Clintons set for 'wedding of the millennium'
America was abuzz on Saturday with what is being billed as the 'wedding of the millennium' with former first daughter Chelsea Clinton set to tie the knot with investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, after an intensively secret build-up. Russia: Thousands of firefighters battle wildfires
Tens of thousands of firefighters, including soldiers, on Saturday battled forest fires raging across Central Russia that is posing threat to over 200 villages and towns, with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin describing the situation as 'grim'. Over 800 killed, lakhs affected by floods in Pak
More than 800 people have died and at least one million affected by flash floods triggered by the worst monsoon rains in Pakistan in eight decades, officials and the United Nations said on Saturday. Exclusive: Glimpses of Chelsea Clinton's wedding
Guests at Chelsea Clinton's wedding in New York gives Rediff.com's Suman Guha Mozumder an exclusive glimpse of the proceedings. India shuns treaty banning deadly cluster bombs
A landmark treaty banning cluster munitions will come into force from August 1, the United Nations announced, but all major powers, the US, China, Russia Israel and India are shunning it. For Pak, India a bigger threat than Taliban, Qaeda
A majority of Pakistanis still consider India as a major threat, view America as an enemy and are far less concerned about the Taliban and the Al Qaeda Pix: TRS sweeps Telangana; Congress humiliated
The Telangana Rashtriya Samithi sweep in the assembly by-elections in the Telangana region have brought fresh worries to the Congress, which is already a divided lot on the issue of a separate state. Cameron has made the right noises on India
The Conservatives have been clear about India being a priority for the UK since David Cameron's visit to India in 2006. This sentiment was reflected in the queen's address to the British parliament last month where she laid out the new government's agenda of working 'to establish a new 'special relationship' with India'. This was significant because no other country, not even the US, was mentioned by name. By 2050, India will beat China in...
India is expected to overtake China with a population of 1.75 billion by 2050, according to the Population Reference Bureau, a United States body which supplies data to governments and institutions around the world. WikiLeaks lesson: Be alert India, they are coming!
There is no doubt that all terrorist organisations like the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Tayiba are operating with impunity in Pakistan. They may be loosely confederated, but their agendas are being synchronised and India after Afghanistan is their prime target. Don't test my patience, Jagan tells Congress
"A lot of injustice is being done to my ardent supporters like Konda Surekha (former minister who quit in protest against not making Jaganmohan chief minister) and Ambati Rambabu (former MLA who was suspended from party). I am unable to tolerate this. I don't know how long I will continue to be restrained like this," Jagan told a public meeting in Kakinada town. 'It's unacceptable. Pak must eliminate Lashkar'
Unfazed by Pakistan's angry reaction, British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the existence of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Tayiba on its soil was "not acceptable" and it must eliminate them to end terrorism in India. 'Pass the Women's Reservation Bill NOW'
The distance between Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha can be covered in less than 15 minutes, so why has the women's reservation bill been stranded in the middle? asked Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Brinda Karat in a rally cum public meet in New Delhi on Thursday. Pix: Cameron wants special ties with India
British Prime Minister David Cameron visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, paying homage on Thursday in New Delhi. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave Cameron a warm welcome at the Indian Presidential Place. He also met India''s Foreign Minister S M Krishna with his delegation to hold discussions. Tragedies that Dr Singh didn't react to
What could be the reason behind the prime minister's silence over two tragedies, both in India and involving Indians? Pak air crash: Rescuers yet to find 'black box'
Emergency teams braving heavy rains and slush were continuing efforts to recover bodies and 'black box' and flight data recorder of the ill-fated Pakistani passenger plane to know why the aircraft went off course and crashed while coming into land. Differences on the rise within Congress
There seems to be a free-for-all in the ruling party, with senior leaders publicly disagreeing with each other on policy issues, which is unusual for a party like the Congress. Let these men not remain numbers
Young men who are injured or martyred in the line of duty have been reduced to statistics in news reports. Archana Masih reports on the injured security personnel recovering from a deadly Naxalite ambush in Chhattisgarh and looks at the lives behind those numbers. Pix: Clicking India through a different lens
Three Australian photojournalists who live in India share their South Asian travelogue with Anisha Ralhan Ministry of Defence must push for an Indian gun
India's indigenous defence complex is at a crucial moment where a resolute decision could make it a genuine supplier of high-end artillery equipment, writes Ajai Shukla. Pix: Delhi's 'Game'plan to welcome the world
As Delhi gets ready to welcome thousands of tourists and participants from 71 countries this October, rediff.com takes a look at some of the measures that the administration has taken to make them feel at home. Pix: India-Pak Peace Caravan sets off from Mumbai
Common people in India and Pakistan will continue to strive for peace and friendship irrespective of what their political masters do. That was the mood at the India-Pakistan Peace Caravan that flagged off from Mumbai on July 28 and reach Atari border on August 14. 'Why is Gujarat being targeted?'
'When it comes to Gujarat, when it comes to Mr Modi, you want a different set of laws to be applied,' declares BJP leader Devang Nanavati. Pix: Over 150 feared dead in Pak plane crash
A Pakistani passenger plane carrying 160 people on Wednesday crashed into the heavily forested Margalla Hills overlooking Islamabad due to bad weather. India's '5-star' guest among worst dictators
Myanmar dictator General Than Shwe was recently named as one of the world's worst dictators in by an article in the Foreign Policy journal. Than Shw currently on a high-level visit to India. 10 things where Paul Octopus can make a difference
From match-making for young Indians to choosing the Indian cricket team to rescuing nations from economic ruin, many commentators feel Paul could be very useful. Will the octopus please help? America awaits super-secret Clinton wedding
Chelsea Clinton will marry her fiance and long-time companion and investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, on Saturday. Reading the mind of the Kashmiri stone-pelter
Rediff.com's Jammu and Kashmir correspondent Mukhtar Shah takes a real close look at the young protestors of the Valley, their struggles and the challenges they pose. Bell Bajao ad campaign wins international laurel
The ad films -- that highlight the organization's campaign against domestic violence --were screened recently at the Cannes Lions 57th International Advertising Festival in France, considered by many to be the world's biggest celebration of creativity in communications. 'I will be unhappy if Commonwealth Games succeed'
Aiyar, who appeared to make a doomsday prophecy on the success of the October 3-14 games going by the state of preparedness, also said that anyone who is patronising the Games cannot be anything but "evil". Quraishi, the first Muslim CEC
Low-profile Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, brings with him rich experience as a thoroughbred civil servant of more than 35 years to become the first Muslim Chief Election Commissioner of India. Upload your monsoon havoc videos!
We invite our readers to upload their videos regarding the havoc created by the monsoons, and we will promote them, right here in rediff.com! 'I don't see milk-and-honey goodness in the poor'
'I remember bitter people in the chawl. I can imagine some NRI writers observing the chawl boys laughing or playing cricket and saying, 'the spirit of Bombay' or some shit like that. That is all rubbish,' says novelist Manu Joseph. Telangana turns up in numbers to cast crucial vote
Over 42 per cent polling has been recorded till 1 pm in the by-elections to the 12 assembly constituencies in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. Delhi rolls out red carpet for Myanmar dictator
Myanmar's notorious dictator General Than Shwe, who is on a five-day official visit to India, met President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday. War document leak could affect Obama's re-election
The US president and his advisers in the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon cannot claim that they too were unaware of the shocking facts in the leaked documents, says B Raman Is Cameron willing to take a risk with India?
A new India-UK relationship would need to include an annual strategic dialogue, cooperation on counter terror and enlarging the role of the G-20, writes Rahul Roy-Chaudhury 'We politicians have given the Naxals a walkover'
'The cities are not safe, Naxals will reach them very soon,' feels Mahendra Karma, the tribal leader who championed the controversial Salwa Judum against the Naxalites. Arundhati Roy in Forbes' Most Inspiring Women list
Mother Teresa, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and author J K Rowling have been named by Forbes among the world's 30 most inspiring women. HC closes 125-yr-old Ayodhya case files
While Hindus claimed the land to be the site of the birthplace of their most revered Lord Ram, Muslims asserted their right over the same as the site of a 16th century mosque claimed to have been built by the first Mughal emperor Babur in the ancient town of Ayodhya, about 120 km from Lucknow. Telangana ready for Tuesday showdown
Twelve constituencies in the Telangana belt of Andhra Pradesh will go to polls on Tuesday. Pix: Illegal mining destroys forests in Karnataka
Illegal mining activities in Karnataka have wiped out 2,800 acres of forest land in the state, according to the probe report by Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde. Images: Afghanistan's love affair with Bollywood
Despite the resurgence of Taliban and their austere moral code, Afghan people's love for India and its culture remains unaffected, officials said. Danger lurks behind Pak-China nuclear deal!
Pakistan has gained atomic capabilities through "international deception" and "clandestine procurement" networks, eminent US lawmakers have said, while warning that the continuation of 'secretive' Sino-Pak nuclear ties is setting a wrong precedence for others. Games or no Games, why Delhi won't change
Like the ambitious overreacher who falls flat, Delhi talks big. The more things change, the more they remain the same, writes Sunil Sethi Prof Darga: Where Islam meets Veerashaivism
Professor Ramzan Darga, a Muslim, teaches Basava Philosophy and Veerashaivism at Karnataka's Gulbarga University. He was the keynote speaker at the Veerashaiva Samaja of North America 2010 Convention held on July 3 and 4 in Toronto. It was attended by over 450 people from Canada, the United States and India. Indian stores in US: Pockets that feel like home
The many Indian grocery stores in the US are about more than familiar ingredients; they are a place to connect with the community, finds Jane Varner Malhotra Kayani, the man who calls all the shots in Pak
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who has acknowledged his force is "India-centric" due to unresolved issues between the two countries, will continue playing a key role in shaping foreign policy after the three-year extension granted to him as Pakistan's Army chief. Announcing the government's decision to extend Kayani's tenure late Thursday night, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the move was necessary to ensure continuity of military leadership for ongoing operations agai Bellary: Reddys get richer, locals get poorer
In Bellary, the dusty core of the mining industry in Karnataka, the rich get richer and the poor continue to live in squalor, say locals. 'Inter-departmental politics is rotting railways'
In an interview with rediff.com's Anisha Ralhan, M G Arora, former executive director of safety, Indian Railways, explains how lobbyists and deflectors operating at different levels have corroded the lifeline of the nation. How a 14-yr-old saved her brother from death
Archana Masih meets two young people in a Raipur hospital who convey the human tragedy of a conflict that is destroying lives -- on both sides. Indian American gives largest gift to US varsity
Anand 'Bill' Julka, who came to the United States with a $1,500 student loan from a government-owned bank in India in 1968, has gifted $6 million to Cleveland State University, the largest single scholarship gift in the university's history. 'Indian Muslims experiencing political awakening'
Over 100 people in the Washington, DC metropolitan area gathered to hear Indian Muslim leader Syed Shahabuddin at a dinner hosted in his honour by the Association of Indian Muslims of America. New York temple becomes Jain pilgrimage
On June 20, the Jain temple in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, ceased to be just another temple. Indian American teacher gets Presidential award
Radhika Plakkot, a biology teacher from Huntington High School, Maryland, United States was recently named by President Barack Obama as one of America's best mathematics and science teachers for 2010. Video: Ranjita is a humble devotee: Nityananda
Breaking his silence over actress Ranjita after her name was linked with him for alleged involvement in sleazy acts, self-styled godman Nityananda described her as a "sincere and a humble devotee" and said he was hurt by the pain caused to her and her family. Bellary's mines run on fake truck permits
Vicky Nanjappa digs deep into the Lokayukta report to find that all rules in the book are being openly flouted by the mining lobby in Bellary. 'Lashkar is as dangerous as Taliban, Al Qaeda'
The United States on Thursday said that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba was as dangerous as Taliban and Al-Qaeda with which it was working in close coordination and that Pakistan has been asked to deny it a foothold in that country. Images: How India is fighting against AIDS
A United Nations report has said that Indians rank AIDS high on their priority list of the most important issues facing the world. Why India and its navy must venture into open seas
In the last of a three-part series, startegic expert C Raja Mohan says that India needs a new maritime strategy and diplomacy that are at odds with many of its past normative and ideological preferences Claims apart, US troops are waging war on Pak soil
US officials revealed that that the Special Operations teams join the Pakistani troops on aid missions only when commanders determine that there is relatively little security risk. Bringing Indian treasures to Canada
The Art Gallery of Ontario will host an exhibition titled the 'Maharaja: The Splendor of India's Royal Courts' from November 20, 2010 to February 27, 2011. Indian-Canadian docs donate $1 mn for blind
Drs Daya and Chander Gupta donated $1 million to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Manitoba earlier this month. The CNIB renamed the CNIB Winnipeg Building as The Drs Daya and Chander Gupta Center and organised a dinner in their honour on July 3. Moving beyond the Indo-Pak 'peace talks'
Rajeev Srinivasan on how apportioning blame for the failure of the talks misses the big picture on the ground -- the Great Game is afoot India eyes Patriots, Javelins and more Hawks
India is on a shopping spree at the Farnborough Air Show in England Profit from Bellary mining? Rs 17 crore a day!
Documents reveal that out of the 80 odd mining leases in the Bellary region, at least 45 are raising contracts or mines run by third party. Opposition ready with ammo for monsoon session
The Monsoon session of Parliament beginning Monday is expected to be a tumultuous affair with opposition stacking up all ammunition ranging from price rise, fuel hike, Bhopal gas tragedy and the Indo-Pak talks to attack the government. There's more to Amarnath yatra than a pilgrimage
The Amarnath yatra is not only a great bondage between the Hindu pilgrims and local Muslims who facilitate the yatra, but has also helped maintained a deep relationship in thought and aspiration between Kashmir and other parts of India that has existed for thousands of years. Images: Best of airpower on display at Farnborough
Indian defence public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is among the 1,393 exhibitors from 40 countries participating in the biennial airshow that began on Monday. US to transfer some troops from Afghan next July
Asserting that the United States has the right strategy for Afghanistan to break the momentum of the Taliban, United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday said he would begin to transfer some of the American troops from this war torn country in July 2011. Pak can't ignore Headley's revelations: Krishna
Talking tough, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday told Pakistan to take "seriously" the revelations made by Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Headley on the Mumbai attacks and not "push them under the carpet". Images: Locals reached out to train mishap victims
They have been working tirelessly but silently since the Uttarbanga Express crashed into the Vananchal Express at the Sainthia station in Birbhum district, ferrying the injured, donating blood and helping out in the morgue. Young India simply loves social networking
Tech-savvy Indian youths in major cities are spending at least two hours a day to connect themselves with others through social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Orkut, a new survey has found. China has responded faster than India on water
In the second of the three part series, C Raja Mohan, Strategic Affairs Editor with the Indian Express, says that as India moved from the expansive internationalist vision of Jawaharlal Nehru to the narrower worldview of the Indira years, the pursuit of 'strategic autonomy' became an important theme in the Indian foreign policy discourse. 14 train mishaps in 14 months on Didi's watch
While analysts and investigative agencies are busy finding reasons, those who are not too friendly with the Trinamool Congress chief think Railways' security has become defunct of late and that Mamata is paying more attention to politics in Bengal than to her duties in New Delhi. A new power equation is arising in Indian Ocean
C Raja Mohan, Strategic Affairs Editor with the Indian Express, analyses the unfolding geopolitical change in the Indian Ocean and dwells at some length on the challenges that it poses for India's foreign and security policies. 'Shocked' Mamta zeroes in on driver's postmortem
Union Minister of Railways Mamta Bannerjee, who is extremely perturbed by the disastrous train mishap in West Bengal early on Monday morning, has asked her ministry to carefully oversee the postmortem of M C Dey, the driver of the New Coochbehar-Sealdah Uttarbanga Express, which rammed into Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express in Sainthia station of Birbhum district, killing 62 people and injuring 92 others. Why India must be alert next to 'unstable' Pak
The 156-page report titled 'Whither Pakistan? Growing Instability And Implications for India' said: "it is very much likely that agencies in Pakistan will continue with their present strategy of using terror as a tool of pressure against India." 'Only tit for tat can deter anti-Dalit atrocities'
'There is no other method to correct such a deep-seated cultural prejudice against Dalits than shock treatment,' feels Dalit intellectual- activist Dr Anand Teltumbde, author of Khairlanji: A Strange And Bitter Crop. Why Omar Abdullah has failed as chief minister
'Somewhere down the line, Omar lost the plot, and in some ways, his troubles have stemmed from a lack of political maturity which has been evident in his decisions.' Bengal train mishap toll touches 62
A speeding express train rammed into the rear of another killing 60 people and injuring over 150 at the Sainthia station in Bhirbhum district of West Bengal, apparently after overshooting the signal in the early hours on Monday. New Afghan-Pak deal may upset India
Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an understanding on major issues related to a new bilateral transit trade pact though Indian exports to Afghanistan via the Wagah land route will not be permitted under the proposed agreement. Images: The most democratic nations on earth
Denmark is the most democratic nation on earth, according to a list published by the World Democracy Audit. Naidu's arrest in Maha triggers protests in Andhra
Andhra Pradesh was rocked by protests by thousands of Telugu Desam Party supporters, who took to the streets against the arrest of their leader N Chandrababu Naidu and other party MPs, MLAs and other leaders in Maharashtra. 'US will pull out of Afghan for economic reasons'
A former director-general of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence has said that United States President Barack Obama will pull out American troops from Afghanistan for economic reasons rather than for strategic ones because his administration would find the ongoing surge unsustainable. Why India, China CAN'T afford to go to war
A recent article in the Foreign Policy magazine claims that the possibility of a nuclear war breaking out between the two Asian giants is not that far-fetched. Explained: Why two states want Belgaum
A ready reckoner of the origins of Maharshtra and Karnataka's bickering over Belgaum. After talks, India, Pak sing familiar tune
India [ Images ] secured an assurance from Pakistan on Thursday that it would act on the leads given by Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley to unravel the conspiracy behind the Mumbai terror attacks even as the two countries agreed to continue their dialogue. Indian author says he put Obama in White House
Inder Dan Ratnu, a self-published author from Jaipur, claims to have influenced the 2008 US presidential election. To own a firearm in India you will now have to
Tightening up the process for grant of arms licence, the central government on Thursday decided to make mandatory a police verification report on the applicant before the document is issued to him. We will continue to meet: Qureshi
The meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has coem to a close. Both sides have said that the meeting went off well. Coastal India is on the verge of submerging
Indian Ocean sea levels are rising unevenly and threatening the residents in some densely populated coastal areas of India and Bangladesh, besides the island nations of Maldives and Sri Lanka, a new study has said. You don't mess with the ISI and expect friendship
Indian Home Secretary GK Pillai's comments ahead of External Affairs Minister SM Krishna's trip to Islamabad on Wednesday on Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI's pro-active role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks came as a surprise to the Pakistani Foreign Office establishment. Jagan Reddy: The man who defied Sonia
Congress MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has been critical of the party leadership, has kicked off the second leg of his yatra. Special: Behind the veil: An intolerant Europe
Fuelled by the rise in instances of terror and the manner in which the acts are executed, Europe is shutting the door tight on its minorities and doing all it can to 'perhaps' feel protected. Pix: Sexy politicians hog the limelight
The better a politician looks, the more his chances of appearing on television, says a new study. Mumbai gas leak: 'It was a horrifying experience'
After nearly 59 persons were hospitalised following the leakage of chlorine gas from a cylinder at the Mumbai Port Trust early on Wednesday morning, the government has sought the help of experts to prevent any further incident of this kind. Pix: Kashmir burns, students feel the heat
The Jammu and Kashmir Education Department is planning to compensate for the loss by extra and special classes. Some schools are also opting for e-lectures that are distributed to the students through Internet. Indo-Pak talks after 26/11: The story so far
Rediff.com takes a look at how the ice between the two estranged neighbours melted after months of diplomatic and political antagonism. Explained: What the Karnataka mining row is about
The Karnataka legislative assembly is in disarray and the Opposition has refused to let proceedings begin until the chief minister orders a CBI probe into the illegal mining. Rediff.com's explains the issue. Pix: Curfew shadow over Martyr's Day in Srinagar
Curfew-like-restrictions were imposed on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar and other towns to scuttle the separatist called marches. Uganda blast marks emergence of new terror group
Sunday's devastating bomb blast in Ugandan capital Kampala, which killed over 70 persons, including an American aid worker, has worried the United States, as it fears that the attack marks the emergence of a local Islamic terror group on the world stage. Kiran Bedi on fighting the Maoists
The Centre and states need to synchronise their forces to tackle the surge in Maoist violence, believes former IPS officer Kiran Bedi. Guess the biggest scam India has seen!
The mining scam in Karnataka could easily be worth Rs 2,500 crore says Justice Santosh Hegde, the state's Lokayukta. An exclusive first person account to Rediff.com Lord Jagannath's rath yatra begins in Ahmedabad
Thousands of devotees joined the rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, which began in Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning from the Jagganath temple in Jamalpur amid tight security. America opposes ban on burqa, Europe supports it
An overwhelming number of people in European countries want a ban on the burqa, according to a recent survey. Interestingly, the survey found that most Americans opposed such a ban. '50 percent of children's studies prone to bias'
Clinical studies on children have become a regular feature in medical journals, but a new review of such trials has found that about half of them, especially the industry-funded ones, appear to be biased. 26/11 attacks: 'Half of the cops were unarmed'
Labelling the 26/11 terror attacks as 'deceptively simple and highly coordinated with little money expended', the Federal Bureau of Investigation has said the crippling flaw in the Mumbai police's defence against the initial assault was that its officers didn't even carry weapons. Guantanamo: Justice paused, shackled
Showing up for a hearing at the United States military court in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba is an ordeal for the detainees and a logistical burden for the American military, which has to transport the terror suspects from the detention facility to 'Camp Justice' inside the US Naval base in Cuba. 5,000 women are killed annually to uphold 'honour'
Honour killings have been rampant in orthodox and socially backward groups in many countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories, they say. How CPI-M is losing its grip over rural Bengal
Business Standard brings you a three-part series on how the Trinamool is gaining political supremacy through these tried and tested methods in rural Bengal. Images: Gurez and the romance of Kashmir
Yoginder Sikand shares memories of his trip to Gurez The long wait for a surgery at govt hospitals
While the General Surgery Department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has a minimum waiting period of three to five months, in Gastro-intestinal Surgery it is six months to one year and the longest waiting period is in the Neuro-surgery department: 18 months to three years. India to spend Rs 500,000,000,000 on 6 submarines
At a recent Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, chaired by Defence Minister A K Antony, the urgency in having the second production line was discussed with all seriousness and the nod for the project, codenamed Project 75I, was given, a senior Defence Ministry source said in New Delhi. India's population has exploded. It's worrying!
Projections made by the government show that while India's population grew by 1.4 per cent over the last five years, China saw only a 0.6 per cent population growth for the corresponding period. Naga factions raise revolt against Muivah
Major differences among different factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, NSCN(K) and NNC have come out into the open over the issue of NSCN (IM) general secretary Th. Muivah's extensive tour in Nagaland and his 'style of functioning.' Muivah is currently visiting districts of Nagaland and both the state police and the Central paramilitary forces are manning his security affairs besides, his trusted cadres. Pix: Punjab, Haryana flooded; Army to the rescue
The situation in flood ravaged districts of Punjab and Haryana further worsened on Friday 'Better ties with Muslims improves space travel'
NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his foremost mission was something very terrestrial – to improve relations with the Muslim world Dramatic move: US, Russia swap 14 agents
The United States and Russia have agreed to swap ten Russian agents who pleaded guilty before a New York federal court in exchange of four persons incarcerated by Moscow for alleged contact with Western intelligence agencies. "The United States and the Russian Federation agreed that the United States would transfer these individuals abroad and turn them over to Russian authorities. The Russian Federation, in turn, would release four individuals," said Eric Holder. Pix: The most democratic nations in Asia
Japan is the most democratic nation in Asia, according to a report published by the worldaudit.org. Images: Kashmir streets under Army blanket
More companies of the Central Reserve Police Force were rushed to Srinagar on Thursday to reinforce the security bandobast in the valley where curfew was imposed on Wednesday. The army conducted flag marches in sensitive areas of the capital on Thursday afternoon to assist the civil administration in the enforcement of the curfew imposed in the wee hours of Wednesday. ISI using Bangla border as 'safe passage' to India
Pakistan's intelligence aganeyc, the Inter Service Intelligence, has activated its sleeper cells in the North East region to use the Indo-Bangladesh border route as a 'safe passage' to courier its men and materials into different parts of India. This was revealed by the arrested ISI agent, Momin Khan, to his interrogators in Tripura recently. Is China protecting terrorists in Kashmir?
China is providing tacit support to Pakistan in its jihadi strategy with an aim to pin down half a million Indian troops in Kashmir, a leading European security expert has said. Images: Thousands turn up for Jagan's yatra
Jagan, who kickstarted his yatra by paying tributes to his late father Dr Rajasekhara Reddy, is confident that the Congress will ultimately support him. Ashok Mitra on communist-in-chief Jyoti Basu
Eminent economist and noted author Ashok Mitra, who served as the finance minister of West Bengal in 1977 and 1982, worked closely with Jyoti Basu. In his autobiography Apila-Chapila, Mitra fondly recalls his bitter-sweet association with Basu, and the latter's penchant for clipped sentences, good food and note-taking. Haryana, Punjab floods kill 15; Army to the rescue
Fifteen people perished in floods triggered by heavy rains in Punjab and Haryana even as a fresh breach occurred in Satluj Yamuna Link at Udhar Singh village in Kuruskhetra submerging several adjoining areas. 'Indian involvement in Afghanistan was a blunder'
'In the West, the Taliban is known for its medieval barbarism, public executions, stoning of women for adultery. But for many Afghans now, they are respectable -- as the Taliban provides security,' says noted writer William Dalrymple in a two part interview with rediff.com's Arthur J Pais. Explained: Why Kashmir is burning
Rediff.com's Jammu and Kashmir correspondent explains the contours of the present unrest in the Valley. Jagan ignores Sonia's diktat, heads for yatra
Jaganmohan Reddy, the son of late Dr Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, has openly declared war on the Congress high command by embarking upon his Odarpu Yatra (tour to console people) notwithstanding party president Sonia Gandhi reservations about the same. India among most dangerous nations for journalists
Iraq and Somalia are the most dangerous nations for journalists, according to the Impunity Index published by the Committee to Protect Journalists Jagan's yatra raises political heat in AP
By-elections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana region on July 27 and the obvious power game in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh have risen the political temperature in the state. 'Americans in Afghanistan know their game is over'
William Dalrymple discusses with Arthur J Pais how the situation in Afghanistan is fast deteriorating. Media got it all wrong about Sammad: Lawyer
Sammad, who was making his first appearance before the media following his release from jail, kept mum through the press conference. 'Man killed with Azad was not a Maoist'
Body of Hemchandar Pandey, the man who was killed along with the top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad by the Andhra Pradesh police in Adilabad district on July 2, was brought to Hyderabad on Tuesday and was kept at the Basheerbag Press Club. Sri Sri speaks on Nityananda, Naxals, land grab
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks about the land-grabbing allegations, the Swami Nityananda sex scandal and his interaction with Naxal leaders. Images: Navy's Light Combat Aircraft rolls out
An important milestone for the naval programme of Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency, the aircraft was brought out of the hanger where it was assembled part-by-part during the rollout. The Dalai Lama: 'I am a son of India'
'My thoughts come from the Nalanda Buddhist tradition and this body has lived on Indian dal, rice and chapattis during the last 51 years.' The Dalai Lama, who is 75 today, in an exclusive interview. Images: When monsoon fury strikes
A collection of breathtaking images of monsoon wreaking its havoc across the world Do people in poor nations have lower IQs?
People in poor and developing countries, where diseases are rife, may have lower IQ levels because they have evolved to develop stronger immune systems rather than intelligence, a controversial study has claimed. Pix: New Jersey celebrates July 4 with fireworks
Woodbridge Township of New Jersey Mayor John E McCormac proudly announced "because of Indian Americans sponsorship we are celebrating the fireworks in New Jersey. See the pictures. Video: Bharat bandh fizzles out in New Delhi
Opposition-sponsored Bharat Bandh against price rise on Monday did not evoke much response in New Delhi barring some areas where BJP and Left activists blocked road and rail traffic and forcibly shut shops. Video: BJP, Sena enforce Bharat bandh in Mumbai
Normal life was hit on Monday in several parts of Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai where stone-pelting BJP and Shiv Sena activists tried to disrupt road and rail traffic during the 12-hour bandh called by the opposition to protest price rise. Pix: India stays indoors on Bharat bandh
Normal life was hit in National Democratic Alliance and Left-ruled states on Monday as rail, air and bus services were disrupted during a bandh called against fuel price hike Exclusive: An interview with the Dalai Lama
As the Dalai Lama turns 75 on July 6, he speaks about the importance of the Indian tradition of Nalanda, the differences between Buddhist science, philosophy and religion and why he believes that a 'sort' of cultural genocide is happening in Tibet. Pix: Heavy rains force Mumbai off track
Streets in localities like Hindmata, Dadar, Sion, King's Circle and Wadala are waterlogged. Suburban trains were running slow when reports last came in. What the brave men fighting Naxals face
Central Reserve Police Force troopers fighting the left-wing extremists face the challenges of lack of basic food items and water while operating on the ground, a top official of the specialised anti-Naxal unit of the force has said. Lahore shrine attack signals Pakistan's implosion
Pakistanis are shocked after the brazen attack on one of its holiest shrines on Thursday, says B Raman Bharat bandh: How it will affect you
Sources said the impact of the bandh is likely to be the worst in at least 10 states where the opposition was holding reins. The bandh is also expected to have total impact in states like Maharashtra. Want to know how long you will live? Read this
A mix of around 150 variations in DNA sequence could act as an effective predictor of whether a person has the genetic artillery to live up to 100 years, researchers have found. Pix: A pilgrimage in the shadow of violence
More than 11000 pilgrims left from the two base camps for the yatra. Officials said that over 6000 pilgrims left for the cave shrine from north Kashmir Baltel base camp while 5000 left from the south Kashmir Nunwan base camp early Thursday morning. June's best photos from around the world
June's best photos from around the world When I met President Obama
Kavya Shivashankar, winner of the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee and the India Abroad Young Achiever Award, was invited to meet President Obama this month. Jun 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010