News for 'middle-east'

Despite regulatory uncertainties, investors betting big on Web3 startups

Despite regulatory uncertainties, investors betting big on Web3 startups

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

If you are a budding developer and interested in Web3, chances are that you will be headed to one of India's largest-ever meetings of Web3 developers, being held by Polygon, a Web3 platform. The company's ongoing "Web3: Made in India Tour" is expected to see close to 4,000 developers coming together at the inaugural Polygon Connect event in Bengaluru on December 1. The event highlights the growing dominance of Web3 developers from India, as well as the sector's rising interest to investors, who continue to invest in startups despite a funds crunch.

Rajapaksa staying in Bangkok hotel under tight security: Report

Rajapaksa staying in Bangkok hotel under tight security: Report

Rediff.com12 Aug 2022

Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand with three other people on a chartered flight from Singapore at Wing 6 of the military airport adjacent to Don Mueang International Airport around 8 pm local time on Thursday.

Has Russia's invasion of Ukraine stalled? UK's defence ministry thinks so

Has Russia's invasion of Ukraine stalled? UK's defence ministry thinks so

Rediff.com17 Mar 2022

Russian forces have made minimal progress on land, sea or air in recent days and they continue to suffer heavy losses, the UK's ministry of defence said on Thursday.

Gotabaya lands in Thailand after Singapore visa expires

Gotabaya lands in Thailand after Singapore visa expires

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

Sri Lanka's ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore for Thailand after his short-term visit pass expired on Thursday, according to a media report.

Qatar's human rights record questioned at FIFA Congress

Qatar's human rights record questioned at FIFA Congress

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

President of Norweigan FA Ms. Klaveness, who is gay, gave a six-minute speech blasting FIFA and the Qatar FA for their human rights violations

Israel, UAE strike 'historic' pact to normalise relations

Israel, UAE strike 'historic' pact to normalise relations

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

Under the deal, Israel would suspend its plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.

'Terrific' India favourites to win T20 World Cup: Smith

'Terrific' India favourites to win T20 World Cup: Smith

Rediff.com21 Oct 2021

Steve Smith has branded India favourites to win the T20 World Cup after Virat Kohli's side outclassed Australia in a warm-up match on Wednesday.

Newcastle urge fans not to wear Arabic attire at games

Newcastle urge fans not to wear Arabic attire at games

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

Equality and inclusion group Kick It Out are reportedly planning to offer education workshops in Newcastle to supporters to explain how impersonating Arabs could be considered be racist or culturally insensitive.

He unearthed horror of slave trade

He unearthed horror of slave trade

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

Amjed Ullah Khan, who carried out investigations of his own and helped rescue 15 women from Hyderabad, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com how the women get trapped in an underground slave market that 'sells' them to employers who force them to work for less or no pay and often under inhuman conditions.

Puri conveys India's concerns over high oil prices to OPEC

Puri conveys India's concerns over high oil prices to OPEC

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, has conveyed to OPEC countries its concern over high oil prices that are threatening to impact the nascent economic recovery after the devastating pandemic. New Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has made phone calls to key OPEC nations to convey the desire for an affordable price for consumers. After calling his counterparts in Qatar and the UAE, he called Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) kingpin Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening.

'I never thought that it's a pandemic story'

'I never thought that it's a pandemic story'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

'I never thought the European audience will love this film, but we had over 2,000 people at the screening.'

'Brilliant businesses were not built on money, but on great ideas'

'Brilliant businesses were not built on money, but on great ideas'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

'People will say a lot of things -- ignore the noise.'

Danish Siddiqui's father speaks: 'We feel proud of him but we miss him'

Danish Siddiqui's father speaks: 'We feel proud of him but we miss him'

Rediff.com10 May 2022

Brave, empathetic to the pain in the world, yet professional about his and his family's safety -- this is how Danish Siddiqui's father remembered him, the day he won his second Pulitzer prize.

Rate hike wasn't surprising, timing was: Sitharaman

Rate hike wasn't surprising, timing was: Sitharaman

Rediff.com8 May 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the recent interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank was not surprising for her but the timing was, asserting that the rising cost of funds will not impact the government's planned infrastructure investments. For the first time since August 2018, RBI had on May 4 delivered a blunt 40 basis points increase in key repo rate to 4.40 per cent, and also hiked the cash reserve ratio by 50 basis points to 4.5 per cent after an unscheduled meeting of the rate setting panel, citing increased inflation pressures following the Ukraine war and the resultant spike in crude oil prices. Retail inflation printed at 6.9 per cent in March and the April reading is forecast to top 7.7 per cent.

Will honour his memory by...: Quad leaders mourn Abe

Will honour his memory by...: Quad leaders mourn Abe

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

Leaders of India, Australia and the United States -- countries that make up the Quad with Japan -- expressed shock at the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying he played a 'formative role' in the founding of the partnership and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open strategically-important Indo-Pacific region.

Mukesh Ambani bats for bridging the digital divide

Mukesh Ambani bats for bridging the digital divide

Rediff.com21 Jun 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Monday pressed for bridging the digital divide "both among nations and within nations", saying connectivity and communications have become the fundamental rights of every person. Also, there is a need to bring back the economies around the globe. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, he said it is difficult to imagine what India would have been without the 4G telecom network during the pandemic. "The digital divide must be bridged, both among nations and within nations.

Bihar panchayat poll goes hi-tech, to use AI to count votes

Bihar panchayat poll goes hi-tech, to use AI to count votes

Rediff.com28 Oct 2021

AI implementation enabler Staqu will deploy its proprietary video analytics system JARVIS to count votes directly from the camera by monitoring the electronic voting machines screens at the counting centre.

Junior Hockey WC: Foreign teams exempted from quarantine

Junior Hockey WC: Foreign teams exempted from quarantine

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

Foreign teams that will land in India for next month's FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar have been exempted from quarantine and will only be required to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms during the stay.

Wyndham Hotels To Double India Properties by 2025

Wyndham Hotels To Double India Properties by 2025

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

'If the Indian government actually delivers on the infrastructure plans, the hospitality sector would double itself by 2025.'

GDP likely to grow 7.5-8% in FY23: CII

GDP likely to grow 7.5-8% in FY23: CII

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

India's economy is expected to grow 7.5-8 per cent this fiscal year with exports playing a key role in the country's success story, CII president TV Narendran said on Monday. However, he said the country needs to remain prepared for any fallout of next wave of COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. "We are confident that the economy can retain a high growth trajectory this year. "So, we are very optimistic on the export front. "Exports will be a key component of India's success story going forward," Narendran said.

Perez wins rain-delayed and red-flagged Monaco GP

Perez wins rain-delayed and red-flagged Monaco GP

Rediff.com29 May 2022

An angry Leclerc dropped to fourth after Ferrari called him in again for slicks and then told him, too late, to stay out after Sainz also pitted and went directly from wets to the dry tyres.

Maruti, Bajaj Auto clock highest-ever exports in FY22

Maruti, Bajaj Auto clock highest-ever exports in FY22

Rediff.com11 Apr 2022

Overseas shipments at auto firms expanded at a brisk pace year-on-year (YoY) in March, bumping up the overall annual exports for FY22 and taking it to a record level for some like Maruti Suzuki India and Bajaj Auto. Amid a semiconductor shortage, a depreciating rupee and a strong demand in various export destinations, passenger vehicle makers diverted capacity meant for the local market in favour of the more-lucrative export market. Among the passenger vehicle makers, market leader Maruti Suzuki led the rally with its overseas shipments touching a record level of 238,376 units in FY22 - the highest for the company in any financial year.

Indian Films Aseem Chhabra Loved In 2022

Indian Films Aseem Chhabra Loved In 2022

Rediff.com28 Dec 2022

Lovingly made, heartfelt stories that speak the truths about our lives.

Citi credit card business losing steam in India

Citi credit card business losing steam in India

Rediff.com1 Apr 2022

At a time when banks are engaged in a fierce battle to gain market share in the credit card segment, Citibank India has been losing its share, both in terms of outstanding cards and spends in the last few years. Still, average spends on Citi cards are higher than any other Indian bank. Last year, the global banking behemoth announced exit from its consumer banking franchises in 13 markets across Europe, Middle East and Asia, including India, citing lack of scale.

India's Omicron count goes past 150

India's Omicron count goes past 150

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

According to central and state officials, omicron cases have been detected in 11 states and union territories -- Maharashtra (54), Delhi (22), Rajasthan (17) and Karnataka (14), Telangana (20), Gujarat (9), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (1), Chandigarh (1), Tamil Nadu (1) and West Bengal (1).

'When you test and identify, your ability to enforce quarantine is much better'

'When you test and identify, your ability to enforce quarantine is much better'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2020

'Kerala is probably the only state, where (with regard to) the clinical management and the overall protocols, we have an infectious disease team heading the whole containment plan.'

Salah urges for change in treatment of women in Arab world

Salah urges for change in treatment of women in Arab world

Rediff.com18 Apr 2019

He said the treatment of women "in my culture and in the Middle East" had changed his opinions on gender issues.

Investors' wealth rises by Rs 2.25 lakh cr in market rally

Investors' wealth rises by Rs 2.25 lakh cr in market rally

Rediff.com9 Jan 2020

A sharp decline in crude and strengthening of the rupee added to the buoyancy.

India makes RT-PCR must for passengers from 7 more nations

India makes RT-PCR must for passengers from 7 more nations

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

These seven countries are South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

G20 Presidency Is A Jackpot For Modi

G20 Presidency Is A Jackpot For Modi

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Heading G20 will give India a foreign affairs year like it has never had in history. You can trust Narendra Modi to exploit this to India's benefit. And, of course, to his own in his election year, explains Shekhar Gupta.

Exports surge 37% to record $37.29 bn in Dec

Exports surge 37% to record $37.29 bn in Dec

Rediff.com3 Jan 2022

The country's exports in December surged 37 per cent on an annual basis to $37.29 billion, the highest-ever monthly figure, government data showed on Monday.

LOVE. FUN. TENSION.

LOVE. FUN. TENSION.

Rediff.com28 Dec 2021

A love triangle between reality and imagination? A courtroom turned into a reality television? Animation, satire or science-fiction? What would you like to watch on OTT this week?

Oil price tops $87/bbl but petrol, diesel stay unchanged

Oil price tops $87/bbl but petrol, diesel stay unchanged

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

International oil prices jumped to the highest level since 2014, topping $87 a barrel but domestic petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for the 74th day in a row - a freeze that may be linked to ensuing assembly elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Brent - the key global oil benchmark - soared to $87.7 per barrel mostly due to rising geopolitical tensions and supply-side disturbances due to Yemen's Houthi group's attack on oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates. Also, global inventories are waning. The attack, some analysts believe, may lead to more hostile behaviour between the two power centres in the Middle East - Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Tribunal confirms extension of ban on Zakir Naik's foundation

Tribunal confirms extension of ban on Zakir Naik's foundation

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

A tribunal of the Delhi high court has confirmed the extension of a five-year ban imposed on Islamic Research Foundation, set up by fugitive Zakir Naik who is accused of inspiring Muslim youths in India and abroad to commit terror acts.

India presses OPEC for affordable oil

India presses OPEC for affordable oil

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

With domestic retail fuel prices jumping to record high on rising international oil rates, India on Thursday pressed oil cartel OPEC for 'affordable' oil price within a 'reasonable band' and that the producers should phase out production cuts. OPEC nations such as Saudi Arabia have traditionally been India's principal oil source. But, OPEC and its allies, called OPEC+, ignoring its call for ease supply curbs had led to the world's third-biggest oil importer tap newer sources to diversify its crude oil imports. As a result, OPEC's share in India's oil imports has dropped to about 60 per cent in May from 74 per cent in the previous month.

Ahmedabad Doesn't Sleep. It Eats

Ahmedabad Doesn't Sleep. It Eats

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

Ahmedabad is home to the strangest of cuisines and is a city of contrasts, if you look beyond the tourist places.

India among the world's most unequal nations: Report

India among the world's most unequal nations: Report

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

India stands out as a poor and very unequal country, with the top 1 per cent of the population holding more than one-fifth of the total national income in 2021 and the bottom half just 13 per cent, according to a report. The report, titled ' World Inequality Report 2022', has been authored by Lucas Chancel, co-director of the World Inequality Lab, and coordinated by several experts, including French economist Thomas Piketty. It further said India is now among the most unequal countries in the world.

NIA court charges Hurriyat leader, 7 others in Pak medical seat scam

NIA court charges Hurriyat leader, 7 others in Pak medical seat scam

Rediff.com10 May 2022

A special court in Srinagar on Monday framed charges against eight persons, including a prominent Hurriyat leader, for selling Pakistani MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir to fund terror activities.

Sanctions on India for Russia deal 'extraordinarily foolhardy': US senator

Sanctions on India for Russia deal 'extraordinarily foolhardy': US senator

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

'There are reports that the Biden administration is contemplating imposing CAATSA sanctions against India, the largest democracy on Earth'

University didn't allow us to leave Ukraine soon, says student from K'taka

University didn't allow us to leave Ukraine soon, says student from K'taka

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

A third-year student of the Vinnytsia National Medical University, Attar had on February 22 booked a ticket for February 27 to fly back home to India.