News for 'south-asia'

A stringent patent rule is latest hurdle for India-UK free trade agreement

A stringent patent rule is latest hurdle for India-UK free trade agreement

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

Negotiations for a trade deal between India and the UK have run into fresh controversy, after the proposals under a leaked chapter of the deal on intellectual property (IP) are believed to put access to affordable, lifesaving generic medicines from India at risk. According to the draft IP chapter put out by an international trade portal bilaterals.org, the UK is seeking continuous extension of patent period and rights through small tweaks in the drug, known as evergreening. This may prevent patents from expiring, impacting cheaper drug availability and its production by Indian generic drug manufacturers.

Manipur: Not A Time To Burn Bridges

Manipur: Not A Time To Burn Bridges

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

The present happenings in Manipur are the wages of continued neglect, and not so benign at that, of a vital region and its people. Had we lavished on the North East even a fraction of the care and resources we do on Kashmir, things would not have come to this pass, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

Advertising slowdown likely to weigh on IPL this year

Advertising slowdown likely to weigh on IPL this year

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will see Disney-Star and Viacom18 competing to sell their ad space with an eye on the estimated Rs 4,000-crore advertising money.

Modi 2.0: Setbacks And Failures

Modi 2.0: Setbacks And Failures

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

Overall, the record of the second term reveals a contradiction between the image and the reality. The image, especially on media and social media, is one of the man at the height of his power, and unstoppable. The reality on governance is someone who has found it difficult to get things implemented and unsure of what to do next, points out Aakar Patel.

Pollution may cut short Indians' lives by 9 years, more in Maha, MP

Pollution may cut short Indians' lives by 9 years, more in Maha, MP

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

India is the most polluted country in the world, with more than 480 million people or about 40 per cent of its population living in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the north where pollution levels regularly exceed those found anywhere else in the world by an order of magnitude, stated the University of Chicago's Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report.

Will take US-India ties to next level again: Trump

Will take US-India ties to next level again: Trump

Rediff.com27 Oct 2022

Former United States President Donald Trump has promised that he will take America's relationship with India to the next level again if he wins the presidential election in 2024.

World Bank retains India's growth forecast at 8.3% for 2021-22

World Bank retains India's growth forecast at 8.3% for 2021-22

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

The World Bank has retained India's economic growth forecast for the current fiscal at 8.3 per cent as the recovery is yet to become broad-based. As per the first advanced estimates of the national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) last week, the economy is projected to grow at 9.2 per cent in 2021-22, surpassing pre-COVID level in actual terms, mainly on account of improved performance, especially in farm, mining and manufacturing sectors. "India's economy is expected to expand by 8.3 per cent in fiscal year 2021/22 (ending March 2022), unchanged from last June's forecast as the recovery is yet to become broad-based.

Air pollution reducing life expectancy in India by 5 years

Air pollution reducing life expectancy in India by 5 years

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

The residents of Delhi stand to lose 10 years of life expectancy if the current air pollution level persists.

Press clubs deny space for Kashmir Files director's press conference

Press clubs deny space for Kashmir Files director's press conference

Rediff.com4 May 2022

Turned away by the Foreign Correspondents Club and the Press Club of India, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri says he has been banned "undemocratically" and will go ahead with a press conference at a five-star hotel on Thursday.

India looks east, but with a firm eye on South Asia

India looks east, but with a firm eye on South Asia

Rediff.com21 Nov 2011

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from Bali and Singapore, where he demonstrated that the lumbering elephant also packs nimble steps, senior government sources in New Delhi expanded on what is happening around India's backyard. Saisuresh Sivaswamy examines

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

Even as India's internet base continues to widen, with the country set to have over 900 internet users by 2025, a parallel rise in cyber threats has become a matter of huge concern. Experts say that the sudden surge in digital adoption left little time to develop a cybersecurity backbone for the country. This has put large amounts of data at risk.

Hotels roll out red carpet for year-end vacationers

Hotels roll out red carpet for year-end vacationers

Rediff.com28 Oct 2021

After a better-than-expected Dussehra weekend, hospitality firms are hopeful of ending the year on a positive note by doing good business over Christmas and the New Year. Typically, year-end bookings kick in two to four weeks before the season begins. Owing to pandemic-related uncertainties, hotels are seeing a significant reduction in the booking window, with travellers waiting till the last minute to make hotel reservations.

World Bank report warns of heatwaves beyond endurance in India

World Bank report warns of heatwaves beyond endurance in India

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

Severe heatwaves, responsible for thousands of deaths across India over the last few decades, are increasing with alarming frequency and soon the country could become one of the first places in the world to experience heatwaves that break the human survivability limit, according to a new report.

Pervez Musharraf: Leopard Never Changed Its Spots

Pervez Musharraf: Leopard Never Changed Its Spots

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

To consider Pervez Musharraf a real force for peace is an absurdity, declares Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

What is Mahinda Rajapaksa Doing in Tirupati?

What is Mahinda Rajapaksa Doing in Tirupati?

Rediff.com25 Dec 2021

Even though he is a Buddhist, Percy Mahinda Rajapaksa makes a pilgrimage to Tirupati every year to worship at the famous Hindu shrine.

India asked to join South Asia gas pipeline: ADB

India asked to join South Asia gas pipeline: ADB

Rediff.com9 Apr 2003

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan signed a joint letter formally inviting India to join a 1,600-km natural gas pipeline project, the Asian Development Bank said on Wednesday.

IndiGo's new CEO Pieter Elbers takes over, eyes 'new frontiers'

IndiGo's new CEO Pieter Elbers takes over, eyes 'new frontiers'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

The coming years will be among the most exciting of your professional lives, IndiGo's new chief executive officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers wrote to the airline's staff after taking charge on Tuesday. Elbers, who spent three decades at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, replaces Ronojoy Dutta at the top post. "Earlier, IndiGo communication summarised it all in just three words: 'Towards new heights' and-let me add here: 'across new frontiers'. "With that vision in mind, you should feel assured that the coming years will be among the most exciting of your professional lives," Elbers said.

A first: Obama to appoint PIO as asst secretary for South Asia

A first: Obama to appoint PIO as asst secretary for South Asia

Rediff.com23 May 2013

In what could be yet another historic appointment in the annals of the Indian-American community's immigrant experience, senior administration sources have told rediff.com that Nisha Desai Biswal is strongly tipped to be appointed the new assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs

Jaishankar recalls Hillary Clinton's 'snake' analogy to slam Pak

Jaishankar recalls Hillary Clinton's 'snake' analogy to slam Pak

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

The world today sees them (Pakistan) as the epicentre of terrorism, Jaishankar said.

Why Does Modi Not Slash Chinese Imports?

Why Does Modi Not Slash Chinese Imports?

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

India's national security focus has shifted from the western border to the eastern one. But our trade with China keeps rising. This trade is against our interest, because most of it comprises of Chinese imports, argues Aakar Patel.

India's smartphone market sees 1% decline in the first half of 2022

India's smartphone market sees 1% decline in the first half of 2022

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

India's smartphone market has fallen by one per cent in the first half of 2022, as shipments of Xiaomi - the top-selling brand - declined 28 per cent due to weak consumer demand in the quarter ended June. According to the International Data Corporation's (IDC's) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, 71 million smartphones were shipped from January to June this year. The highest decline was in the below-$100 segment, which lost its market share by 5 per cent.

Kamal, Sathiyan, Sutirtha seal Tokyo Olympics berth

Kamal, Sathiyan, Sutirtha seal Tokyo Olympics berth

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

Indian paddler G Sathiyan has qualified for his maiden Summer Games with a comfortable 4-0 win over Pakistan's Muhammad Rameez in the Asian Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Doha.

Belgian teen youngest to fly solo around the world

Belgian teen youngest to fly solo around the world

Rediff.com25 Aug 2022

17-year-old Mack Rutherford landed at an airfield near the Bulgarian capital Sofia after flying 54,124 km (33,631 miles) and visiting more than 30 countries since he departed from the same site in his Shark Aero microlight airplane on March 23.

'Keenly felt' India and China are no threat to each other: Wang Yi

'Keenly felt' India and China are no threat to each other: Wang Yi

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that during his recent visit to India, he "keenly felt" that both sides had agreed to adhere to the leaders' consensus that the two countries are not a threat to each other and handle and manage their differences.

Bangladesh PM Hasina arrives on 4-day India visit

Bangladesh PM Hasina arrives on 4-day India visit

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a four-day visit to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi following which the two sides are likely to ink pacts in key areas, including defence, trade and river water sharing.

Global Hunger Index doesn't really measure hunger: Health ministry

Global Hunger Index doesn't really measure hunger: Health ministry

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

The Global Hunger Index exaggerates the measure of hunger, lacks statistical vigour and has problems on multiple counts, Union Health Ministry sources said.

Contemporary epicentre of terrorism very much active, Jaishankar tells UNSC

Contemporary epicentre of terrorism very much active, Jaishankar tells UNSC

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Jaishankar, who presided over the UNSC Briefing: Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward, described terrorism as an existential threat to international peace and security and said it knows no borders, nationality, or race.

After 3 years Sheikh Hasina to visit India on Sep 5 for talks

After 3 years Sheikh Hasina to visit India on Sep 5 for talks

Rediff.com22 Aug 2022

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to travel to India on September 5 on a three-day official visit during which defence cooperation and regional stability are likely to be the focus of her talks with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, an official said on Monday.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

Ad spends likely to get double-digit boost as festive cheer returns

Ad spends likely to get double-digit boost as festive cheer returns

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

After losing two festive seasons to Covid-led restrictions, 2022 is seeing an uninhibited celebration of festivals. This is pushing up discretionary spend, which is attracting advertisers and brands, who are ready to capitalise on the momentum. The festive season has begun with Onam and Ganesh Chathurthi held earlier this month in Kerala and Maharashtra, respectively.

India's PC market grows 17.8% to 3.7 million in Q1

India's PC market grows 17.8% to 3.7 million in Q1

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The Indian PC market grew by 17.8 per cent in shipment to 3.7 million units in the April-June 2022 quarter, International Data Corporation (IDC) said in a report on Thursday. The PC market includes desktops, notebooks and workstations.The notebook category continued to be the volume driver, with the shipment of 2.6 million units in the June 2022 quarter. However, its growth rate reduced to 7.3 per cent compared to over 30 per cent on average for the last three quarters.

GEAC clears environmental release of GM mustard

GEAC clears environmental release of GM mustard

Rediff.com27 Oct 2022

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has recommended the environmental release of the genetically modified (GM) mustard variety DMH (Dhara Mustard Hybrid)-11, paving the way for the commercialisation of the country's first GM food crop. The GEAC said the recommendation was valid for four years from the date the approval letter was issued. Further studies and coordinated trials will have to be conducted jointly with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) within two years, according to the minutes of the GEAC meeting held on October 18, which was released on Wednesday.

Hotels roll out red carpet as big fat weddings return

Hotels roll out red carpet as big fat weddings return

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

Cash registers are ringing more frequently at hotels and resorts with the return of the big fat Indian wedding after a two-year hiatus. This comes even as the small and intimate ceremonies - which became popular during the pandemic - are also set to keep those employed in the hospitality sector on their toes. As many as 2.5 million marriages are expected to get solemnised during the wedding season that gets underway from next week and stretches on till April, according to industry estimates.

AWS upbeat on India market, sees massive headroom for growth in cloud adoption

AWS upbeat on India market, sees massive headroom for growth in cloud adoption

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

Within days of announcing mega investments for building in Hyderabad its second data centre cluster in India, Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday said it is excited about the India market, where cloud adoption offers massive headroom for growth. Pledging its long-term commitment to the India market, AWS, Amazon's cloud computing unit, said it expects global uncertainties to accelerate the decisions by companies to opt for flexible, on-demand cloud infrastructure to pare costs, gain efficiencies and drive business innovation. "Cloud reacts well to uncertainty," Puneet Chandok, president - commercial business, AWS India and South Asia, Amazon Internet Services Pvt Ltd (AISPL) told PTI.

Time to bury past and move ahead: Pak Army chief on ties with India

Time to bury past and move ahead: Pak Army chief on ties with India

Rediff.com18 Mar 2021

Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said that a stable relationship between India and Pakistan is key to unlocking the potential of South and Central Asia by ensuring connectivity between East and West Asia.

Terrorism should not be linked to any religion, says Amit Shah

Terrorism should not be linked to any religion, says Amit Shah

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

He also said that terrorists are constantly finding new ways to carry out violence, radicalise youth and raise financial resources and the darknet is being used by terrorists to spread radical content and conceal their identities.

Indian PC mkt dips 11.7% in Q3CY22; demand to be slow for next 2 qtrs: IDC

Indian PC mkt dips 11.7% in Q3CY22; demand to be slow for next 2 qtrs: IDC

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

India's traditional PC market, inclusive of desktops, notebooks, and workstations declined by 11.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in Q3CY22 (Jul-Sep) after 8 consecutive quarters of growth despite strong shipments of 3.9 million units, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. All segments declined except the government, which grew by 91.5 per cent YoY on the back of government orders, leading to strong growth in the third consecutive quarter. While the desktop and workstation categories grew by 23.4 per cent and 17.6 per cent YoY respectively, the notebook category declined by 19.5 per cent YoY.

Hospitality industry set for buoyant 2023

Hospitality industry set for buoyant 2023

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

The domestic hospitality industry is looking to 'fly' in 2023 cashing in on India's G20 presidency, having received the 'oxygen' to run in 2022 after being crippled in the past two years by the pandemic. Domestic travel, especially the leisure segment, gave wind to the industry this year and is expected to continue into the next. Industry players believe that as international arrivals are also likely to pick up even further, the outlook for 2023 is buoyant.

Abe Murder: Disgruntled Killer Or Conspiracy?

Abe Murder: Disgruntled Killer Or Conspiracy?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

It is for the investigating agencies to probe all aspects of the assassination, including a possible Chinese hand, or if the killer was just a disgruntled element who acted on his own and wanted to earn some dark space in history like Nathuram Godse or Lee Harvey Oswald, notes Japan expert Rajaram Panda.

'Only time will tell if we can save Joshimath'

'Only time will tell if we can save Joshimath'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2023

'All hydropower projects in the Himalayan region must be stopped.' 'Joshimath is not alone.'