News for 'US state department'

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The Congress party has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of incompetence and partisanship following the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) defense of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party alleges the CEC failed to address concerns about voter list irregularities and is acting in favor of the ruling BJP.

Unlimited cases like Minta Devi: Rahul on 'vote chori' claim

Unlimited cases like Minta Devi: Rahul on 'vote chori' claim

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of failing to uphold the 'one man, one vote' principle, citing irregularities in voter lists. He claims the issue is widespread and systematic, with the opposition protesting the Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar.

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law. This decision aims to resolve legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership for over 50 lakh families.

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

Trump's Tariff Give Electronics A Breather

Trump's Tariff Give Electronics A Breather

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

But the respite may not last long.

Bihar govt restricts 35% women jobs quota to permanent residents

Bihar govt restricts 35% women jobs quota to permanent residents

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

The Bihar cabinet has decided to restrict the 35 per cent quota for women in government jobs to only permanent residents of the state, ahead of upcoming elections.

Tied up without clothes, 42 residents rescued from Noida old-age home

Tied up without clothes, 42 residents rescued from Noida old-age home

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

Forty-two elderly people were rescued from an 'illegal' old-age home after a police raid at the institution found some women tied up, many residents without clothes and others in 'basement-like' rooms, officials said.

Maha officer alleges husband put spy cameras in bedroom

Maha officer alleges husband put spy cameras in bedroom

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The 31-year-old woman alleged her husband, also a government employee, had installed cameras in the bathroom, too, the police said on Tuesday.

Harvard is not Harvard...: Varsity sues Trump admin over foreign student ban

Harvard is not Harvard...: Varsity sues Trump admin over foreign student ban

Rediff.com23 May 2025

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to revoke the university's certification to enroll foreign students. The lawsuit claims that the government's action is unlawful and unwarranted and that Harvard is not Harvard without its international students. The university argues that the government's decision will have a devastating effect on Harvard and its thousands of international students. The lawsuit comes a day after the Trump administration ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

11 killed as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapses in Vadodara

11 killed as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapses in Vadodara

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Eight persons were killed and five others rescued after several vehicles fell into a river following the collapse of a portion of a four-decade-old bridge in Gujarat's Vadodara district on Wednesday morning, police said.

Indian Students Caught In US Visa Turmoil

Indian Students Caught In US Visa Turmoil

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

Uncertainty clouds US fall intake as Trump's visa ban on Harvard raises fears of wider policy shifts, pushing Indian students to explore alternative destinations.

'Deputy caliph' of Islamic State killed in Iraq

'Deputy caliph' of Islamic State killed in Iraq

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

The Iraqi Prime Minister said that personnel of the country's national intelligence service, working with coalition forces commanded by the United States, had killed the head of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

UP: Outsiders banned from camps set up for kanwariyas

UP: Outsiders banned from camps set up for kanwariyas

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

A senior Uttar Pradesh government official has issued directives to ensure the safe and smooth completion of the Kanwar Yatra, including banning outsiders from entering camps, enforcing a ban on single-use plastic, and providing basic facilities to kanwariyas.

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Vijay, with his chief ministerial ambitions, is a one-man army, at least as of now, and his campaign team considers him omnipresent. He has to be present in all districts, if not all constituencies at the same time, as there is no second-line leader or platform speaker in the party, who can draw crowds, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Pre-tariff rush to US lifts exports by 7% in July

Pre-tariff rush to US lifts exports by 7% in July

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

India's goods exports rebounded in July after two months of contraction, with outbound shipments rising 7.3 per cent to $37.24 billion, led by a surge in exports to the United States before the country's reciprocal tariff kicked in and bolstered by a recovery in exports to other key markets.

Pahalgam attack: Trump dials Modi, offers full support

Pahalgam attack: Trump dials Modi, offers full support

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of the "heinous attack". Trump conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack and said that India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly holidayers from other states, is the deadliest in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. Modi, who was on a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, cut short his visit and returned to New Delhi on Tuesday night after the attack.

Another school tragedy in Rajasthan: 6-yr-old killed

Another school tragedy in Rajasthan: 6-yr-old killed

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

A concrete slab holding up the main gate of a government senior secondary girls school in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district collapsed on Monday, instantly killing a six-year-old boy who was there to be accompanied home by his sister studying in the school, police said.

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'These efforts by Beijing can be weaponised one day with economic, security and political implications for India.'

With India in fight against terrorism: US to Indian delegation

With India in fight against terrorism: US to Indian delegation

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

A statement issued by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Landau "reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries".

TN Dalit techie murder: Stalin's allies demand anti-honour killing law

TN Dalit techie murder: Stalin's allies demand anti-honour killing law

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The alleged honour killing of a Dalit IT engineer in Tamil Nadu has sparked outrage and demands for a separate legislation to handle such incidents. Allies of the ruling DMK are calling for action after the murder of Kavin Selvaganesh.

Nitish Kumar's Sop Opera Ahead Of Polls

Nitish Kumar's Sop Opera Ahead Of Polls

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Nitish Kumar has pledged to create 10 million jobs in the next five years apart from offering voters many other sops.

What You Must Know About The CEC

What You Must Know About The CEC

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

As an IAS officer in Kerala, Gyanesh Kumar -- who the Congress described as Amit Shah's 'right hand man' -- had a good working equation with the state's Congress and Left leaders.

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar to advocate for fair elections and protect voting rights, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and accusing the BJP of attempting to disenfranchise voters.

BJD's protest over Odisha student's death turns violent

BJD's protest over Odisha student's death turns violent

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Several Biju Janata Dal workers and leaders, including two former ministers, were injured in a scuffle with police personnel in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday during a party's protest over the death of a college student, who set herself on fire in Odisha's Balasore district.

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."

Tigress, 4 cubs found dead in K'taka forest; govt orders probe

Tigress, 4 cubs found dead in K'taka forest; govt orders probe

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

Expressing sorrow over the incident, Khandre immediately ordered an investigation into the matter, which will be led by a team under the principal chief conservator of forests.

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rediff.com10 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement early Saturday.

Maha to act on forced conversions, SC quota misuse: Fadnavis

Maha to act on forced conversions, SC quota misuse: Fadnavis

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the state government's intention to introduce strong provisions to deal with religious conversions done using force or cheating. A panel has submitted recommendations, and the government will study and implement necessary changes. The move comes amid claims of misuse of religious freedom and concerns about conversions through coercion and deceit.

7 children killed as school building collapses in Rajasthan

7 children killed as school building collapses in Rajasthan

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

A regular morning alive with the chatter of students assembling for prayers quickly turned into tragedy on Friday when a portion of their government school building collapsed, killing seven children and injuring 27, some of them critically.

'It Was Not Suicide, But Murder'

'It Was Not Suicide, But Murder'

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

'My brother was mentally tortured and harassed.'

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The CM appointed Khurda district collector Chanchal Rana as the new collector of Puri.

Schoolgirls checked for menstruation: Principal axed after arrest

Schoolgirls checked for menstruation: Principal axed after arrest

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Police in Thane have arrested a school principal and staff member after allegations that girl students were forced to strip to check for menstruation. The incident sparked outrage among parents, leading to protests and a police investigation.

'This Wasn't A Cloudburst...'

'This Wasn't A Cloudburst...'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'The lakes up there were already at the brink due to accumulated rainwater, and then snowmelt occurred.' 'When one lake breached, it triggered a cascading effect -- other lakes breached subsequently.'

Odisha student sets herself ablaze over sexual harassment

Odisha student sets herself ablaze over sexual harassment

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

The incident took place this afternoon after the woman student met the Principal of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, Dilip Kumar Ghose. She had earlier lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor (Stage-l) in Educational Studies, who is also the head of the department and demanded action against him.

Odisha student's death: CCTV footage shows a woman seen buying petrol

Odisha student's death: CCTV footage shows a woman seen buying petrol

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

Odisha Police are investigating the purchase of petrol by a woman matching the description of a student who died by self-immolation after alleging sexual harassment. CCTV footage is being analyzed, and filling stations have stopped selling petrol in bottles. A UGC fact-finding team is also investigating the incident.

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rediff.com8 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for de-escalation and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'Often people outside paint a wrong picture of us of Kashmiris. We are not like that. We are cool and bindaas,' said the lady, a teacher, caressing my cheeks in the pressing crowds.

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The BJP criticized opposition parties for misspelling 'loktantra' (democracy) on a protest banner during a demonstration against electoral roll revisions in Bihar.

Army deployed as heavy rains cause flood-like situation in MP

Army deployed as heavy rains cause flood-like situation in MP

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri and Guna districts have led to a flood-like situation, stranding people including school children. The Army has been called in for rescue and relief operations. Other districts are also affected, and the IMD has issued a heavy rain alert.

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

The death toll from cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh has risen to 14, with a search underway for 31 missing individuals. Extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livestock has been reported across the district.