News for 'state department'

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

A thick layer of toxic smog enveloped the national capital on Saturday as air quality deteriorated sharply, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke the strictest curbs under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

'My Husband Was Killed For His Religious Identity'

'My Husband Was Killed For His Religious Identity'

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

A street vendor in Bihar's Nawada district died after a group of youth tortured him for hours because he was Muslim.

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

With the Department of Telecom asking mobile phone makers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi application in new handsets, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday described it as a 'snooping app' and alleged that the government is turning the country into a dictatorship.

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the "planning or execution" of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Electric firecrackers likely caused blaze at Goa nightclub: CM

Electric firecrackers likely caused blaze at Goa nightclub: CM

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

A preliminary inquiry suggests electric firecrackers caused a devastating nightclub fire in Goa, resulting in 25 deaths. The incident has exposed illegalities and lax enforcement of safety rules.

Maharashtra To Remove Leopards From Protected List

Maharashtra To Remove Leopards From Protected List

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to declare leopard attacks on humans as a "state disaster" and proposed reclassification of leopards under the Wild Life (Protection) Act to better manage man-eating animals. The decision follows a rise in leopard attacks in the state, particularly in the Pune district.

Govt withdraws order on mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi

Govt withdraws order on mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The government on Wednesday withdrew the order mandating pre-installation of cyber security app Sanchar Saathi on smartphones by manufacturers.

No Covid vax link to youngsters' sudden deaths: AIIMS study

No Covid vax link to youngsters' sudden deaths: AIIMS study

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

A comprehensive study by AIIMS, Delhi, found no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden deaths in young adults, emphasizing the safety of the vaccines and highlighting coronary artery disease as a leading cause of sudden death.

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'LIC's investment decisions are taken independently, following strict due diligence, risk assessment and fiduciary compliance.'

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.

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Once the OS layer is opened to the State, it doesn't close, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

From SKY to Rinku: How India Built Their T20 WC Team

From SKY to Rinku: How India Built Their T20 WC Team

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home, the selectors have backed a squad built on impact, and versatility.

'Instead Of Reel Friends, Make Real Friends'

'Instead Of Reel Friends, Make Real Friends'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

"Every child should have five friends with whom they can share their feelings and emotions," says AIIMS psychiatrist Dr Nand Kumar.

'Trump Acts Like A Mafia Boss'

'Trump Acts Like A Mafia Boss'

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

'He is creating a culture of fear.'

Pilots blame IndiGo's manpower policy for flight delays

Pilots blame IndiGo's manpower policy for flight delays

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

Pilots' body the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has alleged that IndiGo, despite getting a two-year preparatory window before the full implementation of new flight duty and rest period norms for cockpit crew, "inexplicably" adopted a "hiring freeze."

PM-led panel to pick CIC on Dec 10, govt tells SC

PM-led panel to pick CIC on Dec 10, govt tells SC

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that a panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet on December 10 to select and recommend names for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and information commissioners of the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Petro exports to US grew in October as other sectors slide

Petro exports to US grew in October as other sectors slide

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

India's exports to the US contracted 8.6 per cent to $6.3 billion in October, while imports rose 13.9 per cent to $4.5 billion leading to a trade surplus of $1.8 billion during the month.

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

India emerged from the war militarily bruised and strategically altered. The United States, under the guise of friendship, had succeeded in achieving what open alignment never could: The psychological and political repositioning of India within the Cold War order, points out Dr Kumar.

Siddaramaiah meets Kharge amid power tussle in Cong

Siddaramaiah meets Kharge amid power tussle in Cong

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Amid an ongoing power tussle in the ruling Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called on party president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence here, and dismissed speculation of a leadership change in the state.

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

A series of decisions were taken under the Public Health Department, including an approval to increase honoraria for field-level workers engaged under the Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigns

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigns

Rediff.com14 Mar 2011

United States State Department spokesman P J Crowley resigned on Sunday, days after criticising the Pentagon's treatment of the man accused of leaking secret cables to Wikileaks as "ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid". "Given the impact of my remarks, for which I take full responsibility, I have submitted my resignation as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Spokesman for the Department of State," Crowley said in his resignation statement.

Two boys killed in separate basketball court accidents in Haryana

Two boys killed in separate basketball court accidents in Haryana

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

A national-level basketball player died in Rohtak, Haryana after a basketball hoop collapsed on him during practice. The incident was captured on CCTV.

US designates Baloch Liberation Army, its faction as terror groups

US designates Baloch Liberation Army, its faction as terror groups

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The action, it said, "demonstrates the Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism".

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar following President Donald Trump's imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India by the Trump White House to 50 per cent.

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

Cyclone Ditwah exits Sri Lanka after causing widespread destruction and over 120 deaths, heading towards the Indian coast. Heavy rains and high winds are expected to continue.

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to incorporate provisions for scribe changes and implement screen-reader software for visually-impaired candidates in its examinations. The court emphasized the constitutional rights of differently-abled people and the need for inclusive governance.

Assam tables bill to ban polygamy, proposes 7-year jail; ST excluded

Assam tables bill to ban polygamy, proposes 7-year jail; ST excluded

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

The Assam government has introduced a bill to ban polygamy, proposing imprisonment for offenders while excluding Scheduled Tribes and Sixth Schedule areas from its purview.

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

Fadnavis slams decision to postpone local body polls

Fadnavis slams decision to postpone local body polls

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has criticized the State Election Commission's decision to postpone some local body elections, calling it unfair to candidates. The decision follows petitions and sub judice matters, which Fadnavis argues should not halt the election process. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed disappointment, while tensions rise between BJP and Shiv Sena in Sindhudurg ahead of local polls.

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'When an establishment operates despite demolition or closure orders, without proper fire exits, evacuation plans or safety audits, and yet is allowed to host large crowds, the state cannot hide behind the language of accident.' 'The authorities were aware of the risks and of the violations, but chose not to act decisively because doing so would have inconvenienced those with influence and financial stakes.' 'In such a scenario, the moral and legal responsibility for the resulting deaths moves from negligence towards culpability; calling it 'murder' is a way of underlining that these lives were sacrificed at the altar of greed and complicity, not fate.'

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Karnataka cabinet has approved eight draft bills, including those addressing hate speech, cattle slaughter, and social boycott, to be tabled in the upcoming legislative session.

Elgar Parishad case: Ex-DU professor Hany Babu gets bail

Elgar Parishad case: Ex-DU professor Hany Babu gets bail

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought a stay on the operation of the bail order so as to appeal before the Supreme Court, the HC refused the request, stating that Babu has been in jail for over five years.

Rabri Devi will not vacate her bungalow, says RJD

Rabri Devi will not vacate her bungalow, says RJD

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

The party's state unit chief, Mangani Lal Mandal, made the remark a day after the state building construction department issued a notification directing Rabri Devi to shift to 39, Hardinge Road, which has been "earmarked" as the residence of the leader of the opposition in the legislative council.

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

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.

Red Fort blast: Dr Shaheen Saeed taken to Faridabad for plot recreation

Red Fort blast: Dr Shaheen Saeed taken to Faridabad for plot recreation

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Shaheen was taken to Faridabad to corroborate some leads the NIA learnt to have known during interrogation of other suspects and the seventh accused Soyab, a resident of Dhauj in Faridabad.

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Bandana Preyashi, the bold IAS officer from Bihar who took on dreaded dons, is the court-appointed mentor to 18-year-old Sakshi, who had fled home to follow her IAS dream.

SC to hear on Monday plea against Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention

SC to hear on Monday plea against Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). The plea, filed by Wangchuk's wife, argues the detention is illegal and violates his fundamental rights.

'Ministry Slept, DGCA Slept, IndiGo...'

'Ministry Slept, DGCA Slept, IndiGo...'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'IndiGo will receive a sharp rap on the knuckles -- a punishment, a huge penalty. 'I look towards them creating a compensation fund.' 'I would like to think they would do that for all the passengers who are affected on every single day since cancellations began.'

India Set for Colder Plains, Warmer Hills

India Set for Colder Plains, Warmer Hills

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The winters could be cooler in the plains due to the prevailing La Nina conditions though it does not have a direct relationship and also due to influence of the polar vortex.