News for 'US State Department'

Maha makes free drinking water mandatory for customers at eateries

Maha makes free drinking water mandatory for customers at eateries

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued a comprehensive order mandating free drinking water for customers in all food establishments, banning food served in newspapers, and introducing rigorous operational standards. These new regulations aim to improve food safety, hygiene, and transparency across hotels, restaurants, and other food service providers in the state.

US-Iran peace deal: Tehran gives up nuke bid, wins sanctions relief

US-Iran peace deal: Tehran gives up nuke bid, wins sanctions relief

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

The United States and Iran have reached an agreement in principle to immediately and permanently halt all military operations, lift sanctions, and work towards a comprehensive final agreement within 60 days, including a significant reconstruction package for Iran.

Maha govt buys Mumbai's iconic Air India building for Rs 1,601cr

Maha govt buys Mumbai's iconic Air India building for Rs 1,601cr

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

The Maharashtra government has formally acquired the iconic Air India building in south Mumbai for Rs 1,601 crore, completing the transfer of agreements from Air India Assets Holding Company to the state Public Works Department.

'1.38L CCTVs, 51k jammers': Over 2.8L students to take NEET re-exam amid tight security

'1.38L CCTVs, 51k jammers': Over 2.8L students to take NEET re-exam amid tight security

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented extensive security and logistical arrangements, including AI-based CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, and police escorts, to ensure the smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.

Amroha Police Demolish Illegal Structure Of Minor Rape Accused

Amroha Police Demolish Illegal Structure Of Minor Rape Accused

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Amroha Police demolished an alleged illegal construction belonging to an accused in a minor rape case, identified as Farman, as part of their zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and girls. The structure was found to be illegal after verification by the revenue department.

US, Iran to hold talks in Switzerland; Pak, Qatar to attend

US, Iran to hold talks in Switzerland; Pak, Qatar to attend

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold their initial round of talks in Switzerland on Friday, following a ceasefire agreement virtually signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

DoT notifies new telecom authorisation rules, replacing multiple licences

DoT notifies new telecom authorisation rules, replacing multiple licences

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a new authorisation regime, replacing multiple licences with a single permission for principal telecom services, aiming to simplify compliance and accommodate evolving technologies. This move is expected to ease business operations, enhance fraud prevention with AI, and expand connectivity, especially through satellite networks.

How GeM Is Revolutionising Government Procurement With AI

How GeM Is Revolutionising Government Procurement With AI

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

The government's e-marketplace platform, GeM, is significantly enhancing public procurement through the integration of AI, advanced analytics, and digital monitoring systems. This strategic adoption has led to substantial savings for the exchequer and improved transparency, while also playing a crucial role in health sector procurement.

Kharge, Pawan Khera among Cong's Rajya Sabha picks

Kharge, Pawan Khera among Cong's Rajya Sabha picks

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

The Congress party has announced its seven candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Pawan Khera, Meenakshi Natarajan, Praveen Chakravarty, Neeraj Dangi, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Pranav Jha, representing various states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. The elections are set for June 18.

'We will go to war': Pak threatens India amid water crisis

'We will go to war': Pak threatens India amid water crisis

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a war threat against India, citing water security as a national concern. This comes as Pakistan grapples with a severe internal water crisis, attributed by experts to mismanagement, and India maintains its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following a terror attack. Asif accused India of "weaponising water" but admitted to lacking current data on the situation.

Southwest monsoon likely to hit Kerala in next two-three days: IMD

Southwest monsoon likely to hit Kerala in next two-three days: IMD

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

The India Meteorological Department forecasts the southwest monsoon to arrive in Kerala in the next two to three days, slightly delayed from the typical June 1 start. The department also predicts below-normal rainfall for the season due to emerging El Nino conditions.

Sena-UBT remains strong, Aaditya capable of leading it: Raut

Sena-UBT remains strong, Aaditya capable of leading it: Raut

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Sanjay Raut defended the strength of Shiv Sena-UBT, backing Aaditya Thackeray as a capable next-generation leader while claiming the party cadre remains loyal to Uddhav Thackeray despite recent MP defections driven by money and central agency pressure.

Kamakhya temple gears up for lakhs of devotees for Ambubachi Mela

Kamakhya temple gears up for lakhs of devotees for Ambubachi Mela

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

The famed Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati is set to begin, with the administration expecting around eight lakh devotees over the next four days. The temple doors will close on Monday night for the 'prabritti' period, symbolising the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, and reopen on June 26.

Visa Woes Hit Pakistan Hockey Team Ahead Of England Leg

Visa Woes Hit Pakistan Hockey Team Ahead Of England Leg

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Pakistan's national hockey team is facing significant challenges ahead of the final leg of the FIH Pro League in England, with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt's visa rejected and head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan also struggling to secure his travel documents. This comes amidst a dismal performance in the league and growing criticism over team management.

Tripura Forest Officials Injured In Timber Smuggler Attack

Tripura Forest Officials Injured In Timber Smuggler Attack

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Six forest personnel, including a range officer, were injured in an attack by suspected timber smugglers in North Tripura. Two Forest Department vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

FIFA World Cup: Neymar back in training but unlikely to return against Haiti

FIFA World Cup: Neymar back in training but unlikely to return against Haiti

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Neymar offered Brazil a flicker of World Cup encouragement on Tuesday when he trained on the pitch with the national team in the United States for the first time.

US Senate passes resolution to limit Trump's Iran war powers

US Senate passes resolution to limit Trump's Iran war powers

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

The US Senate passed a resolution directing then-President Donald Trump to withdraw American forces from the conflict with Iran. This bipartisan vote, though largely symbolic as a concurrent resolution, highlighted congressional concerns over potential escalation and a desire to limit presidential military authority without legislative approval.

West Bengal Reinstates CBI General Consent For Central Employee Probes

West Bengal Reinstates CBI General Consent For Central Employee Probes

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

The West Bengal government has restored general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases involving central government employees and public sector undertakings within the state. This decision reverses a 2018 move by the previous Trinamool Congress government to withdraw such consent, allowing the CBI to operate more freely in these specific matters.

SC to hear plea on Ram Temple Trust fund embezzlement

SC to hear plea on Ram Temple Trust fund embezzlement

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for June 29 on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the registration of an FIR and a time-bound probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

Corrupt Mathura Police Officer Held For Extortion, Using History-Sheeters

Corrupt Mathura Police Officer Held For Extortion, Using History-Sheeters

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

A police sub-inspector in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly running an illegal extortion racket targeting local shopkeepers and operating an unauthorised parking scheme. The officer, Shashank Kaushik, is accused of using two history-sheeters, who are now absconding, to collect "protection money" from vendors. A departmental inquiry is underway, and an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Delhi CM Urges Transparency In Welfare Scheme Rollout

Delhi CM Urges Transparency In Welfare Scheme Rollout

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget, warning of potential fund reductions for departments failing to utilise allocated budgets effectively.

Probe launched after 10 hooch deaths in Maharashtra

Probe launched after 10 hooch deaths in Maharashtra

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Authorities are investigating the deaths of seven people in Pimpri Chinchwad and three in Pune, India, following suspected consumption of spurious liquor. Several arrests have been made, and test results are awaited to confirm the cause of death.

Iran's World Cup team arrives in Tijuana amid US tensions

Iran's World Cup team arrives in Tijuana amid US tensions

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

For Iran's team, the FIFA World Cup has been marred by fraught politics at home, the war with the US, and tensions over whether they would actually be able to set foot on US soil to play their games.

North India swelters under brutal heatwave; UP's Banda hottest

North India swelters under brutal heatwave; UP's Banda hottest

Rediff.com20 May 2026

North India is experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 48 degrees Celsius in some areas. Several states have issued warnings and advisories as the heatwave is expected to continue.

Maharashtra Government Suspends Officials After Spurious Liquor Deaths

Maharashtra Government Suspends Officials After Spurious Liquor Deaths

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Following the deaths of 15-18 people in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad due to spurious liquor, the Maharashtra government has suspended 22 police and excise department personnel for failing to act against the illegal liquor trade. Financial assistance has been announced for the victims' families, and a statewide crackdown on illicit liquor is underway.

Day 3 of BEST strike: Special buses for NEET re-exam

Day 3 of BEST strike: Special buses for NEET re-exam

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.

Man Killed In Elephant Attack Near Kotagiri

Man Killed In Elephant Attack Near Kotagiri

Rediff.com30 May 2026

A 44-year-old man was killed in an elephant attack near Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred as the man was walking to his village, prompting a police investigation and a safety advisory from the forest department.

Fake video on NEET-UG exam paper leak, says NTA

Fake video on NEET-UG exam paper leak, says NTA

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strongly refuted a video circulating on social media that falsely claims the NEET-UG 2026 paper was leaked, asserting that the recent re-examination was conducted successfully with comprehensive security measures.

Nanded Collector Leads Rs 30 Lakh Seizure In Anti-Illegal Sand Mining Operation

Nanded Collector Leads Rs 30 Lakh Seizure In Anti-Illegal Sand Mining Operation

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Authorities in Nanded, Maharashtra, conducted a joint operation against illegal sand mining along the Godavari river, seizing and destroying equipment worth Rs 30 lakh. The raid, led by the Nanded collector, also resulted in the confiscation of 125 brass of illegally mined sand and the apprehension of four individuals involved in illegal transport.

Odisha Vigilance Uncovers More Gold From Engineer's Locker

Odisha Vigilance Uncovers More Gold From Engineer's Locker

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Odisha Vigilance has seized an additional 703 grams of gold from a bank locker belonging to Baikuntha Nath Behera, an assistant executive engineer, bringing the total recovery to 1.255 kg. Behera was arrested for possessing assets disproportionate to his known income, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, five buildings, 14 plots, and significant deposits.

Odisha Vigilance Uncovers More Gold From Engineer's Locker

Odisha Vigilance Uncovers More Gold From Engineer's Locker

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Odisha Vigilance has seized an additional 703 grams of gold from a bank locker belonging to Baikuntha Nath Behera, an assistant executive engineer, bringing the total recovery to 1.255 kg. Behera was arrested for possessing assets disproportionate to his known income, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, five buildings, 14 plots, and significant deposits.

Vijay's government to hold social justice survey, move court for financial devolution

Vijay's government to hold social justice survey, move court for financial devolution

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar announced that the TVK regime, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, will take steps to ensure fair financial devolution from the Centre, including pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court. The government also plans to conduct a 'Social Justice Survey' and address the state's severe financial deterioration.

Delhi Govt Offers Internships In Child Welfare Institutions

Delhi Govt Offers Internships In Child Welfare Institutions

Rediff.com28 May 2026

The Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department (WCD) has introduced a new internship and research framework, offering students in social work, psychology, and related fields structured field exposure at child care institutions and welfare centres.

How Extreme Heat And Humidity Are Overwhelming Sindh Hospitals

How Extreme Heat And Humidity Are Overwhelming Sindh Hospitals

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Sindh province in Pakistan is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius and high humidity, leading to a 'feels-like' temperature of up to 54 degrees Celsius in Karachi. Hospitals in the region, particularly in Karachi, are overwhelmed with patients suffering from heat-related illnesses, prompting medical staff to work round the clock.

SC orders eviction plan for 118 govt servants encroaching on TN's Agasthyamalai

SC orders eviction plan for 118 govt servants encroaching on TN's Agasthyamalai

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the preparation and implementation of a time-bound eviction plan to address encroachments within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu, also ordering action against government servants involved.

Visa drama leaves Ghana star out of FIFA World Cup opener

Visa drama leaves Ghana star out of FIFA World Cup opener

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada for a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Panama due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK, where he faces rape and sexual assault charges. Canada's Federal High Court upheld the visa refusal, despite Ghana's government calling the decision "extremely unfair" and questioning the reliance on unproven allegations.

NTA calls NEET-UG 2026 paper leak video 'fake' amid re-exams

NTA calls NEET-UG 2026 paper leak video 'fake' amid re-exams

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strongly refuted a video circulating on social media that falsely claims the NEET-UG 2026 paper was leaked, asserting that the recent re-examination was conducted successfully with comprehensive security measures.

Odisha Vigilance Raids Engineer, Seizes Crores In Cash And Assets

Odisha Vigilance Raids Engineer, Seizes Crores In Cash And Assets

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

The Odisha Vigilance Department has uncovered assets worth crores of rupees, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, multiple properties, and gold, during raids on an assistant executive engineer. The engineer, Baikuntha Nath Behera, is under investigation for disproportionate assets. Separately, a lineman was arrested for accepting a bribe.

Pochettino's attacking blueprint shapes US mauling of Paraguay

Pochettino's attacking blueprint shapes US mauling of Paraguay

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Mauricio Pochettino's gameplan worked a treat in the United States' 4-1 win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener on Friday, the hosts showcasing an attacking fluidity and positional interplay that overwhelmed the South Americans.

Police Rescue Newborn Illegally Sold For Rs 1.7 Lakh

Police Rescue Newborn Illegally Sold For Rs 1.7 Lakh

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Police in Hyderabad rescued a 12-day-old male infant who was allegedly illegally sold for Rs 1.7 lakh to a childless couple through mediators. The transaction, which bypassed legal adoption procedures, was uncovered by the Child Welfare Department, leading to a 'Zero FIR' and ongoing investigation.