News for 'Country Head'

The Six Men Who Decide Iran's Fate

The Six Men Who Decide Iran's Fate

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

As Iran heads into crucial peace talks with the United States of America, here are the six men who decide the Islamic Republic's course.

Assam, Puducherry witness historic turnout; over 78% vote in Kerala

Assam, Puducherry witness historic turnout; over 78% vote in Kerala

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

Voters in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry are voting in crucial assembly elections.

Vijayan Rebuts Rahul Gandhi's LDF-BJP Collusion Allegations in Kerala

Vijayan Rebuts Rahul Gandhi's LDF-BJP Collusion Allegations in Kerala

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims of collusion between the LDF and BJP in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, accusing the Congress leader and his party of being the BJP's 'B-team'. The Congress has retaliated, alleging that Vijayan is trying to appease Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah.

Volleyball Federation of India Receives Provisional Recognition Amid Visa and Payment Concerns

Volleyball Federation of India Receives Provisional Recognition Amid Visa and Payment Concerns

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has granted provisional recognition to the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) while also raising concerns with the IOA regarding visa delays for athletes and pending dues from private partners.

La Liga Title Race: Barcelona Extends Lead, Real Madrid Suffers Setback

La Liga Title Race: Barcelona Extends Lead, Real Madrid Suffers Setback

Rediff.com5 Apr 2026

Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid, extending their lead in La Liga after Real Madrid's loss to Mallorca. Key goals from Lewandowski and Rashford secured Barcelona's victory, while Muriqi's late goal sealed Mallorca's win against Real.

Thailand: Always A Place To Return To

Thailand: Always A Place To Return To

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

Discovering the stunning land of breathtaking temples.

Gulf War: Time India Distances Itself From Israel

Gulf War: Time India Distances Itself From Israel

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

It may now be time to question the price India is paying for Israel's disregard of the serious undermining of India's energy security, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Strait of Hormuz will be opened, but...: Iran's message to Trump

Strait of Hormuz will be opened, but...: Iran's message to Trump

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Amidst rising tensions, Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz to those not adhering to its new regulations, signaling a potential escalation in the region's geopolitical landscape and raising concerns about global oil supply routes.

2 more Indian ships safely cross Strait of Hormuz

2 more Indian ships safely cross Strait of Hormuz

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Two Indian ships carrying liquified petroleum gas (LPG) from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, raising the number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-hit, narrow shipping lane to three.

How Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag are Shaping India's Para Archery Future

How Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag are Shaping India's Para Archery Future

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

Sheetal Devi, the first woman armless archer to become a world champion, finds a teammate in Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee, who won gold at the World Archery Para Series, highlighting India's growing strength in para archery.

If Iran, Why Not Pakistan, Mr Trump?

If Iran, Why Not Pakistan, Mr Trump?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

If the Iranian regime needs to be punished for promoting quasi-terrorist outfits like Hezbollah and Hamas, then what about Pakistan which has spent decades exporting terror around the world, killing thousands, particularly in Afghanistan and India? asks M R Narayan Swamy.

Gulveer Singh to spearhead Indian challenge at TCS World 10K Bengaluru

Gulveer Singh to spearhead Indian challenge at TCS World 10K Bengaluru

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Gulveer Singh, India's national record holder in 10,000m and 5,000m, will lead the Indian elite field at the 18th TCS World 10K Bengaluru, scheduled for April 26. The event, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, features top international and Indian distance runners.

LPG Ships Clear Hormuz, India Supply Stable

LPG Ships Clear Hormuz, India Supply Stable

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers still remain in the western Persian Gulf region

No proof, no benefits: Govt clarifies limits of census data use

No proof, no benefits: Govt clarifies limits of census data use

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, has reassured the public that individual data collected during the upcoming census will remain confidential and cannot be used for any purpose other than statistical aggregation.

PM Modi Highlights Worrisome West Asia Situation and Impact on India

PM Modi Highlights Worrisome West Asia Situation and Impact on India

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, expressing concern over its impact on the global economy and assuring the safety of Indian citizens in the region.

PM Modi Highlights Worrisome West Asia Situation and Impact on India

PM Modi Highlights Worrisome West Asia Situation and Impact on India

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, expressing concern over its impact on the global economy and assuring the safety of Indian citizens in the region.

'Trump's Aims In This War Have Been Inconsistent, Changing, Contradictory'

'Trump's Aims In This War Have Been Inconsistent, Changing, Contradictory'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

'What we have yet to see on either the US or the Iranian side is willingness to compromise on their ultimate demands and the flexibility to reach an agreement to end the war.

ICC Arranges Flights For Teams Stranded In India

ICC Arranges Flights For Teams Stranded In India

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Amid West Asia crisis, England, South Africa and West Indies to depart over the weekend.

When I Stood At The India-Pakistan Border In Jaisalmer

When I Stood At The India-Pakistan Border In Jaisalmer

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

At Border Pillar 609 at Babliyan near Jaisalmer, the one thing that dominates the landscape is something entirely different, something central to our identity -- the Tiranga -- flying boldly above the blazing desert.

Five Maoists Arrested in Chatra, PLFI Commander Surrenders in Khunti

Five Maoists Arrested in Chatra, PLFI Commander Surrenders in Khunti

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

Jharkhand police arrested five members of the banned Maoist outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) in Chatra district and a PLFI area commander surrendered in Khunti.

BJP MLA Lodha ask 5 LPGs for Jain temples amid crisis, sparks row

BJP MLA Lodha ask 5 LPGs for Jain temples amid crisis, sparks row

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha defends his request for LPG cylinders for Jain temples, claiming criticism is part of a larger anti-Hindu narrative.

BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee for Disrespecting President Murmu

BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee for Disrespecting President Murmu

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

The BJP has strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks about President Droupadi Murmu, accusing her of disrespect and questioning her commitment to the Constitution.

Why Ramzan Felt Different This Year

Why Ramzan Felt Different This Year

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

During this Ramzan, another religious practice was turned into an offence: Breaking the fast, or iftar.

Campaign against Iran 'is not yet over': Netanyahu

Campaign against Iran 'is not yet over': Netanyahu

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Benjamin Netanyahu declares that the joint Israel-US campaign is successfully 'crushing' Iran, eliminating existential threats and weakening the regime's regional influence.

Shivshankar Menon: 'Pakistan's Insider Threat Is Serious'

Shivshankar Menon: 'Pakistan's Insider Threat Is Serious'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'Pakistan's is the only military-controlled nuclear weapons programme in the world.' 'As people get radicalised, the risk of a brigadier or pilot taking matters into their own hands is a real concern.'

West Asia War Pushes RBI into Growth-Inflation Dilemma

West Asia War Pushes RBI into Growth-Inflation Dilemma

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra is now confronting the classic growth-inflation tradeoff, a situation exacerbated by the West Asia war, which threatens to end the 'goldilocks period' of low inflation and robust growth.

Modi Slams TMC for Alleged Disrespect Towards President Murmu

Modi Slams TMC for Alleged Disrespect Towards President Murmu

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of insulting President Droupadi Murmu and disrespecting tribal communities and the Constitution, following a controversy surrounding the President's visit to West Bengal.

Terms Relaxed For Chinese Investment, But India Wary About Security

Terms Relaxed For Chinese Investment, But India Wary About Security

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'It's a changing world and the opening up doesn't mean that concerns with regards to security have gone away.'

How Long Can India Absorb Rising Fuel Costs?

How Long Can India Absorb Rising Fuel Costs?

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

India's net oil import bill could rise by $56 billion to $64 billion annually assuming global crude averages $110 to $115 per barrel in FY27.

Rupee closes at record low of 94.05 against US dollar

Rupee closes at record low of 94.05 against US dollar

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar due to sustained foreign fund outflows and uncertainties in West Asia, although lower crude oil prices and a positive opening in domestic equity markets limited the losses.

Stop mlitaryops in West Asia at once, says China

Stop mlitaryops in West Asia at once, says China

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, China is urging all parties to cease military operations, following Trump's appeal for help in securing the Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz Crisis Hits India Hard

Hormuz Crisis Hits India Hard

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

The cost of the war is being counted not in the corridors of power in Washington or Tehran, but in Firozabad's darkened furnace rooms, Howrah's idle casting sheds, and a barbershop in Kochi where the wait is suddenly, inexplicably, an hour long, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.

Priyanka Chopra On Quitting Bollywood: 'Don't Like To Stay In S**t

Priyanka Chopra On Quitting Bollywood: 'Don't Like To Stay In S**t"

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

'Just because I am famous and have body of work in one country does not translate into every country in the world.'

Ashwin praise for Gambhir: 'He puts team ahead of individuals'

Ashwin praise for Gambhir: 'He puts team ahead of individuals'

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about his retirement, his relationship with Gautam Gambhir and culture within the Indian dressing room.

Harish Rana, allowed passive euthanasia by SC, passes away after 13-year coma

Harish Rana, allowed passive euthanasia by SC, passes away after 13-year coma

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Harish Rana, the first person in India to be granted passive euthanasia, has died at AIIMS-Delhi after being in a coma for over 13 years. His case led to a landmark Supreme Court judgment allowing passive euthanasia and sparked discussions about the right to die with dignity in India.

Assam Officials Say Zubeen Garg Death Case Probe Unaffected by Singapore Findings

Assam Officials Say Zubeen Garg Death Case Probe Unaffected by Singapore Findings

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

Assam officials assert that the Zubeen Garg death case proceedings will continue unaffected, despite Singapore Police concluding their probe with no evidence of foul play.

Nepal-born Abneet Bharti Called Up To Indian Football Camp

Nepal-born Abneet Bharti Called Up To Indian Football Camp

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti has joined the Indian senior men's team camp in Kochi ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, pending FIFA clearance.

Iran fires missiles at US-UK base 4,000 km away in Indian Ocean Region

Iran fires missiles at US-UK base 4,000 km away in Indian Ocean Region

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

Amid rising tensions, Iran reportedly launched ballistic missiles toward a US-UK military base, prompting concerns about regional stability and the potential for escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Billie Jean King Cup: Confident India Bank On Home Advantage Against Thailand

Billie Jean King Cup: Confident India Bank On Home Advantage Against Thailand

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

India is set to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group I ties, aiming for promotion to the 2026 play-offs. Despite a setback with Shrivalli Bhamidipaty's withdrawal, the team hopes to capitalise on home advantage.

Eminent historian K N Panikkar passes away at 90

Eminent historian K N Panikkar passes away at 90

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Eminent historian and academic K.N. Panikkar, known for his Marxist interpretation of history and advocacy for secularism, has passed away at the age of 90. His contributions to historical research and defence of secular values are widely recognised.