News for 'United Nations Information Centres'

e-Rupee: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

e-Rupee: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

The RBI refuses to classify a cryptocurrency as an asset since it doesn't have future cash flow and its value is always fluctuating because of speculation. There is also no consumer protection, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay, and hence the e-rupee trial run.

In its zeal to sell A-I, govt goes slow on others

In its zeal to sell A-I, govt goes slow on others

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

The Centre's push to sell Air India on priority has led to delays in other strategic divestment proposals, such as privatising United India Insurance, as well as ongoing transactions, such as Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), revealed multiple officials involved in the process. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) is yet to take new privatisation recommendations of the NITI Aayog to the core group of secretaries on disinvestment (CGD) headed by the Cabinet secretary, said one of the officials. The priority now is to ensure all approvals for Air India are in place since the government intends to hand over the national carrier as early as this month.

Amazon challenges CCI over suspension of 2019 Future deal

Amazon challenges CCI over suspension of 2019 Future deal

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

Amazon has filed a legal challenge at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) suspension of the US e-commerce giant's 2019 deal with Future Retail (FRL). Amazon has challenged the CCI order on at least five grounds, and the matter is likely to be listed this week, according to the sources. Parallelly, Amazon's Indian unit has approached the Supreme Court against a halt on an arbitration case against Future Retail's (FRL) asset sale to Reliance Industries (RIL).

Why are electric two-wheelers in India catching fire?

Why are electric two-wheelers in India catching fire?

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Nearly a decade ago, the first fully electric vehicle (EV) caught fire on the road in the US. It was a model from Tesla, the world's most admired EV maker. A metal fragment punctured the underbelly of the vehicle, penetrating its battery pack, leading to a fire. Indian lawmakers and automakers have had nine years to study the incident (in fact, three Tesla Model Ss caught fire in two months in 2013) but seem to have learnt little.

Imran Khan to resume march from the same point where he was attacked

Imran Khan to resume march from the same point where he was attacked

Rediff.com6 Nov 2022

Imran Khan on Sunday announced that his party will resume the march to Islamabad from the same spot where he survived an assassination attempt but sustained bullet injuries during a rally in Punjab province, saying he prefers 'death instead of living the life of a slave'.

The 5 men who will decide how funds get shared by Centre and states

The 5 men who will decide how funds get shared by Centre and states

Rediff.com28 Nov 2017

The panel will also recommend a fiscal consolidation road map for the central and state governments, study the impact of GST on the divisible pool, and propose performance-based incentives for states.

'Modi wants to raise standard of living'

'Modi wants to raise standard of living'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

'So you have welfare programmes, you reach out to the poor, you cut out the middlemen, you cut out the leakages and you try to raise the standard of living.'

Caste a factor in Agnipath recruitment, allege Varun, Oppn; govt rejects

Caste a factor in Agnipath recruitment, allege Varun, Oppn; govt rejects

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday alleged that the Indian Army was using caste as a factor for recruitment under the Agnipath scheme, drawing a swift rebuttal from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who rejected the charge as a "rumour".

HC seeks response to plea challenging recognition to Yoga federation

HC seeks response to plea challenging recognition to Yoga federation

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

The Yoga Federation of India contended that the recognition granted to the National Yogasana Sports Federation is arbitrary and suffers from malafide intentions.

Should A Collegium Pick Election Commissioners?

Should A Collegium Pick Election Commissioners?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

The system of 'selecting' an election commissioner, which is before the Supreme Court, must be institutionalised.

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

Rediff.com3 Mar 2020

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings.

India rejects Pak's list of terrorists involved in 26/11 attacks

India rejects Pak's list of terrorists involved in 26/11 attacks

Rediff.com12 Nov 2020

In a strongly-worded reaction on the issue, Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to give up its 'obfuscation and dilatory tactics' in discharging its international obligations in the trial of Mumbai terror attacks.

'CM Supports Naga Rebels, Must Be Sacked'

'CM Supports Naga Rebels, Must Be Sacked'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

'Chief Minister Rio is holding the Naga Peace Accord hostage with his tacit support to the NSCN-IM, egging them to refuse to accept a solution within the Constitution.'

Queen Elizabeth II admired richness, diversity of India

Queen Elizabeth II admired richness, diversity of India

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 on Thursday, was the first British monarch to accede to the throne after India's Independence from colonial rule in 1952 and admired the 'richness and diversity' of India where she made three State Visits over the course of her reign -- in 1961, 1983 and 1997.

India's warmth and hospitality touched Queen Elizabeth II

India's warmth and hospitality touched Queen Elizabeth II

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

Queen Elizabeth II made 3 State visits to India -- in 1961, 1983 and 1997.

India to get 3rd set of Swiss bank details, info on real estate this month

India to get 3rd set of Swiss bank details, info on real estate this month

Rediff.com12 Sep 2021

Marking a key milestone in the Indian government's fight against black money allegedly stashed abroad, India will get this month the complete information on flats, apartments and condominiums owned by Indians in Switzerland as also on earnings made from such properties to help it look into tax liabilities associated with those assets.

Centre may hire US, Israel firms for terror intel

Centre may hire US, Israel firms for terror intel

Rediff.com10 Jan 2016

The government also wants to ensure that content meant for radicalising youths, from outfits like Islamic State, doesn't find circulation in India.

FIFA suspends Indian football federation

FIFA suspends Indian football federation

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

In a massive setback for the country, world football governing body FIFA on Tuesday suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and said the Under-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned."

Fuel price: CMs hit back at Modi for tax cuts remark

Fuel price: CMs hit back at Modi for tax cuts remark

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of tax cuts on petroleum products, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said people were aware of the fact behind the issue and pointed out at his government effecting a Rs 3 a litre cut on petrol earlier.

Rs 435 million spent to propagate Hindi worldwide

Rs 435 million spent to propagate Hindi worldwide

Rediff.com22 Jul 2019

Complaints to NCM fall down sharply...4,000 Indian women deserted by NRI husbands since 2016...79 districts in India still don't have blood banks...

Pulitzer-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed in Afghanistan

Pulitzer-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed in Afghanistan

Rediff.com17 Jul 2021

Danish Siddiqui, in his early 40s, was killed during clashes in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar, Tolo News quoted sources as saying.

An Assembly Bypoll Like None Other

An Assembly Bypoll Like None Other

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Neither the ruling DMK nor the fractured AIADMK Opposition anticipated that an assembly by-election would put them both to test, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

UK's carrier strike group to conduct wargame with Indian Navy

UK's carrier strike group to conduct wargame with Indian Navy

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

The UK said the deployment of the carrier strike group marks the start of "a new era of defence cooperation with allies in India and the Indo-Pacific."

Mr PM, what were you trying to tell the nation?

Mr PM, what were you trying to tell the nation?

Rediff.com4 Sep 2017

'The BJP has sent out a message that its allies are at its mercy.' 'The allies cannot pressurise or bargain with the BJP any more,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

5 from UK test COVID positive amid fears over new Covid strain

5 from UK test COVID positive amid fears over new Covid strain

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

This comes as flight services from the UK to India have been suspended till December 31 over the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in London and England.

Italian marines: SC asks govt to deposit compensation for fishermen kin

Italian marines: SC asks govt to deposit compensation for fishermen kin

Rediff.com9 Apr 2021

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to deposit in its account the compensation given by Italy for the kin of two Indian fishermen killed by Italian Marines off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

Nitish Kumar wins trust vote amid BJP walkout

Nitish Kumar wins trust vote amid BJP walkout

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

Altogether 160 MLAs voted in favour of the confidence motion while no vote was cast against the same.

G20 leaders vow to fight terror; Paris attacks take centre stage

G20 leaders vow to fight terror; Paris attacks take centre stage

Rediff.com15 Nov 2015

Paris attacks took the centre stage at the G20 Summit on Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a united global effort to combat terrorism as world leaders joined a clarion call to eliminate ISIS network.

Modi's Sangamam: Less Of Tamil, More Of Politics

Modi's Sangamam: Less Of Tamil, More Of Politics

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

The inaugural Sangamam turned out to be a political Hindutva function than a gathering on the Hindu religion, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Centre steps in to protect Assam's rare rhinos

Centre steps in to protect Assam's rare rhinos

Rediff.com5 Sep 2014

Union Minister of Environment and Forest Prakash Javadekar on Friday expressed anguish over the unabated poaching of the rare one-horned rhinoceros in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and the rapid shrinking of forest cover in the northeast region.

Heat wave hurting farmers' income as yields drop across several crops

Heat wave hurting farmers' income as yields drop across several crops

Rediff.com11 May 2022

Santosh Patkar of Devgadh Taluka Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra is a worried man these days. Devgadh, which is known as the home to world famous Alphonso variety of mangoes, has seen an unusual drop in yields which is affecting farmers' income. Being one of the primary agricultural produce from the area, Santosh is not untouched by this somewhat rare phenomenon. He said in his own mango garden, yields have come down by a third from most trees.

BJP's mission is to work for country: PM at party office bearers' meet

BJP's mission is to work for country: PM at party office bearers' meet

Rediff.com21 Feb 2021

BJP general secretary Arun Singh said that during the course of the meet, discussions will be held on farm laws, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and upcoming state polls.

Assam Congress decides to break ties with Ajmal's AIUDF

Assam Congress decides to break ties with Ajmal's AIUDF

Rediff.com31 Aug 2021

'The continuous and mysterious praise of the BJP and the chief minister by AIUDF leadership and senior members have affected the public perception of the Congress party'

MEA rubbishes Al Jazeera report on India training N Koreans on classified tech

MEA rubbishes Al Jazeera report on India training N Koreans on classified tech

Rediff.com23 Jun 2016

The External Affairs Ministry on Thursday discarded the article titled 'India's embarrassing North Korean connection' by Nilanjana Bhowmick in Al Jazeera, a Doha-based broadcaster, saying the insinuation regarding New Delhi's assistance to North Korea in United Nations proscribed activities is 'baseless and without any merit.'

Quite natural to scrap snoopgate now that NDA is at Centre: Congress

Quite natural to scrap snoopgate now that NDA is at Centre: Congress

Rediff.com23 Jun 2014

The Congress on Monday took a swipe at the National Democratic Alliance government over its proposed move to give a quiet burial to the United Progressive Alliance dispensation's controversial move to order a probe into the Snoopgate affair, saying it was "quite natural" after the change of guard at the Centre.

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Colombo seems to be veering to the middle path between China and the US on global matters, but in regional matters of strategic security, it is increasingly identifying with India, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Ukraine: 'India remained cold-blooded and rational'

Ukraine: 'India remained cold-blooded and rational'

Rediff.com12 May 2022

'As long as we have such partners, Russia cannot be isolated.'

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, paving the way for privatisation of government-owned insurers. The amendments, approved by Cabinet, will remove the clause for the Centre to hold at least 51 per cent in public sector insurance companies at any given time. It will also have an enabling provision for the transfer of management control from the government to the potential buyer of the public sector insurance company. The finance ministry will move amendments to the insurance Act in the ongoing Parliament session.

Russia-Ukraine war: Spartak Moscow out of Europa League as UEFA suspends Russia

Russia-Ukraine war: Spartak Moscow out of Europa League as UEFA suspends Russia

Rediff.com1 Mar 2022

On Sunday the Ukrainian Tennis Federation urged the sport's governing body the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to immediately expel Russia and Belarus from the organisation and ban Russia from team and individual tournaments. Also, athletes from Ukraine and other nations have called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to suspend Russia and Belarus and ban their athletes from events immediately.

13 years after Singur fiasco, Bengal says Tatas 'most welcome'

13 years after Singur fiasco, Bengal says Tatas 'most welcome'

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

Thirteen years after their small car project was forced out of West Bengal following the anti-land acquisition movement in Singur, Industry and IT Minister Partha Chatterjee has said talks are on with the Tatas for big-ticket investments in the state. Underscoring job creation as the TMC government's top priority, Chatterjee also said incentives to companies will depend on ability to generate employment. He said the Mamata Banerjee dispensation wants two large manufacturing units to be set up by any prominent industrial house at the earliest. "We never had any enmity with the Tatas, neither we fought against them. "They are one of the most respected and biggest business houses of this country and also abroad. "You can't blame the Tatas (for the Singur fiasco).