News for 'UNITED STATES'

Delhi-Varanasi in 3.5 hrs as north bullet train corridor gets PM nod

Delhi-Varanasi in 3.5 hrs as north bullet train corridor gets PM nod

Rediff.com2 days ago

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval of the north corridor of the bullet train project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting its 'Make in India' aspect and potential to transform lives. The corridor will connect major cities from Delhi to Guwahati, significantly reducing travel times. Vaishnaw also launched new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and MEMU services in Varanasi, while criticising previous governments' railway budgets for Uttar Pradesh.

Noida Police Encounter: Wanted Criminal Shot Dead, Two Cops Injured

Noida Police Encounter: Wanted Criminal Shot Dead, Two Cops Injured

Rediff.com1 days ago

A wanted criminal, Aman Tyagi, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000, was killed in an encounter with Noida Police on Saturday night. Two police personnel were injured in the exchange of fire. Tyagi had over 20 criminal cases registered against him.

Chainsaw Attack: Severely Injured Andhra Student Shifted To Bengaluru

Chainsaw Attack: Severely Injured Andhra Student Shifted To Bengaluru

Rediff.com1 days ago

Two Class 10 students were attacked with a chainsaw at a government school in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. One student, severely injured with multiple fractures and a severed hand, has been airlifted to Bengaluru for advanced treatment, with the state government bearing expenses. The second student was injured while trying to protect her classmate. The attacker remains untraceable, and the Chief Minister has ordered a swift hunt and harshest legal punishment.

Netanyahyu Invited Modi For I-Day. Why Modi Mustn't Go

Netanyahyu Invited Modi For I-Day. Why Modi Mustn't Go

Rediff.com7 days ago

Modi's cautious response, omitting the public invite from his telephonic conversation summary, suggests India's reluctance to be drawn into Israel's internal politics, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

US-China Ties: Why The World Should Worry

US-China Ties: Why The World Should Worry

Rediff.com20 Oct 2026

The subtext here is that nobody else really matters to America today; only China, because nobody else can truly hurt them, points out Mihir S Sharma.

Interstate Drug Smugglers Busted With Rs 1.25 Crore Ganja

Interstate Drug Smugglers Busted With Rs 1.25 Crore Ganja

Rediff.com25 Oct 2026

Mathura police, in a joint operation with the Agra Anti-Narcotics Task Force, arrested three alleged interstate drug smugglers and seized 250 kg of ganja worth Rs 1.25 crore from a container truck on Sunday. The consignment was reportedly en route from Odisha to Haryana.

Chainsaw attack: Injured girl angry at medical care given to accused

Chainsaw attack: Injured girl angry at medical care given to accused

Rediff.com5 minutes ago

The accused in the Raptadu school girls attack case, Hemant, is conscious and stable, though doctors are working to save his severely injured right leg. Meanwhile, the other injured girl is recovering well, but has expressed anger and questioned why the accused is receiving medical treatment, demanding severe punishment for him.

Doctors Battle To Save Accused's Leg In Raptadu School Attack

Doctors Battle To Save Accused's Leg In Raptadu School Attack

Rediff.com1 hour ago

The accused in the Raptadu school girls attack case, Hemant, is conscious and stable after initial surgery for severe leg injuries, though doctors are concerned about blood circulation in his right leg. The other injured girl is recovering well. The main victim expressed anger over the accused receiving medical treatment and demanded severe punishment for the chainsaw attack that occurred on Saturday.

Envoy reveals why US rejected Iran's Hormuz offer

Envoy reveals why US rejected Iran's Hormuz offer

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

The US rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing Tehran's demands for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets before nuclear program negotiations. US Ambassador Mike Waltz called the offer a "cynical attempt," while Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi disputed Waltz's account and reiterated Iran's readiness for both diplomacy and renewed hostilities. President Trump expressed confidence in winning the conflict soon and keeping all options, including military strikes, on the table, with denying Iran a nuclear weapon as the primary objective.

IAF Showcases Air Power At Tarang Shakti

IAF Showcases Air Power At Tarang Shakti

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

Glimpses of Indian Air Force aircraft flying in formation during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

After jailbreak, TN allows prison guards to use guns

After jailbreak, TN allows prison guards to use guns

Rediff.com5 days ago

Tamil Nadu prison authorities have authorised personnel to use firearms to prevent escapes, following a major security breach at Theni District Jail where 17 inmates fled. While 15 have been recaptured, a manhunt continues for two. The new directives include deploying armed guards at watchtowers across 125 state prisons.

Top Seed Janice Tjen Returns To Defend Chennai Open Title

Top Seed Janice Tjen Returns To Defend Chennai Open Title

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

Indonesian tennis star Janice Tjen will return as the top seed to defend her title at the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championships 2026, a WTA 250 event. The tournament, India's highest international women's ranking event, will feature players from 22 countries, with Tjen being the first Asian top seed.

How UP STF Uncovered A Major Wildlife Smuggling Operation

How UP STF Uncovered A Major Wildlife Smuggling Operation

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Uttar Pradesh STF has arrested Firoz Musarrat Khan, an alleged interstate wildlife smuggler, in Lucknow and seized seven protected falcons worth Rs 1.4 crore. Khan's gang reportedly sourced protected birds and animals from UP forests, smuggling them to international markets via Mumbai. An FIR has been registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Delhi Crackdown Rescues 19 Child Labourers From Exploitative Factories

Delhi Crackdown Rescues 19 Child Labourers From Exploitative Factories

Rediff.com4 days ago

Nineteen children, including five below the age of 14, were rescued from garment and artificial jewellery factories in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar area. They were allegedly made to work for as little as Rs 10 a day. Nine factory owners have been apprehended and nine factories sealed following the crackdown.

INDIA bloc vows legal action over 'vote chori' at mega Ramlila Maidan rally

INDIA bloc vows legal action over 'vote chori' at mega Ramlila Maidan rally

Rediff.com1 days ago

The opposition INDIA bloc held a massive rally in Delhi, accusing the BJP of 'vote chori' and electoral irregularities, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that CEC Gyanesh Kumar will be jailed for treason and legal action will be taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Army officer's wife booked on charges of spying for China

Army officer's wife booked on charges of spying for China

Rediff.com19 Oct 2026

An Army officer's wife has been booked in Jammu for alleged espionage, accused of using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to write analytical papers on sensitive national security issues for Chinese intelligence operatives. The well-qualified freelance researcher, who had an IT internship with the UN, is cooperating with investigators after being intercepted at Jammu Tawi railway station. The probe focuses on her alleged contacts with foreign nationals and the nature of the sensitive documents found on her mobile phone.

US suspends IT giants from green card programme

US suspends IT giants from green card programme

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

The US government has suspended eight major IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, which allows companies to apply for green cards for foreign workers. This action, announced by Vice President J D Vance, Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling, and Attorney General Todd Blanche, is part of an effort to prevent American workers from being shut out of the job market. The Department of Labour cited abuse of the system, particularly by Microsoft, and also initiated an investigation into the J-1 visa programme used by several universities.

GRP Nabs Woman Thief, Recovers Rs 14 Lakh Gold From Train Passengers

GRP Nabs Woman Thief, Recovers Rs 14 Lakh Gold From Train Passengers

Rediff.com4 days ago

The Kalyan unit of the Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested a 36-year-old woman, Yashoda Shankar Harijan, for allegedly stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 14.38 lakh from women passengers on suburban local trains. Her arrest on October 23, based on intelligence and CCTV footage, helped solve two theft cases registered at Karjat and Kalyan railway police stations.

Sebi Whistleblower Tips Jump To 25 In FY26

Sebi Whistleblower Tips Jump To 25 In FY26

Rediff.com24 Oct 2026

This may point to the beginning of a rising role of whistleblowers in aiding stock-market policing amid the rapid expansion in capital markets in recent years.

BJP vs Congress: How big was their election fund gap in 5 state polls?

BJP vs Congress: How big was their election fund gap in 5 state polls?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters alone during the last five state assembly elections, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.

Can Imran Khan Be Deported For Taking Part In Protest?

Can Imran Khan Be Deported For Taking Part In Protest?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

The controversy surrounding actor Imran Khan's participation in a Mumbai protest, and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya's demand for his deportation, raises critical questions about the legal rights of Overseas Citizen of India cardholders to engage in political dissent and the grounds for their expulsion from India.

No UP govt jobs for those involved in 'violent regime change' protest

No UP govt jobs for those involved in 'violent regime change' protest

Rediff.com4 days ago

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced new guidelines for state government jobs, barring individuals involved in violent protests aimed at changing the "established social system" and those implicated in serious offences. The rules also clarify that political ideology alone won't disqualify candidates and outline procedures for character verification and provisional appointments. The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Major Drug Bust In Mumbai: Rs 4.5 Crore Worth Of Cannabis, Mephedrone Seized

Major Drug Bust In Mumbai: Rs 4.5 Crore Worth Of Cannabis, Mephedrone Seized

Rediff.com25 Oct 2026

Mumbai police have seized cannabis and mephedrone valued at Rs 4.5 crore in two separate operations, leading to the arrest of four individuals. Three of the arrested suspects are repeat offenders, one of whom is involved in a murder case. The drugs were sourced from Nalasopara for distribution in Mumbai, and investigations are ongoing under the NDPS Act.

Army athlete Biten Singh smashes IRONMAN Goa course record

Army athlete Biten Singh smashes IRONMAN Goa course record

Rediff.com1 days ago

Indian Army athlete Biten Singh clinched the men's title at the sixth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa, setting a new course record of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 29 seconds. Over 2,000 triathletes from 30 countries participated in the endurance event. Singh, who trained while serving in Tawang, had aimed to break the record after withdrawing from the 2024 edition. Marina Shliakhtina won the women's category, and Team Fit Swaggers Goa secured the relay title.

Head Clerk Caught Red-Handed Accepting Bribe In Kerala

Head Clerk Caught Red-Handed Accepting Bribe In Kerala

Rediff.com2 days ago

A head clerk of Ayroor Grama Panchayat in Kerala was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe from a fish trader. The clerk had demanded money to avoid penalising the trader for operating an unlicensed business, despite the trader's pending licence transfer application.

US Missions Issue Security Alert For Americans In West Asia

US Missions Issue Security Alert For Americans In West Asia

Rediff.com19 Oct 2026

US missions across West Asia have issued a security alert advising American nationals to "exercise heightened vigilance" due to Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and the potential for Iran and its allies to target US interests. The advisory warns of potential travel disruptions and escalating hostilities, linking the Houthi actions to Iran's regional network and the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

JD-U is finished, won't win 'even 10 seats': Expelled MLA

JD-U is finished, won't win 'even 10 seats': Expelled MLA

Rediff.com25 Oct 2026

Mokama MLA Anant Singh, recently expelled from the Janata Dal (United) for six years, has announced his intention to form his own political party. Singh launched a scathing attack on the JD(U) leadership, claiming the party is "finished" and will struggle in future elections, though he maintained cordial personal ties with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His expulsion, along with his wife Neelam Devi, was due to alleged anti-party activities, including campaigning for a rival candidate.

Puri's wife wealthier than him, income jumps 11-fold in 5 yrs

Puri's wife wealthier than him, income jumps 11-fold in 5 yrs

Rediff.com1 days ago

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's Rajya Sabha bypoll affidavit reveals his wife, Laxmi Puri, possesses significantly greater wealth, including higher annual income, movable assets, and bank deposits. The affidavit details their respective financial holdings, income sources, and also mentions Puri's acknowledged past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, while confirming no criminal cases are pending against him.

Activists flag unanswered questions in EC's affidavit

Activists flag unanswered questions in EC's affidavit

Rediff.com4 days ago

Activists Prashant Bhushan, Anjali Bharadwaj, Yogendra Yadav, and Neha Bora have raised serious questions about the Election Commission's decision-making process for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They allege contradictions in the EC's statements, lack of transparency regarding decisions, concerns over centralisation of the electoral database, and unauthorised changes to Form 6, calling for greater accountability and disclosure of records.

Former SIFL Officials Sentenced In Battle Tank Component Scam

Former SIFL Officials Sentenced In Battle Tank Component Scam

Rediff.com2 days ago

A court in Kochi sentenced two former officials of Steel and Industrial Forgings Ltd (SIFL) to three years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines in a corruption case. The case involved manipulating a tender for battle tank components for the Ordnance Factory, Medak, leading to a wrongful loss of Rs 78 lakh to the government. Another company, AMW-MGM Forgings Pvt Ltd, was also fined, while three other accused, including a former General Manager, were acquitted.

Rubio pushes US energy, defence deals as India trade pact nears finish

Rubio pushes US energy, defence deals as India trade pact nears finish

Rediff.com20 Oct 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kick-started a three-day visit to India on Tuesday to advance bilateral ties in energy, trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, and exchange views on the West Asia crisis.

Trump-media tiff escalates as he defends White House ban on CNN, MS NOW

Trump-media tiff escalates as he defends White House ban on CNN, MS NOW

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) defended his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House, characterising the media access ban as an action against "fake news" rather than an attack on constitutional press freedoms.

Arnab, Barsha, Toofan: Odisha babies get cyclone-inspired names

Arnab, Barsha, Toofan: Odisha babies get cyclone-inspired names

Rediff.com5 days ago

Over 900 babies were born safely across Odisha during Cyclone Arnab, thanks to the state government's proactive measures to shift pregnant women to healthcare facilities. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that 931 deliveries occurred, with both mothers and babies in good health. Some newborns were even named after the cyclone or related weather phenomena, reflecting the unique circumstances of their birth.

Gurugram Police Intercept Drug Smugglers, Seize Ganja Worth Crores

Gurugram Police Intercept Drug Smugglers, Seize Ganja Worth Crores

Rediff.com6 days ago

Gurugram police have arrested two men and seized 673 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 1.25 crore, from a truck. The contraband was being transported from Odisha to Rajasthan, concealed under plastic granules. The accused are currently in police custody for further interrogation regarding the trafficking network.

Customs Intercept Passenger With Rs 72 Lakh Gold Paste At Ahmedabad Airport

Customs Intercept Passenger With Rs 72 Lakh Gold Paste At Ahmedabad Airport

Rediff.com6 days ago

A passenger arriving from Sharjah was arrested at Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday after Customs officials found 495 grams of 24-karat gold paste, valued at over Rs 72 lakh, concealed in his luggage. The individual, Moin Sabin Vahora, faces charges under the Customs Act.

'Stupid comments': Macron slams Trump, Netanyahu amid France unrest

'Stupid comments': Macron slams Trump, Netanyahu amid France unrest

Rediff.com22 Oct 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron criticised unnamed foreign leaders, including Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, for making "stupid comments" and exploiting recent domestic unrest in France for their own political campaigns. Speaking in Doha, Macron condemned the use of misinformation and AI-generated content to misrepresent the situation, asserting there was no foreign interference in the events but manipulation of information afterwards. He specifically called out Trump's claims about France being "under siege" and Netanyahu's assertion of an "invasion of extremist Islam."

Blue Colts Announce 23-Member Squad For AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Blue Colts Announce 23-Member Squad For AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Rediff.com3 days ago

India has announced a 23-member squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, scheduled from November 11 to 20. The Blue Colts will play against Singapore, Guam, Palestine, and hosts Malaysia in Group E, aiming for qualification to the 2027 tournament in Uzbekistan. The team will also play two friendly matches against the UAE as part of their final preparations.

No US offer for F-35 jets to India, Su-57 decision pending: IAF chief

No US offer for F-35 jets to India, Su-57 decision pending: IAF chief

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh stated on Saturday that the US has not officially offered F-35 fighter jets to India, and no final decision has been made regarding Russia's Su-57 proposal. He made these remarks during the concluding ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026.

Parliamentary Panel To Tackle Social Media, AI, Cybersecurity

Parliamentary Panel To Tackle Social Media, AI, Cybersecurity

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Standing Committee on Information Technology will review 17 critical subjects, including social media regulation, AI safety, deepfakes, cybersecurity, and the semiconductor ecosystem, during 2026-27. This comprehensive review aims to address growing concerns around digital platforms, AI misuse, and infrastructure development, with India's cybersecurity agency already issuing warnings about AI-driven threats.

How Mumbai Police Dismantled Drug Operations Worth Crores

How Mumbai Police Dismantled Drug Operations Worth Crores

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell conducted three separate operations, seizing drugs worth over Rs 1.32 crore and arresting four individuals. The operations targeted charas, ganja, and mephedrone, disrupting both local and inter-state drug syndicates.