Aziz Haniffa In Washington,DC

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In Washington,DC

A few final steps to be completed: Misri on Rana's extradition

A few final steps to be completed: Misri on Rana's extradition

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2025

The United States has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. The decision was announced by President Donald Trump during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House. India is currently working on the logistics of Rana's surrender and extradition, with several final steps to be completed before he is sent back to India. The joint statement issued by India and the US during Prime Minister Modi's visit reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism and eliminating terrorist safe havens. The leaders also called on Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention center in Los Angeles. He is associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Anti-Trump protests rock Washington ahead of inauguration

Anti-Trump protests rock Washington ahead of inauguration

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2025

Thousands of people gathered in Washington to protest against Donald Trump's policies ahead of his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The People's March, a coalition of nonprofit bodies, organized the demonstration to voice their opposition to Trump's policies and values. The protesters, displaying anti-Trump posters and banners, chanted slogans against Trump and his supporters, including Tesla owner Elon Musk. Similar protests, though on a smaller scale, were also held in cities like New York, Seattle, and Chicago.

US SC upholds law banning TikTok, app to be removed from stores

US SC upholds law banning TikTok, app to be removed from stores

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2025

The US Supreme Court has upheld a law requiring TikTok's China-based parent company to divest from the app, paving the way for the popular platform to be banned from the US starting Sunday. The court's decision was unanimous, with the justices citing national security concerns related to TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. While existing users may still access the app, new users will be unable to download it and updates will no longer be available. The decision comes as the Biden administration prepares to hand over the reins to the incoming Trump administration, which is expected to review the situation before making a final determination on TikTok's fate.

Trump moves inauguration ceremony indoors due to severe windchill

Trump moves inauguration ceremony indoors due to severe windchill

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2025

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his inauguration ceremony will be moved indoors due to a forecast of severe windchill. The ceremony will now be held at the Capitol Rotunda instead of outside the US Capitol facing the National Mall. Trump expressed concern for the safety of attendees, law enforcement, and first responders in the frigid weather conditions.

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2025

US senators have alleged that TikTok, owned by the Chinese Communist Party, has interfered in elections of various countries, including India, and called for extending the deadline for a ban on the platform in the US. They applauded India's ban on the social media platform, citing concerns about Chinese propaganda and data harvesting. Lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, introduced legislation to delay the ban by 270 days, arguing it would allow for a more thorough review of the implications and potential alternatives to a ban. They also criticized the rushed nature of the ban and its potential impact on free speech and the livelihoods of American users.

'This is a process of reconstructing almost from scratch, building a relationship with that important nation in the world, India'

'This is a process of reconstructing almost from scratch, building a relationship with that important nation in the world, India'

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2020

'I would urge my Indian friends to look at how significant the overall support was.'

US confirmed Uri attackers were from Pakistan

US confirmed Uri attackers were from Pakistan

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2016

Immediately after India launched its surgical strikes, sources said, it had informed the US of its action.

No surge for Clinton, but she may have wooed the undecided

No surge for Clinton, but she may have wooed the undecided

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2016

The fight was for the more than 10 million millennials, the undecided and the independents and Clinton clearly came out on top, feels Aziz Haniffa.

What Democrat vice president pick thinks of India and Modi

What Democrat vice president pick thinks of India and Modi

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2016

Rediff.com reproduces this 2014 interview with Tim Kaine where in he discusses the new opportunities to foster Indo-US trade and the improvement in ties.

Pakistan's terror plan: 'This is not simply about Kashmir'

Pakistan's terror plan: 'This is not simply about Kashmir'

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2016

'Just this week, the Indians killed a Kashmiri terrorist, who is a member of Hizbul Mujahideen.' 'This is a nasty terrorist organisation, and did Pakistan welcome this killing?' 'No, in fact, they denounced it and referred to him as a Kashmiri separatist.' 'These Kashmiri terrorist groups have been aided by the Pakistani State.'

'All we're doing is rewarding thugs': US Congressman on aid to Pakistan

'All we're doing is rewarding thugs': US Congressman on aid to Pakistan

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2016

'Why do we continue giving them money when we know of all the bad things they are doing?'

Former US envoy: 'Pakistan is a State sponsor of terror'

Former US envoy: 'Pakistan is a State sponsor of terror'

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2016

'Pakistanis are very clever in manipulating us,' former Bush administration official tells US lawmakers.

In US, Gadkari outlines plans to halt road accidents

In US, Gadkari outlines plans to halt road accidents

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2016

The minister has sought the help of US technology, expertise and innovation to make road safety a priority in India.

'The new singers can't sing good'

'The new singers can't sing good'

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2016

'There were no singers like Lata, Kishore, Rafi or Mukesh. And until now, there is nobody. Nobody with that kind of voice, nobody with that kind of brain to learn. Not only to learn, but to improvise. We improvised music, we improvised the songs. Nowadays, they just listen and copy.'

'Modi hit the ball out of the park'

'Modi hit the ball out of the park'

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2016

'The speech he delivered had a profound impact on my colleagues,' US Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

'You can't stand on a podium and preach to India'

'You can't stand on a podium and preach to India'

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2016

'India is no longer the India of the '70s and the '80s.' 'It's a large country with the fastest growing economy.' 'In working with India, you just can't go and humiliate the nation publicly.' USIBC President Mukesh Aghi tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com about how he advises American companies to do business with India, what he thinks of Modi's government and the way forward for the India-US relationship.

'They respect each other as doers and not talkers'

'They respect each other as doers and not talkers'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2016

The camaraderie between Modi and Obama has taken the India-US relationship to unprecedented and transformative levels.

Senator: Why is the US backing India's NSG membership?

Senator: Why is the US backing India's NSG membership?

Rediff.com   27 May 2016

Making nuclear exemptions for India, says Senator Edward Markey, 'only infuriates Pakistan and leads them to further increase their own nuclear capacities.'

Indian Muslims stay away from ISIS: US

Indian Muslims stay away from ISIS: US

Rediff.com   27 May 2016

'We have seen in India that radical ideology has by and large not been successful in taking root.'

US senators critical of India days before Modi's visit

US senators critical of India days before Modi's visit

Rediff.com   25 May 2016

India comes under attack over religious intolerance, human trafficking and slavery at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.