News for 'Central Asia'

7 Countries Facing A Toilet Shortage

7 Countries Facing A Toilet Shortage

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

In several parts of the world, access to proper sanitation remains a serious challenge. Many communities still lack household toilets or safe waste disposal systems, often due to water shortages, economic hardship or limited infrastructure.

US tariff threat puts India's Chabahar port plans in doubt

US tariff threat puts India's Chabahar port plans in doubt

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

India is evaluating its involvement in the Chabahar port project in Iran due to potential US tariffs. The US had granted India a waiver for the project, but it expires soon. India is exploring options to continue supporting the port's development while minimizing exposure to US sanctions.

Trump's Pause Gives Iran NOTHING!

Trump's Pause Gives Iran NOTHING!

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

The pause gives the US time to breathe, to regroup, to move its expeditionary force into position without risk of interception along the way. It gives Iran nothing -- on the ground, attacks against its infrastructure continue apace. Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Another setback: Cong on India's exit from Tajikistan airbase

Another setback: Cong on India's exit from Tajikistan airbase

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

India has wrapped up its operation at a strategic air base in Tajikistan's Ayni following the lapse of a bilateral agreement, people familiar with the matter said this week.

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Alliances fight wars effectively only when they share an endgame. If Israel acted without US knowledge, then the military alliance is operating without real coordination at the level of strategic targeting. Neither picture is reassuring in a war that is no longer regional in its consequences. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Israel and the United States had a plan. Iran punched back. And now the Gulf is reeling, the world is beginning to feel the pain and, as on date, no one in Washington or Tel Aviv appears willing to admit that the punch has landed, notes Prem Panicker, continuing his must-read blog on the war in the Middle East.

India must use current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home: Amitabh Kant

India must use current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home: Amitabh Kant

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

India should resist knee-jerk responses to tariff volatility in the US and instead use the current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home, former G20 Sherpa and former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant said on Wednesday.

Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Economy

Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Economy

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

When missiles fly in this region, they are never just aimed at military targets.

'We will defend our people against terror': Jaishankar at SCO meet

'We will defend our people against terror': Jaishankar at SCO meet

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, advocating for a 'zero tolerance' approach to terrorism and emphasizing the need for the SCO to adapt to the changing global landscape.

Trump-era H1B fee, tariffs hurt India ties, say US lawmakers

Trump-era H1B fee, tariffs hurt India ties, say US lawmakers

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

US lawmakers have expressed concerns that policies enacted by the Trump administration, such as the H1B visa fee and tariffs on India, are detrimental to American businesses and threaten the relationship between the United States and India.

Asia Cup: 'I bowled a lot to Shubman Gill when he was 11-12'

Asia Cup: 'I bowled a lot to Shubman Gill when he was 11-12'

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Simranjeet Singh, the left-arm spinner from UAE, distinctly remembers bowling to a talented 12-year-old Shubman Gill at the nets in Mohali.

Budget 2026 lays blueprint for a future-ready digital ecosystem

Budget 2026 lays blueprint for a future-ready digital ecosystem

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 is an intentional and ambitious one - From manufacturing growth to services supremacy, from technology consumption to AI-powered transformation. This is the blueprint for a $7 trillion economy built on intelligence, not just scale.

Energy security for 1.4 bn supreme: India refutes Trump's Russian oil claim

Energy security for 1.4 bn supreme: India refutes Trump's Russian oil claim

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's energy decisions are guided by national interest.

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.

Iran Plays Hardball With India's Hormuz Requests

Iran Plays Hardball With India's Hormuz Requests

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

'I suspect that Bangladesh being given permission stuck in India's official craw, and this story was an attempt to balance the scales by giving the impression that a similar waiver had been given to India as well.'

T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan: Father Shares Secret Of Ishan Kishan's Match-Winning Knock

T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan: Father Shares Secret Of Ishan Kishan's Match-Winning Knock

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'He worked very hard in the last two years, he played a lot of domestic cricket, focused on his batting.'

CBI tracks digital arrest scam to Southeast Asian nations, charges 13

CBI tracks digital arrest scam to Southeast Asian nations, charges 13

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The agency also ran a parallel investigation into cyber-slavery and the organised digital exploitation networks in Southeast Asia, with slave compounds in Myanmar and neighbouring areas, that are emerging as incubators for the execution of such frauds.

Why Did Israel Kill Ali Larijani?

Why Did Israel Kill Ali Larijani?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

Israel has for more than two decades and several US presidencies worked to draw the United States into a full-scale war with Iran. Having finally achieved that, the last thing it wants is Trump declaring victory and going home, as he is prone to do. Ali Larijani was the figure most capable of handing Trump a negotiated exit with something to show for it. Without Larijani, the road to an exit gets considerably narrower. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

8 Most Unusual Museums In India

8 Most Unusual Museums In India

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Some Indian museum collections go far beyond the expected, unlocking quirky facts you never knew about. Or displaying the most intriguing items.

India, Israel upgrade ties to 'strategic partnership'; Modi backs Gaza peace

India, Israel upgrade ties to 'strategic partnership'; Modi backs Gaza peace

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

India and Israel have elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership, focusing on enhanced cooperation in trade, technology, and defense, while also addressing regional peace initiatives.

Great Himalayan Dream: Can Nepal spark T20 World Cup magic?

Great Himalayan Dream: Can Nepal spark T20 World Cup magic?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

For a team that once struggled for basic infrastructure, the T20 World Cup is being viewed as a defining leap rather than just another appearance for Nepal.

Rohit reflects on missing T20 World Cup, tough selection calls

Rohit reflects on missing T20 World Cup, tough selection calls

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Former India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said watching T20 World Cup from the sidelines for the first time in his career will be a "strange" experience as he reflected on the difficult selection calls and leadership decisions that defined his captaincy tenure.

Youth & Experience: Meet India's World Cup 15

Youth & Experience: Meet India's World Cup 15

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Defending champions India have unveiled a well-rounded 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

Modi returns after Japan, China trip; calls SCO summit 'productive'

Modi returns after Japan, China trip; calls SCO summit 'productive'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Describing the visit as "productive" in a post on X, the PM said he emphasised India's position on key global issues during his engagements.

Positive biz outlook nudges banks to hire for sales growth

Positive biz outlook nudges banks to hire for sales growth

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Banks are witnessing a surge in hiring for sales staff in secured segments such as home, vehicle and gold loans as compared to the recovery category, driven by a boost in business growth, and a host of regulatory measures aimed at improving ease of doing business, according to industry experts.

T20 World Cup: 31 wins and counting: Gambhir-SKY masterplan revealed

T20 World Cup: 31 wins and counting: Gambhir-SKY masterplan revealed

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

As India start their T20 World Cup title defence in less than 72 hours, one is tempted to look at Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir's working relationship which has been fantastic, at least so going by the results -- a whopping 31 wins in 39 games with a winning percentage of 79.48.

Why is Costa Rica taking Indian deportees from US?

Why is Costa Rica taking Indian deportees from US?

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Costa Rica has agreed to serve as a "bridge" to repatriate illegal immigrants in the United States, including from India and Central Asia, according to an official release on Tuesday.

India-US trade deals: 'Both sides to push for early conclusion'

India-US trade deals: 'Both sides to push for early conclusion'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The commerce ministry on Tuesday said the discussions with visiting US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch on the proposed bilateral trade agreement were positive and forward looking.

New cycling event fuels India's 2036 Olympic medal hopes

New cycling event fuels India's 2036 Olympic medal hopes

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Spread across 437 kilometres and four stages, the Pune Grand Tour, starting on Monday, will feature around 170 riders from 35 countries, including 12 locals.

India in active dialogue for trade pact with US, EU, Oman: Goyal

India in active dialogue for trade pact with US, EU, Oman: Goyal

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

India has implemented a number of free trade agreements with developed nations and is in active dialogue for such pacts with nations including the US, Oman, and the EU, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. India has implemented trade pacts with Australia, the UAE and EFTA bloc. It has also signed an agreement with the UK.

Five Indian women nominated for 2025 BBC sports awards

Five Indian women nominated for 2025 BBC sports awards

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Harmanpreet Singh, Smriti Mandhana, Divya Deshmukh among five Indian stars nominated for BBC awards

$6-Billion Foreign Bet on India's Private Banks

$6-Billion Foreign Bet on India's Private Banks

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Cleaner balance sheets, regulatory support and strong growth prospects helped Indian private banks attract over $6 billion in foreign capital, with more deals expected in 2026.

Modi To Inaugurate New Guwahati Airport

Modi To Inaugurate New Guwahati Airport

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

'International flights will continue to operate from the old terminal because of customs and other requirements. Eventually, the old terminal will be closed.'

Rupee recovers 55 paise from all-time low to close at 90.38/USD

Rupee recovers 55 paise from all-time low to close at 90.38/USD

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The rupee recovered 55 paise from its all-time low level to close at 90.38 against the US dollar after a volatile trade on Wednesday, amid suspected aggressive central bank intervention.

FC Goa Carry India's Flag into Asia Amid Troubled Times

FC Goa Carry India's Flag into Asia Amid Troubled Times

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

It will take FC Goa nothing short of a miracle to pull off a win against the Omanis, and a victory will be a the perfect Independence Day present for Indian football fans.

Will Iran Rebuild Nuclear Facilities?

Will Iran Rebuild Nuclear Facilities?

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran headquarters in Tehran, underscoring his administration's focus on advancing the country's nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Politics Amid Performance: How Cricket Shaped In 2025

Politics Amid Performance: How Cricket Shaped In 2025

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The Indian men ruled white-ball cricket, while South Africa ended decades of hurt by winning the World Test Championship at Lord's. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL title, though the celebrations were dimmed by a deadly stampede. Above all, it was India's women who won a billion hearts by finally adding an ICC World Cup trophy to the cabinet.

Ageing CBD offices emerge as developers' next growth play

Ageing CBD offices emerge as developers' next growth play

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Office redevelopment is emerging as a key growth frontier for developers as India's commercial real estate market shifts towards quality, sustainability, and capital efficiency. With land parcels scarce in central business districts (CBDs) and demand for Grade A offices remaining strong, developers and investors are increasingly turning to ageing office stock in prime locations to unlock value.