News for 'United States Department of State'

No USAID funding of $21mn voter turnout in India: Govt

No USAID funding of $21mn voter turnout in India: Govt

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

On July 2, the US Embassy shared data that "it said covered USAID funding in India from 2014 to 2024", including details of implementing partners, objectives, and key accomplishments of each activity undertaken, he said.

You don't deserve that chair': Navjot Kaur Sidhu slams Rahul

You don't deserve that chair': Navjot Kaur Sidhu slams Rahul

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Former Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu sharply criticises Rahul Gandhi for being out of touch and failing to address corruption within the Punjab Congress, potentially jeopardizing the party's future in the state.

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

T20 World Cup: Sahibzada Farhan fires Pakistan to victory against USA

T20 World Cup: Sahibzada Farhan fires Pakistan to victory against USA

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Sahibzada Farhan's explosive half-century and a clinical showing by the spinners lifted Pakistan to a convincing 32-run win over the United States of America.

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Trump also praised Chinese President as "a great leader of a great country" and said the two sides had "already agreed to a lot of things."

New student enrolments in US drop 17%, India remains top source

New student enrolments in US drop 17%, India remains top source

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

A new report indicates a decrease in international student enrolments in US colleges, but India remains the top source of international students.

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The total expenditure on the MGNREGA programme, as per the revised estimates from 2025-26, was Rs 88,000 crore, while initially, a sum of Rs 86,000 crore was allocated.

Abuse of H-1B programme national security threat: Trump

Abuse of H-1B programme national security threat: Trump

Rediff.com20 Sep 2025

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry of certain non-immigrant workers and imposing a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas, citing abuse of the program and national security concerns.

China, Pakistan Seek UN Terror Tag for Baloch Militant Group

China, Pakistan Seek UN Terror Tag for Baloch Militant Group

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

Pakistan and China have submitted a joint bid at the UN Security Council to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing - Majeed Brigade - as a terrorist entity under the Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.

US sanctions 2 largest Russian Oil companies

US sanctions 2 largest Russian Oil companies

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

Cop transferred after abusing, slapping migrant worker; video goes viral

Cop transferred after abusing, slapping migrant worker; video goes viral

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

A policeman in Erode, Tamil Nadu, has been transferred to the Armed Reserve after a video surfaced showing him verbally abusing and allegedly slapping a migrant worker at a roadside eatery. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities.

US Vice President Vance defends wife Usha against ethnic slurs

US Vice President Vance defends wife Usha against ethnic slurs

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

US Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticized commentators for making derogatory remarks about his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, following racist comments from a right-wing podcaster.

Public Cloud Service Drives Oracle India's Double-Digit Run

Public Cloud Service Drives Oracle India's Double-Digit Run

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

'India is often skipping legacy cycles and moving directly to advanced AI-driven operations.'

Britain's ex-prince Andrew arrested amidst Epstein row

Britain's ex-prince Andrew arrested amidst Epstein row

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

Prince Andrew, also known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to reports. The arrest is linked to allegations of sharing confidential information during his time as a trade envoy.

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'Based on the joint statement, a formal agreement will be drafted, which may take a month or month-and-a-half to finalise. We aim to sign the formal agreement by mid-March.'

Father-son duo carried out Bondi beach shooting

Father-son duo carried out Bondi beach shooting

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

At least 16 people, including a child, were killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community, officials said on Monday.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

Congress calls Indo-US trade pact a 'surrender'

Congress calls Indo-US trade pact a 'surrender'

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Congress party has criticized the Indo-US trade agreement, calling it a 'surrender' of India's self-esteem and interests, and a betrayal of Indian farmers and MSMEs.

Consensus in NCP to make Sunetra Pawar deputy CM: Praful Patel

Consensus in NCP to make Sunetra Pawar deputy CM: Praful Patel

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Nationalist Congress Party considers Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, for the position of NCP legislature leader, emphasizing the importance of family consent in the decision-making process.

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Electric buses to drive UP's public transport revolution

Electric buses to drive UP's public transport revolution

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

From EV bus expansion to airport-like terminals and rural connectivity, Uttar Pradesh is overhauling public transport to cut pollution and ensure every village has modern, affordable travel, reports Siddharth Kalhans.

Is AI Really Boosting India's Economy?

Is AI Really Boosting India's Economy?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

'The real risk is not that AI will fail to transform India's economy.'
'The risk is that it already is -- while our measurement systems continue to look the other way,' observes Nishant Sahdev, a theoretical physicist at the University of North Carolina.

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Social media feeds and immigration forums lit up with questions from workers and families who feared they might be stranded abroad, unable to return to their jobs or reunite with loved ones.

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

'We hope we will be able to at least end crashes that involve collisions with stationary vehicles as there will be an automatic warning.'

Supriya Sahu, Champion of the Earth

Supriya Sahu, Champion of the Earth

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'We should learn from the wild world on how they live harmoniously.'

25K individuals to get SMS/e-mails from I-T dept for non-disclosure of foreign assets

25K individuals to get SMS/e-mails from I-T dept for non-disclosure of foreign assets

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Income Tax department will start sending SMS/emails to about 25,000 individuals, who are part of the "high-risk" cases identified for non-disclosure of foreign assets in the income tax returns (ITRs) filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26, sources said.

India close partner of US, but Trump...: US Secy Rubio

India close partner of US, but Trump...: US Secy Rubio

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims President Donald Trump was instrumental in bringing about the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, a claim India has consistently denied.

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'This Budget has a one-year agenda, which you can call the sprint, and the marathon is towards Viksit Bharat.'

Economic Syrvey flags India's siloed city governance model

Economic Syrvey flags India's siloed city governance model

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Through policy interventions, Indian cities need to be reimagined as a network of inter-connected assets and services which serve to strengthen the social contract between citizens and their cities by improving their quality of life, the Economic Survey has flagged.

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Luckily for us, a Russia that is desperate to stay relevant in an emerging multipolar world finds in India a reliable geostrategic partner. The Russian proximity to India also keeps China from exploiting its economic dominance vis a vis Russia, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Trump admin halts new student visa interviews over social media vetting plans

Trump admin halts new student visa interviews over social media vetting plans

Rediff.com28 May 2025

The Trump administration is considering requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting, according to a report in Politico. In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants. The report noted that if the administration goes ahead with the plan, it could severely slow down the processing of student visas and hurt many universities who rely heavily on foreign students to boost their financial coffers. This move comes days after the Trump administration ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, a move that meant Harvard could no longer enroll foreign students.

Intoxicated Indian-origin trucker causes fatal crash in US killing 3

Intoxicated Indian-origin trucker causes fatal crash in US killing 3

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

A 21-year-old Indian-origin truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, has been accused of causing a semi-truck crash while allegedly driving intoxicated, resulting in three deaths in California. He faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Indore deaths: Milk mixed with contaminated water killed infant

Indore deaths: Milk mixed with contaminated water killed infant

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

A six-month-old infant in Indore, born after 10 years of prayers, died due to water contamination, highlighting a larger outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea in the Bhagirathpura area. Residents claim 15 deaths, while the health department confirms four.

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of having a 'deeper connection' with a Pakistani national and violating FCRA rules, prompting calls for a national probe.

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."

US denies reports of supplying advanced missiles to Pakistan

US denies reports of supplying advanced missiles to Pakistan

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The United States has refuted reports that it will supply new advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan, clarifying that a recent contract amendment only covers sustainment and spare parts.

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.

Lab test confirms 'life-threatening' water contamination in Indore

Lab test confirms 'life-threatening' water contamination in Indore

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

A vomiting-diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, India, caused by contaminated drinking water, has resulted in at least four deaths and affected over 1,400 people. A leakage in a pipeline in the Bhagirathpura area is believed to be the source of the contamination.

Congress targeting India through overseas social media accounts: BJP

Congress targeting India through overseas social media accounts: BJP

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The BJP has accused the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of using social media accounts based in foreign countries to create an anti-India narrative. The BJP alleges that accounts originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US are being used to target the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.