Moscow confirms Russian forces helped repel ISIL attack on Niger airport
Moscow ‘strongly condemns’ attack on airport in the capital, Niamey, where 20 rebels were killed, and four soldiers were wounded. Russian soldiers helped repel an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group on Niger’s main airport in the capital, Niamey, last week, according to Moscow’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The attack was repelled through the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Defence’s African Corps and the Nigerien armed forces,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list Niger’s governing military earlier said that “Russian partners” had helped to fend off the rare assault on the capital, which saw 20 attackers, including a French national, killed and four army soldiers wounded. At least 11 fighters were also captured, Niger’s state television reported. “Moscow strongly condemns this latest extremist attack,” the Foreign Ministry added in the statement, according to Russia’s state TASS news agency. “A similar attack took place in September 2024 on the international airport in the capital of Mali. According to available information, external forces providing instructor and technical support are involved,” the ministry said, according to TASS. Niger’s military chief, Abdourahamane Tchiani, visited the Russian military base in Niamey to express “personal gratitude for a high-level of professionalism” by Russian forces in defending the airport, the ministry added. ISIL claimed responsibility for the “surprise and coordinated attack” on the airbase at the Diori Hamani international airport near Niamey on the night of January 28. A video published online through the ISIL-affiliated media Amaq showed several dozen attackers with assault rifles firing near an aircraft hangar and setting ablaze one plane before leaving on motorbikes. Advertisement Ulf Laessing, the head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told The Associated Press news agency that the sophistication and boldness of the attack, including the possible use of drones by the attackers, suggest that the assailants may have had inside help. Previous successful attacks in the region appear to have increased the group’s confidence, leading them to target more sensitive and strategically important sites, Laessing said. Niger’s military had initially accused Benin, France and the Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack on the airport, which also houses a military base. The military, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate its claim. Ivory Coast’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegation and summoned Niger’s ambassador to relay its protest. Benin also denied the claim, describing it as “not very credible”. France has yet to comment. Niger is a former colony of France, which maintained a military presence in the country until 2023. Russia rarely comments on its military activity in the Sahel region, where Moscow has been increasing its influence in recent years. Facing isolation since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has tried to build new military and political partnerships across Africa. Apart from Niger, Russian troops or military instructors have been reported to be deployed in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic and Libya. Russia’s African Corps has taken over from the Wagner mercenary force across the continent. According to Moscow, the corps helps ” fighting terrorists” and is “strengthening regional stability” in the Sahel. Niger’s authorities have been fighting the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the ISIL affiliate in the Sahel (EIS) for the past decade. Adblock test (Why?)
India-US trade deal finalised, reciprocal tariffs to be cut down: Donald Trump
In a post on Truth Social, a social media platform that he owns, Trump said the US will reduce reciprocal tariffs on India from 25 percent to 18 percent. Earlier, Sergio Gor, the newly-appointed US Ambassador to India, said that Trump had spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
‘When two large economies…’: PM Modi after Trump announces India-US trade deal
His comment came after Trump announced a trade deal between India and the US, after the two sides held negotiations for months. In a social media post, Trump said he and PM Modi had agreed to a trade deal, under which the US will reduce its reciprocal tariffs on India from 25 percent to 18 percent.
‘Trump-Nirbharta’: Congress slams PM Modi, Centre over Inda-US trade deal announcement
Ramesh’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social that he had spoken to Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day and that India and the United States had agreed to a trade deal under which tariffs on Made in India goods would be reduced to 18 per cent.
PM Modi likely to inaugurate Noida International Airport this month: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi
The NIA is a greenfield project being developed in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddha Nagar district under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project is being touted as a game-changer for the region, with plans to handle millions of passengers in the coming years.
India-US trade deal: Tariff cut from 50% to 18%, what it means for textiles, seafood, auto, chemicals?
The India-US trade deal is expected to benefit several export-oriented sectors in India. Here are the key sectors:
Delhi-NCR under dense fog for 2nd consecutive day, IMD issues ‘yellow’ alert; Airport warns of flight delays
According to the IMD, maximum and minimum temperatures in the capital are likely to hover around 20 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees, respectively. Partly cloudy conditions are expected through the day, but early-morning fog is forecast to persist, a weather official said.
In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centers
The developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.
Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and how
Concerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young children to learn about the horrific nature of slavery.
Two cases of measles detected at Dilley immigrant family detention center
The cases come amid renewed nationwide scrutiny of the facility following the transfer there of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy who federal agents arrested along with his father in Minneapolis.