News for 'West Asia News Agency'

Iranian missiles target Mossad headquarters, US sends F-16s

Iranian missiles target Mossad headquarters, US sends F-16s

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, told Press TV that the Nevatim air base, the Netzarim military facility and the Tel Nof intelligence unit, were hit in the Tuesday night attack dubbed 'Operation True Promise II'.

Adani in talks with sovereign funds to raise up to $2.6 bn

Adani in talks with sovereign funds to raise up to $2.6 bn

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

The Adani group is in advanced talks with top sovereign funds based in West Asia to raise up to $2.6 billion for its airport expansion and green hydrogen projects. The group, which expects to close the ongoing financial year ending March with Rs 80,000 crore of Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation), has held a series of road shows in London, Dubai, and Singapore with potential investors, briefing them about their future growth plans. The group's flagship, Adani Enterprises, may dilute part of its stake in the airport-holding firm and/or the green hydrogen business to these funds, which are keen to invest in the Indian infrastructure sector, said a source close to the development.

Xi lands in US to have crucial meeting with Biden

Xi lands in US to have crucial meeting with Biden

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

US President Joe Biden is set to meet his Chinese counterpart on Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, CNN reported, citing senior US administration officials.

Iran attacks Israel, fires 200 drones, missiles

Iran attacks Israel, fires 200 drones, missiles

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was aimed at "specific targets".

When Terrorists Struck Iran...

When Terrorists Struck Iran...

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

The worst terror attack in Iran this century occurred when Iranians marked the fourth anniversary of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander General Qassem Soleimani's death. Soleimani was killed by a US drone on January 3, 2020.

India's oil import bill could swell to $101-$104 bn in FY25: ICRA

India's oil import bill could swell to $101-$104 bn in FY25: ICRA

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

India's net oil import bill could widen to $101-104 billion in current fiscal from $96.1 billion in 2023-24 and any escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict could impart an upward pressure on the value of imports, ICRA said on Tuesday. The domestic rating agency said based on its analysis, lower value of Russian oil imports is estimated to have led to savings of $7.9 billion in 11 months (April-February) of 2023-24, up from $5.1 billion in 2022-23.

For AirAsia's Tony Fernandes, Indian sky is out of bounds

For AirAsia's Tony Fernandes, Indian sky is out of bounds

Rediff.com25 Jul 2020

With cash shortage and plans going awry, the AirAsia owner is looking to cash out of the venture he built with Ratan Tata in 2013.

Why Are Iranians Protesting?

Why Are Iranians Protesting?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Mahsa Amini's death in police custody has resulted in protests in several parts of Iran against the morality police.

India to award leases to top up strategic oil reserves amid Gulf tensions

India to award leases to top up strategic oil reserves amid Gulf tensions

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

State-owned Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL), which operates India's strategic crude oil storage, will make awards by December to lease around 1 million tons of crude oil storage space (7.3 million barrels) at two of the country's three existing Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs), around a fifth of the total SPR capacity. This will enable the refilling of crude caverns even as escalating hostilities in the Gulf threaten disruptions in crude supplies, two industry sources said.

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

Trump's sweeping tariffs and penalties on China-built ships have turned global shipping into the front line of economic war, observes Shyam G Menon.

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

Israel-Hamas conflict: India's hope of respite in oil prices dashed

Israel-Hamas conflict: India's hope of respite in oil prices dashed

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

The ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict has disrupted India's efforts to gain from a recent fall in crude oil prices. Since Hamas' invasion of southern Israel on October 7, petroleum has become costlier by around $5 per barrel, threatening to stoke prices and impact growth. Brent crude was trading at $89.8 per barrel on October 9 (9.15 pm IST), up over 4 per cent, thwarting India's anticipation of a period of declining oil prices - after the leading global petroleum benchmark declined by around 11 per cent last week.

Ukrainian jet with 176 on board crashes in Tehran, no survivors

Ukrainian jet with 176 on board crashes in Tehran, no survivors

Rediff.com8 Jan 2020

The plane, which is reported to have been a Boeing 737, was on its way to Kiev in Ukraine from Tehran. As per Iran's semi-official news agency ISNA, the crash was due to technical difficulties.

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

While Narendra Modi spent fewer days abroad than his predecessor -- 275 days versus Dr Singh's 306 - he has travelled more widely than any other Indian PM.

Saudi oil supply rebound gives India bargaining power

Saudi oil supply rebound gives India bargaining power

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

A resurgence in Saudi Arabian supplies of crude oil to India coupled with an attack on an Iraqi tanker in August carrying crude to Europe may result in improved bargaining power for India with West Asian and Russian suppliers for winter supplies. Shipments of Saudi oil rebounded in September from August, surging to the highest since March while Russian oil shipments rose marginally as Saudi Arabia tried to claw back market share in Asia, according to industry sources and ship tracking data.

And Afghan Girls Go To School...

And Afghan Girls Go To School...

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

Some Afghan girls began attending primary school this week.

Houthi Attacks Won't Affect India's Fuel Supplies

Houthi Attacks Won't Affect India's Fuel Supplies

Rediff.com13 Jan 2024

Most of India's oil supplies are expected to stay safe because of the country's good relations with both Russia and Iran. That would take care of over a third of India's supplies.

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential elections

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential elections

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

Pezeshkian gained the attention of people for his stance against the crackdown on the 2009 pro-democracy protests and the violence perpetrated by the notorious morality police in 2022 after Mahsa Amini's death.

Heatwave alert: Mercury may hit 45 deg C in Delhi

Heatwave alert: Mercury may hit 45 deg C in Delhi

Rediff.com16 May 2024

Heatwave conditions are expected over northwest India during the next five days, with Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi predicted to bear the maximum impact, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

Other fronts may open up if Israel continues bombing Gaza: Iran FM

Other fronts may open up if Israel continues bombing Gaza: Iran FM

Rediff.com13 Oct 2023

Upon his arrival in Beirut on Thursday, the Iranian minister said, "Some European officials asked me if there were any chances that new fronts might open up against the Zionist regime?"

Rising cases of JN.1 subvariant: Here's what WHO said

Rising cases of JN.1 subvariant: Here's what WHO said

Rediff.com18 Dec 2023

In the wake of the surge in respiratory diseases and new JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the virus is evolving and changing and urged the member states to continue with strong surveillance and sequence sharing.

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

It was the summer of 2006 (May 18). Writers' Building, then the state secretariat, was buzzing with journalists. The event marked the start of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's second term as chief minister. And in style, it got off with West Bengal bagging the small car plant, Nano.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Russia backs Pak bid to join BRICS; will India resist this move?

Russia backs Pak bid to join BRICS; will India resist this move?

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

Dar also said Pakistan views Russia as an important player in the West, South and Central Asia, and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia remains an important priority for Pakistan's foreign policy.

Are Russia, Ukraine On Brink Of Nuclear Conflict?

Are Russia, Ukraine On Brink Of Nuclear Conflict?

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

With the fight now having been taken to the seizure of nuclear plants, it is one more warning to Europe that this prolonged war could end up with disastrous consequences, observes Rashme Sehgal

How The US Helps India Counter The China Threat

How The US Helps India Counter The China Threat

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Reports (not denied by India) that the USA had 'for the first time provided real-time details to their Indian counterparts on the Chinese positions and force strength in advance of a PLA incursion' into Tawang at the LAC in December 2022, helping India thwart China's expansionist designs, show how operationally effective the USA-India friendship has become on the ground. A engaging excerpt from Sreeram Chaulia's must-read new book, Friends: India's Closest Strategic Partners.

Oil imports from Russia likely to decline this year

Oil imports from Russia likely to decline this year

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

Indian imports of Russian crude oil may stabilise or even decline in 2024 from record 2023 levels amid shrinking discounts, lower output, and a rebound in West Asian supplies, according to the ship-tracking data and industry executives. This may impact the billions of dollars in annual savings that India made last year. Imports of Russian oil jumped by a record 140 per cent in calendar 2023 to 1.79 million barrels a day (b/d) from 740,400 b/d in 2022, when Russia marched into Ukraine in February, and from just 102,000 b/d in 2021, according to the data from Paris-based market intelligence agency Kpler.

Northwest India swelters under extreme heat as mercury breaches 45 deg C mark

Northwest India swelters under extreme heat as mercury breaches 45 deg C mark

Rediff.com18 May 2024

The Met office has issued a "red" warning for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and west Rajasthan, stressing the need for "extreme care for vulnerable people".

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rediff.com13 Sep 2021

Pakistan's national flag-carrier on Monday ran its first commercial flight to Kabul since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August.

5th cable cut fuels conspiracy theories

5th cable cut fuels conspiracy theories

Rediff.com9 Feb 2008

While the extent of Iran's isolation was unclear, many blogs alleged that the cable cuts and outages in West Asia were a ploy by an intelligence agency to disrupt Iranian commerce, targeting an emerging petroleum exchange that the country was shortly hoping to roll out.

And The Talibs Are in Charge...

And The Talibs Are in Charge...

Rediff.com3 Sep 2021

The Talibs appear in complete control of Afghanistan days after American troops left the country.

India to resume work on 20 stalled projects in Afghanistan: Taliban

India to resume work on 20 stalled projects in Afghanistan: Taliban

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

The Taliban dispensation in Afghanistan has said that India will resume work in at least 20 stalled projects in several provinces across the war-torn country.

Iran 'accidentally' shot down Ukraine plane: US officials

Iran 'accidentally' shot down Ukraine plane: US officials

Rediff.com9 Jan 2020

Trump also said that he had "suspicions" about the crash as US media reported it had been mistakenly shot down by Iran.

Will the Taliban LISTEN to the Women?

Will the Taliban LISTEN to the Women?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2021

Women petition the Taliban. Talibs patrol Kabul's streets. Afghans flee into Pakistan.

After Thailand, Sri Lanka, this country to allow visa-free entry to Indians

After Thailand, Sri Lanka, this country to allow visa-free entry to Indians

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

The 30-day visa-free entry is also currently enjoyed by eight ASEAN countries for the purpose of social visits, tourism and business.

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Rediff.com3 Sep 2021

In the second-biggest city of Kandahar, a long line of green armoured vehicles was driven in single file on Wednesday, with the group's flags attached to it, Dawn reported cities agencies.

Will announce new, 'inclusive' government soon: Taliban

Will announce new, 'inclusive' government soon: Taliban

Rediff.com5 Sep 2021

"Now we live in a completely independent Afghanistan. The new government will be announced very soon," said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's cultural commission, reported Tolo News.

Putin's North Korea Gamble

Putin's North Korea Gamble

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

Russia's unprecedented rapprochement with North Korea has raised concerns about the re-emergence of a Russia-China-North Korea alliance which could increase the probability of conflict on the Korean Peninsula, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.

'The BJP Is A Huge Banyan Tree'

'The BJP Is A Huge Banyan Tree'

Rediff.com2 May 2024

'Elections are fought to win.' 'In our party, the leadership takes the final decision, and our leaders are very clear about it.'

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

As news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds broke into Hasina's residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 100 people in the last two days. At the centre of people anger is the Hasina government's controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent jobs for families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war. With volatile crowds taking to the streets -- some clambering on Hasina's father and Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statue and smashing it with hammers in a lasting image underscoring the fickleness of history -- Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister has resigned.