News for 'Middle East'

India to cut direct Russian crude imports from December

India to cut direct Russian crude imports from December

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

India is set to reduce its direct imports of Russian crude from late November, following new US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, effective November 21.

One mn houses in Middle East to get Internet TV

One mn houses in Middle East to get Internet TV

Rediff.com23 Sep 2009

Over one million households in the Middle East region will have a television connected to the Internet by 2011, a provider of networking and storage products has said.

'Iranian Ship Was A Sitting Duck'

'Iranian Ship Was A Sitting Duck'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

'Torpedoes travel at more than 100 kilometres per hour, about 50-60 knots.' 'It must have been a matter of a few minutes before it detonated under the Iranian ship.' 'The Iranian ship would have probably got three, four minutes and wouldn't have known till they actually heard the whirr of the torpedo.'

'Nuke war may start in South Asia or Middle East'

'Nuke war may start in South Asia or Middle East'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2010

A former US non-proliferation official has warned that South Asia and the Middle East are most likely to be the first point of a future nuclear attack.

Erdogan asks Meloni to stop smoking, she replied...

Erdogan asks Meloni to stop smoking, she replied...

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's anti-tobacco crusade has a new target: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Politico reported.

Iran's Consul-General: 'We Hold The Upper Hand'

Iran's Consul-General: 'We Hold The Upper Hand'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

'Despite the large number of missiles and drones we have already launched, we still possess reserves and missile cities whose doors have not yet been opened,' says Iran's Consul-General Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

US LPG pact may shield India from geopolitical shocks

US LPG pact may shield India from geopolitical shocks

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

India's decision to import LPG from the US helps it to diversify sources as it reduces almost full reliance on West Asian countries for supply of the country's primary cooking fuel.

Will Trump Send Troops To Iran By The Weekend?

Will Trump Send Troops To Iran By The Weekend?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Taking Kharg would give the US control over virtually all of Iran's oil exports and thus provide significant leverage, notes Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War. It would also put American troops within range of Iran's remaining missiles, drones, and artillery on a piece of real estate that is just eight square miles in size, and just 15 miles from the Iranian mainland.

They don't like each other...: Trump on stalled Russia-Ukraine peace

They don't like each other...: Trump on stalled Russia-Ukraine peace

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

During a bilateral lunch with the Ukrainian President in the White House, Trump reiterated his confidence in facilitating an end to the ongoing war.

US kills Qaeda affiliate linked to deadly Syria ambush

US kills Qaeda affiliate linked to deadly Syria ambush

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

The United States military killed a senior Al Qaeda-affiliated leader with direct links to the Islamic State ambush that targeted American soldiers in Syria in December in a strike carried out in the country's northwest region.

India and France Elevate Ties to 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

India and France Elevate Ties to 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

India and France have elevated their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership,' with increased cooperation in defense, trade, and technology. The leaders also inaugurated a helicopter assembly line in Karnataka.

Prince Ali criticises FIFA over Middle East treatment

Prince Ali criticises FIFA over Middle East treatment

Rediff.com9 Oct 2013

FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein has criticised soccer's world governing body FIFA for banning Iraq from hosting home internationals and called upon the organisation to do more for supporters in the Middle East.

'In Iran, They Cut 3-Hour Bollywood Films To 1 Hour, With No Songs'

'In Iran, They Cut 3-Hour Bollywood Films To 1 Hour, With No Songs'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'Much later when I came to Afghanistan, I realised that there were songs in Bollywood films.'

US to return 3 ancient sculptures taken illegally from Indian temples

US to return 3 ancient sculptures taken illegally from Indian temples

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Smithsonian will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after evidence showed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the 1950s

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.

US-Israel-Iran Conflict: 'India Is Too Late In...'

US-Israel-Iran Conflict: 'India Is Too Late In...'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

'To suddenly give the impression of taking a position that is hostile to Iran, or, at least, not friendly to Iran, is not a good thing.'

India Faces Russian Oil Squeeze After US Deal

India Faces Russian Oil Squeeze After US Deal

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Replacing over a third of India's oil imports at competitive rates is going to be a challenge, said traders from State refiners, even though some progress was made in the last two months.

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The threat of wars hovers over the negotiations in Oman, but the good part is that Trump called the talks to be 'very good' and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that they 'constitute a step forward', points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Is The UN Heading For Bankruptcy?

Is The UN Heading For Bankruptcy?

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Every UN secretary-general has flagged the financial situation, but Antonio Guterres has issued the direst warning yet, calling it a 'race to bankruptcy and of imminent financial collapse, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

India yet to decide on joining Trump's Board of Peace

India yet to decide on joining Trump's Board of Peace

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

India is yet to take a call on United States President Donald Trump's invitation to be part of the 'Board of Peace' that will work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve global conflicts, people familiar with the matter 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.

Gaya's Tilkut Awaits GI Tag

Gaya's Tilkut Awaits GI Tag

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'The day tilkut gets the GI tag, it will be a big hit for its health benefits during the cold season in the USA, Canada and Europe.'

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.

India's services sector activity eases in Dec

India's services sector activity eases in Dec

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

India's services sector growth moderated in December, as the rates of expansion in incoming new work and output eased to the slowest in 11 months, and companies refrained from recruiting additional staff, a monthly survey said on Tuesday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index fell from 59.8 in November to 58.0 in December, indicating the slowest rate of expansion since January.

Apple clinches all-time revenue record in India during September quarter

Apple clinches all-time revenue record in India during September quarter

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

iPhone maker Apple hit an all-time revenue record in India during September quarter, marking a strong growth streak in the world's second largest smartphone market where the tech titan has been deepening retail footprint and local manufacturing.

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

India was among the countries not present in Davos when US President Donald Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace" that seeks to work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve global conflicts. India is yet to take a call on it, people familiar with the matter said when asked about Trump's invite to PM Modi.

Alia Gets Us Alpha-Ready

Alia Gets Us Alpha-Ready

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Alia teased her fans at the Red Sea Film Festival with a teaser of her upcoming spy movie, Alpha.

5 Kozhikode-bound flights from Middle East diverted to Kochi as rains lash Kerala

5 Kozhikode-bound flights from Middle East diverted to Kochi as rains lash Kerala

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

Of these four flights (except Qatar Airways) returned to Kozhikode airport as the weather condition in Kozhikode gained normalcy.

T20 World Cup: 'If Pakistan cricket can survive without playing India, they can sustain'

T20 World Cup: 'If Pakistan cricket can survive without playing India, they can sustain'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Pakistan have somehow survived the financial loss of not being able to play India bilaterally for two decades now, said former ICC Head of Communications Sami-ul-Hasan Burney.

The Night Manager 2 Review: Wildly Entertaining

The Night Manager 2 Review: Wildly Entertaining

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The Night Manager Season 2 is a comfortably paced, tension holding series, with a couple of solid twists, observes Deepa Gahlot.

8 Islamic nations agree to join Trump's 'Board of Peace'

8 Islamic nations agree to join Trump's 'Board of Peace'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Trump's 'Board of Peace' is being projected by Washington, DC as a new international body to usher in peace and stability in Gaza and beyond, triggering speculation that it could throw a challenge to the United Nations.

India hails Gaza peace deal, bats for two-state solution

India hails Gaza peace deal, bats for two-state solution

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

The recently signed Gaza Peace Agreement is a 'landmark' step towards stability in the Middle East, India has said, reiterating that a two-state solution remains 'the only pragmatic path' to achieving durable peace between Israel and Palestine.

'Indians Are Better Suited Than Most Other Countries'

'Indians Are Better Suited Than Most Other Countries'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

'Because of the size and complexity of the economy, we can address almost every job that is there, from agriculture farming to healthcare.'

Wangchuk denies 'Arab Spring' call in SC; says police twisted words

Wangchuk denies 'Arab Spring' call in SC; says police twisted words

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act, denied allegations in the Supreme Court that he incited sedition. His lawyer argued that the police selectively used video evidence to mislead authorities.

'Syria is central to Middle East peace'

'Syria is central to Middle East peace'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2014

'Why not ask for a change of leadership in Qatar, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia? Is there a constitution in Saudi Arabia? Are there elections in Saudi Arabia? Why no talk of democracy in these countries?' 'America said change the leader now, but is now ignoring the feelings of the Syrian moderate majority. Is that democracy,' asks H E Dr Riad Abbas, Syrian ambassador to India, in an interview to Cleo Paskal.

From Bishan Singh Bedi To Mithun Manhas: The Delhi Connection In J&K's Rise!

From Bishan Singh Bedi To Mithun Manhas: The Delhi Connection In J&K's Rise!

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Jammu and Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy win showcases a remarkable transformation in Indian cricket, fueled by Delhi's cricketing influence and strategic leadership.

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

Modi hails Trump as India welcomes Gaza peace deal

Modi hails Trump as India welcomes Gaza peace deal

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the release of hostages in Israel and expressed support for President Trump's peace efforts in the region.