News for 'Regional Powers'

6 Famous Rath Yatras Across India

6 Famous Rath Yatras Across India

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

On July 16 begins the Puri Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath. Where else is Lord Jagannath celebrated?

Eye on China, Modi seals uranium deal with Australia

Eye on China, Modi seals uranium deal with Australia

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

India and Australia have signed significant agreements covering civil nuclear energy, maritime security, and critical minerals, reinforcing their partnership's role in ensuring a peaceful Indo-Pacific. The pacts facilitate uranium supply from Australia to India and enhance cooperation in defence, cyber, and critical technologies.

India's first hydrogen train set for commercial debut soon

India's first hydrogen train set for commercial debut soon

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

The Northern Railway is expected to soon announce the date for the commencement of commercial operations of the country's first hydrogen-powered train after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana on Friday.

Government's Big Plans For North East Oil Exploration

Government's Big Plans For North East Oil Exploration

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

A tripartite pact -- amid the promise of removing AFSPA from almost all of the North East -- revives hydrocarbon exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border after decades of dormancy.

Strong tremors in Delhi, J-K as 6.2-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan

Strong tremors in Delhi, J-K as 6.2-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake originating in Afghanistan caused strong tremors across Delhi-NCR and Jammu and Kashmir, leading to panic but no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

CNG bikes fall out of favour, Bajaj Freedom 125 hit badly

CNG bikes fall out of favour, Bajaj Freedom 125 hit badly

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Bajaj Auto, the sole player in India's CNG-powered motorcycle segment, has seen a dramatic drop in registrations for its Freedom 125 CNG bike, from a peak of 12,167 in November 2024 to just 1,211 in May this year, primarily due to reduced price arbitrage between petrol and CNG and growing availability challenges.

Does India Want To Repair Iran Relationship?

Does India Want To Repair Iran Relationship?

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

India is navigating a complex diplomatic landscape, attempting to balance its 'forever honeymoon' with the Israel-UAE-Bahrain axis against its historical ties with Iran, as evidenced by recent high-level visits and evolving geopolitical realignments in the Middle East, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Iran retaliates, strikes US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain

Iran retaliates, strikes US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched missile and drone strikes on four US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. This action is in retaliation for recent American strikes against targets in Iran, which the IRGC condemned as a "violation of commitments" and an "anti-civilian act." The IRGC has warned of an expanded "crushing response" if US aggression continues.

Pune building collapse: Survivors count rises to 9, many trapped under debris

Pune building collapse: Survivors count rises to 9, many trapped under debris

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Nine individuals have been rescued from the debris of a three-storey building that collapsed at a waste management plant in Pimpri Chinchwad, near Pune. The collapse occurred after a large mound of garbage, loosened by heavy rains, crashed onto the structure. Multi-agency rescue operations are ongoing to find remaining trapped victims.

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

While the Andaman and Nicobar islands serve as a vital, stationary asset for projecting power in the Indian Ocean, referring to them as an unsinkable aircraft carrier ignores key military and geopolitical limitations, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

70% children in India missed school due to extreme heat during May-June: Report

70% children in India missed school due to extreme heat during May-June: Report

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

A new report by child rights NGO CRY reveals that nearly seven in every 10 school-going children across India missed school or routine activities from May to June this year due to extreme heat, with 76 per cent reporting negative impacts on their ability to focus on studies.

Iran's Supreme Leader to skip father's funeral

Iran's Supreme Leader to skip father's funeral

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's, funeral due to security concerns stemming from Israeli threats. This decision follows a sharp warning from Iran's Foreign Minister to the United States, urging it to control Israel after its Defence Minister reportedly marked Khamenei for death. The incident highlights escalating tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities in West Asia.

Monsoon fury: Several dead across country, red alert in Palghar

Monsoon fury: Several dead across country, red alert in Palghar

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Monsoon rains have unleashed widespread destruction across India, claiming seven lives in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka due to landslides and floods, while heavy downpours have disrupted normal life and triggered red alerts in Maharashtra and other regions.

Enemies Beware! India's Missile Power Gets A Boost

Enemies Beware! India's Missile Power Gets A Boost

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Three milestones in three days signal India's growing mastery in next-generation strategic technologies spanning nuclear deterrence, hypersonic propulsion and precision stand-off strike capability.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty down on geopolitical tensions

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty down on geopolitical tensions

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a decline in early trade due to uncertainty surrounding the upcoming US-Iran negotiations in Doha. Foreign fund outflows and a dip in major IT stocks further contributed to the market's cautious sentiment, despite mixed performance in global markets.

BJP storms to power in Bengal, ends Mamata's 15-year rule

BJP storms to power in Bengal, ends Mamata's 15-year rule

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party has surged past the halfway mark in the West Bengal assembly elections, leading in 185 seats against the Trinamool Congress's 91, signalling a potential political shift in the state. Early trends suggest a geographically split mandate, with the BJP gaining in border, tribal, and industrial regions, while the TMC holds ground in parts of Kolkata and select rural strongholds.

Powerful earthquake hits Japan, Tsunami alert sounded

Powerful earthquake hits Japan, Tsunami alert sounded

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern and northern Japan, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures. Tsunami waves of up to 3 meters were forecast, and residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground. No abnormalities were reported at nuclear plants.

Xi Watching? Modi-Takaichi to Hold Talks In Assam

Xi Watching? Modi-Takaichi to Hold Talks In Assam

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Japanese PM's visit to Assam comes amid festering uneasiness in Tokyo about Beijing's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Iran begins new 'heavy strikes' in region: IRGC

Iran begins new 'heavy strikes' in region: IRGC

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

The IRGC had announced earlier that it was carrying out an intense wave of attacks on US and Israeli positons throughout the region since dawn, using missiles as well as drones.

52K Cr Proposals For Armed Forces Cleared With Focus On Air Defence

52K Cr Proposals For Armed Forces Cleared With Focus On Air Defence

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Clearances include next-gen air defence, anti-tank missiles, anti-drone systems, loitering munitions, and naval UAVs.

At least 164 killed, around 1,000 hurt as quakes rock Venezuela

At least 164 killed, around 1,000 hurt as quakes rock Venezuela

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

At least 32 people have been killed and over 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck western Venezuela, with Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declaring La Guaira a disaster zone and warning the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

Meghalaya 'Bans' Quick Commerce

Meghalaya 'Bans' Quick Commerce

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

At the heart of the decision is concern over the survival of Meghalaya's neighbourhood retailers.

Odisha Textbooks Found With 1,678 Errors

Odisha Textbooks Found With 1,678 Errors

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

How did hundreds of errors slip through multiple stages of drafting, editing, proofreading, expert review and final approval before making their way into classrooms?

'USA-Iran Deal Is Not Enforceable'

'USA-Iran Deal Is Not Enforceable'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

'Actual implementation of the 14-point agreement is proving hard to achieve let alone striking and sustaining a long-term treaty or deal.'

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Maharana Pratap became a hero not because he won a battle, but because he continued fighting after he lost one, asserts Harishchandra.

The Significance Of Rajnath Singh's Vietnam Visit

The Significance Of Rajnath Singh's Vietnam Visit

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Vietnam is an emerging regional power and a closer relationship with Hanoi is closely aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Rudi Garcia's comments about Senegal's tactical structure, along with other pundit remarks, have reignited scrutiny over racially coded language in World Cup commentary, drawing criticism from scholars and anti-racism advocates who argue such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Black players and African teams.

'We Prevented President's Rule in Tamil Nadu'

'We Prevented President's Rule in Tamil Nadu'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'

Karnataka bypoll: Cong retains two assembly seats despite power tussle

Karnataka bypoll: Cong retains two assembly seats despite power tussle

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Ruling Congress in Karnataka on Monday retained Bagalkot and Davanagere South assembly seats, giving a respite to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party leadership, amid the ongoing power tussle over the leadership issue.

US-Iran agreement nears finalisation: Report

US-Iran agreement nears finalisation: Report

Rediff.com21 May 2026

The United States and Iran could be set to announce an agreement soon to achieve a complete solution to the hostilities in West Asia, as reported by Saudi state media Al Arabiya on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations.

Ceasefire crumbles? US bombs Iran after Hormuz attack, Tehran retaliates

Ceasefire crumbles? US bombs Iran after Hormuz attack, Tehran retaliates

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

The US forces conducted strikes against Iran, on Friday, as a powerful response to Thursday's attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, said Central Command (CENTCOM) in a statement.

Is All Well With US-Iran MoU?

Is All Well With US-Iran MoU?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Much will depend on how the protagonists use the current interlude to work proactively for the beginning of a durable settlement or, on the contrary, prepare for a new round of escalation, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Ready for 'negotiations with dignity': Iranian Prez

Ready for 'negotiations with dignity': Iranian Prez

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is considering various paths to address regional tensions, including negotiations conducted with dignity and authority, while emphasising that military gains should be reinforced through diplomacy.

Op Sindoor: 'Pakistan Was Completely Blind'

Op Sindoor: 'Pakistan Was Completely Blind'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

'We won not (only) because we were able to carry out long-range precision strikes.' 'That is, of course, one of the reasons but we had better situational awareness about what's happening than Pakistan.'

India's long-term consumption story intact despite challenges: KKR

India's long-term consumption story intact despite challenges: KKR

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Global investment firm KKR remains optimistic about India's long-term growth, citing rising incomes, premiumisation, financial deepening, and demand for quality services as key drivers for its consumption story, even as higher energy prices and AI disruption pose near-term challenges.

US, Iran launch high-stakes peace talks in Switzerland

US, Iran launch high-stakes peace talks in Switzerland

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Top leaders from the US, Iran, and Pakistan, along with other nations, have gathered in Switzerland for high-level talks aimed at restoring peace in West Asia. These negotiations follow a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, initiating a 60-day window for a deal. Discussions focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the fragile interim peace deal, amidst renewed tensions and the fluctuating status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Govt to lift curbs on petrol, diesel sales to commercial buyers from Jul 1

Govt to lift curbs on petrol, diesel sales to commercial buyers from Jul 1

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The government will lift restrictions on the sale of petrol and diesel to commercial and industrial consumers from July 1, easing emergency measures imposed to manage fuel supplies.

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.

Guwahati Misses Out On Hosting India-Japan Summit

Guwahati Misses Out On Hosting India-Japan Summit

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

The visit was expected to project Assam as the gateway to Southeast Asia and reinforce the state's emergence as a preferred investment destination.

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

For the foreseeable future, the most likely outcome remains continuation of the status quo. Taiwan will remain self-governing without formally declaring independence, while China continues to apply sustained pressure short of war, predict Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.