is mostly on account of stringency in restrictions by states, relatively slow vaccination pace, and the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic. However, they say the impact will not be as severe as the first wave, and expect the first quarter to see positive growth.

What's Pakistan's Afghan Plan?

What's Pakistan's Afghan Plan?

Rediff.com13 Sep 2021

Pakistan is making efforts at multiple levels for the Taliban government to have a soft landing, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.