Pentagon welcomes Saudi anti-IS troop proposalPentagon welcomes Saudi anti-IS troop proposal
The Pentagon on Friday welcomed Saudi Arabia's pledge to commit ground forces to fight Islamic State jihadists in Syria, should the US-led coalition ever send in combat troops. Saudi Arabia has been part of the coalition since late 2014. "We welcome the announcement by Saudi Arabia that they
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Saudi currency devaluation would carry major political risk
By Angus McDowall RIYADH, Feb 4 (Reuters) - A devaluation of Saudi Arabia's currency could cause such political instability that Riyadh has little choice but to stick to its promise to use vast foreign exchange reserves to defend the riyal's 30-year-old peg to the U.S. dollar. Societe Generale said on Thursday it saw at least a 25 percent chance of a near-term devaluation or 40 percent if oil prices stay at current levels throughout 2016. "Devaluation of the currency or depegging would self-inflict destructive economic pain.
Reuters Middle East

Iran pilgrims welcome, crisis won’t affect them: Riyadh
Iranian Haj and Umrah pilgrims are welcome to enter the Kingdom and would receive all hospitality and courtesy afforded to Muslims from other countries, said Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir here Thursday. Al-Jubeir was speaking at a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was in Riyadh to attend the Janadriyah festival, which was opened by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Wednesday. “The severing of diplomatic relations with Iran will not affect the flow of Iranian pilgrims to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Arab News

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Syria rebels risk collapse after Russia-backed regime gains
Syria's mainstream rebels risk total collapse after a Russian-backed regime advance that severed their main supply line to Aleppo city and threatens to leave them completely besieged there. Analysts said rebels and their international backers were left with few options to prevent fresh government advances, which came as fresh peace talks backed by the United Nations fell apart. "The trajectory for the rebels is downwards, and the downward slope is increasingly steep," said Emile Hokayem, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
AFP

Air India employees recall hair-raising Gulf War 'Airlift'
Two Air India pilots, who were involved in the operations of those flights, were flown in from India for the screening of the Akshay Kumar starrer. A special screening of Hindi movie Airlift in Dubai on Friday raised a toast to goodwill diplomacy, patriotic spirit, and heroism of the civilians at times of crisis. The controversial hug of Saddam Hussein and the then foreign minister of India I.K. Gujral during the Gulf War may have had different interpretations then and now after the release of the movie that was based on the evacuation of the stranded Indians from Kuwait.
Khaleej Times

North Korea begins fuelling rocket: report
US satellite data suggests North Korea may have already begun fuelling a rocket it plans to launch this month in the face of international opposition, a Japanese newspaper reported Friday, citing a US defence official. Pyongyang has announced it will launch a satellite-bearing rocket sometime between February 8-25, which is around the time of the birthday on February 16 of late leader Kim Jong-Il, father of current supremo Kim Jong-Un. The North insists its space programme is purely scientific in nature, but the United States and allies, including South Korea, say its rocket launches are aimed at developing an inter-continental ballistic missile capable of striking the US mainland.
AFP

Madrid airport sounds alarm after bomb threat on Saudi plane
Madrid, Feb 5 (IANS) A general alert was issued at Madrid's Barajas airport shortly after midday on Thursday after the captain of a Saudi Airlines plane announced the flight had received a bomb threat, Xinhua reported. The alert was made public at 12:45 local time after a crew member on flight SVA 226, which was due to fly from the Spanish capital to Riyadh, discovered a note with the message "bomb aboard 11.30" pinned to a door on one of the aircraft's luggage racks, shortly before take-off. The Madrid airport authorities (AENA) subsequently published a tweet reading: "We inform you of a threat on Madrid-Riyadh flight SVA 226.
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All eyes on Yuvraj, Ishant, Nehra at IPL auction
Bengaluru, Feb 5 (IANS) The spotlight will be on the experienced trio of Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra at the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions scheduled to held here on Saturday. Six other marquee players -- Shane Watson, Kevin Pietersen, Dale Steyn, Aaron Finch, Martin Guptill and Dwayne Smith -- are set to go under the hammer.
IANS

Cambodia reiterates stance over South China Sea ahead of summit
Phnom Penh, Feb 5 (IANS) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday reiterated the country's stance over the issue of South China Sea ahead of the US-ASEAN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Summit. The premier confirmed that he will attend the forthcoming summit running from February 15-16 in Sunnylands, California, Xinhua news agency reported. "I spoke with US Secretary of State John Kerry (during a meeting last week) that for the South China Sea issue, we should not take gasoline to douse on fire, but try to encourage the countries concerned in the dispute to continue negotiations with each other because ASEAN has no rights to measure land for any sides," he said.
IANS

Salman is favourite co-star, he's 'bloody hot': Sonam
Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) Actress Sonam Kapoor says that her "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" co-star Salman Khan is her favourite, and terms him "bloody hot". It's Salman Khan, he's so bloody hot." Despite a nearly 20 year age difference between them, the pair's chemistry was appreciated. Sonam termed the song as the "first rock anthem".
IANS

Zika weighs on new Emirates flights to Panama
New direct Emirates Airline flights starting next month between Dubai and Panama will boost trade, officials predicted Thursday -- but the spread of the Zika virus through Latin America could deal a blow to passenger numbers. Panama's foreign ministry said the service -- which will be the world's longest nonstop flight at 17 and a half hours -- will "strengthen" commercial and cultural ties between the Middle East and Central American hubs. Underlining this "new era of relations," the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, will visit Panama next Thursday to discuss bilateral issues, the ministry said in a statement.
AFP

Canada lifts Iran sanctions
Ottawa announced Friday the lifting of economic sanctions against Tehran, which will allow Canadian firms access to Iran after a deal on its nuclear program recently came into force. Canada, however, will maintain restrictions on exports of nuclear goods and technologies and anything that could help Iran in the development of ballistic missiles, it said. Canada's exports to Iran peaked at Can$772 million (US$556 million) in 1997 and declined to Can$67 million (US$48 million) in 2014, comprising mostly food products exempt from sanctions.
AFP

Pacer Shami returns to India squad for World T20
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Pacer Mohammed Shami has been included in India's squad for this month's Asia Cup and the World T20 commencing next month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced here on Friday. Shami hasn't played for the country since the 2015 World Cup due to a knee injury. The 25-year-old Bengal right-armer was named in the limited-overs squads for the tour of Australia, but was withdrawn due to a hamstring injury.
IANS

Oscars have bigger controversies: Anil Kapoor
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Actor Anil Kapoor has defended the controversies that surround award shows in Bollywood, saying even the Oscars have its share of controversies, which are sometimes even bigger. Because you are here (Indian film industry), you don't know what's happening there (internationally). "And this year too, at the Oscars, there have been big controversies, certain sections feel that they have not been fair, that it's not been that diverse in their choice of nominations.
IANS

Iraqi Kurdistan cuts public salaries to tackle economic meltdown
Government workers in Iraq's Kurdistan are to have their salaries cut by up to 75 percent as the region grapples with an economic crisis brought to a head by plummeting oil prices Under the new measures, state employees will receive only a portion of their salaries, cutting the monthly burden of 875 billion Iraqi dinars ($800 million) on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The unpaid portion will be treated as a loan to be repaid by the government when its fiscal health improves, in addition to the past five months of salaries that have not been distributed, the KRG said in a statement. KRG employees at the top end of the payroll will have their wages cut by as much as much as 75 percent, whereas those with a base salary of between 100,000-200,000 Iraqi dinars will be shaved by 15 percent.
Reuters Middle East

US welcomes Saudi troops offer
The White House welcomed on Friday Saudi Arabia’s announcement that it was prepared to ramp up its commitment to fighting Daesh in Syria. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Saudi announcement on Thursday was a response to US Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s plea for coalition partners to step up contributions to the fight against Daesh. “So we certainly welcome the announcement from our partners in Saudi Arabia that they would be prepared to ramp up their commitment militarily to this effort,” he told reporters.
Arab News

Many Iranian women and youth feel failed by reformists ahead of vote
(Repeats story published late on Thursday, with no changes) * Women, youth disillusioned over upcoming parliamentary vote * They had bolstered Rouhani's 2013 presidential election * Activists say women face legal, cultural discrimination * Supreme Leader Khamenei, not Rouhani has the last say in Iran By Parisa Hafezi ANKARA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Many Iranian women and young people are disillusioned about the upcoming elections, desperate for reform but losing hope in their pragmatic president and his promise of a freer society. The Feb. 26 parliamentary poll will see pro-reform candidates, who broadly back President Hassan Rouhani, attempt to overturn the majority held by conservative hardliners in the 290-seat assembly.
Reuters Middle East

Tendulkar, Kohli, Rohit, Zaheer join Yuvraj's cancer-affected kids campaign
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Khan have pledged their support for Yuvraj Singh's campaign which will help in raising awareness and funds to educate 100 cancer-affected kids. On the occasion of World Cancer Day on Thursday, Yuvraj announced "Together We Can" -- a crowd-funding initiative on DesiredWings.com. The idea behind the initiative is to support the education of these young cancer patients and survivors who belong to the underprivileged section of our society and help them in securing their future.
IANS

US weighs options as IS presence soars in Libya
Islamic State fighters have streamed into Libya in recent months, a US official said Thursday, heightening fears the extremists are gaining ground and influence in the north African country. About 5,000 IS jihadists are now in Libya, the defense official said, approximately double earlier estimates, while the number of IS extremists in Iraq and Syria has dropped. The updated tallies come as the administration of President Barack Obama faces growing calls for the US military to step up action against the IS group in Libya, where the jihadists have already seized the city of Sirte and an adjoining length of Mediterranean coastline.
AFP

Pentagon welcomes Saudi anti-IS troop proposal
The Pentagon on Friday welcomed Saudi Arabia's pledge to commit ground forces to fight Islamic State jihadists in Syria, should the US-led coalition ever send in combat troops. The United States has for weeks been calling on partners in the 65-member coalition bombing the IS group in Iraq and Syria to contribute more, and last month Defense Secretary Ashton Carter chastised some countries for doing "nothing at all." Saudi Arabia has been part of the coalition since late 2014. "We welcome the announcement by Saudi Arabia that they are looking into ways to enhance their counter-ISIL efforts," US Central Command spokesman Pat Ryder said, using an alternative acronym for the IS group.
AFP

Terror attacks loom as Indonesian trio vie for IS glory
A power struggle among three Indonesian-born Islamic State militants in Syria could have a violent ripple effect in Southeast Asia, senior police warn, as a deadly game of one-upmanship threatens to cause more Jakarta-style attacks. A crackdown in the wake of January's gun and suicide assault on the Indonesian capital has uncovered a complex web of small militant cells working at the behest of competing ringleaders in Syria, shedding light on the nature of IS infiltration far from its Middle East heartland. The trio in Syria -- Bahrumsyah, Abu Jandal and Bahrun Naim -- were all suspected of plotting attacks throughout 2015.
AFP

Anil Kapoor all set to perform at Zee Cine Awards 2016
Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) Veteran actor Anil Kapoor, who not just known for his acting but also for his dancing skills, is all set to perform after a very long time for Zee Cine Awards 2016. One should keep working and enjoy what he does... for me that's the reason of my looks because I enjoy my work and I am looking forward to perform," Anil told reporters at the press conference of Zee Cine Awards 2016. Actor Shahid Kapoor who will be hosting the Zee Cine Awards 2016 says he is excited about Anil Kapoor's performance.
IANS

US lawmakers ask to visit Iran to see 'democracy in action'
Seeking to keep tabs on what they called a "fanatical regime," three US lawmakers applied Thursday for visas to Iran to observe this month's elections, visit nuclear sites and meet with Revolutionary Guards. Republicans Mike Pompeo, Lee Zeldin and Frank LoBiondo hand-delivered their applications to the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, and wrote to the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, seeking their assistance.
AFP

Russia must stop bombing women, children in Syria: Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Russia Friday to implement a ceasefire in Syria, saying its bombing campaign was killing women and children in large numbers and "has to stop." "Russia has indicated to me very directly they are prepared to do a ceasefire," Kerry told reporters, fresh from a trip to Europe focused on resolving the five-year Syrian conflict. "The Iranians confirmed in London just a day and a half ago they will support a ceasefire now." "We will have a much better sense in the next few days of how serious each party is," added Kerry, a day after he implicitly blamed Russia's bombing campaign against the Syrian opposition for the collapse of peace talks in Geneva this week.
AFP

India, Hong Kong keen to deepen bilateral ties: CY Leung
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) There is a clear consensus among India's leadership for "broadening and deepening" the country's over a century-old ties with Hong Kong, the chief executive of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) CY Leung has said. "After meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and separate meetings with your external affairs and finance ministers, it is clear to me that there is a consensus here that there should be a broadening and deepening of India's cooperation with Hong Kong," Leung said at a dinner on Thursday night hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at the conclusion of his India visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade.
IANS

Syrians mass on Turkish border as regime advances
Thousands of Syrians were stuck on the Turkish border Friday after fleeing a major regime offensive backed by Russia near Aleppo where a new humanitarian disaster appeared to be unfolding. Tens of thousands of civilians are reported to have joined the exodus after fierce fighting by advancing government forces who severed the rebels' main supply route into Syria's second city. Western nations have accused the Syrian government of sabotaging peace talks with its military offensive, and Washington has demanded Moscow halt its campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
AFP

Russian talk of Turkish incursion in Syria is propaganda -senior Turkish official
Turkey is not planning a military incursion into Syria and Russian talk of such action is propaganda, a senior Turkish government official said on Friday. "Turkey does not have any plans or thoughts of staging a military campaign or ground incursion in Syria," the official told Reuters, adding Russia was stepping up its own military campaign in Syria every day instead of working for a solution. "Turkey is part of a coalition, is working with its allies, and will continue to do so.
Reuters Middle East

Luxembourg's Asselborn urges Putin to help with cease fire in Syria
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to help bring about a ceasefire in Syria as tens of thousands Syrians flee aerial bombardments on the city of Aleppo. "It's up to Russia to bring about a ceasefire and permit hopes for a new start in Syria," Asselborn told German radio Deutschlandfunk. "Are the 260,000 dead in Syria not enough?" However, Asselborn also admitted a ceasefire was still "very, very far away" after the United Nations suspended peace talks on Wednesday.
Reuters Middle East

Even with 71 ships at IFR, India's force level is maintained
Visakhapatnam, Feb 5 (IANS) India may have 71 of its ships anchored off Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review (IFR), but that does not reduce India's preparedness, naval sources say, adding that "minimum force level" is maintained all along its maritime area. Highly placed sources told IANS that the Indian Navy's submarines, which are absent from the fleet review, are on task, "lurking around" to keep an eye under the waters.
IANS

Iranian Revolutionary Guards general, 6 Basij volunteers killed in Syria - media
A high-ranking member of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and six Iranian Basij militia volunteers have been killed in fighting in Syria, semi-official Iranian media said on Friday. The Islamic Republic says it has military advisers and volunteers in Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad's forces in their war with rebel groups including Islamic State militants.
Reuters Middle East

India faces acute shortage of nursing staff
Agra, Feb 5 (IANS) Acute shortage of trained nurses is proving to be a major setback to expansion of health services in India, a panel at an ongoing global summit on critical care medicine here has said. Doctors said there was large-scale migration of nurses to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, Australia, the European continent and other countries which offered better salaries and facilities. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experts said there was a major gap of 50 percent where for every two critical patients least one nurse is needed.
IANS

Gujarat team to get back fishing boats from Pakistan
Ahmedabad, Feb 4 (IANS) A team from Gujarat is likely to leave for Pakistan next week to facilitate the bringing back of 22 Indian fishing boats intercepted and captured by its marine security agency. The Pakistan government has recently announced the release of these boats as a goodwill gesture. The team would facilitate the bringing back of the boats to Gujarat.
IANS

Sania loses, Japan beat India 2-1 in Fed Cup
Hua Hin (Thailand), Feb 5 (IANS) Tennis star Sania Mirza suffered a shock defeat in the women's doubles as India went down 1-2 to Japan in their second match of the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I at the True Arena Hua Hin here.
IANS

Jet Airways suspends cabin crew for letting Sonu Nigam sing in-flight
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Airline major Jet Airways on Friday suspended the entire cabin crew of its February 4 Jodhpur-Mumbai flight for allowing celebrated singer Sonu Nigam to use the in-flight announcement system to sing for his fellow passengers. "All cabin crew on the flight have been taken off from flight duty for enquiry and corrective training to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedures," said a Jet Airways spokesperson. Online videos uploaded by some passengers show Sonu, dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, leaning against a bulkhead as he sings two of his popular songs from the films "Veer Zaara" and "Refugee".
IANS

Obama seeks $450 million aid for Colombia
Washington, Feb 5 (IANS) US President Barack Obama will ask Congress for more than $450 million in aid for Colombia's peace process, the White House said late on Thursday. The rest of the fund will help with Colombia's humanitarian efforts and counter-narcotics programs, the White House said in a statement. The announcement came as Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited the White House on Thursday.
IANS

Moscow rejects blame for Syria talks breakdown
Russia on Friday curtly rejected Western accusations that it had sabotaged Syria peace talks in Geneva by militarily backing the Damascus regime's offensive in Aleppo. This is not a good time for recriminations," Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters as the UN Security Council was about to begin closed door consultations on Syria. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura briefed the council on his decision to suspend the Geneva negotiations until February 25.
AFP

India to get modelling agency for transgenders
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Even as the LGBT community in India has been fighting a legal battle asking for Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to be revoked on grounds that it violates human rights, here comes a first-of-its-kind modelling agency for transgenders. The idea, according to Delhi-based transgender activist Rudrani Chettri, evolved out of a "feeling of frustration seeing many young beautiful transgenders who are made to feel ugly" from a young age.
IANS

Clinton, Sanders spar over progressive label, Wall Street, foreign policy
Washington, Feb 5 (IANS) With the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination reduced to a direct contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the two clashed over foreign policy to Wall Street, but most of all over who was a true progressive. In the first one-on-one Democratic debate in Durham, New Hampshire Thursday ahead of next Tuesday's primary battle, an angry Clinton accused Sanders of delivering an "artful smear" by suggesting her political favour could be bought by rich donors. "If you have something to say, say it," Clinton said reacting to Sanders' suggestion that the former secretary of state was a progressive on "some days" and that she could not be a moderate and a progressive at the same time.
IANS

Billions pledged for Syria as tens of thousands flee bombardments
* Donor conference raises $11 bln for Syrians -Cameron * Donors meet as peace talks suspended, war raging * Steps to give Syrian refugees access to jobs, education * Tens of thousands of Syrians on move towards Turkey -PM (Recasts with total pledged, new quotes) By Estelle Shirbon and Kylie MacLellan LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Donor nations pledged on Thursday to give $11 billion in aid to Syrians by 2020 as world leaders tried to tackle the world's worst humanitarian crisis, while Turkey reported a new exodus of tens of thousands fleeing air strikes. With Syria's five-year-old civil war raging and another attempt at peace negotiations called off in Geneva after just a few days, a donor conference in London sought to address the needs of some 6 million people displaced within Syria and more than 4 million refugees in other countries.
Reuters Middle East

Modi opens South Asian Games in Guwahati
Guwahati, Feb 5 (IANS) Invoking the historical bond between the South Asian nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to sportspersons to play for peace, prosperity and in full vigour and enthusiasm so that they can remember the 12th South Asian Games even after they are over. Declaring open the Games at a brightly-lit Sarusojai stadium here, Modi said that he felt "privileged and honoured to be among sportspersons from our neighbourhood and brothers and sisters from Saarc countries". "I welcome all of you to India, a country known for its culture of and to this beautiful city of Guwahati known for its hospitality and love for sports," the prime minister said.
IANS

BJP destroying pro-poor policies launched by Congress: Rahul
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving excuses on various issues and charged the BJP with "destroying" all the pro-poor policies initiated by his party. "We have been attacking the government for being anti-poor, anti-farmer and anti-labourer and anti-worker, and I wanted to get a sense from the PCC presidents about what is being done with regard to MNREGA, right to food, the tribal bill in their states and how the BJP is attacking and trying to destroy these acts," he said after addressing a meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents at the party office here. "We are not going to let the BJP to run a government that acts only in the interest of three or four of their crony capitalist friends," said Gandhi.
IANS

Kashmir issue test for India, Pakistan leadership, says Sharif
Muzaffarabad (Pakistan), Feb 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan wants peace in the region and does not want confrontation with India, and reiterated that the Kashmir issue "be resolved" through dialogue. Sharif was addressing a joint sitting of the legislature of the Pakistani side of Jammu and Kashmir on Kashmir Day. "It is not possible that one part of the region should be prosperous and the other part in trouble (Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir).
IANS

Sonam has done compete justice to 'Neerja': Director
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Director Ram Madhvani is content with the performance by actress Sonam Kapoor in his forthcoming film "Neerja", which is a biopic on braveheart flight attendant Neerja Bhanot. Asked if Sonam was his first choice for the movie, Madhvani told IANS: "Yes, from day one, I was very clear and I am happy that she said 'Yes'. Neerja's pet name was 'laado'.
IANS

Clinton goes on the attack against surging Sanders
The 90-minute debate at the University of New Hampshire in the small college town of Durham comes three days after Clinton clinched the narrowest victory in Iowa caucus history against Sanders and five days before the first state primary in the 2016 election process. Sanders, the 74-year-old independent senator from neighboring Vermont, leads by 20 points in the latest New Hampshire polls with a campaign that outstripped the Clinton fundraising machine in January.
AFP

'Baahubali' will create market for graphic novels in India: Rajamouli
Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) Ever wondered what the formative years of characters Baahubali and Bhallala Deva were like or who were their best friends? Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli promises answers to many such questions as one of India's biggest motion pictures, "Baahubali", is set to be released as graphic novels, games and animated series. Arka Mediaworks, the makers of the film and character entertainment company Graphic India, have teamed up to take the story beyond the movie.
IANS

Jet Airways suspends cabin crew for Sonu Nigam's in-flight singing
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Airline major Jet Airways said on Friday that it has suspended the five-member cabin crew of its January 4 Jodhpur-Mumbai flight for allowing celebrated singer Sonu Nigam to use the in-flight announcement system to entertain his fellow passengers. "All cabin crew on the flight have been taken off from flight duty for enquiry and corrective training to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedures," said a Jet Airways spokesperson. "This is a vital information system, which is used by the crew to alert and inform passengers about major safety related procedures, weather and issuing of turbulence warnings," Kanu Gohain, safety expert and ex-director general of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told IANS.
IANS

Solution to Kashmir issue lies in dialogue, says Sharif
Muzaffarabad (Pakistan), Feb 5 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Friday said that the solution of all issues, including that of "disputed Kashmir", lies in a bilateral dialogue. Sharif was addressing a joint session of Pakistani side of Jammu and Kashmir legislature on Kashmir Day. "Difference of opinion between two countries is not unheard of," Sharif said, referring to Pakistan's differences with India over Kashmir.
IANS

Honour killings must end: Pakistan's Oscar nominee
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Shot, strangled, burnt and stoned -- over a thousand women are victims of honour killings annually in Pakistan, says the country's first Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who is in the Oscar race yet again for her latest documentary of a rare survivor. "With the world watching, I want to send out a strong message that although honour killings are prevalent in Pakistan, they are not a part of our culture or religion. The larger impact of the film landing in the Documentary (Short Subject) category of the Oscars 2016 last month turned out to be a wake-up call for the Pakistan government.
IANS

Iran calls on U.S. to reassure European banks over trade with Tehran
(Refiles to add minister's full title) By Guy Faulconbridge LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Iran on Thursday called on the United States to make a clear public pledge that it would not penalise European banks for legitimate trade with the Islamic Republic. Many foreign banks are cautious about resuming trade with Iran following January's nuclear deal because they fear being caught up in ongoing U.S. sanctions. "Rebuilding the confidence of the banks that the United States will not re-intervene in their relations with Iran may require some further assurance from the United States," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at Chatham House in London.
Reuters Middle East

Shahid Kapoor, Karan Johar to host 'Zee Cine Awards 2016'
Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is all set to host 'Zee Cine Awards 2016' with film maker Karan Johar, assures that they will not use any vulgar language on the dais. "I am hosting this show with Karan Johar who is not here.. he is in New York. As far as the language is concerned, I am personally not very comfortable using vulgar words.
IANS

Slammed: Doubters of Saudi war on terror
Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir has slammed reports alleging that Saudi Arabia supports extremist groups, saying there was no logic in these arguments because the Kingdom has been targeted by terrorists for several years. In an article in Newsweek Magazine in the US, he wrote: “Multiple actors — each with their own motives — have targeted the Kingdom, seeking to destabilize the country and terrorize the Saudi people. “Some try to malign Saudi Arabia by reciting that “15 of the 19” 9/11 hijackers were Saudi.
Arab News

Zika fear reignites Brazil's abortion debate
The Zika virus scare is reopening debate over abortion in Brazil, where some are asking the painful question: is it right to risk having a baby with microcephaly? In the country with the world's biggest Catholic population, abortion is permitted in few circumstances -- until 2012 only after rape or when the mother's life is in danger. A group of pro-abortion activists, lawyers and doctors is launching a legal battle in the Supreme Court to allow abortion in cases of microcephaly and when mothers-to-be have contracted Zika.
AFP

No 'draconian measures' for Greece: IMF's Lagarde
The International Monetary Fund does not wish to slap "draconian measures" on hard-up Greece but wants more government progress on pension reform, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday. Lagarde spoke as Greece was hit by a general strike that brought tens of thousands of people into the streets in protest over pension reforms, a key part of Greece's latest economic bailout by the European Union.
AFP

Zee Cine Awards 2016 to have jury awards
Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) The Zee Cine Awards 2016, India's "first Integrated National Award" for cinema will introduce 'jury awards', a company official said. With the jury awards being instituted this year to ensure a high degree of fairness and transparency in the selection process, it is Zee's goal to ensure that the awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, said Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD & CEO Punit Goenka. "Reaching out to various cultures this year, Zee Cine Awards 2016 is India's first 'Integrated National Awards' with a special feed of exclusive regional content in Bengali, Telugu and Marathi that will air on Zee Bangla, Zee Telugu and Zee Marathi respectively.
IANS

Cameron woos EU leaders as clock ticks on deal to avert 'Brexit'
British Prime Minister David Cameron kicked off a fortnight of high-stakes diplomacy with talks in Poland Friday aimed at sealing a contentious deal on reforms designed to prevent Britain from leaving the European Union. Cameron stressed his country's "shared interests" and spoke of a "long-term strategic partnership" with Poland as he met with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo to tackle a controversial proposal to restrict benefits to EU migrants in Britain.
AFP

PM, defence minister condole death of soldiers in Siachen avalanche
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday condoled the death of soldiers who were trapped in an avalanche at the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region. "Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. Condolences to their families," Modi said in a tweet.
IANS

Cameron fights for his place in history with EU vote
Prime Minister David Cameron is playing a high-stakes game which will decide his place in political history with negotiations aimed at preventing Britain from leaving the EU in a looming referendum, experts say. Cameron landed himself in his current position by promising in 2013 to hold a referendum on Europe if he won the 2015 election. Paradoxically for a leader who is arguing for Britain to stay in the European Union, Cameron has described himself as a eurosceptic.
AFP

PM inaugurates gas cracker project, wax producing unit in Assam
Lepetkata (Assam), Feb 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Rs.10,000 crore gas cracker project at Lepetkata in Upper Assam's Dibrugarh district and slammed the earlier United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for its inordinate delay. Had this project been completed and inaugurated 25 years back, Assam would have seen lot of industrial development and employment opportunities for the youth.
IANS

Syrian opposition should welcome Aleppo offensive as it targets militants - Russia
(Adds further quotes, background) By Tom Miles GENEVA, Feb 5 (Reuters) - A senior Russian diplomat said on Friday Syrian opposition envoys who attended U.N.-mediated peace talks this week should have welcomed a government offensive because it targeted Islamist militants, rather than walk out of the parley. The United Nations on Wednesday shelved the first peace talks in two years, halting an effort that seemed doomed from the onset as fighting raged on unabated. Washington said on Thursday it was hopeful talks would resume by the end of the month, and Russia said it expected that no later than Feb. 25.
Reuters Middle East

'Political breakthrough needed to normalise Pakistan, India ties'
Islamabad, Feb 5 (IANS) Political breakthrough is required to normalise ties between Pakistan and India, said a Pakistani daily on Friday. An editorial "Visa woes" in the News International said that the evergreen issue of the Pakistan-India visa regime hit the headlines again after Indian actor Anupam Kher alleged that he was denied a visa to attend the Karachi Literature Festival. "Kher recently targeted and led rallies against those like actor Aamir Khan who spoke out against the rise of intolerance in India.
IANS

Venezuela opens debate on political prisoner amnesty
Venezuelan lawmakers opened debate Thursday on an amnesty bill for political prisoners, a key legislative initiative for the opposition majority that risks unleashing another political crisis with President Nicolas Maduro's administration. Maduro's administration rejects the bill and says the prisoners in question are legitimately convicted criminals.
AFP

Sushma Swaraj leaves for Sri Lanka
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left here on Friday on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka during which she will attend a meeting of the joint commission of the two South Asian neighbours. "Leaving for Sri Lanka! EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs for the 9th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting in Colombo," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. The joint commission is co-chaired by Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera.
IANS

Sonia condoles death of soldiers in Siachen avalanche
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday expressed deep distress over the death of soldiers in an avalanche on the Siachen glacier. A Congress statement said Gandhi saluted the soldiers who lost their lives securing the nation's boundaries in the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. "Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed shock and deep distress on confirmation of death of 10 army men in an avalanche in Siachen," the statement said.
IANS

Sri Lanka envoy unveils welfare plan for island’s expat workers
Sri Lankan Ambassador Azim Thassim told his countrymen in the Kingdom that his mission has chalked out a 20/20 plan to promote bilateral relations with the Kingdom and to work for the welfare of the island’s 500,000 workers in Saudi Arabia. The envoy was addressing the Sri Lankan community on the occasion of his country’s 68th anniversary of its Independence Day on Thursday. A large gathering of the Lankan community, including schoolchildren and Saudi businessmen, graced the colorful ceremony organized by the mission.
Arab News