News for 'all-countries'

Omicron variant stokes concern but vaccine still critical: Experts

Omicron variant stokes concern but vaccine still critical: Experts

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

The Omicron variant carries 'concerning' mutations that may make it more transmissible and allow it to evade immunity, scientists said on Monday, stressing that the one certainty in the uncertainty of the many things unknown is this -- COVID is not a short-term crisis and vaccines are still a critical tool.

Indian diplomat's mike goes silent while criticising China's BRI

Indian diplomat's mike goes silent while criticising China's BRI

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

India has voiced its strong opposition to China's Belt and Road Initiative and its flagship project -- the CPEC -- at the just concluded second UN Sustainable Transport Conference where the Indian diplomat's mike curiously went silent while she was highlighting New Delhi's objection to the controversial projects.

Mutual vaccine recognition eases international travel: Modi

Mutual vaccine recognition eases international travel: Modi

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that international travel should be made easier through mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, amid several countries adopting different sets of rules to allow foreigners to enter their territory in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Odd Balls from the Euros

Odd Balls from the Euros

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

There was as much action off the field as on it during the month-long Euro 2020 championships.

Modi defends agri laws, calls outs Oppn's dishonesty

Modi defends agri laws, calls outs Oppn's dishonesty

Rediff.com2 Oct 2021

Stoutly defending the agri laws, Modi said it is one thing if a political party makes a promise and is unable to deliver on it but what is a "particularly undesirable" and "detestable" trait is some of these parties made promises on the lines of the reforms enacted by his government and have now done a U-turn and spread "the most malicious kind of misinformation on the promises they themselves had made".

Coronavirus spread likely to continue for a very long time: WHO

Coronavirus spread likely to continue for a very long time: WHO

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

Stressing that the Covid virus may continue to transmit for a "very long time", senior WHO official Poonam Khetrapal Singh says the level of immunity in a community, through vaccination and previous infection, will determine whether it will become endemic in the long run.

'India, massively important part of world cricket'

'India, massively important part of world cricket'

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

New ICC boss Barclay said that the Indian board is an integral part of the cricketing family and a hugely contributing member.

'Omicron won't be a big challenge for India'

'Omicron won't be a big challenge for India'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2021

... 'Or any country which has reasonable vaccine coverage.' 'The emergence of Omicron clearly proves that if we allow a virus to circulate in an unvaccinated population, it would take a form which could be a Variant of Concern, or a new variant.'

The Chirping Economist

The Chirping Economist

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

'These people jump up and down, excitedly waving their arms about to catch the attention of one political party or the other.' 'This mutant can be very dangerous,' observes T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

No advance payments, says Bharat Biotech as Brazil suspends deal

No advance payments, says Bharat Biotech as Brazil suspends deal

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

"We suspended the deal as a simple preventive measure, since there are complaints that could not be explained well by the complainant, so we opened a preliminary investigation last week," said Rosario, head of the Federal Comptroller General.

Adani stocks may escape MSCI 'extreme price increase' threshold

Adani stocks may escape MSCI 'extreme price increase' threshold

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

While the stocks met various other inclusion parameters, there were fears they may still get disqualified given the sharp run up in their stock prices.

Serum Institute defends Covishield pricing amid row

Serum Institute defends Covishield pricing amid row

Rediff.com24 Apr 2021

"The initial supply price of Covishield for all government immunization programme, including India, has been the lowest", SII said.

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

India lost around 38.5 thousand hectares of tropical forest in the last decade. Nearly 14 per cent of the country's tree cover! It is one thing for Modi to announce that India will reach a net-zero level of emissions in 2070. But if it is serious, it needs to start today, points out Ramesh Menon.

Places where you can get tested for coronavirus

Places where you can get tested for coronavirus

Rediff.com19 May 2020

Any person who suspects COVID-19 infection or has been screened with telling symptoms such as respiratory illness and dry cough with fever, can get tests done at any of these laboratories in India. Here's where they are located.

Like flu, Covid to stay with us for generations: Expert

Like flu, Covid to stay with us for generations: Expert

Rediff.com27 May 2021

"We know that post the COVID-19 infection, immunity is only for a short duration of 3-6 months, after which the same person is vulnerable to getting reinfected. The reinfection will depend on the viral load to which the susceptible person is exposed to. We have seen some Chief Ministers and national leaders also getting infected a second time. So nobody is permanently immune," Prof. Murthy said.

Modi, Biden, Morrison, Suga write op-ed on Quad

Modi, Biden, Morrison, Suga write op-ed on Quad

Rediff.com14 Mar 2021

In the opinion piece after the summit, the leaders said the cooperation, known as "the Quad," was born in crisis. It became a diplomatic dialogue in 2007 and was reborn in 2017.

Afghanistan can't be terror haven: China warns Taliban

Afghanistan can't be terror haven: China warns Taliban

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The remarks by China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, came during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday after the sudden and rapid takeover of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban insurgents.

US-Taliban Relationship on the cards?

US-Taliban Relationship on the cards?

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

Biden's lengthy remarks on Afghanistan contained no condemnatory references to the Taliban, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who played a stellar role in beginning India's systemic dealings in Afghanistan in 1994.

UNICEF to lead global procurement, supply of COVID-19 vaccines

UNICEF to lead global procurement, supply of COVID-19 vaccines

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

The UNICEF is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries.

Why IPO Market Makes Little Sense

Why IPO Market Makes Little Sense

Rediff.com6 Sep 2021

The political economy of the IPO market involves regulators empathising with intermediaries, and designing a bridge that systematically takes wealth away from founders, VC and PE funds, and business houses, explains Ajay Shah.

'Current situation in Afghanistan is scary for women'

'Current situation in Afghanistan is scary for women'

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

'India should play the role of a good neighbour, a mediator. and they should stand beside the people of Afghanistan. As a woman, as a human being, I will advise the Indian government to play the role of a peacemaker'

Indians most optimistic in APAC about job, pay rise prospects in 2021

Indians most optimistic in APAC about job, pay rise prospects in 2021

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

Indians are the most optimistic in Asia Pacific region about job and pay rise prospects in 2021, job site 'Indeed' said on Monday, citing its global study. Indian workers (56 per cent) are more than twice as positive about their chances of getting a pay rise next year compared to their counterparts in Australia (20 per cent) and Singapore (23 per cent). Over one in three Indian workers are very optimistic about their career prospects in 2021, the highest in all countries surveyed, it said.

What makes Eric Garcetti the right pick as US envoy

What makes Eric Garcetti the right pick as US envoy

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

He has Biden's ear and because of the past relationship, Biden will actually listen to him, unlike some past residents of Roosevelt House.

Study proposes lockdown strategy: 50 days on, 30 off

Study proposes lockdown strategy: 50 days on, 30 off

Rediff.com21 May 2020

Such measures are effective at slowing disease spread and preventing health systems becoming overwhelmed, they can also lead to job losses and social disruption, noted the study, published in the European Journal of Epidemiology.

50-day lockdown, 30 days off could help contain COVID-19: Report

50-day lockdown, 30 days off could help contain COVID-19: Report

Rediff.com20 May 2020

Since no effective treatments or vaccine for COVID-19 is available, reducing virus transmission via measures like isolating suspected infected individuals, school closures, and lockdowns are crucial, according to the researchers, including Rajiv Chowdhury from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Indian teen lifter likely to miss continental quota for Olympics

Indian teen lifter likely to miss continental quota for Olympics

Rediff.com25 May 2021

Olympic trials: TTFI seeks MEA's help in getting visa for para contingent.

Real Covid deaths could be 2 times higher than official stats: WHO

Real Covid deaths could be 2 times higher than official stats: WHO

Rediff.com21 May 2021

"Excess deaths" captures not only confirmed deaths, but also COVID-19 deaths that were not correctly diagnosed and reported as well as deaths attributable to the overall crisis conditions.

Insanity is doing same thing again and again... Rahul's dig at govt

Insanity is doing same thing again and again... Rahul's dig at govt

Rediff.com13 Jun 2020

On Friday also he attacked the Centre over the surge in the cases of novel coronavirus cases across the country.

'Kashmir has been reduced to being a municipality'

'Kashmir has been reduced to being a municipality'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

'Earlier we had been told we were the crown of India.'

India tops ransomware attacks globally

India tops ransomware attacks globally

Rediff.com2 Jun 2021

About 67 per cent of Indian organisations whose data was encrypted paid a ransom to get back their data-a slight increase on the previous year when 66 per cent paid a ransom. In fact, Indian entities were the most likely to pay a ransom of all countries surveyed: the global average was just under a third (32 per cent). These were the findings of the global survey 'The State of Ransomware 2021' conducted by cybersecurity firm Sophos. The survey findings further stated that the total cost of recovery from a ransomware attack has more than doubled in a year, increasing from $761,106 in 2020 to $1.85 million in 2021 globally.

Tokyo governor expects spectators at Olympics

Tokyo governor expects spectators at Olympics

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

Koike, speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, said organisers were still hopeful venues could be filled with spectators when the Olympics begin in July.

'When virus is still circulating, older people are more at risk'

'When virus is still circulating, older people are more at risk'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

'We lost our place in being first in the epidemic, when it hit India so hard, but we were actually the epicentre of the epidemic from essentially April 2020, for almost an entire year. We had such high cases. We were the country that had the most mixed response.'

Bill to remove country cap on Green Card introduced in US Congress

Bill to remove country cap on Green Card introduced in US Congress

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

A bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives to eliminate the per country cap on employment-based Green Card, a move which is likely to benefit Indian IT professionals languishing over decades of waiting for the Permanent Resident Card. The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman John Curtis. The Equal Access to green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act, 2021 needs to be passed by the Senate before it can be sent to the White House for the president to sign it into a law. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.

We are safe only when everyone is safe

We are safe only when everyone is safe

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

So vaccinate employees and families, staff at home, rickshaw drivers, milkmen, service providers, shopkeepers and street vendors, says Naushad Forbes.

Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute to jointly roll out vaccines

Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute to jointly roll out vaccines

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

In a joint statement posted on their respective twitter accounts, the companies said Serum Institute Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla and Bharat Biotech Chairman Krishna Ella communicated their combined intent to develop, manufacture and supply the COVID-19 vaccines.

IMF warns about the 2 big challenges - Covid and growth

IMF warns about the 2 big challenges - Covid and growth

Rediff.com15 Oct 2020

Facing the twin task of fighting the coronavirus pandemic today and building a better tomorrow, the world is experiencing a new Bretton Woods moment, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said

US with India in efforts to defend sovereignty: Pompeo

US with India in efforts to defend sovereignty: Pompeo

Rediff.com27 Oct 2020

Severely critical of China, Pompeo, cited killing of Indian Army personnel in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in a clash with the Chinese military, and asserted that both India and the US are taking steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Quad summit went very well, says US President Biden

Quad summit went very well, says US President Biden

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

Biden on Friday opened the first Quad Leaders' Summit held virtually and attended by Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Amulya's family gets security after attack on house

Amulya's family gets security after attack on house

Rediff.com21 Feb 2020

A video of a group of people, allegedly right wing activists, on Thursday evening, purportedly questioning Wazi about his daughter's conduct and making him raise 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans has gone viral.

Chinese airline suspends flights bringing medical supplies to India

Chinese airline suspends flights bringing medical supplies to India

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

China's state-run Sichuan Airlines has suspended all its cargo flights to India for 15 days, causing major disruption to private traders' efforts to procure the much-needed oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies from the country despite Beijing reiterating its readiness to help India to deal with the latest surge of COVID-19 cases.