Page 16 - West Asia

Systematically crushing Iran, forging alliances in West Asia: Netanyahu

Lauding "enormous accomplishments" in the war against Iran, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday evening that the joint Israel-US campaign was "systematically crushing" the Islamic regime while removing existential threats to the Jewish state. Addressing the nation in Hebrew ahead of the Jewish festival of Pesach (Passover), Netanyahu stressed that "sooner or later" the Iranian regime will fall, while Israel creates "new alliances with important countries in the region" against the shared threat emanating from Tehran. The Israel prime minister did not mention any country but in the passing simply said he hopes that "soon, I will be able to tell you more about these vital alliances". "On the eve of this Festival of Freedom, Israel is stronger than ever. The entire world hears our lion's roar in our struggle against the evil regime in Iran, a struggle in which we have achieved immense, enormous accomplishments", Netanyahu said. The address came at a time when the nat

Indian stock markets only loser among EMs in FY26: What lies ahead?

Going ahead, analysts believe the probability of another year of relative underperformance remains high, unless earnings improve meaningfully, crude stabilises, and foreign flows return

20 stocks to buy: Elara sees solid upside as Nifty enters 'bounce zone'

Elara said the Nifty50 is currently trading at around 17.3 times one-year forward earnings, nearly 7 per cent below its 10-year average of 18.6 times, placing it in a historical 'bounce zone'

'Firm guarantees' against future strikes required to end war: Iranian Prez

He emphasised that Iran has "never sought tension or war at any stage," but remains committed to defending its sovereignty

Iran war could end in two to three weeks, deal 'possible': Trump

The President's optimism appears to stem from a perceived shift in the political landscape within Tehran

India bulks up Russia oil imports; Gulf flows ebb as tensions rise

Furthermore, Angola has emerged as one of the biggest crude oil suppliers to India amid attempts to source from West Asian alternatives

Clouded year ahead: Economic conditions have changed since February 1

Multiple sectors will come under pressure, complicating the government's plans for the year

Rupee may slip further to 97/$ if West Asia war prolongs: BS poll

Don't expect rapid, drastic reversal even if calm returns, say experts

Datanomics: Ethanol push gains ground; dependence on oil imports persists

India's E20 fuel rollout boosts ethanol blending, but rising fuel demand keeps crude import dependence high, raising questions on its impact on energy security

Oil shock concludes FY26 amid record gold, silver gains as volatility rises

The oil crisis is unfolding amid record global debt, fragile supply chains, and emerging market volatility

West Asia de-escalation hopes boost Wall Street as crude prices climb

Global markets rebound amid Iran war tensions, as easing fears lift stocks while oil prices head for a record monthly surge

Retail portfolio quality improves in Jan; war impact under watch: Cibil CEO

Lenders must engage with customers on credit usage, as they did during the pandemic: Bhavesh Jain

Impossible to quantify war impact on airlines; airfares on rise: IATA

With sharp rise in fuel costs as well as tight capacity and thin margins for airlines, airfares are already rising in the wake of the Middle East war, global airlines' grouping IATA said on Tuesday. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents around 350 airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. On Tuesday, the grouping released the data for global passenger demand in February 2026 and said total demand in terms of Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK) rose 6.1 per cent last month compared to the year-ago period. Total capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased 5.6 per cent year-on-year while the passenger load factor stood at 81.4 per cent, the highest February figure on record, it said in a release. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said with an RPK expansion of 6.1 per cent, February was a strong month, showing that the fundamentals for demand growth were in place for a positive year. "However, without knowing t

Italy refuses US aircraft use of Sicily base for West Asia ops: Report

Daily Corriere della Sera reported "some U.S. bombers" had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before heading to the West Asia. It did not say when they had been due to land

US says coming days in Iran war decisive, urges Tehran to make deal

Trump threatened to obliterate Iran's energy plants if it does not agree to a peace deal and open the strait, a vital waterway for global oil shipments that has effectively been blocked by Iran

RBI extends export credit window till June 30 amid West Asia disruptions

Central bank extends 450-day export credit facility for disbursals till June 30 to ease cash flow pressures amid disruptions caused by West Asia conflict

FY27 outlook structurally optimistic as crude prices ease: Analysts

The outlook for Indian markets in the next fiscal year remains structurally optimistic once geopolitical tensions subside and crude oil prices stabilise, analysts said, even as domestic equities ended FY26 on a bearish note, with Sensex plunging 7 per cent. In 2025-26, the BSE benchmark plunged 5,467.37 points, or 7 per cent, and the NSE Nifty dropped 1,187.95 points, or 5 per cent. The year was dominated by global macro uncertainty, persistent geopolitical tensions, elevated crude prices, and aggressive FII (Foreign Institutional Investors) outflows, which collectively capped upside momentum, an expert said. Markets have been reeling under the immense pressure ever since the West Asia conflict began, creating chaos, rattling energy markets globally and generating a risk-off environment. This month alone, the BSE benchmark crashed 9,339.64 points, or 11.48 per cent, since the beginning of the West Asia conflict on February 28. "The current bearish trend is largely externally drive

West Asia war: The undersea cable crisis that could slow India’s internet | US-Iran war

As conflict escalates in West Asia, a hidden risk is emerging beneath the sea. The world’s internet cables, carrying over 95% of global data, are under threat.

China confirms 3 ships crossed Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict

Ship-tracking data showed two Chinese container ships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday on their second attempt to leave the Gulf after turning back on Friday

Expired visa in Saudi Arabia? Call 992 as relief window nears April 18

Stranded in Saudi Arabia with an expired visa? Authorities ask affected individuals to call helpline 992 as relief window closes April 18