News for 'state department'

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rubio dials Jaishankar, Pak army chief; offers assistance

Rediff.com10 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement early Saturday.

Schoolgirls checked for menstruation: Principal axed after arrest

Schoolgirls checked for menstruation: Principal axed after arrest

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Police in Thane have arrested a school principal and staff member after allegations that girl students were forced to strip to check for menstruation. The incident sparked outrage among parents, leading to protests and a police investigation.

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The CM appointed Khurda district collector Chanchal Rana as the new collector of Puri.

Odisha student's death: CCTV footage shows a woman seen buying petrol

Odisha student's death: CCTV footage shows a woman seen buying petrol

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

Odisha Police are investigating the purchase of petrol by a woman matching the description of a student who died by self-immolation after alleging sexual harassment. CCTV footage is being analyzed, and filling stations have stopped selling petrol in bottles. A UGC fact-finding team is also investigating the incident.

Odisha student sets herself ablaze over sexual harassment

Odisha student sets herself ablaze over sexual harassment

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

The incident took place this afternoon after the woman student met the Principal of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, Dilip Kumar Ghose. She had earlier lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor (Stage-l) in Educational Studies, who is also the head of the department and demanded action against him.

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."

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'Often people outside paint a wrong picture of us of Kashmiris. We are not like that. We are cool and bindaas,' said the lady, a teacher, caressing my cheeks in the pressing crowds.

Army deployed as heavy rains cause flood-like situation in MP

Army deployed as heavy rains cause flood-like situation in MP

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri and Guna districts have led to a flood-like situation, stranding people including school children. The Army has been called in for rescue and relief operations. Other districts are also affected, and the IMD has issued a heavy rain alert.

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

'Loktantra, not Loktantar': BJP mocks Oppn over misspelling in banner

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The BJP criticized opposition parties for misspelling 'loktantra' (democracy) on a protest banner during a demonstration against electoral roll revisions in Bihar.

Hope Rises As China Processes Rare-Earths Requests

Hope Rises As China Processes Rare-Earths Requests

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

China accounts for about 70 per cent of global rare earth mining and nearly 90 per cent of rare earth magnet production, making it a dominant player and giving it significant leverage in global supply chains.

'Pakistan Does America's Dirty Work'

'Pakistan Does America's Dirty Work'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'What the Americans want is to destabilise Iran. For destabilising Iran, you need access. 'One access is through Iraq. The other access is through Pakistan.'

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Sharif, urges both sides to de-escale

Rediff.com8 May 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for de-escalation and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'There is a clear relationship between the Char Dham road widening and these landslides.' 'The situation has further worsened with the massive influx of tourists whose number are running into several lakhs per month.' 'No parameters have been laid down to control tourist inflow and the result is that the Char Dham yatra has seen a sharp escalation in accidents and loss of lives.'

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

The death toll from cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh has risen to 14, with a search underway for 31 missing individuals. Extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livestock has been reported across the district.

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

'Earlier, we used to talk about a deficit economy. There is a deficit in democracy' 'If you read superficially Gandhi and Ambedkar and Nehru, some misconceptions and misunderstanding come to mind, as if they were at loggerheads and they differed radically in their views' 'India is one nation. There is only one citizenship. No citizenship for South India and no citizenship for North India and another for the Northeast'

Official admitted Vadodara bridge unsafe in 2022: Activist

Official admitted Vadodara bridge unsafe in 2022: Activist

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

An activist claims to have alerted officials about the dangerous condition of a bridge in Gujarat's Vadodara district three years before it collapsed, resulting in 15 deaths. The activist alleges that despite warnings, no timely action was taken.

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

More than 25 crore workers engaged in sectors ranging from banking, insurance, postal to coal mining, highway and construction are expected to go on a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, potentially disrupting services across the country. A forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates has called for a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' to "oppose the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government".

Uttarkashi floods: 2 bodies recovered, fear grows for trapped

Uttarkashi floods: 2 bodies recovered, fear grows for trapped

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Landslides blocked arterial roads leading up to Dharali where dozens of people were trapped and many homes and cars swept away by the raging waters on Tuesday. Eleven Army personnel from the nearby camp in Harsil were among those missing.

Bengal varsity paper terms revolutionaries as 'terrorists'

Bengal varsity paper terms revolutionaries as 'terrorists'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

A controversy erupted in West Bengal after a history question paper at the state-run Vidyasagar University described Indian revolutionaries as 'terrorists,' triggering strong political reactions and forcing the institute to issue a public apology, calling it a 'printing mistake.'

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The students were trapped in the school located at Pandarsoli on the Haldipokhar-Kowali Road in Kowali police station area since Saturday night after the premises got flooded due to heavy rain.

Jails Hotbeds Of Extremism? Govt Urges Crackdown

Jails Hotbeds Of Extremism? Govt Urges Crackdown

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

High-risk inmates who are inclined towards propagating the ideology of radicalisation should be segregated from the general prison population to minimise the risk of indoctrination.

Elon Musk launches 'America Party' to 'give back freedom'

Elon Musk launches 'America Party' to 'give back freedom'

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

United States tech billionaire Elon Musk said he has formed a new political party to give Americans their freedom back, after a dramatic falling out with Donald Trump.

Student raped by 2 lecturers, their associate in Karnataka

Student raped by 2 lecturers, their associate in Karnataka

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

According to police, the student alleged that one of the lecturers befriended her under the pretext of sharing academic notes and began chatting with her frequently.

Braving trauma, Kolkata rape survivor student appears for exams

Braving trauma, Kolkata rape survivor student appears for exams

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

A senior official from the state's higher education department said all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure that she could "write her papers feeling safe and secure".

US policy towards India takes 'unfortunate turn', says Kaushik Basu

US policy towards India takes 'unfortunate turn', says Kaushik Basu

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Former World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu on Thursday said the US economic policy towards India has taken an unfortunate turn, noting that President Donald Trump's harsh stance against New Delhi appears baffling. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 1, amid signs of a stalemate in the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between the two countries.

Puri: 3 killed in stampede during Rath Yatra ceremony

Puri: 3 killed in stampede during Rath Yatra ceremony

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, Puri district collector Siddharth S Swain said.

Akash Prime proves precision in Ladakh high-altitude trials

Akash Prime proves precision in Ladakh high-altitude trials

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The weapon system is customised to operate in altitude above 4,500 metres and has latest upgrades including indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker, as per the release.

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

Study US: Money-Saving Tips for Students

Study US: Money-Saving Tips for Students

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

Gaurav Batra, founder and CEO Infinite Group, suggests smart tips to help you reduce living and transportation costs while studying in the US.

Govt's obesity combat plan: Display oil and sugar in snacks

Govt's obesity combat plan: Display oil and sugar in snacks

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

The Union health ministry is urging all ministries and departments to display 'oil and sugar boards' in common areas to raise awareness about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods and promote healthier lifestyles.

FBI chief condemns Pahalgam attack, pledges full support to India

FBI chief condemns Pahalgam attack, pledges full support to India

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

Kash Patel pledged full support to India, calling the act a reminder of the constant threats that the world faces from the evil of terrorism.

'Bengaluru life very alluring': SC refuses docs' plea against transfer

'Bengaluru life very alluring': SC refuses docs' plea against transfer

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The petitioners questioned the rules, citing only a week's time to file objections to the draft rules.

There is more room for monetary policy easing, says Finance Ministry

There is more room for monetary policy easing, says Finance Ministry

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

With inflation comfortably below the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) 4 per cent median target and likely to undershoot its 3.7 per cent projection for 2025-26 (FY26), there is room for the monetary policy easing cycle to be sustained, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. The comments, featured in the ministry's Monthly Economic Review for June 2025, assume significance ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) scheduled to begin from August 5.

The Real Reason For The TCS Layoffs

The Real Reason For The TCS Layoffs

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

While TCS cited evolving business needs and future readiness as reasons, industry experts say the action is a cost-cutting measure aimed at improving operating margins that have remained below the firm's aspirational range despite multiple efforts.

How ATS Messed Up 7/11 Case

How ATS Messed Up 7/11 Case

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The investigation for 7/11 blast in which 189 people died was under question mark from the very first month after the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad started arresting the accused from different parts of city. Within 10 days of blast by July 22, 2006, ATS arrested all the 13 terror accused in the case under the leadership of ATS chief, K P Raghuvanshi.

Dharmasthala 'burial' case: K'taka govt may replace SIT chief

Dharmasthala 'burial' case: K'taka govt may replace SIT chief

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, who is heading the SIT probing the allegations of mass burials in Dharmasthala, will be replaced if he goes on central government duty.

A year after RG Kar doctor's rape-murder, parents await justice

A year after RG Kar doctor's rape-murder, parents await justice

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

A year after a young woman doctor was raped and murdered in Kolkata, her parents express their disappointment with the investigation and their continued pursuit of justice.

Kerala govt doubles down on Zumba in schools amid opposition

Kerala govt doubles down on Zumba in schools amid opposition

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

The minister clarified the government's position on Zumba dance, a high-energy fitness programme introduced in schools in Kerala by the General Education Department as part of its anti-drug campaign, facing opposition from certain Muslim groups who argue that it went against moral values.

'VS Could Make Thousands Go Crazy With His Magic'

'VS Could Make Thousands Go Crazy With His Magic'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'VS was a man who devoted every moment of his life, from the beginning till his death at the age of 100, to the struggle against the injustices inflicted upon land, nature and the common man.'

US VP Vance in Jaipur; to visit Amber Fort, deliver lecture at RIC

US VP Vance in Jaipur; to visit Amber Fort, deliver lecture at RIC

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

US Vice President J D Vance visited Jaipur, India, as part of his trip to the country. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and discussed strengthening US-India cooperation in areas such as defense, energy, and technology. In Jaipur, Vance is scheduled to deliver a lecture on US-India relations and visit the Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The visit is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.