News for 'the Middle East'

What Can We Do To Minimise The LPG Misery?

What Can We Do To Minimise The LPG Misery?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Let us start with ourselves. If we can reduce our LPG consumption by half, the problem is solved. Reduce wastage. Alter eating styles. Diversify methods of food preparation, suggests Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Will Trump Attend Islamabad Peace Talks?

Will Trump Attend Islamabad Peace Talks?

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

The intriguing bit is that Trump is likely to attend the talks in Islamabad this weekend -- if he does, it will be the clearest signal yet that the US is ready to exit the war with some sort of win to show, since he cannot afford to go for the talks and return empty-handed, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War

'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.'

Tehran, Lebanon Hit By Israeli Bombs

Tehran, Lebanon Hit By Israeli Bombs

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

US-Israel air attacks intensified on the seventh day of war, striking Tehran and other Iranian cities.

Why Regime Change Hasn't Happened In Iran

Why Regime Change Hasn't Happened In Iran

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

'Without ground troops the US will not be able to oust the Iranian Islamic regime. Political change does not happen just by using bombs or planes.'

US Sinking IRIS Dena Doesn't Embarrass India

US Sinking IRIS Dena Doesn't Embarrass India

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The US torpedo attack on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters was a lawful act of war between belligerents, not a diplomatic or strategic embarrassment for India, asserts Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

LPG Crisis Triggers Reverse Migration Across Cities

LPG Crisis Triggers Reverse Migration Across Cities

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

'It would be similar to what happened during COVID-19.' 'They are not just losing income, but being pushed into distress.'

WATCH: Lara Dutta's Tear-Stained Plea From Dubai

WATCH: Lara Dutta's Tear-Stained Plea From Dubai

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

'No civilian deserves to live in fear. No civilian deserves to be caught up in a war which is destabilising the entire region.'

Iranian crude arrives in Indian ports after 7 years

Iranian crude arrives in Indian ports after 7 years

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms.

Gulf War: How To Manage Investments, Household Budget

Gulf War: How To Manage Investments, Household Budget

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Households should moderate large discretionary expenses for the time being.
'They should prioritise essential spending. They should maintain an emergency fund covering 6 to 12 months of expenses.'

When Iranian Missiles Hit Israel Hard

When Iranian Missiles Hit Israel Hard

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

Dimona and Ahad came under intense Iranian missile fire over the weekend as the conflict entered a far more volatile phase. These photographs capture the aftermath of the strikes -- thick smoke rising over the cities, emergency teams rushing to the scenes and residents caught in the chaos that followed.

Hormuz Tensions Put India At Heart Of US Strategy

Hormuz Tensions Put India At Heart Of US Strategy

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

Delhi should keep all its options open in what is essentially a transitional period in the geopolitics of energy rather than remain a gatekeeper serving Trump's 'America First', suggests Ambasssador M K Bhadrakumar.

Neither Israel Nor Iran Wants A Quick End To The War

Neither Israel Nor Iran Wants A Quick End To The War

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Israel wishes to continue its bombing campaign until Iran's military and industrial infrastructure are degraded to a point where it ceases to pose a threat to Israel. Iran, for its part, has learnt from its experience in the 12-day war of last June. Any ceasefire, it believes, will only be a prelude to another attack on itself. It is determined to convey that any attack on Iran will impose heavy costs on Israel, the US, America's allies in the Gulf -- and on the world at large, points out T T Ram Mohan.

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.

'15 out of 10': Trump rates US war performance against Iran

'15 out of 10': Trump rates US war performance against Iran

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Trump claims the United States is performing exceptionally well in its ongoing conflict with Iran, citing weakened Iranian military capabilities and a strong US position.

Manipur Government Transfers Bombing Investigation to NIA After Child Casualties

Manipur Government Transfers Bombing Investigation to NIA After Child Casualties

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

The Manipur government has handed over the investigation into a bomb attack in Bishnupur district, which resulted in the deaths of two children, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The decision follows protests and unrest in the region.

Mohamed Nasheed: Democratic Institutions, Not Bombing, Can Bring Change

Mohamed Nasheed: Democratic Institutions, Not Bombing, Can Bring Change

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed advocates for building democratic institutions over military intervention in resolving international conflicts, particularly in the context of the escalating West Asia crisis. He also discusses the impact of the conflict on the Maldives' tourism-dependent economy and calls for a stronger, more understanding India in the Indian Ocean Region.

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

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.'

Why China is wary of Middle-East uprisings

Why China is wary of Middle-East uprisings

Rediff.com9 Mar 2011

Srikanth Kondapalli says that while China had scuttled popular outpouring a number of times before, a prairie fire is raging across the country.

Hormuz Blockade Is The New Battlefield

Hormuz Blockade Is The New Battlefield

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

The clock on the ceasefire is running out. But everyone's already whispering about round two, possibly as soon as this weekend.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei killed in US-Israel strikes

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei killed in US-Israel strikes

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a US-Israeli attack, sparking celebrations in Iran and raising questions about the future of the regime.

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

Karex, the Malaysian company that makes roughly one in five of the world's condoms -- about five billion a year, supplying Durex and Trojan among others -- announced this week that it is raising prices by up to 30 percent. The reason is the Strait of Hormuz.

Will eradicate Hamas if Gaza truce fails: Trump

Will eradicate Hamas if Gaza truce fails: Trump

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

A day after Israel claimed that Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, United States President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) issued a stark warning to the militant group, saying it would face 'eradication' if it violated a truce in the region.

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

'Our diplomacy should have been focused on preventing war and avoiding the inevitable disruptions it would cause, posing a real risk to India's growth story,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Gulf War: 'Missiles Flew Past Us'

Gulf War: 'Missiles Flew Past Us'

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

'We are getting used to the constant alerts to take shelter, listening to sonic booms from jets flying above us, hearing news of neighbouring ports being targeted, and being the only ship in the terminal.'

Trump Won't Decide What Happens Next In The War

Trump Won't Decide What Happens Next In The War

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

'The next two to three weeks will not be decided in Washington.' 'They will be decided in Tehran, in whatever calculation Iran makes about the costs of continued resistance against the costs of appearing to have yielded.'

Sheeba Chaddha: 'Wish I Was Given Other Roles In Addition To Mothers'

Sheeba Chaddha: 'Wish I Was Given Other Roles In Addition To Mothers'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

'Each mother I have played is different, but the writing dictates the doing of it. If it's written well, that's half the work done for an actor.'

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.

Trump, Putin plan high-level talks in Budapest to end Ukraine war

Trump, Putin plan high-level talks in Budapest to end Ukraine war

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

He said both sides agreed to hold a meeting of senior advisers next week, led on the US side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, before a proposed leaders' meeting in Budapest, Hungary.

Iran, Israel tension pulls Sensex down by 139 points:; NSE also ends in red

Iran, Israel tension pulls Sensex down by 139 points:; NSE also ends in red

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Among Sensex firms, Tata Consultancy Services, Adani Ports, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle, Bajaj Finserv and NTPC were the laggards. IndusInd Bank, Titan, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti were among the biggest gainers.

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.

'Within 24 hours...': Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

'Within 24 hours...': Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

US President Donald Trump has claimed he played a key role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan by threatening to impose massive tariffs, saying the move "stopped the fighting" between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

US-Iran: The Weekend Has Left The World In A More Dangerous Place

US-Iran: The Weekend Has Left The World In A More Dangerous Place

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The ceasefire is still technically holding, to the extent that no overt hostilities have been reported yet, but the rhetoric has hardened dangerously. The week ahead will also clarify whether the Islamabad failure was a negotiating tactic or whether Washington has genuinely locked itself into a position from which the only exits are climb-down, escalation, or the slow bleed of a new status quo that nobody chose and nobody controls. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

Team India Now Has A Colour Partner!

Team India Now Has A Colour Partner!

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Asian Paints signed up as Indian cricket's official colour partner for three years, covering a total of 110 matches.

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

'India's ties with Israel have to do with defence and general technology.' 'The war changes nothing in what India and Israel hope to get from the relationship.' 'It's not as though India will get significantly more benefits from Iran if India abandons Israel at this time.'

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.

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.

Trump's War Has Crossed Energy Rubicon. And There's No Turning Back

Trump's War Has Crossed Energy Rubicon. And There's No Turning Back

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

For weeks, the war skirted the edge of catastrophe without tipping over. Missiles flew, there was much destruction, commanders were assassinated, cities across the Gulf and even in Israel struggled to absorb the shock. But one line held: Energy infrastructure, the arteries of the global economy, remained largely untouched. That is no longer true. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Celina Jaitly accuses husband of violence, cruelty; seeks Rs 50 cr

Celina Jaitly accuses husband of violence, cruelty; seeks Rs 50 cr

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Actor Celina Jaitly has filed a domestic violence complaint in a local court in Mumbai alleging that she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse at the hands of her Austrian husband Peter Haag.