News for 'United Services Institution'

The Importance Of Nancy Pelosi

The Importance Of Nancy Pelosi

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Nancy Pelosi's gritty refusal to backtrack on her plans to visit Taiwan is part of who she is.

Can You Work While Studying Abroad?

Can You Work While Studying Abroad?

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Working while studying is an incredible way to build your professional network, learn hands-on experience, and understand the global working environment, suggests Ajay Sharma, president and founder, Abhinav Immigration Services.

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

IPO-bound mobility platform Ola, said it has successfully raised $500 million via a Term Loan B (TLB) from marquee international institutional investors. This term loan has no impact on the valuation of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola. The Bengaluru-based firm recently raised $139 million. This is part of a $1 billion funding round for which the company is in talks with investors, increasing its valuation to about $7.5 billion, according to the sources.

India, Russia ink key pact for 2 nuclear power units

India, Russia ink key pact for 2 nuclear power units

Rediff.com1 Jun 2017

The two countries also asked all nations to stop cross-border movement of terrorists and asserted that a decisive collective response from the international community without 'double standards and selectivity' was required to combat the threat of terrorism.

AstraZeneca's vaccine reaches phase 3 clinical trials: Trump

AstraZeneca's vaccine reaches phase 3 clinical trials: Trump

Rediff.com1 Sep 2020

The phase 3 trial is being implemented as part of Operation Warp Speed, a multi-agency collaboration led by the US Health and Human Services, which aims at accelerating the development and manufacturing of medical countermeasures for COVID-19 and delivering 300 million doses of an effective vaccine by January 2021.

Why India must celebrate its 1971 victory

Why India must celebrate its 1971 victory

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

We celebrate Dassera and regard it as an auspicious day as a day of victory of good over evil! So was 16 December! It is time we regard this day as auspicious as Dassera in future, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

The National Judicial Commission Bill, 2022, was introduced after the majority of voice votes were in its favour.

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

With elections elsewhere in India showing that multi-pronged contests usually work to the BJP's favour, the party can gain if it hangs on stubbornly. In the meantime, any additional support helps. That is why the archbishop's comment attracted political traction in Kerala, observes Shyam G Menon.

Govt issues guidelines for care of children affected by Covid

Govt issues guidelines for care of children affected by Covid

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

The states need to identify the children in distress through outreach and surveys and prepare a database with a profile of each child, along with the details of their specific needs and requirements, and ensure that the data is uploaded on the Track Child portal.

IPS officer among cops injured during protests in Ranchi, Sec 144 imposed

IPS officer among cops injured during protests in Ranchi, Sec 144 imposed

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

Prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of Ranchi city after some policemen, including an Indian Police Service officer, and others were injured in Ranchi on Friday while trying to control a mob near a temple, an official said.

Padma Vibhushan for Gen Rawat, Kalyan Singh; Padma Bhushan for Azad

Padma Vibhushan for Gen Rawat, Kalyan Singh; Padma Bhushan for Azad

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

The Padma Bhushan was conferred on 17 personalities including N Chandrasekharan, chairman of Tata Sons, Krishna and Suchita Ella of Bharat Biotech, Cyrus Poonawalla, Satya Nadella, chairman of Microsoft, Sunder Pichai, chairman of Google.

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.

Netanyahu takes oath as Israel's new PM, to head most hardline govt to date

Netanyahu takes oath as Israel's new PM, to head most hardline govt to date

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

Out of 120 members of the Knesset (Israeli parliament), Netanyahu has the support of 64 members

Rupee edges closer to 80-mark, slides 18 paise to 79.99 vs dollar

Rupee edges closer to 80-mark, slides 18 paise to 79.99 vs dollar

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

The rupee appreciated 7 paise to 79.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday as a positive trend in domestic equities supported the local unit. However, a strong American currency overseas and forex outflows restricted the rupee's gain, dealers said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 79.72 against the American dollar, then went lower to trade at 79.74 against the greenback in early deals, registering a gain of 7 paise over the last close.

Cryptos are not even worth a tulip: RBI Guv

Cryptos are not even worth a tulip: RBI Guv

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said cryptocurrencies are a "threat to macroeconomic and financial stability" and cautioned investors against punting on them, days after the Union government's move to tax the gains made from cryptocurrency trades. In the Union Budget for 2022-23 presented in Parliament on February 1, the government proposed levying a 30 per cent tax on gains made on cryptocurrency trades by investors and the announcement was welcomed by cryptocurrency industry players, saying it legitimises their trades. Das invoked the 17th century 'tulip mania', widely considered to be the first financial bubble, to caution investors, saying the cryptocurrencies do not even possess the value of the exotic flower.

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

Vice President Dhankar's and Law Minister Rijuju's recent interventions have the danger of destabilising the Constitutional equilibrium, cautions N Sathiya Moorthy.

Waiting for Cabinet approval, FM on cryptocurrency bill

Waiting for Cabinet approval, FM on cryptocurrency bill

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said she is awaiting an approval from the Cabinet on bill on cryptocurrency as the proposed legislation is before it. The inter-ministerial panel on cryptocurrency under the chairmanship of secretary (economic affairs) to study the issues related to virtual currencies and propose specific actions has already submitted its report. It has recommended that all private cryptocurrencies, except any virtual currencies issued by state, will be prohibited in India.

Ex-militant's shooting: Meghalaya home minister quits

Ex-militant's shooting: Meghalaya home minister quits

Rediff.com15 Aug 2021

'I have put forth my papers, after due consultation with my party leadership, to allow a free and fair probe into the killing of Chesterfield Thangkhiew', Meghalaya home minister Lahkmen Rymbui said

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

Rediff.com22 May 2022

In a first, the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) officers reached out to several ministries in the last week of April as part of a confidence-boosting measure. The meeting brought the CAG officials and those from the ministries across the table to discuss the pain points in their relations. CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu took this novel step because of growing tensions between those audited and the auditor.

Assam govt tables bill to abolish state-run madrassas

Assam govt tables bill to abolish state-run madrassas

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

The Assam cabinet had on December 13 approved a proposal to close down all Madrassas and Sanskrit Tols (schools) however, the legislation brought in the assembly during the day did not contain anything related to the Sanskrit tols and the education minister also did not mention anything about it.

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

From April 1 next year, over 600 state-run Madrassas will be converted into upper primary, high and higher secondary schools with no change of status, pay, allowances and service conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Netherlands is now India's 5th-largest export destination

Netherlands is now India's 5th-largest export destination

Rediff.com23 May 2022

The Netherlands has emerged as India's fifth-largest export destination in 2021-22 (FY22), jumping from its 10th position a year ago. Exports to the fifth-largest economy in the European Union (EU) bolted 94 per cent to $12.5 billion in the financial year ended March 31. In FY22, the Netherlands surpassed Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, Germany, and Nepal to become India's largest export destination in the EU. Germany, which was earlier India's top European export destination (eighth position), has now dropped two ranks to 10th place.

World wants India to give China a bloody nose

World wants India to give China a bloody nose

Rediff.com17 Jul 2020

'Unlike the Chinese army that has been largely a peace time force, the Indian Army is a battle hardened force,' explains Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Military not getting its due share: Army chief

Military not getting its due share: Army chief

Rediff.com4 May 2017

Citing China's example, he said a powerful military will enhance India's strategic clout.

Yogi pitches for special task force in Ayodhya in 100 days, women commandos

Yogi pitches for special task force in Ayodhya in 100 days, women commandos

Rediff.com21 Apr 2022

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed officials to speed up setting up of a commando training centre in Rampur and also form a skilled team of women commandos.

'ISI is rarely questioned in Pakistan'

'ISI is rarely questioned in Pakistan'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

'But India, increasingly, is not that far behind, which is a story I never expected to tell.'

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

India in the past rejected similar reports.

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

We have our own problems for sure and they are not trivial, but for now, our economy is in not too bad a shape, our politics is as personality-driven and authoritarian as that of most countries in the world. We must make the best of what we have and not be excessively unhappy looking at the grass on the other side of the septic tank which may not be greener after all!, observes Shreekant Sambrani.

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Murthy, who currently is the top Indian-American advisor to President-elect Joe Biden on COVID-19, is a potential pick for the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and Stanford University Professor Arun Majumdar for the post of Secretary of Energy, The Washington Post and Politico said in their reports on Tuesday that mentions a list of potential picks for various Cabinet-level positions in the Biden administration.

Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power

Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The army has long been deficient in artillery, the modern battlefield's most lethal killer, says Ajai Shukla.

Twitter's Agrawal latest Indian to head a global giant

Twitter's Agrawal latest Indian to head a global giant

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

With his elevation as the CEO of Twitter, Parag Agrawal, in whom co-founder of the microblogging giant Jack Dorsey has "bone-deep" trust, joins the growing power club of Indian-origin executives helming US-based global multinationals. Twitter's outgoing CEO Dorsey announced on Monday that 37-year old Agrawal, an Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Stanford University alumnus, will be the company's new chief executive as he stepped down after 16 years at the company that he co-founded and helmed. A report in The New York Times said Agrawal will receive an annual salary of $1 million, in addition to bonuses, restricted stock units and performance-based stock units.

'Mission Shakti will worry China, Pakistan'

'Mission Shakti will worry China, Pakistan'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2019

Mission Shakti 'shows the development within India's military space programme, its desire to be seen as a global space power and its recognition of the potential dangers of China's counterspace programme.'

Telecom ministry has a plan to combat tele frauds, pesky calls

Telecom ministry has a plan to combat tele frauds, pesky calls

Rediff.com15 Feb 2021

The telecom ministry will set up an intelligence unit and a consumer protection system as part of continuing efforts to tackle the menace of pesky calls as well as to take strict action against financial frauds perpetrated using telecom resources.

To deny statehood to J&K is injustice

To deny statehood to J&K is injustice

Rediff.com27 Jul 2020

It is time we pre-empt Pakistan and the separatists by fast tracking normalcy, advises Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Three Covid positive UK returnees isolated at Goa airport

Three Covid positive UK returnees isolated at Goa airport

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

Three passengers, including a British national of Goan-origin, who arrived at the international airport near here on a flight from the United Kingdom on early Friday, tested positive for COVID-19, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.

Did V K Singh's army unit rope in JK minister to topple govt?

Did V K Singh's army unit rope in JK minister to topple govt?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2013

The ruling National Conference on Friday demanded a CBI enquiry or a high-level probe into the functioning of a top secret intelligence unit set up by the former Army chief, General V K Singh. The unit is alleged 'to have used secret service funds to destabilise the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir.'

Reimagining Venture Capital

Reimagining Venture Capital

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Ajit Balakrishnan on keeping an eye on democratising finance in India.

Draft policy unlocks govt data for all; monetisation likely

Draft policy unlocks govt data for all; monetisation likely

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

The government on Monday published a draft data policy for public consultation, which says all data collected, generated, and stored by every government ministry and department will be open and shareable barring certain exceptions. Also, detailed datasets that have undergone value addition could be monetised by the government. The policy document, called "Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022", prescribes that a regulatory authority called the Indian Data Council (IDC) and an agency by the name India Data Office (IDO) will oversee framing metadata standards and enforcement, respectively.

SC sets aside RBI ban on cryptocurrencies

SC sets aside RBI ban on cryptocurrencies

Rediff.com4 Mar 2020

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed banks and financial institutions to provide services related to cryptocurrencies by setting aside the RBI's 2018 circular which had prohibited them. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, said the Reserve Bank of India circular is liable to be set aside on the ground of "proportionality". "Accordingly, the writ petitions are allowed and the circular dated April 6, 2018 is set aside," said the bench, also comprising justices Aniruddha Bose and V Ramasubramanian.

India to get $ 1.5 bn loan from ADB to buy Covid vax

India to get $ 1.5 bn loan from ADB to buy Covid vax

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$ 1.5 billion (around Rs 11,185 crore) loan to India for COVID-19 vaccine procurement.