News for 'Middle'

Is US-Israel-Iran War Entering Endgame?

Is US-Israel-Iran War Entering Endgame?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

To be sure, Trump is furious, as the trajectory of the war is in a state of Zugzwang, as chess players call it. Trump and Netanyahu stare at two choices -- retreat in humiliation and concede Tehran's demands -- recognition of its rights, reparations, and binding security guarantees -- or perish in a quagmire, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Markets extend losses on soaring crude prices, West Asia turmoil; Sensex tanks 800 pts

Markets extend losses on soaring crude prices, West Asia turmoil; Sensex tanks 800 pts

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices experienced a significant downturn, with the Sensex plummeting over 800 points and the Nifty falling sharply, driven by rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and foreign capital outflows.

Gulf War: India Is In A Catch-22 Situation

Gulf War: India Is In A Catch-22 Situation

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

India's handling of the Iran crisis reflects a growing strain between strategic autonomy and geopolitical alignment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Indian Runner Twinkle Chaudhary Receives Four-Year Ban for Doping Violation

Indian Runner Twinkle Chaudhary Receives Four-Year Ban for Doping Violation

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Indian middle-distance runner Twinkle Chaudhary has been banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned substance. She was cleared of breaching her provisional suspension.

'Israeli Assassinations In Iran Will Continue'

'Israeli Assassinations In Iran Will Continue'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

'Much will depend on the position of the United States.' 'It will have to be seen to what extent the US will be more interested in achieving some form of a deal and to what extent Israel will be allowed to continue to carry out both airstrikes and the killing of Iranian officials.'

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The United States, which entered this war in expectation of a short, sharp win along the Venezuela model, is now preparing for deeper involvement in a conflict it does not fully control, without the allies it typically relies on, against an adversary that is not behaving as expected, in a global environment that is already absorbing economic shock. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Fighting 'existential war' against US, Israel: Iran

Fighting 'existential war' against US, Israel: Iran

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Amid escalating tensions, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh declares Iran's unwavering commitment to a 'heroic nationalist defence' against perceived American and Israeli aggression, vowing to resist what he calls an 'invasion' to the very end.

'Jag Laadki' carrying 80,886 MT of crude oil reaches Mundra port

'Jag Laadki' carrying 80,886 MT of crude oil reaches Mundra port

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

Indian-flagged vessels are navigating the Strait of Hormuz safely despite ongoing tensions in the region, ensuring the continued flow of vital energy supplies to India.

Abhishek Nayar faces big KKR headache ahead of IPL 2026

Abhishek Nayar faces big KKR headache ahead of IPL 2026

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders' new head coach, Abhishek Nayar, emphasises the importance of finding the right team combinations as their biggest challenge ahead of IPL 2026, despite a revamped squad with new players.

West Asia Conflict and US Fed Decision to Steer Equity Market This Week

West Asia Conflict and US Fed Decision to Steer Equity Market This Week

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

Analysts predict that the ongoing conflict in West Asia, crude oil price fluctuations, and the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision will significantly influence the Indian equity market this week.

'There Could Be More Violence In Pakistan'

'There Could Be More Violence In Pakistan'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

'TTP has vowed to take revenge for the attacks that Pakistan is carrying out against Afghanistan.' 'To diminish this threat, Pakistan is hitting Afghanistan hard.'

India's 2nd LPG tanker 'Nanda Devi' reaches Gujarat port amid crisis

India's 2nd LPG tanker 'Nanda Devi' reaches Gujarat port amid crisis

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Despite ongoing tensions in West Asia, the successful arrival of the LPG carrier 'Nanda Devi' in Gujarat ensures a steady supply of liquefied petroleum gas to India, highlighting the country's efforts to secure its energy needs.

'We're safe, but there is a bit of worry': Sindhu's coach Irwansyahh

'We're safe, but there is a bit of worry': Sindhu's coach Irwansyahh

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who trains P V Sindhu, had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred close to where they were stationed at Dubai Airport while travelling to Birmingham for the All England Championships.

Sindhu's Coach Safe After Dubai Airport Explosion

Sindhu's Coach Safe After Dubai Airport Explosion

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who trains P V Sindhu, had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred close to where they were stationed at Dubai Airport while travelling to Birmingham for the All England Championships.

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.'

Oil tanker with 15 Indian crew members attacked near Oman; 4 hurt

Oil tanker with 15 Indian crew members attacked near Oman; 4 hurt

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

A Palau-flagged oil tanker with 15 Indian crew members was attacked off the coast of Oman, resulting in injuries. The incident occurred amidst rising tensions in the Middle East following attacks between Iran, the US, and Israel.

Hundreds of F1 Staff Stuck in Bahrain Amid Airspace Closure

Hundreds of F1 Staff Stuck in Bahrain Amid Airspace Closure

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Hundreds of Formula One team personnel are stranded in Bahrain after airspace closures triggered by Middle East conflict, but Australian GP chief Travis Auld says Melbourne's season-opener will not be affected.

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

The British government has called for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of conflict in the Middle East following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, emphasizing the safety of UK nationals and the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

India Defeats Italy to Reach FIH Women's World Cup Qualifiers Final

India Defeats Italy to Reach FIH Women's World Cup Qualifiers Final

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

India secured a spot in the FIH Women's World Cup Qualifiers final after a 1-0 victory over Italy, setting up a title clash with England.

T20 World Cup: 'Kerala-Punjabi bond': Samson on Abhishek partnership

T20 World Cup: 'Kerala-Punjabi bond': Samson on Abhishek partnership

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Sanju Samson praises his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, highlighting their explosive partnership and the Kerala-Punjabi friendship that underpins their success after India's T20 World Cup victory.

Jaishankar speaks to Russia, EU on West Asia crisis amid oil concerns

Jaishankar speaks to Russia, EU on West Asia crisis amid oil concerns

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the West Asia conflict and its impact on energy supplies with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and EU's Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Summer's Here! Tamannaah, Shraddha's Easy Short Hair Styles

Summer's Here! Tamannaah, Shraddha's Easy Short Hair Styles

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Short hair, don't care! From chic bobs to playful lobs, short hairstyles are having a major moment especially now that summer is here.

'Success Is Not Immediate': P V Sindhu

'Success Is Not Immediate': P V Sindhu

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

'Hard work is the key, whether it is in studies or in sport. Nobody is born with a golden spoon.'

History-seeking India face improving England in heavyweight T20 World Cup semifinal

History-seeking India face improving England in heavyweight T20 World Cup semifinal

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

India, bidding to become the first team to successfully defend the Twenty20 World Cup title, face an England side building momentum in their semifinal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

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.

India Is In The Doghouse At The Moment

India Is In The Doghouse At The Moment

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

There is record underperformance and under-ownership. Some of this is cyclical and will turn on its own. However, we also need to regain our growth credentials. For this, both the government and companies have a role to play, as do investors, points out Akash Prakash.

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.

IRGC claims to hit US military base with missiles

IRGC claims to hit US military base with missiles

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

The IRGC said five missiles were launched at 'the headquarters of the US Army at the Harir Air Base in Erbil, located in Iraq's Kurdistan Region'.

Kuwait shoots down 3 US F-15Es by mistake; drone hits Qatari sites

Kuwait shoots down 3 US F-15Es by mistake; drone hits Qatari sites

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The military command clarified in a statement published on X that the aircraft were engaged in error during active combat operations on Sunday.

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

As days turn into weeks and America loses more planes, as the destruction of trillions of dollars worth military assets piles up, and dead bodies of soldiers return in ever greater numbers in coffins, Trump will have to answer some very difficult questions to save his presidency, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Stock Market Today: Sensex, Nifty suffer major meltdown as West Asia crisis intensifies

Stock Market Today: Sensex, Nifty suffer major meltdown as West Asia crisis intensifies

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant crash in early trade, triggered by a sharp increase in crude oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Indian Leaders Urge PM Modi to Evacuate Citizens Amid Iran Conflict

Indian Leaders Urge PM Modi to Evacuate Citizens Amid Iran Conflict

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take urgent steps for the evacuation of Indian citizens stuck in countries affected by the recent joint Israel-US attack on Iran.

Two ships with crude, LPG to reach India on Tuesday; one docks in Guj

Two ships with crude, LPG to reach India on Tuesday; one docks in Guj

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

An Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, Jag Laadki, safely sailed from the UAE's Fujairah port despite an attack on the terminal and is scheduled to reach India. The Indian government is working to ensure the safe passage of remaining Indian-flagged vessels in the region.

Dhurandhar 2 Dominates March Theatre Line-up

Dhurandhar 2 Dominates March Theatre Line-up

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Discover the theatre releases in March.

Gulf War: Missile Threat Forces Sailors to Flee

Gulf War: Missile Threat Forces Sailors to Flee

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

'After we were alerted about the war, none of us could sleep for the next two nights while sailing through those waters.'

T20 World Cup: SKY blames batting collapse for India's humiliating loss

T20 World Cup: SKY blames batting collapse for India's humiliating loss

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

India faced a heavy defeat against South Africa in their T20 World Cup Super Eights opener after a batting collapse while chasing 188. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted the failure to build partnerships cost them the game.

Delhi fire: 9 of a family perish trying to save each other

Delhi fire: 9 of a family perish trying to save each other

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

A devastating fire in Delhi claimed the lives of nine members of a family, including three children, who tragically perished while attempting to save each other from the blaze.

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

'Was the five-day pause ever meant to hold, or was it simply another instrument of signaling, of positioning, of buying time in a war where even the pauses are tactical?' asks Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

India's T20 World Cup Win: From Samson to Bumrah: The men who made India invincible

India's T20 World Cup Win: From Samson to Bumrah: The men who made India invincible

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

A review of the key contributions from each player in India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign, highlighting individual brilliance and teamwork.

Australia steamroll India in Brisbane to take series lead

Australia steamroll India in Brisbane to take series lead

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Australia beat India by six wickets in the first Women's ODI in Brisbane, with fifties from Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney, and Ashleigh Gardners 3-33 sealing a 1-0 series lead despite Mandhana and Harmanpreet's efforts.