News for 'gulf countries'

Kerala Governor gets threat call

Kerala Governor gets threat call

Rediff.com8 Jun 2009

Security at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram has been stepped up after a caller from a Gulf country issued a threat to the life of Kerala Governor R S Gavai, police said on Monday.

Qatar considering tented desert camps for World Cup fans

Qatar considering tented desert camps for World Cup fans

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

Organisers of Qatar's 2022 World Cup are considering a proposal to house football fans in Bedouin-style desert camps amid growing concerns about a potential shortage of accommodation during the tournament. Most of the 500,000 fans expected to descend on the tiny Gulf country will stay in hotels and apartments, but thousands could also camp under canvas in desert areas close to stadiums, a move organisers are holding up as a creative, and culturally authentic, way for Qatar to meet FIFA requirements. "At the heart of this World Cup is a commitment to showcase the hospitality and friendship of the Middle East. As a result, we are actively researching the concept of supporters sleeping under the stars," a spokesperson for Qatar's 2022 World Cup Supreme Committee told Reuters without giving further details.

'After Taj hotel, Headley visited Trident too'

'After Taj hotel, Headley visited Trident too'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2009

American terror suspect David Headley had also stayed at Oberoi Trident besides the Taj -- the two hotels attacked on 26/11 -- before the Mumbai carnage, reinforcing suspicion of his link with the audacious strike, according to investigators on Friday.

US allows India, China, 6 others to buy Iranian oil

US allows India, China, 6 others to buy Iranian oil

Rediff.com5 Nov 2018

Italy, Greece, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey also figure in the list released by Pompeo, who said over 20 countries have cut their oil imports from Iran, reducing purchases by more than one million barrels per day.

India retains top rank in remittance flow: WB

India retains top rank in remittance flow: WB

Rediff.com24 Jul 2009

Other than India, China and Mexico, the top 10 recipients of remittances include the Philippines, Poland, Nigeria, Romania, Egypt, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Remittance flow to South and East Asia has continued to post strong growth, largely on the fact that the gulf countries, a major destination for Asian migrants, have not significantly reduced hiring migrants.

Modi embarks on 4-day visit to West Asia

Modi embarks on 4-day visit to West Asia

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

The prime minister's visit will begin from Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II.

Craze for Rajni's film hots up

Craze for Rajni's film hots up

Rediff.com22 Jun 2007

Craze for the Rajnikanth starrer shows no sign of abating.

Pak army chief visits Saudi Arabia amid strained ties

Pak army chief visits Saudi Arabia amid strained ties

Rediff.com17 Aug 2020

Diplomatic sources in Islamabad said that Gen Bajwa was accompanied by the Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

FIFA WC: WFH bonanza for Qatari schools, offices

FIFA WC: WFH bonanza for Qatari schools, offices

Rediff.com6 Oct 2022

Qatar hopes to attract roughly 1.2 million visitors to the FIFA World Cup, a number which at almost half of the conservative country's population, poses a logistical and policing challenge.

Navy needs to be aggressive to defend country: Parrikar

Navy needs to be aggressive to defend country: Parrikar

Rediff.com26 Oct 2015

Parrikar also released the revised strategic guidance document in view of the prevalent geo-economic and geo-strategic scenarios.

Kerala's Kasargode in shock after losing 40 locals

Kerala's Kasargode in shock after losing 40 locals

Rediff.com23 May 2010

Kasargode, the northernmost district of Kerala, was on Sunday reeling under the shock of losing 40 of its natives in the Mangalore air crash, as bodies began to arrive for burial. There is hardly a village in the district not touched by the tragedy, where hundreds of families live on the money sent by their near and dear ones working in Gulf countries. While as many as 50 Keralites were killed in the crash, locals said the figure could be higher.

Maid abuse: Indian embassies to intervene

Maid abuse: Indian embassies to intervene

Rediff.com10 Mar 2006

Amid reports of increasing abuse of housemaids by their employers, Indian embassies in the Gulf countries are coordinating on measures to regulate their working conditions and imposing strict rules to prevent the offence.

UAE economy to grow 1.3% this year: Minister

UAE economy to grow 1.3% this year: Minister

Rediff.com22 Dec 2009

The economy is expected to grow by 3.2 per cent in 2010, Al-Mansouri said while addressing at the opening session of the UAE-Azerbaijan joint committee in the UAE capital on Monday.

Minimum wages plan hard to implement: Minister

Minimum wages plan hard to implement: Minister

Rediff.com13 Jun 2008

The idea is "not easy to implement since there are many stakeholders, though the government has been able to fix a minimum wage structure for maids," Vayalar Ravi, the minister of overseas Indian affairs, told PTI. There are nearly five million Indian working in the Gulf countries, but rising inflation in the region has made the condition of the blue-collar workers difficult since they are unable to save money locally or remit them back to India.

FIFA WC PIX: Qatar World Cup closing ceremony

FIFA WC PIX: Qatar World Cup closing ceremony

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

"Our parents talked to us about Maradona, and we will talk to our sons about Messi. We hope that we will win the cup, and we can celebrate with him and all the people in Argentina," said Nicolas Gomez, a fan from Argentina.

India gets tough on erring manpower agents

India gets tough on erring manpower agents

Rediff.com24 Oct 2007

An amendment to the Indian Immigration Act governing the conduct of manpower agents is now waiting for the mandatory clearance from the union cabinet, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said in Dubai on Tuesday. Of the 56 complaints received so far this year, 13 licences were cancelled while 27 were suspended. Twenty-eight licences of recruiting agents were cancelled in 2006 and 65 were suspended.

Homosexuality is damage in the mind: Qatar WC official

Homosexuality is damage in the mind: Qatar WC official

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

Some soccer players have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the event, especially LGBT+ individuals and women, whom rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.

Wipro Consumer to launch snack brand, focus on southern markets

Wipro Consumer to launch snack brand, focus on southern markets

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting on Thursday announced the acquisition of Brahmins - a Kerala-based traditional vegetarian, spice mix and ready-to-cook brand - and it has also drawn up plans to launch its snacks brand targeting the southern market. The company will focus on the southern market and is in the process of launching its own brand in the fast-growing ready-to-eat and snacks segment, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting and managing director Vineet Agrawal told PTI. He further said Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting would take the acquisition route for expanding in the spices segment.

Jet reduces international biz class fare

Jet reduces international biz class fare

Rediff.com22 Jan 2009

Mumbai-based full-service carrier Jet Airways has announced a 25-40 per cent cut in business class fares for destinations ranging from London, New York and Toronto to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Gulf countries.

Indians top suicide list of expats in Saudi Arabia

Indians top suicide list of expats in Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com26 Nov 2007

As many as 203 Indian workers were among the 266 who took their lives in 2006, the health ministry report said, adding nearly 295 foreigners were murdered during the same period.

Modi to visit Germany, UAE from June 26-28

Modi to visit Germany, UAE from June 26-28

Rediff.com22 Jun 2022

Modi is attending the G7 summit following an invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Will Indian workers in UAE get a better deal after Modi's visit?

Will Indian workers in UAE get a better deal after Modi's visit?

Rediff.com17 Aug 2015

Prime Minister Modi chatted with the workers, enquiring about the place and their welfare and jobs.

Iraq war has not hit Indian exports: Jaitley

Iraq war has not hit Indian exports: Jaitley

Rediff.com5 May 2003

The government informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the war in Iraq had not significantly affected exports from India, though Gulf countries accounted for 11 per cent of the country's total exports.

Why 2029 Asian Winter Games host is controversial pick

Why 2029 Asian Winter Games host is controversial pick

Rediff.com5 Oct 2022

'The IOC was not consulted about the OCA decision with regard to the Asian Winter Games and was not involved in the decision-making process.'

India's Russian oil imports now double of Iraq

India's Russian oil imports now double of Iraq

Rediff.com9 Apr 2023

India's imports of crude oil from Russia touched a new high of 1.64 million barrels per day in March and is now double of the purchases from Iraq - the nation's traditional top oil supplier. But the purchases appear to have plateaued as growth has slowed. Russia continued to be the single largest supplier of crude oil, which is converted into petrol and diesel at refineries, for a sixth straight month by supplying more than one-third of all oil India imported, according to energy cargo tracker Vortexa.

Kuwait to deport expats over protest against Prophet remark

Kuwait to deport expats over protest against Prophet remark

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

All expats in Kuwait must respect Kuwait laws and not take part in any type of demonstrations, said the instructions.

'We've learnt our lesson': Pak PM seeks talks with Modi

'We've learnt our lesson': Pak PM seeks talks with Modi

Rediff.com17 Jan 2023

'We have had three wars with India, and they have only brought more misery, poverty, and unemployment to the people'

GCC nations may invest $102 bn in Indian realty

GCC nations may invest $102 bn in Indian realty

Rediff.com6 Jun 2007

Cash-rich Gulf countries are expected to pump US$ 102 billion investments into the Indian real estate sector in the next ten years, a growth of about 630 per cent from the present US$ 14 billion, a report by Kuwait Investment Company (KIC) said.

FIFA WC: Qatar scraps pre-arrival COVID test for fans

FIFA WC: Qatar scraps pre-arrival COVID test for fans

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Qatar is expecting an unprecedented 1.2 million visitors during the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament.

Jodhaa Akbar may make more money than OSO

Jodhaa Akbar may make more money than OSO

Rediff.com19 Feb 2008

Jodhaa Akbar grabbed an estimated $1.3 million in North America and $750,000 in the UK.

India in talks with GCC countries to sign free trade pact

India in talks with GCC countries to sign free trade pact

Rediff.com5 Oct 2011

India is in talks with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to conclude a free trade agreement and a framework agreement for the FTA has already been signed, a leading Indian banker in the region has said.

SBI to enter Saudi kingdom

SBI to enter Saudi kingdom

Rediff.com23 Aug 2005

Saudi Arabia has allowed State Bank of India to open its branches in the Kingdom.

India's UAE envoy warns diaspora amidst outrage over 'Islamophobic' tweets

India's UAE envoy warns diaspora amidst outrage over 'Islamophobic' tweets

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

Ambassador of India to the UAE Pavan Kapoor quoted a tweet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said that COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking.

8 lakh Indians may be forced to leave as Kuwait approves expat quota bill

8 lakh Indians may be forced to leave as Kuwait approves expat quota bill

Rediff.com6 Jul 2020

According to the bill, Indians should not exceed 15 per cent of the population.

FIFA World Cup, a catalyst to thaw Israel-Qatar ties

FIFA World Cup, a catalyst to thaw Israel-Qatar ties

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

A delegation from Israel's foreign ministry will be allowed to provide consular assistance from Doha for its citizens coming for the World Cup matches.

India's rice export ban=UAE food crisis

India's rice export ban=UAE food crisis

Rediff.com8 Jul 2008

The shortage of rice has led to a food crisis in the UAE, where inflation has climbed above 11 per cent, media reports said. India had, in March this year, banned export of non-basmati rice to check rising prices of the food grain.

Rishi's Day Out!

Rishi's Day Out!

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

After moving into 10 Downing Street a couple of weeks go, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is making his first outing on the world stage.

Was Pakistan airspace used in drone strike that killed Zawahiri?

Was Pakistan airspace used in drone strike that killed Zawahiri?

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

The US drone strike that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri has raised questions over Pakistan's possible role in the raid amid reports suggesting that the country's airspace could have been used for carrying out the precision strike on the Al Qaeda chief's safe house in Kabul.