India&#39;s Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that India will offer Saudi Arabia a stake in the second phase of its strategic oil reserves. India is yet to build the strategic oil reserves.&nbsp;

India&nbsp;and Saudi Arabia have also discussed investment opportunities in a proposed oil refinery.&nbsp;

The refinery would bear a capacity of nearly 1.2 million barrels per day and is likely to be set up on the west coast of India.

The two countries have also talked about a petrochemicals project that will be set up in south India.

India has also sought reasonable oil prices from Saudi Arabia in a bid to make crude economical to India without hurting Saudi Arabia&#39;s interest.

(With inputs from Reuters)

India and Saudi Arabia have also discussed investment opportunities in a proposed oil refinery

India's Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that India will offer Saudi Arabia a stake in the second phase of its strategic oil reserves. India is yet to build the strategic oil reserves. India and Saudi Arabia have also discussed investment opportunities in a proposed oil refinery. The refinery would bear a capacity of nearly 1.2 million barrels per day and is likely to be set up on the west coast of India. The two countries have also talked about a petrochemicals project that will be set up in south India. India has also sought reasonable oil prices from Saudi Arabia in a bid to make crude economical to India without hurting Saudi Arabia's interest. (With inputs from Reuters)

India offers Saudi Arabia stake in its strategic oil reserve

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716" target="_blank">Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India</a>

As the controversy over invitation to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696">Punjab&nbsp;pro-Khalistani terrorist&nbsp;Jaspal&nbsp;</a>Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-never-said-give-guns-to-teachers-says-trump-33729" target="_blank">&#39;I never said give guns to teachers,&#39; says Trump</a>

President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. &quot;I never said give teachers guns,&quot; the president tweeted.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank"> move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report</a>

A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-moves-motion-to-place-pakistan-on-a-global-terrorist-financing-watchlist-at-fatf-32787">China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey</a>&nbsp;blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the &nbsp;Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">Pak army on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">modernisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank"> path under General Bajwa</a>

Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan&#39;s attempt to create a territorial army.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">Delhi Chief Secretary assault </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">case :</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank"> AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days</a>

Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India As the controversy over invitation to Punjab pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal. 'I never said give guns to teachers,' says Trump President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. "I never said give teachers guns," the president tweeted. China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked US move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries - China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist. Pak army on modernisation path under General Bajwa Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan's attempt to create a territorial army. Delhi Chief Secretary assault case : AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days

WION Evening news brief, February 22, 2018

Pakistan&rsquo;s Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani today threatened Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir with &#39;contempt of parliament&#39; proceedings after the minister refused to provide details of the &#39;unilateral decision&rsquo; to send Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia for deployment.

The minister gave a policy statement in Senate, the upper house, days after the powerful army announced the decision to send troops to the Gulf Kingdom.

&quot;Pakistani troops being dispatched to Saudi Arabia are only meant for imparting training to Saudi security personnel instead of entangling in Yemen war,&quot; he told the lawmakers.

He said that over 1,000 contingent will be dispatched shortly as part of the decision.

Currently, around 1,600 Pakistani troops are on deputation in Saudi Arabia under a bilateral agreement.

The minister said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has approved deputing additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia for training and advisory purposes, which is a continuation of the on-going support.

He rejected the impression that by sending troops the government had violated April 2015 resolution by parliament which had asked the government to stay away from Yemen war.

However, the Senate Chairman &#39;rejected&#39; Dastagir&#39;s briefing to the upper house after the minister said he could not divulge &quot;operational details&quot; of the deployment.

&quot;Why don&#39;t we proceed against you and the prime minister over &#39;contempt of parliament&#39;?&quot; Rabbani asked.

He asked why the parliament was not informed by the minister and the prime minister since they knew about the decision to deploy the troops.

&quot;The parliament found out (about the deployment) through a press release,&quot; Rabbani said. &quot;The executive has itself rubbed parliament&#39;s nose in the dirt.&quot;

Rabbani asked the minister to provide all details about the deployment and offered in-camera session for the purpose and urged him &quot;not to give us a lollipop&quot; as &quot;we are not children.&quot;

The minister refused to accept the offer and even refused to share the location where the troops will be deployed.

He told the Senate that the troops will not be deployed outside the Kingdom&#39;s territory, but Rabbani expressed a lack of confidence in his words, saying this information was already known.

Currently, around 1,600 Pakistani troops are on deputation in Saudi Arabia under a bilateral agreement

Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani today threatened Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir with 'contempt of parliament' proceedings after the minister refused to provide details of the 'unilateral decision’ to send Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia for deployment. The minister gave a policy statement in Senate, the upper house, days after the powerful army announced the decision to send troops to the Gulf Kingdom. "Pakistani troops being dispatched to Saudi Arabia are only meant for imparting training to Saudi security personnel instead of entangling in Yemen war," he told the lawmakers. He said that over 1,000 contingent will be dispatched shortly as part of the decision. Currently, around 1,600 Pakistani troops are on deputation in Saudi Arabia under a bilateral agreement. The minister said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has approved deputing additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia for training and advisory purposes, which is a continuation of the on-going support. He rejected the impression that by sending troops the government had violated April 2015 resolution by parliament which had asked the government to stay away from Yemen war. However, the Senate Chairman 'rejected' Dastagir's briefing to the upper house after the minister said he could not divulge "operational details" of the deployment. "Why don't we proceed against you and the prime minister over 'contempt of parliament'?" Rabbani asked. He asked why the parliament was not informed by the minister and the prime minister since they knew about the decision to deploy the troops. "The parliament found out (about the deployment) through a press release," Rabbani said. "The executive has itself rubbed parliament's nose in the dirt." Rabbani asked the minister to provide all details about the deployment and offered in-camera session for the purpose and urged him "not to give us a lollipop" as "we are not children." The minister refused to accept the offer and even refused to share the location where the troops will be deployed. He told the Senate that the troops will not be deployed outside the Kingdom's territory, but Rabbani expressed a lack of confidence in his words, saying this information was already known.

Pakistan refuses to disclose details of troops deployment in Saudi Arabia

Women in Saudi Arabia can now open their own businesses without the consent of a husband or male relative, as the kingdom pushes to expand a fast-growing private sector.

The policy change, announced by the Saudi government on Thursday, also marks a major step away from the strict guardianship system that has ruled the country for decades.

&quot;Women can now launch their own businesses and benefit from (governmental) e-services without having to prove consent from a guardian,&quot; the ministry of commerce and investment said on its website.

Under Saudi Arabia&#39;s guardianship system, women are required to present proof of permission from a male &quot;guardian&quot; - normally the husband, father or brother - to do any government paperwork, travel or enrol in classes.

Long dependent on crude production for economic revenue, Saudi Arabia is pushing to expand the country&#39;s private sector, including an expansion of female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era.

While women still face a host of restrictions in the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom, Saudi Arabia&#39;s public prosecutor&#39;s office this month said it would begin recruiting women investigators for the first time.

The kingdom has also opened 140 positions for women at airports and border crossings, a historic first that the government said drew 107,000 female applicants.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful heir to the Saudi throne, has been leading the drive to expand the role of women in the workforce in recent months.

His father, King Salman, in September, approved the end of a decades-long ban on driving, which goes into effect in June.

The 32-year-old prince pledged a &quot;moderate, open&quot; Saudi Arabia in October, breaking with ultra-conservative clerics in favour of an image catering to foreign investors and Saudi youth.

Prince Mohammed is widely seen as the chief architect behind Saudi Arabia&#39;s &quot;Vision 2030&quot; reform programme, which seeks to elevate the percentage of women in the workforce from 22 per cent to nearly one-third.&nbsp;

The policy change was announced by the Saudi government on Thursday

Women in Saudi Arabia can now open their own businesses without the consent of a husband or male relative, as the kingdom pushes to expand a fast-growing private sector. The policy change, announced by the Saudi government on Thursday, also marks a major step away from the strict guardianship system that has ruled the country for decades. "Women can now launch their own businesses and benefit from (governmental) e-services without having to prove consent from a guardian," the ministry of commerce and investment said on its website. Under Saudi Arabia's guardianship system, women are required to present proof of permission from a male "guardian" - normally the husband, father or brother - to do any government paperwork, travel or enrol in classes. Long dependent on crude production for economic revenue, Saudi Arabia is pushing to expand the country's private sector, including an expansion of female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era. While women still face a host of restrictions in the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom, Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor's office this month said it would begin recruiting women investigators for the first time. The kingdom has also opened 140 positions for women at airports and border crossings, a historic first that the government said drew 107,000 female applicants. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful heir to the Saudi throne, has been leading the drive to expand the role of women in the workforce in recent months. His father, King Salman, in September, approved the end of a decades-long ban on driving, which goes into effect in June. The 32-year-old prince pledged a "moderate, open" Saudi Arabia in October, breaking with ultra-conservative clerics in favour of an image catering to foreign investors and Saudi youth. Prince Mohammed is widely seen as the chief architect behind Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" reform programme, which seeks to elevate the percentage of women in the workforce from 22 per cent to nearly one-third.

Saudi women to start own business without male permission

Pakistan on Saturday said the decision to send its troops to Saudi Arabia was taken after clarifying the &quot;rules of engagement&quot; for which negotiations were ongoing for some time.

Defence Minister Khurram Dastigir Khan said the role of Pakistani troops was limited to advisory and training to Saudi forces.

&quot;Negotiations were ongoing regarding the rules of engagement and once we attained clarity on the issue that the troops will be on training and advisory mission to strengthen the ground defence of Saudi Arabia, the troops were sent,&quot; he told a News last night.

He ruled out any involvement in the Yemen civil war but said that Pakistan will not provide any air defence against missiles by Houthi rebels.

&quot;We only want to train their forces and better advise them. The areas bordering Yemen are mountainous, and as Pakistan&#39;s army is highly trained in mountain warfare, we will train and advise them,&quot; he said.

In a major policy shift, Pakistan decided to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia under an existing bilateral security cooperation agreement with its close ally which is involved in a civil war in neighbouring Yemen.

The Pakistan Army announced the decision to send troops on a training and advise mission to Saudi Arabia after a meeting between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Separately, a media reported that the deployment of troops was sanctioned by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as part of a longstanding defence cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.

Currently, there are 1,379 Pakistani troops deployed in Saudi Arabia, most of whom are from Pakistan Army, along with air force and navy officials, according to security sources.

The exact number of troops being sent is not known, but the fresh deployment is said to be slightly over 1,000 soldiers, according to the newspaper.

Security sources also clarified that there is nothing new about the deployment of Pakistani troop in the oil-rich kingdom, as defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia is based on a 1982 bilateral protocol for training and advisory roles.

The report said defence cooperation in the Persian Gulf is not limited to Riyadh, as there is currently a deployment of 627 Pakistani troops in Qatar, including 165 from the army and 462 from the navy and air force.

Islamabad also maintains a similar working relationship with Iran, which currently has 10 pilots in training with the Pakistan military.

The Iranians will be sending five more pilots &quot;sometime in April&quot; and even &quot;more in subsequent years,&quot; sources said.

Pakistan has stayed away from the conflict in Yemen where Iran strongly opposes the involvement of the Saudi-led military coalition.

In November last year, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Tehran where he met top Iranian civil and military leaders, including President Hassan Rouhani.

Bajwa has also visited Saudi Arabia five times in his first year in charge.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been involved in a number of joint training exercises in recent months, the most recent being a joint naval exercise in Karachi codenamed Affa Al-Sahil, which concluded on Friday.

The exercise has been performed annually since 2011 and aims to enhance interoperability and sharpen tactical proficiency in countering maritime human trafficking, piracy and terrorism.

Meanwhile, naval exercises are currently underway between Pakistan and Saudi Arabian marines in Saudi waters.

Saudi special services participated in the last Pakistan Day parade, while there are currently 200 Saudi cadets in the Pakistan Military Academy, PAF Academy, and Naval Academy.

A source said that last year, close to 1,500 Saudi officers and soldiers were trained in Pakistan, mostly by the interior ministry.

&nbsp;

Pakistan on Saturday said the decision to send its troops to Saudi Arabia was taken after clarifying the 'rules of engagement' for which negotiations were ongoing for some time

Pakistan on Saturday said the decision to send its troops to Saudi Arabia was taken after clarifying the "rules of engagement" for which negotiations were ongoing for some time. Defence Minister Khurram Dastigir Khan said the role of Pakistani troops was limited to advisory and training to Saudi forces. "Negotiations were ongoing regarding the rules of engagement and once we attained clarity on the issue that the troops will be on training and advisory mission to strengthen the ground defence of Saudi Arabia, the troops were sent," he told a News last night. He ruled out any involvement in the Yemen civil war but said that Pakistan will not provide any air defence against missiles by Houthi rebels. "We only want to train their forces and better advise them. The areas bordering Yemen are mountainous, and as Pakistan's army is highly trained in mountain warfare, we will train and advise them," he said. In a major policy shift, Pakistan decided to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia under an existing bilateral security cooperation agreement with its close ally which is involved in a civil war in neighbouring Yemen. The Pakistan Army announced the decision to send troops on a training and advise mission to Saudi Arabia after a meeting between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Separately, a media reported that the deployment of troops was sanctioned by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as part of a longstanding defence cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh. Currently, there are 1,379 Pakistani troops deployed in Saudi Arabia, most of whom are from Pakistan Army, along with air force and navy officials, according to security sources. The exact number of troops being sent is not known, but the fresh deployment is said to be slightly over 1,000 soldiers, according to the newspaper. Security sources also clarified that there is nothing new about the deployment of Pakistani troop in the oil-rich kingdom, as defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia is based on a 1982 bilateral protocol for training and advisory roles. The report said defence cooperation in the Persian Gulf is not limited to Riyadh, as there is currently a deployment of 627 Pakistani troops in Qatar, including 165 from the army and 462 from the navy and air force. Islamabad also maintains a similar working relationship with Iran, which currently has 10 pilots in training with the Pakistan military. The Iranians will be sending five more pilots "sometime in April" and even "more in subsequent years," sources said. Pakistan has stayed away from the conflict in Yemen where Iran strongly opposes the involvement of the Saudi-led military coalition. In November last year, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Tehran where he met top Iranian civil and military leaders, including President Hassan Rouhani. Bajwa has also visited Saudi Arabia five times in his first year in charge. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been involved in a number of joint training exercises in recent months, the most recent being a joint naval exercise in Karachi codenamed Affa Al-Sahil, which concluded on Friday. The exercise has been performed annually since 2011 and aims to enhance interoperability and sharpen tactical proficiency in countering maritime human trafficking, piracy and terrorism. Meanwhile, naval exercises are currently underway between Pakistan and Saudi Arabian marines in Saudi waters. Saudi special services participated in the last Pakistan Day parade, while there are currently 200 Saudi cadets in the Pakistan Military Academy, PAF Academy, and Naval Academy. A source said that last year, close to 1,500 Saudi officers and soldiers were trained in Pakistan, mostly by the interior ministry.

'Pak troops sent to Saudi after defining rules of engagement'

In a major policy shift, Pakistan has decided to deploy troops in <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saudi-Arabia" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Saudi Arabia-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saudi-Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> under bilateral security cooperation with the kingdom which is involved in the ongoing civil war in neighbouring Yemen. 
The <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pakistan-Army" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Pakistan Army-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pakistan-Army">Pakistan Army</a> announced the decision after a meeting between Army Chief General <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Qamar-Javed-Bajwa" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Qamar Javed Bajwa-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Qamar-Javed-Bajwa">Qamar Javed Bajwa</a> and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saeed-Al-Maliki" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Saeed Al-Maliki-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saeed-Al-Maliki">Saeed Al-Maliki</a>, at army headquarters in Rawalpindi yesterday. 
 
&quot;In continuation of ongoing Pak-Saudi bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise mission. These or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA,&quot; the army said. 
 
It also said the army &quot;maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other Gulf/regional countries&quot;. 
 
About the meeting of the ambassador with Bajwa, it said that matters of mutual interest including regional security situation were discussed during the meeting. 
 
Already around 1,000 Pakistani troops are deployed in Saudi Arabia in various advisory and training roles, according to officials 
 
There was no official word on the number of additional troops being sent to the kingdom but the Dawn newspaper quoted &quot;multiple sources&quot; hinting that it might be the size of a composite brigade. 
 
It also quoted army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, that the new deployment would be much lesser than a division, and that he would give details later. 
 
Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen&#39;s civil war but Pakistan steadily refused, saying it would not become the party to any regional conflict.

The war in Yemen stalemated and the situation has aggravated with the rebels firing missiles at regular intervals towards the kingdom. 
 
The alliance of Muslim nations set up by Saudi Arabia and led by former Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif is also still in an early stage to play any role in the conflict. 
 
Bajwa earlier this month visited Saudi Arabia for three days and met officials including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. 
 
It was his second visit to the kingdom in two months and reportedly played a role in Pakistan&#39;s decision to deploy troops.

Pakistan is treading a fine line in maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Qatar and other regional players and the decision of deploying troops may annoy Saudi Arabia&#39;s rivals like Iran and Qatar. 
 
Bajwa has been playing a major role in addressing concerns of regional countries and met with ambassadors of Iran and Turkey earlier this week. He also recently visited Qatar and met its &#39;emir&#39;.

The decision may also create tension in Pakistan&#39;s internal politics as parliament had passed a resolution at the start of the Yemen crisis that said Pakistan would stay neutral in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen's civil war

In a major policy shift, Pakistan has decided to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia under bilateral security cooperation with the kingdom which is involved in the ongoing civil war in neighbouring Yemen. The Pakistan Army announced the decision after a meeting between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, at army headquarters in Rawalpindi yesterday. "In continuation of ongoing Pak-Saudi bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise mission. These or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA," the army said. It also said the army "maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other Gulf/regional countries". About the meeting of the ambassador with Bajwa, it said that matters of mutual interest including regional security situation were discussed during the meeting. Already around 1,000 Pakistani troops are deployed in Saudi Arabia in various advisory and training roles, according to officials There was no official word on the number of additional troops being sent to the kingdom but the Dawn newspaper quoted "multiple sources" hinting that it might be the size of a composite brigade. It also quoted army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, that the new deployment would be much lesser than a division, and that he would give details later. Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen's civil war but Pakistan steadily refused, saying it would not become the party to any regional conflict. The war in Yemen stalemated and the situation has aggravated with the rebels firing missiles at regular intervals towards the kingdom. The alliance of Muslim nations set up by Saudi Arabia and led by former Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif is also still in an early stage to play any role in the conflict. Bajwa earlier this month visited Saudi Arabia for three days and met officials including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. It was his second visit to the kingdom in two months and reportedly played a role in Pakistan's decision to deploy troops. Pakistan is treading a fine line in maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Qatar and other regional players and the decision of deploying troops may annoy Saudi Arabia's rivals like Iran and Qatar. Bajwa has been playing a major role in addressing concerns of regional countries and met with ambassadors of Iran and Turkey earlier this week. He also recently visited Qatar and met its 'emir'. The decision may also create tension in Pakistan's internal politics as parliament had passed a resolution at the start of the Yemen crisis that said Pakistan would stay neutral in the conflict.

Pakistan to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia

Gazing at a shimmering salt pan below, a group of first-time Saudi hikers descended craggy slopes into a volcanic crater, part of a hidden trove of natural wonders being promoted to kickstart tourism.

Saudi Arabia will soon begin issuing tourist visas, opening up one of the last frontiers of global tourism -- a sector touted as the desert kingdom&#39;s &quot;white oil&quot; -- as it steps up diversification efforts to wean itself off its crude oil dependence.

But the conservative country, notorious for sex segregation and its austere dress code, is seen as an unlikely destination for global tourists aside from Muslim pilgrims visiting holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

Now in the midst of historic social change, the kingdom is seeking a place on the global tourism map by promoting sites such as the Al Wahbah crater, widely unheard of even within Saudi Arabia with the near absence of local tourism.

On a warm winter weekend, Amr Khalifa, a private tour operator, brought a group of first-time Saudi campers to hike to the bottom of the crater.

Clutching hiking poles, the hikers picked their way through the slippery, boulder-strewn path to the salt pan.

&quot;I told my friends about Al Wahbah,&quot; said Jeddah-based corporate banker Mohamed Bahroon. &quot;They had no clue.&quot;

The little-known crater, barely a four-hour drive from the western city of Jeddah, is a remnant of volcanic activity -- local folklore, however, has it as having been formed when two mountains were so passionately in love that one uprooted itself to unite with the other, leaving a bowl-shaped depression in its place.

In recent months, authorities have built roads and markers to the site and erected picnic shelters around the rim of the crater.

&quot;The key challenge is to make such tourism sites accessible,&quot; said Khalifa, adding that he only had one camping group at the site that weekend.

Tourism is one of the centrepieces of Vision 2030, the blueprint to prepare the biggest Arab economy for the post-oil era, which was conceived by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In August the kingdom announced a multi-million dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

It also plans to develop historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada&#39;in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra.

The kingdom aims to nearly double the annual number of tourists it attracts to 30 million by 2030, with the sector projected to become one of its top revenue earners.

Tourism chief Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP last month that preparations were afoot to launch electronic visas in the first quarter of 2018 to &quot;all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit&quot; the Gulf state.

&quot;The kingdom is a very big treasure,&quot; Prince Sultan said, describing its stunning landscapes. &quot;We&#39;re not just oil traders.&quot;

In an effort to change perceptions, Saudi Arabia has relaxed some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing gender-mixed sporting events and announcing that women will be allowed to drive from next June.

But its absolute ban on alcohol still makes it a hard sell for many global tourists, experts say.

Rumours have swirled about plans to create exclusive resorts for foreign tourists, which, similar to many expat compounds in Riyadh, would have more relaxed norms.

But Prince Sultan said the kingdom, home to Islam&#39;s holiest sites, would not permit alcohol as &quot;we do not want to give up our culture and our local values&quot;.

&quot;Given the sensitivities of opening up to large numbers of non-Muslim tourists, I&#39;d expect the authorities to focus more on encouraging local and regional visitors in the first instance, while the tourist infrastructure is developed,&quot; said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in the United States.

&quot;And then cautiously start to market the kingdom to the wider world.&quot;

But global travel agencies such as Britain-based Steppes Travel are already planning to offer packaged tours.

&quot;There is a lot of potential for Saudi tourism -- we know this not least from the pent-up demand we have within our own database,&quot; Justin Wateridge, managing director of Steppes Travel, told AFP.

&quot;There is interest in those that know and understand Saudi Arabia and not much needs to change other than the issuing of tourist visas. Travel breaks down barriers and prejudice.&quot;

Tourism is still a &quot;new concept&quot; for Saudi Arabia, said Khaled Batarfi, a Jeddah-based writer.

&quot;Serving others in our tribal heritage is unacceptable, except your own guest,&quot; he wrote in the Saudi Gazette newspaper, calling for the need for professional training.

Back at Al Wahbah, that seems to be changing.

When the hiking group emerged from the crater, guide Khalifa swung open the boot of his SUV to remove tents, folding chairs, firewood and platters of meat to set up camp near the rim.

&quot;When Saudis go camping they take their full house with them,&quot; he said as the group settled in for the chilly night.

&quot;That needs to change.&quot;

&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia will soon begin issuing tourist visas, opening up one of the last frontiers of global tourism -- a sector touted as the desert kingdom's "white oil" -- as it steps up diversification efforts to wean itself off its crude oil dependence

Gazing at a shimmering salt pan below, a group of first-time Saudi hikers descended craggy slopes into a volcanic crater, part of a hidden trove of natural wonders being promoted to kickstart tourism. Saudi Arabia will soon begin issuing tourist visas, opening up one of the last frontiers of global tourism -- a sector touted as the desert kingdom's "white oil" -- as it steps up diversification efforts to wean itself off its crude oil dependence. But the conservative country, notorious for sex segregation and its austere dress code, is seen as an unlikely destination for global tourists aside from Muslim pilgrims visiting holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Now in the midst of historic social change, the kingdom is seeking a place on the global tourism map by promoting sites such as the Al Wahbah crater, widely unheard of even within Saudi Arabia with the near absence of local tourism. On a warm winter weekend, Amr Khalifa, a private tour operator, brought a group of first-time Saudi campers to hike to the bottom of the crater. Clutching hiking poles, the hikers picked their way through the slippery, boulder-strewn path to the salt pan. "I told my friends about Al Wahbah," said Jeddah-based corporate banker Mohamed Bahroon. "They had no clue." The little-known crater, barely a four-hour drive from the western city of Jeddah, is a remnant of volcanic activity -- local folklore, however, has it as having been formed when two mountains were so passionately in love that one uprooted itself to unite with the other, leaving a bowl-shaped depression in its place. In recent months, authorities have built roads and markers to the site and erected picnic shelters around the rim of the crater. "The key challenge is to make such tourism sites accessible," said Khalifa, adding that he only had one camping group at the site that weekend. Tourism is one of the centrepieces of Vision 2030, the blueprint to prepare the biggest Arab economy for the post-oil era, which was conceived by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In August the kingdom announced a multi-million dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts. It also plans to develop historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada'in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra. The kingdom aims to nearly double the annual number of tourists it attracts to 30 million by 2030, with the sector projected to become one of its top revenue earners. Tourism chief Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP last month that preparations were afoot to launch electronic visas in the first quarter of 2018 to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" the Gulf state. "The kingdom is a very big treasure," Prince Sultan said, describing its stunning landscapes. "We're not just oil traders." In an effort to change perceptions, Saudi Arabia has relaxed some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing gender-mixed sporting events and announcing that women will be allowed to drive from next June. But its absolute ban on alcohol still makes it a hard sell for many global tourists, experts say. Rumours have swirled about plans to create exclusive resorts for foreign tourists, which, similar to many expat compounds in Riyadh, would have more relaxed norms. But Prince Sultan said the kingdom, home to Islam's holiest sites, would not permit alcohol as "we do not want to give up our culture and our local values". "Given the sensitivities of opening up to large numbers of non-Muslim tourists, I'd expect the authorities to focus more on encouraging local and regional visitors in the first instance, while the tourist infrastructure is developed," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in the United States. "And then cautiously start to market the kingdom to the wider world." But global travel agencies such as Britain-based Steppes Travel are already planning to offer packaged tours. "There is a lot of potential for Saudi tourism -- we know this not least from the pent-up demand we have within our own database," Justin Wateridge, managing director of Steppes Travel, told AFP. "There is interest in those that know and understand Saudi Arabia and not much needs to change other than the issuing of tourist visas. Travel breaks down barriers and prejudice." Tourism is still a "new concept" for Saudi Arabia, said Khaled Batarfi, a Jeddah-based writer. "Serving others in our tribal heritage is unacceptable, except your own guest," he wrote in the Saudi Gazette newspaper, calling for the need for professional training. Back at Al Wahbah, that seems to be changing. When the hiking group emerged from the crater, guide Khalifa swung open the boot of his SUV to remove tents, folding chairs, firewood and platters of meat to set up camp near the rim. "When Saudis go camping they take their full house with them," he said as the group settled in for the chilly night. "That needs to change."

'White oil': Saudi Arabia seeks place on tourism map

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as &quot;undeniable&quot; evidence that a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194" target="_blank">ballistic missile fired by Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia</a> in November was Iranian-made.

That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels.

Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base.&nbsp;

&quot;The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had &#39;Made in Iran&#39; stickers all over it,&quot; Haley told a press conference last month.

The &quot;evidence&quot; stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones.

Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting &quot;fabricated&quot; evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made.

Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran.

A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of &quot;common origin&quot; but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source.

The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington.

It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year.

Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts.

The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump&#39;s Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation.

The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen's Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said. The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said. US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as "undeniable" evidence that a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia in November was Iranian-made. That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels. Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base. "The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley told a press conference last month. The "evidence" stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones. Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting "fabricated" evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made. Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran. A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of "common origin" but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source. The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington. It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year. Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts. The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump's Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation. The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

UN Security Council to inspect 'Iranian-made' missile debris

Two Hyderabad women, who were stuck in Saudi Arabia in search of a job, have now safely returned to India.

Rehana and Noor had gone to Saudi Arabia with a promise of employment but were forced to work as domestic help.&nbsp;

Their sister Farzana had written to the Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stating that her sisters were being tortured and must return to India.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Telangana: Hyderabad woman who had gone to Saudi Arabia for a job &amp; thrashed &amp; sexually assaulted there, returned to India on 25th January. Her daughter says, I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma&#39;am, Indian Embassy and Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother&#39;. <a href="https://t.co/2NMLwn7r6c">pic.twitter.com/2NMLwn7r6c</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957254653648842753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The two women safely returned to India on January 25, shortly after Farzana&#39;s&nbsp;appeal for their safe return.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;women, who went to Saudi Arabia in February 2017, claim that they were thrashed and sexually assaulted during their employment&nbsp;period.

&quot;I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide,&quot; noted one of the sisters.

The daughter of one of the victims&nbsp;thanked Sushma Swaraj saying that &quot;I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma&#39;am, the Indian Embassy and the Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother&quot;.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I was thrashed and sexually assaulted. I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide. My children told me they are trying to bring me back and asked me not to lose hope. I then received a call from Indian Embassy &amp; today I am here: Woman <a href="https://t.co/2LuLHcNi4R">pic.twitter.com/2LuLHcNi4R</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957254656626900993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Earlier in January,&nbsp;Farzana had claimed that her&nbsp;sisters were being held in Saudi Arabia on a pretext of employment.

She asked the External Affairs Minister to initiate the process of safe return of her sisters.

&quot;They were taken to Saudi through an agent on the promise of a beautician job, but are now forced to work as domestic help,&quot; Farzana noted previously.

According to media reports, the women were promised a salary&nbsp;of 1200 Saudi Riyal but received only one Saudi Riyal during the course of their employment.

The women claim to have been thrashed and sexually assaulted in Saudi Arabia

Two Hyderabad women, who were stuck in Saudi Arabia in search of a job, have now safely returned to India. Rehana and Noor had gone to Saudi Arabia with a promise of employment but were forced to work as domestic help. Their sister Farzana had written to the Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stating that her sisters were being tortured and must return to India. Telangana: Hyderabad woman who had gone to Saudi Arabia for a job & thrashed & sexually assaulted there, returned to India on 25th January. Her daughter says, I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma'am, Indian Embassy and Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother'. pic.twitter.com/2NMLwn7r6c — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 × The two women safely returned to India on January 25, shortly after Farzana's appeal for their safe return. The women, who went to Saudi Arabia in February 2017, claim that they were thrashed and sexually assaulted during their employment period. "I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide," noted one of the sisters. The daughter of one of the victims thanked Sushma Swaraj saying that "I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma'am, the Indian Embassy and the Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother". I was thrashed and sexually assaulted. I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide. My children told me they are trying to bring me back and asked me not to lose hope. I then received a call from Indian Embassy & today I am here: Woman pic.twitter.com/2LuLHcNi4R — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 × Earlier in January, Farzana had claimed that her sisters were being held in Saudi Arabia on a pretext of employment. She asked the External Affairs Minister to initiate the process of safe return of her sisters. "They were taken to Saudi through an agent on the promise of a beautician job, but are now forced to work as domestic help," Farzana noted previously. According to media reports, the women were promised a salary of 1200 Saudi Riyal but received only one Saudi Riyal during the course of their employment.

Hyderabad sisters stuck in Saudi Arabia return, daughter thanks Sushma Swaraj

Apart from China, it is the Saudi Arabian influence that may become more prominent in Pakistan. Despite the waning of US influence, it still has residual influence over Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; it was said that if there were two constants in the affairs of these nations it was Allah &amp; America, in that order.&nbsp;

The tectonic changes wrought in Saudi affairs have perplexed watchers &ndash; what has been done by the young Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was just unthinkable a few years back. It is unlikely that such draconian social reforms and economic changes can be brought about in so traditional a society without some backing. The praise heaped by Donald Trump appears to be the catalyst behind these reforms as is the forging of a pan-Arabic alliance of Sunni countries to combat Iran, Syria and Hezbollah influence in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has indeed become a front line US proxy &ndash; its campaign in Yemen (and obliquely against Iran) is clear proof of that. &nbsp;

Saudi Arabia:&nbsp;fountainhead of Islamic resurgence

&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite recent overtures towards India and increase in trade, we have to bear in mind that Saudi Arabia was the fountainhead of Islamic resurgence worldwide and more so in South Asia. It has actively exported and funded Wahhabi movements in J&amp;K, root cause of our current troubles. It is axiomatic that in any Indo- Pak dispute Saudi Arabia will ally with its Muslim ally rather than us &ndash; we must have no illusions about this. How strong this support will be in the near future, however, is a moot point.&nbsp;

Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (known as MBS) is &ldquo;riding a tiger&rdquo; in changing the status quo in his society &ndash; it is amazing how he has managed to garner loyalty from even the Saudi National Guard &ndash; a branch loyal to late King Abdullah faction of the Al Saud family &ndash; by ousting Prince Mitteb bin Abdullah. MBSs task is cut out and his country is likely to take some time to stabilise, before it can look outwards.&nbsp;

He will need all his wits in managing a major crisis within the royal family, having arrested some of the wealthiest and most powerful of his uncles and cousins, leading his country out of obscurantism, reducing Wahhabi influence at home and abroad. He has effectively subdued the religious hardliners &ndash; evident from unheard of freedom now provided to women. Given these far-reaching changes, Saudi Arabia is unlikely to extend its influence abroad, especially through economic dispensation. India needs to wait and watch how the situation develops, and whether Saudi funding for madrassas and jihadi groups dries up substantially. &nbsp;

MBS is now in full control of the four most important elements of his country &ndash; economy, media, security, and the military (Land, Naval &amp; Air Forces), as well as its counterweight, the Saudi National Guard. He has done away with the ultra-orthodox Department of &ldquo;Propagation of Virtue &amp; Prevention of Vice&rdquo; &ndash; i.e., the dreaded black-robed Wahhabi Muttawas. In one fell stroke, he has defanged the radical and ultra-orthodox elements by bringing under his wing the &lsquo;Council of Senior Clerics&rsquo; and the unofficial &lsquo;Awakening Clerics&rsquo;. This has placed him in an autocratic position to do as he pleases. &nbsp;

&nbsp;With the era of direct American influence in the Middle East waning, Saudi rulers have moved to rapidly build up their military that does not overly rely on the United States and is capable of meeting both Iranian and jihadist threats. It has diversified weapon procurement from Russia.&nbsp;

The Saudi military has been, in many ways, the proverbial &ldquo;chocolate cream soldiers&rsquo; army&rdquo; more familiar with parade ground routines, and to provide employment opportunity to the youth. This benign role suited the monarchy, always fearful of a palace coup. It relied more on the Saudi National Guards, a force comprising more rural and loyal subjects. Defence of the country was outsourced to the US, in exchange for a secure flow of oil and through massive arms purchases.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;This changed thanks to the hard lessons during its first conflict with the Houthis in 2009&ndash;2010, where the Saudi military performed poorly. In response to this, Riyadh has sought to strengthen Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and its own armed forces by urgently enhancing its special forces capabilities, upgrading training across the board, localising military production, reforming the military bureaucracy, getting the retired Pak Army Chief on board as the main strategist, and seeking out new sources of arms.&nbsp;

Pakistan is a vassal state

Appointment of Gen Raheel Sharif as the Commander of the Gulf Coalitions Forces has been a brilliant stroke, and has brought a sea change in the strategic and operational capability of the Saudi Forces. Improved relations with Russia have allowed Saudi Arabia to diversify its arms and equipment purchases and has also augmented the Kingdom&rsquo;s influence over global oil prices. However, for the immediate future, the final arbiter of their fate still remains the US; any disruption in the supply of spares, and 90% of their equipment will turn to junk.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It is said the Saudi King can summon the Pak PM and Army Chief at a moment&rsquo;s notice &mdash; even in the midst of a major domestic crisis. So to all intent and purpose, Pakistan is a vassal state, dependent for its existence and economy on external powers, be it China or Saudi Arabia. The latter has little to offer at the present moment, barring platitudes of Muslim solidarity, owing to its dwindling oil economy, expensive war against Yemen, and its confrontation with Qatar-Iran.&nbsp;

There also begs the question, what will be the role of Islamic fundamentalism under the new wave of liberalisation presently underway in the Kingdom? It would be difficult for Saudi Arabia to maintain a dual policy of liberal Islam at home, while supporting Wahhabi style militant organisations abroad. And when he is backed and supported by the Pentagon and Ambassador Nikki Haley, this means that an alliance is taking shape in the region under American leadership. That is certain because he has had the gumption to imprison Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, the wealthiest of Saudi princes.&nbsp;

It may be recalled that the outspoken Al Waleed had a Twitter spat with US President Donald Trump back in 2016. Responding to Trump&#39;s calls for banning Muslims from entering the US, Bin Talal had asked him to drop out of the US Presidential elections, calling him a &ldquo;disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America&rdquo;. Little wonder he has paid for it on US directions. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;Pak-Saudi nuclear and missile linkages &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;On the nuclear front, an unholy nexus existed between Pakistan, China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia, as far back as 1985. Chinese engineers established two missile bases at Al Kharj (some 100 kms south of Riyadh) and at Al Sullaylil (400 kms South of Riyadh). It was rumored, but never positively established, that an arrangement existed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that former would provide nuclear warheads to be mated with Chinese help, with the latter&#39;s CSS2 (Dong Feng) ICBMs, in the event of a strike against Israel.&nbsp;

Likewise, Pakistan was to have a lien on Saudi missiles to strike against India. This mutual pact was touted as the Islamic Bomb. But things have undergone a dramatic shift since those days &ndash; Pakistan now has its own SRMBMs &amp; MRBMs, which can reach most parts of the India sub-continent, so its dependence on Saudi ICBMs is largely hypothetical.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;Can the leopard change its spots? &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;Saudi Arabia has been the main source of funding for practically all Muslim terrorism &ndash; Moros in Philippines, Jihadi groups in Pakistan and J&amp;K, the&nbsp;war in Chechnya, the Al Shabab in Africa, and all Muslim militant activities in Europe and the US. Can it continue to play this double game, or will it change course? Remember this is the same country which in the 1990s said, &ldquo;today, we Muslims are 2 billion strong, out of a world population of 7 billion; in due course, we shall become 5 billion, and rule the world&rdquo;. This scenario might well come true, as Muslim growth rate is 2.4 against a decline in all other faiths. Therefore any radicalisation of the faith can have serious consequences for world peace.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conclusion &nbsp;

The void created by the USA abandoning Pakistan is likely to be filled by China, both economically and militarily. Naturally, this will have consequences for the Pak, as they will have to cede numerous concessions to the latter. Already Pakistan is deeply indebted to China for the CPEC and its further involvement in the OBOR project will push it deeper into China&rsquo;s arms. With China&rsquo;s strategy to surround India by creating a &lsquo;String of Pearls&rsquo;, i.e., of bases in the Indian Ocean - some in our immediate neighbourhood - it becomes essential for us to evolve a countervailing strategy. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;These developments do not augur well for India, aligned as it is with the US, a nation that can change its stance at a moments notice. It would do well for the security establishment to hedge its bets, and keep the line to Russia open. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Despite recent overtures towards India and increase in trade, we have to bear in mind that Saudi Arabia was the fountainhead of Islamic resurgence worldwide and more so in South Asia.

Apart from China, it is the Saudi Arabian influence that may become more prominent in Pakistan. Despite the waning of US influence, it still has residual influence over Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; it was said that if there were two constants in the affairs of these nations it was Allah & America, in that order. The tectonic changes wrought in Saudi affairs have perplexed watchers – what has been done by the young Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was just unthinkable a few years back. It is unlikely that such draconian social reforms and economic changes can be brought about in so traditional a society without some backing. The praise heaped by Donald Trump appears to be the catalyst behind these reforms as is the forging of a pan-Arabic alliance of Sunni countries to combat Iran, Syria and Hezbollah influence in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has indeed become a front line US proxy – its campaign in Yemen (and obliquely against Iran) is clear proof of that. Saudi Arabia: fountainhead of Islamic resurgence Despite recent overtures towards India and increase in trade, we have to bear in mind that Saudi Arabia was the fountainhead of Islamic resurgence worldwide and more so in South Asia. It has actively exported and funded Wahhabi movements in J&K, root cause of our current troubles. It is axiomatic that in any Indo- Pak dispute Saudi Arabia will ally with its Muslim ally rather than us – we must have no illusions about this. How strong this support will be in the near future, however, is a moot point. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (known as MBS) is “riding a tiger” in changing the status quo in his society – it is amazing how he has managed to garner loyalty from even the Saudi National Guard – a branch loyal to late King Abdullah faction of the Al Saud family – by ousting Prince Mitteb bin Abdullah. MBSs task is cut out and his country is likely to take some time to stabilise, before it can look outwards. He will need all his wits in managing a major crisis within the royal family, having arrested some of the wealthiest and most powerful of his uncles and cousins, leading his country out of obscurantism, reducing Wahhabi influence at home and abroad. He has effectively subdued the religious hardliners – evident from unheard of freedom now provided to women. Given these far-reaching changes, Saudi Arabia is unlikely to extend its influence abroad, especially through economic dispensation. India needs to wait and watch how the situation develops, and whether Saudi funding for madrassas and jihadi groups dries up substantially. MBS is now in full control of the four most important elements of his country – economy, media, security, and the military (Land, Naval & Air Forces), as well as its counterweight, the Saudi National Guard. He has done away with the ultra-orthodox Department of “Propagation of Virtue & Prevention of Vice” – i.e., the dreaded black-robed Wahhabi Muttawas. In one fell stroke, he has defanged the radical and ultra-orthodox elements by bringing under his wing the ‘Council of Senior Clerics’ and the unofficial ‘Awakening Clerics’. This has placed him in an autocratic position to do as he pleases. With the era of direct American influence in the Middle East waning, Saudi rulers have moved to rapidly build up their military that does not overly rely on the United States and is capable of meeting both Iranian and jihadist threats. It has diversified weapon procurement from Russia. The Saudi military has been, in many ways, the proverbial “chocolate cream soldiers’ army” more familiar with parade ground routines, and to provide employment opportunity to the youth. This benign role suited the monarchy, always fearful of a palace coup. It relied more on the Saudi National Guards, a force comprising more rural and loyal subjects. Defence of the country was outsourced to the US, in exchange for a secure flow of oil and through massive arms purchases. This changed thanks to the hard lessons during its first conflict with the Houthis in 2009–2010, where the Saudi military performed poorly. In response to this, Riyadh has sought to strengthen Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and its own armed forces by urgently enhancing its special forces capabilities, upgrading training across the board, localising military production, reforming the military bureaucracy, getting the retired Pak Army Chief on board as the main strategist, and seeking out new sources of arms. Pakistan is a vassal state Appointment of Gen Raheel Sharif as the Commander of the Gulf Coalitions Forces has been a brilliant stroke, and has brought a sea change in the strategic and operational capability of the Saudi Forces. Improved relations with Russia have allowed Saudi Arabia to diversify its arms and equipment purchases and has also augmented the Kingdom’s influence over global oil prices. However, for the immediate future, the final arbiter of their fate still remains the US; any disruption in the supply of spares, and 90% of their equipment will turn to junk. It is said the Saudi King can summon the Pak PM and Army Chief at a moment’s notice — even in the midst of a major domestic crisis. So to all intent and purpose, Pakistan is a vassal state, dependent for its existence and economy on external powers, be it China or Saudi Arabia. The latter has little to offer at the present moment, barring platitudes of Muslim solidarity, owing to its dwindling oil economy, expensive war against Yemen, and its confrontation with Qatar-Iran. There also begs the question, what will be the role of Islamic fundamentalism under the new wave of liberalisation presently underway in the Kingdom? It would be difficult for Saudi Arabia to maintain a dual policy of liberal Islam at home, while supporting Wahhabi style militant organisations abroad. And when he is backed and supported by the Pentagon and Ambassador Nikki Haley, this means that an alliance is taking shape in the region under American leadership. That is certain because he has had the gumption to imprison Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, the wealthiest of Saudi princes. It may be recalled that the outspoken Al Waleed had a Twitter spat with US President Donald Trump back in 2016. Responding to Trump's calls for banning Muslims from entering the US, Bin Talal had asked him to drop out of the US Presidential elections, calling him a “disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America”. Little wonder he has paid for it on US directions. Pak-Saudi nuclear and missile linkages On the nuclear front, an unholy nexus existed between Pakistan, China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia, as far back as 1985. Chinese engineers established two missile bases at Al Kharj (some 100 kms south of Riyadh) and at Al Sullaylil (400 kms South of Riyadh). It was rumored, but never positively established, that an arrangement existed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that former would provide nuclear warheads to be mated with Chinese help, with the latter's CSS2 (Dong Feng) ICBMs, in the event of a strike against Israel. Likewise, Pakistan was to have a lien on Saudi missiles to strike against India. This mutual pact was touted as the Islamic Bomb. But things have undergone a dramatic shift since those days – Pakistan now has its own SRMBMs & MRBMs, which can reach most parts of the India sub-continent, so its dependence on Saudi ICBMs is largely hypothetical. Can the leopard change its spots? Saudi Arabia has been the main source of funding for practically all Muslim terrorism – Moros in Philippines, Jihadi groups in Pakistan and J&K, the war in Chechnya, the Al Shabab in Africa, and all Muslim militant activities in Europe and the US. Can it continue to play this double game, or will it change course? Remember this is the same country which in the 1990s said, “today, we Muslims are 2 billion strong, out of a world population of 7 billion; in due course, we shall become 5 billion, and rule the world”. This scenario might well come true, as Muslim growth rate is 2.4 against a decline in all other faiths. Therefore any radicalisation of the faith can have serious consequences for world peace. Conclusion The void created by the USA abandoning Pakistan is likely to be filled by China, both economically and militarily. Naturally, this will have consequences for the Pak, as they will have to cede numerous concessions to the latter. Already Pakistan is deeply indebted to China for the CPEC and its further involvement in the OBOR project will push it deeper into China’s arms. With China’s strategy to surround India by creating a ‘String of Pearls’, i.e., of bases in the Indian Ocean - some in our immediate neighbourhood - it becomes essential for us to evolve a countervailing strategy. These developments do not augur well for India, aligned as it is with the US, a nation that can change its stance at a moments notice. It would do well for the security establishment to hedge its bets, and keep the line to Russia open. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Pakistan's terror entente with Saudi Arabia has deep roots

The Saudi public prosecutor&#39;s office said Monday it will recruit women as investigators for the first time, as the kingdom seeks to boost female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era.

&quot;Vacancies are available in women&#39;s positions on the staff of the public prosecution for the rank of lieutenant investigator,&quot; the office announced in a statement relayed by the information ministry.

The announcement is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&#39;s &quot;Vision 2030&quot; reform programme that seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s passport department recently said it received 107,000 applications for 140 vacant positions for women at airports and border crossings.

King Salman last year decreed that women would be allowed driving permits from June, a historic reform that could put not just millions of women behind the wheel but potentially many more into the workforce.

Saudi Arabia last month allowed women to enter a football stadium for the first time to watch a game.

But women still face a number of restrictions.

Under Saudi Arabia&#39;s existing guardianship system, a male family member -- normally the father, husband or brother -- must grant permission for a woman&#39;s study, travel and a host of other activities.

'Vacancies are available in women's positions on the staff of the public prosecution for the rank of lieutenant investigator,' the office announced in a statement relayed by the information ministry

The Saudi public prosecutor's office said Monday it will recruit women as investigators for the first time, as the kingdom seeks to boost female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era. "Vacancies are available in women's positions on the staff of the public prosecution for the rank of lieutenant investigator," the office announced in a statement relayed by the information ministry. The announcement is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "Vision 2030" reform programme that seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now. Saudi Arabia's passport department recently said it received 107,000 applications for 140 vacant positions for women at airports and border crossings. King Salman last year decreed that women would be allowed driving permits from June, a historic reform that could put not just millions of women behind the wheel but potentially many more into the workforce. Saudi Arabia last month allowed women to enter a football stadium for the first time to watch a game. But women still face a number of restrictions. Under Saudi Arabia's existing guardianship system, a male family member -- normally the father, husband or brother -- must grant permission for a woman's study, travel and a host of other activities.

Saudi public prosecutor to hire women investigators for first time

Saudi Arabia has allowed Air India to use its airspace for flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. 
 
However, it could not be confirmed from either the ministry of civil aviation here or Air India. 
 
According to a spokesperson of the airline, the national carrier has sought permission from regulatory body DGCA for thrice-a-week flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv from March, which is awaited. 
 
Another Air India official said the airline is also waiting for slots at Delhi&#39;s Indira Gandhi International airport and Tel Aviv&#39;s Ben Gurion International Airport. 
 
Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country. 
 
According to the official, an approval from Saudi Arabia to use its airspace will allow Air India to take a shorter route by flying over Ahmedabad, Muscat, Saudi Arabia and then land at Tel Aviv. 
 
This route will lead to a shorter flight duration between the two cities by two and a half hours and save fuel costs, the official said.<iframe frameborder="0" height="0" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" title="3rd party ad content" width="100%"></iframe>As of now, Israel&#39;s El Al flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai take a seven-hour circuitous route and fly over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enter India and avoid countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Due to route overflying issues Air India was earlier also examining the possibility of operating flights from Mumbai to Tel Aviv. 
 
Israel&#39;s tourism ministry has announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for flight operations.

The national carrier has sought permission from regulatory body DGCA for thrice-a-week flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv from March, which is awaited.

Saudi Arabia has allowed Air India to use its airspace for flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. However, it could not be confirmed from either the ministry of civil aviation here or Air India. According to a spokesperson of the airline, the national carrier has sought permission from regulatory body DGCA for thrice-a-week flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv from March, which is awaited. Another Air India official said the airline is also waiting for slots at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country. According to the official, an approval from Saudi Arabia to use its airspace will allow Air India to take a shorter route by flying over Ahmedabad, Muscat, Saudi Arabia and then land at Tel Aviv. This route will lead to a shorter flight duration between the two cities by two and a half hours and save fuel costs, the official said.As of now, Israel's El Al flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai take a seven-hour circuitous route and fly over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enter India and avoid countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Due to route overflying issues Air India was earlier also examining the possibility of operating flights from Mumbai to Tel Aviv. Israel's tourism ministry has announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for flight operations.

Saudi Arabia allows Air India to use airspace for flights

Following a bird flu scare in India, Saudi Arabia has decided to temporarily ban the imports of live birds, hatching eggs and chicks from India. The Saudi agriculture ministry confirmed the same on Thursday.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture the ban was issued keeping in view the warning released by the Paris-based OIE.

The OIE report mentioned that the H5N8 virus was detected on December 26 among birds in a village called Dasarahalli near Bengaluru. The virus has killed close to 951 birds while others were culled.&nbsp;

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) cited a report from the Indian agriculture ministry stating that India had reported an outbreak of highly contagious bird flu virus near Bengaluru, Karnataka in January.

(With inputs from Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

The ban was issued keeping in view the warning released by the Paris-based OIE

Following a bird flu scare in India, Saudi Arabia has decided to temporarily ban the imports of live birds, hatching eggs and chicks from India. The Saudi agriculture ministry confirmed the same on Thursday. According to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture the ban was issued keeping in view the warning released by the Paris-based OIE. The OIE report mentioned that the H5N8 virus was detected on December 26 among birds in a village called Dasarahalli near Bengaluru. The virus has killed close to 951 birds while others were culled. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) cited a report from the Indian agriculture ministry stating that India had reported an outbreak of highly contagious bird flu virus near Bengaluru, Karnataka in January. (With inputs from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia temporarily bans poultry imports from India over bird flu scare

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabia</a> <a href="https://t.co/KE2G1uQEXC">pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960850489276583936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival &#39;Janadriyah&#39;, at which India is the guest of honour country.

The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia&#39;s rich tapestry of culture and heritage.

&quot;Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s valued strategic partner,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.

&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.

Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016.

Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.

The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.&nbsp;

During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians. EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2018 × During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival 'Janadriyah', at which India is the guest of honour country. The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia's rich tapestry of culture and heritage. "Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India's valued strategic partner," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Swaraj in Saudi Arabia on three-day visit

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today.

Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.

&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.

India has been invited to the festival as a guest country.

&quot;We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India&#39;s participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights,&quot; Mr Singh said.

Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years.

Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE.

The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.

 
The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today. Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. India has been invited to the festival as a guest country. "We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India's participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights," Mr Singh said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Sushma Swaraj's three-day visit to Saudi Arabia begins from Tuesday

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that anti-corruption settlements have generated an estimated 400 billion riyal ($106.7 billion), according to a statement issued by the government&rsquo;s information office.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prominent-businessmen-reach-settlements-in-saudi-corruption-probe-source-30881">Prominent businessmen reach settlements in Saudi corruption probe- Source</a>

Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al&nbsp;Mojeb also said that the settlement represented in various types of assets, including real estate, commercial entities, securities, cash and other assets.

He said the total number of subpoenaed individuals reached 381, and 65 remained in custody.

However, the statement of Mojeb doesn&#39;t disclose further details of the real states or commercial entities that have been acquired.

Media reported on January 27 that several prominent businessmen including MBC network owner Waleed al-Ibrahim&nbsp;Fawaz Alhokair, former chief of royal court Khalid al-Tuwaijri former head of the country&#39;s meteorology and environmental protection agency, Turki bin Nasser; have reached a financial settlement with Saudi Arabian authorities.

However, the conditions of the settlements were not revealed.

Earlier in November 2017, dozens of princes and businessmen were detained in corruption crackdown launched by crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

They were accused of crimes such as money laundering, bribery and extortion.

(With inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb also said that the settlement represented in various types of assets, including real estate, commercial entities, securities, cash and other assets

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that anti-corruption settlements have generated an estimated 400 billion riyal ($106.7 billion), according to a statement issued by the government’s information office. Also read: Prominent businessmen reach settlements in Saudi corruption probe- Source Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb also said that the settlement represented in various types of assets, including real estate, commercial entities, securities, cash and other assets. He said the total number of subpoenaed individuals reached 381, and 65 remained in custody. However, the statement of Mojeb doesn't disclose further details of the real states or commercial entities that have been acquired. Media reported on January 27 that several prominent businessmen including MBC network owner Waleed al-Ibrahim Fawaz Alhokair, former chief of royal court Khalid al-Tuwaijri former head of the country's meteorology and environmental protection agency, Turki bin Nasser; have reached a financial settlement with Saudi Arabian authorities. However, the conditions of the settlements were not revealed. Earlier in November 2017, dozens of princes and businessmen were detained in corruption crackdown launched by crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman. They were accused of crimes such as money laundering, bribery and extortion. (With inputs from Reuters)

Saudi authorities say settlement in anti-corruption crackdown valued at $106 billion

Two people have been arrested on charges of helping a Muslim man &quot;forcibly&quot; convert a Kerala woman and attempting to take her to Syria to be sold off to Islamic State terrorists.

Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family.

The two are friends of Muhammad Riyaz from Thalassery in Kannur district, the prime accused in the case.

&quot;They have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,&quot; Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said, adding a hunt is on to arrest eight more accused, including Riyas, in the case.

He said the police have begun a probe into their alleged link with the Islamic State terrorists.

George said both Fayaz and Siyad were arrested based on the woman&#39;s complaint that she was allegedly tortured by them in a house in North Paravoor before Riyaz took her abroad.

The woman had alleged that Riyaz pretended to be in love with her when she was studying in Bengaluru in 2014 and forced her to convert to Islam and married her.

The woman from Pathanamthitta was brought up in Gujarat. She had moved the Kerala High Court last year seeking an NIA probe against Riyaz for attempting to take her to Syria from Saudi Arabia and sell her to the Islamic State terrorists as a sex slave.

She has also alleged that her marriage was registered using forged documents.

Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family

Two people have been arrested on charges of helping a Muslim man "forcibly" convert a Kerala woman and attempting to take her to Syria to be sold off to Islamic State terrorists. Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family. The two are friends of Muhammad Riyaz from Thalassery in Kannur district, the prime accused in the case. "They have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said, adding a hunt is on to arrest eight more accused, including Riyas, in the case. He said the police have begun a probe into their alleged link with the Islamic State terrorists. George said both Fayaz and Siyad were arrested based on the woman's complaint that she was allegedly tortured by them in a house in North Paravoor before Riyaz took her abroad. The woman had alleged that Riyaz pretended to be in love with her when she was studying in Bengaluru in 2014 and forced her to convert to Islam and married her. The woman from Pathanamthitta was brought up in Gujarat. She had moved the Kerala High Court last year seeking an NIA probe against Riyaz for attempting to take her to Syria from Saudi Arabia and sell her to the Islamic State terrorists as a sex slave. She has also alleged that her marriage was registered using forged documents.

2 held over bid to sell off Kerala woman to IS after 'forced conversion'

Sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia will open their doors to women to attend football matches for the first time ever on Friday, the government has announced.

&quot;The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12,&quot; the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday.

It said women would also be able to attend the second match on the following day and the third one on January 18.

Women from across the vast Gulf kingdom may be able to take advantage of this new freedom as the first match will be held in the capital Riyadh, the second in Jeddah on the Red Sea and the third in the eastern city of Dammam.

The kingdom, which has some of the world&#39;s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public.

Under Saudi Arabia&#39;s existing guardianship system, a male family member, normally the father, husband or brother must grant permission for a woman&#39;s study, travel and a host of other activities.

But the conservative kingdom has in recent months eased some of its most notorious restrictions on women, including the lifting of a driving ban -- set to go into effect in June.

In September, hundreds of women were allowed to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia&#39;s national day.

The easing of social controls comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage the oil-rich nation as more moderate and welcoming.

The powerful crown princes&#39; Vision 2030 programme for a post-oil era stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an energy slump.

Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually on entertainment in the neighbouring tourist hubs of Bahrain and Dubai.

But as a part of the crown prince&#39;s reforms drive, Saudi Arabia announced in December it was lifting a decades-ban on cinemas with the first movie theatres expected to open in March.

&nbsp;

'The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12," the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday

Sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia will open their doors to women to attend football matches for the first time ever on Friday, the government has announced. "The first match that women will be allowed to watch will be Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin on Friday, January 12," the ministry of information said in a statement on Monday. It said women would also be able to attend the second match on the following day and the third one on January 18. Women from across the vast Gulf kingdom may be able to take advantage of this new freedom as the first match will be held in the capital Riyadh, the second in Jeddah on the Red Sea and the third in the eastern city of Dammam. The kingdom, which has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public. Under Saudi Arabia's existing guardianship system, a male family member, normally the father, husband or brother must grant permission for a woman's study, travel and a host of other activities. But the conservative kingdom has in recent months eased some of its most notorious restrictions on women, including the lifting of a driving ban -- set to go into effect in June. In September, hundreds of women were allowed to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia's national day. The easing of social controls comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage the oil-rich nation as more moderate and welcoming. The powerful crown princes' Vision 2030 programme for a post-oil era stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an energy slump. Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually on entertainment in the neighbouring tourist hubs of Bahrain and Dubai. But as a part of the crown prince's reforms drive, Saudi Arabia announced in December it was lifting a decades-ban on cinemas with the first movie theatres expected to open in March.

This Friday, Saudi women to enter sports stadiums for first time

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the arrest of 11 princes who staged a sit-in, at Qasr al-Hokm in Riyadh, against the government.

According to Saudi media, the princes protested outside a historical palace in Riyadh against the government&#39;s move to stop paying for the water and electricity supplied to the royal class.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s attorney general confirmed the arrest on Sunday stating that the princes had challenged Saudi Arabia&#39;s austerity measures.

The arrested princes, who disrupted &quot;public peace and order&quot; shall face trial, the attorney general added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Saudi Arabia&#39;s &#39;austerity measures&#39; include a set of moves aimed at boosting revenue and keeping a check on national funding.

Saudi Arabia is one of the economies to grapple with the global slump in oil prices.&nbsp;

The Middle&nbsp;Eastern country&#39;s push to diversify its oil-dependent economy led to the arrest of more than 200 princes in November 2017. &nbsp;

The princes are detained at Al-Hayer prison, south of Riyadh.

They also demanded compensation for one of their cousins who was convicted of murder and executed in the year&nbsp;2016.

(With inputs from AFP)

Saudi Arabia's attorney general confirmed the arrest on Sunday stating that the princes had challenged the kingdom's 'austerity measures'

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the arrest of 11 princes who staged a sit-in, at Qasr al-Hokm in Riyadh, against the government. According to Saudi media, the princes protested outside a historical palace in Riyadh against the government's move to stop paying for the water and electricity supplied to the royal class. Saudi Arabia's attorney general confirmed the arrest on Sunday stating that the princes had challenged Saudi Arabia's austerity measures. The arrested princes, who disrupted "public peace and order" shall face trial, the attorney general added. Saudi Arabia's 'austerity measures' include a set of moves aimed at boosting revenue and keeping a check on national funding. Saudi Arabia is one of the economies to grapple with the global slump in oil prices. The Middle Eastern country's push to diversify its oil-dependent economy led to the arrest of more than 200 princes in November 2017. The princes are detained at Al-Hayer prison, south of Riyadh. They also demanded compensation for one of their cousins who was convicted of murder and executed in the year 2016. (With inputs from AFP)

Saudi Arabia confirms arresting princes over protest

State media said Saudi military intercepted a ballistic missile near Yemen border.

The Saudi coalition said the missile attack &quot;proved&quot; Iran was backing the Yemen rebels.

Last month <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemeni-missile-attack-on-saudi-arabia-bears-hallmark-of-iranian-weapons-nikki-haley-27229">Saudi Arabia had intercepted a Yemeni missile </a>fired over Riyadh. The rebels had targeted the Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had linked the missile attack to Iran saying it had &quot;all the hallmarks of using Iran-provided weapons.&quot;

Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen. 
&nbsp;

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had linked the missile attack on Saudi Arabia last month to Iran saying it had "all the hallmarks of using Iran-provided weapons."

State media said Saudi military intercepted a ballistic missile near Yemen border. The Saudi coalition said the missile attack "proved" Iran was backing the Yemen rebels. Last month Saudi Arabia had intercepted a Yemeni missile fired over Riyadh. The rebels had targeted the Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman. US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had linked the missile attack to Iran saying it had "all the hallmarks of using Iran-provided weapons." Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen.

Saudi military intercepts ballistic missile near Yemen border, coalition blames Iran

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates introduced value-added tax from Monday, a first for the Gulf which has long prided itself on its tax-free, cradle-to-grave welfare system.

Saudi Arabia compounded the New Year blow for motorists with an unannounced hike of up to 127 per cent in petrol prices with immediate effect from midnight.

They are the latest in series of measures introduced by Gulf oil producers over the past two years to boost revenues and cut spending as a persistent slump in world prices has led to ballooning budget deficits.

The five per cent sales tax applies to most goods and services and analysts project that the two governments could raise as much as $21 billion in 2018, equivalent to 2.0 per cent of GDP.

But it marks a major change for two super-rich countries where the mall is king. Dubai has long held an annual shopping festival to draw bargain hunters from around the world to its glitzy retail palaces.

Saudi Arabia has deposited billions of dollars in special accounts to help needy citizens face the resulting rise in retail prices.

The other four Gulf states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar -- are also committed to introducing VAT but have decided to delay the move until early in 2019.

The hike in fuel duty in Saudi Arabia was the second in two years.

But it still leaves petrol prices as some of the lowest in the world.

High-grade petrol rose 127 per cent from 24 cents a litre ($1.09 a gallon) to 54 ($2.46), while low-grade petrol rose 83 per cent from 20 cents a litre (91 cents a gallon) to 36.5 ($1.66).&nbsp;

Duty on diesel and kerosene remained unchanged.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a raft of measures to raise revenue and cut spending as it bids to balance its books.

Last month, it slashed the government subsidy on electricity supply, leading to a sharp rise in bills.

Riyadh posted budget deficits totalling $260 billion over the past four fiscal years and does not expect to balance its books before 2023.

To finance its mounting public debt, the kingdom has withdrawn around $250 billion from its reserves over the past four years, reducing them to $490 billion.

It has also borrowed around $100 billion from the international and domestic markets.

Saudi Arabia compounded the New Year blow for motorists with an unannounced hike of up to 127 per cent in petrol prices with immediate effect from midnight

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates introduced value-added tax from Monday, a first for the Gulf which has long prided itself on its tax-free, cradle-to-grave welfare system. Saudi Arabia compounded the New Year blow for motorists with an unannounced hike of up to 127 per cent in petrol prices with immediate effect from midnight. They are the latest in series of measures introduced by Gulf oil producers over the past two years to boost revenues and cut spending as a persistent slump in world prices has led to ballooning budget deficits. The five per cent sales tax applies to most goods and services and analysts project that the two governments could raise as much as $21 billion in 2018, equivalent to 2.0 per cent of GDP. But it marks a major change for two super-rich countries where the mall is king. Dubai has long held an annual shopping festival to draw bargain hunters from around the world to its glitzy retail palaces. Saudi Arabia has deposited billions of dollars in special accounts to help needy citizens face the resulting rise in retail prices. The other four Gulf states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar -- are also committed to introducing VAT but have decided to delay the move until early in 2019. The hike in fuel duty in Saudi Arabia was the second in two years. But it still leaves petrol prices as some of the lowest in the world. High-grade petrol rose 127 per cent from 24 cents a litre ($1.09 a gallon) to 54 ($2.46), while low-grade petrol rose 83 per cent from 20 cents a litre (91 cents a gallon) to 36.5 ($1.66). Duty on diesel and kerosene remained unchanged. Saudi Arabia has introduced a raft of measures to raise revenue and cut spending as it bids to balance its books. Last month, it slashed the government subsidy on electricity supply, leading to a sharp rise in bills. Riyadh posted budget deficits totalling $260 billion over the past four fiscal years and does not expect to balance its books before 2023. To finance its mounting public debt, the kingdom has withdrawn around $250 billion from its reserves over the past four years, reducing them to $490 billion. It has also borrowed around $100 billion from the international and domestic markets.

Saudi, UAE introduce VAT in first for Gulf

India&#39;s Vishwanathan Anand won the World Rapid Chess Championship in Riyadh on Thursday.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old grandmaster from Chennai remained unbeaten through the competition. He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/world-chess-championships-2017-viswanathan-anand-defeats-world-no-1-magnus-carlsen-27935" target="_blank">beat world number 1</a> Magnus Carlsen in the ninth round on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Anand faced Russia&#39;s Vladimir Fedoseev in the decider, after the two grandmasters topped the standings with 10.5 points each at the end of 15 rounds.&nbsp;

Anand brushed aside the 22-year-old Fedoseev in just 29 moves in the first game and took the second in 38 to win his first rapid chess title since 2003.&nbsp;

Anand&#39;s sojourn in Riyadh isn&#39;t over, and he could cap off a most memorable year by winning the World Blitz Championship which begins today.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old grandmaster remained unbeaten through the competition. He beat world number 1 Magnus Carlsen on Wednesday

India's Vishwanathan Anand won the World Rapid Chess Championship in Riyadh on Thursday. The 48-year-old grandmaster from Chennai remained unbeaten through the competition. He beat world number 1 Magnus Carlsen in the ninth round on Wednesday. Anand faced Russia's Vladimir Fedoseev in the decider, after the two grandmasters topped the standings with 10.5 points each at the end of 15 rounds. Anand brushed aside the 22-year-old Fedoseev in just 29 moves in the first game and took the second in 38 to win his first rapid chess title since 2003. Anand's sojourn in Riyadh isn't over, and he could cap off a most memorable year by winning the World Blitz Championship which begins today.

Vishwananthan Anand wins World Rapid Chess Championship

Apple and Amazon are in licensing discussions with Riyadh on investing in Saudi Arabia, two sources told Reuters, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&#39;s push to give the conservative kingdom a high-tech look.

A third source confirmed that Apple was in talks with SAGIA, Saudi Arabia&#39;s foreign investment authority.

Both companies already sell products in Saudi Arabia via third parties but they and other global tech giants have yet to establish a direct presence.

Amazon&#39;s discussions are being led by cloud computing division Amazon Web Services (AWS), which would introduce stiff competition in a market currently dominated by smaller local providers like STC and Mobily.

Riyadh has been easing regulatory impediments for the past two years, including limits on foreign ownership which had long kept investors away, since falling crude prices highlighted the need to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

Luring Apple and Amazon would further Prince Mohammed&#39;s reform plans and raise the companies&#39; profile in a young and relatively affluent market, which already boasts some of the highest internet and smartphone use in the world.

About 70 percent of the Saudi population is under 30 and frequently glued to social media.

A licensing agreement for Apple stores with SAGIA is expected by February, with an initial retail store targeted for 2019, said two sources familiar with the discussions.

Amazon&#39;s talks are in earlier stages and no specific date has been set for investment plans, they said.

Apple already holds second place in the Saudi mobile phone market behind Samsung, according to market researcher Euromonitor.

Amazon acquired Dubai-based online retailer Souq.com earlier in 2017, opening access for Amazon retail goods to be sold in the kingdom.

Both companies declined to comment, while SAGIA was not immediately available to answer questions about the discussions.

Lengthy courtship&nbsp;

While Saudi reform plans call for luring foreign investment broadly across sectors, officials have courted Silicon Valley players especially strongly over the past two years to complement their high-tech ambitions.

Prince Mohammed is an avowed technophile and has styled himself a disrupter in the model of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

During an official visit to the United States last year he met executives at Facebook, Microsoft and Uber, in which the sovereign wealth fund he chairs later took a $3.5 billion stake.

Since then, he has also set up a $45 billion technology investment fund with Japan&#39;s SoftBank and announced plans to create a futuristic $500 billion mega-city with more robots than humans.

Apple and Amazon have both been on a Saudi priority list of foreign firms which officials hope to attract to further their reforms, one of the sources said.

&quot;Many tech multinationals now in Saudi Arabia are either vendors to the Saudi government or, in the case of Uber, have benefited from a sizable Saudi investment,&quot; said Sam Blatteis, who heads Dubai-based tech advisory MENA Catalysts Inc.

&quot;Amazon entering the Saudi market would be a step-change.&quot;

For Amazon, the move underscores how AWS is looking to take an early lead in selling data storage and computing services to customers in the Middle East.

AWS, the world&#39;s biggest cloud business by revenue, has embarked on a slower global expansion than No.2 Microsoft, which now offers cloud services in twice as many regions.

However, Microsoft has yet to announce plans for data centres in the Middle East, with three regions in India serving as its closest operations.

AWS said in September it would set up data centres for the region in neighbouring Bahrain.

The kingdom has been streamlining its many overlapping laws which could apply to cloud computing for more than a year in order to attract service providers.

If completed, a cloud deal could pave the way for an expansion of Amazon retail warehouses in Saudi Arabia.

Although Amazon operates its diverse business units separately, it has rolled out its near-full suite of retail, third-party marketplace and cloud services in countries of operation over time.

Apple stores would raise the profile of the company&#39;s products and offer repairs and community events in line with its strategy to brand its stores as &quot;town squares&quot;.

Both companies already sell products in Saudi Arabia via third parties but they and other global tech giants have yet to establish a direct presence.

Apple and Amazon are in licensing discussions with Riyadh on investing in Saudi Arabia, two sources told Reuters, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to give the conservative kingdom a high-tech look. A third source confirmed that Apple was in talks with SAGIA, Saudi Arabia's foreign investment authority. Both companies already sell products in Saudi Arabia via third parties but they and other global tech giants have yet to establish a direct presence. Amazon's discussions are being led by cloud computing division Amazon Web Services (AWS), which would introduce stiff competition in a market currently dominated by smaller local providers like STC and Mobily. Riyadh has been easing regulatory impediments for the past two years, including limits on foreign ownership which had long kept investors away, since falling crude prices highlighted the need to diversify its oil-dependent economy. Luring Apple and Amazon would further Prince Mohammed's reform plans and raise the companies' profile in a young and relatively affluent market, which already boasts some of the highest internet and smartphone use in the world. About 70 percent of the Saudi population is under 30 and frequently glued to social media. A licensing agreement for Apple stores with SAGIA is expected by February, with an initial retail store targeted for 2019, said two sources familiar with the discussions. Amazon's talks are in earlier stages and no specific date has been set for investment plans, they said. Apple already holds second place in the Saudi mobile phone market behind Samsung, according to market researcher Euromonitor. Amazon acquired Dubai-based online retailer Souq.com earlier in 2017, opening access for Amazon retail goods to be sold in the kingdom. Both companies declined to comment, while SAGIA was not immediately available to answer questions about the discussions. Lengthy courtship While Saudi reform plans call for luring foreign investment broadly across sectors, officials have courted Silicon Valley players especially strongly over the past two years to complement their high-tech ambitions. Prince Mohammed is an avowed technophile and has styled himself a disrupter in the model of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. During an official visit to the United States last year he met executives at Facebook, Microsoft and Uber, in which the sovereign wealth fund he chairs later took a $3.5 billion stake. Since then, he has also set up a $45 billion technology investment fund with Japan's SoftBank and announced plans to create a futuristic $500 billion mega-city with more robots than humans. Apple and Amazon have both been on a Saudi priority list of foreign firms which officials hope to attract to further their reforms, one of the sources said. "Many tech multinationals now in Saudi Arabia are either vendors to the Saudi government or, in the case of Uber, have benefited from a sizable Saudi investment," said Sam Blatteis, who heads Dubai-based tech advisory MENA Catalysts Inc. "Amazon entering the Saudi market would be a step-change." For Amazon, the move underscores how AWS is looking to take an early lead in selling data storage and computing services to customers in the Middle East. AWS, the world's biggest cloud business by revenue, has embarked on a slower global expansion than No.2 Microsoft, which now offers cloud services in twice as many regions. However, Microsoft has yet to announce plans for data centres in the Middle East, with three regions in India serving as its closest operations. AWS said in September it would set up data centres for the region in neighbouring Bahrain. The kingdom has been streamlining its many overlapping laws which could apply to cloud computing for more than a year in order to attract service providers. If completed, a cloud deal could pave the way for an expansion of Amazon retail warehouses in Saudi Arabia. Although Amazon operates its diverse business units separately, it has rolled out its near-full suite of retail, third-party marketplace and cloud services in countries of operation over time. Apple stores would raise the profile of the company's products and offer repairs and community events in line with its strategy to brand its stores as "town squares".

Apple and Amazon in talks to set up in Saudi Arabia: Reports

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reportedly<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194"> intercepted a missile fired by </a>Yemeni rebels over Riyadh, the US later said it &quot;bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons.&quot;

Reports quoting the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

&quot;We must all act cooperatively to expose the crimes of the Tehran regime and do whatever is needed to make sure they get the message. If we do not, then Iran will bring the world deeper into a broadening regional conflict,&quot; Haley told the UN Security Council.

There were no reports of casualties or damage.

&quot;Thankfully the missile was intercepted before it could hit its intended target. But the very fact of this attack is a flashing red siren for this council,&quot; US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said.

Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen.

&quot;We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to its clear violations of the Yemen arms embargo,&quot; Haley said. &quot;We could hold the IRGC (Iran&#39;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) accountable for its violations of numerous Security Council resolutions,&quot; Haley added.

Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reportedly intercepted a missile fired by Yemeni rebels over Riyadh, the US later said it "bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons." Reports quoting the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman. "We must all act cooperatively to expose the crimes of the Tehran regime and do whatever is needed to make sure they get the message. If we do not, then Iran will bring the world deeper into a broadening regional conflict," Haley told the UN Security Council. There were no reports of casualties or damage. "Thankfully the missile was intercepted before it could hit its intended target. But the very fact of this attack is a flashing red siren for this council," US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen. "We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to its clear violations of the Yemen arms embargo," Haley said. "We could hold the IRGC (Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) accountable for its violations of numerous Security Council resolutions," Haley added.

Watch: Yemeni missile attack on Saudi Arabia bears hallmark of Iranian weapons, says Nikki Haley

Donald Trump&rsquo;s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel potentially sets the stage for a controversial American effort &mdash; backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates &mdash; to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US and the two Gulf states see an American peace plan-in-the-making as a way for more overt cooperation with Israel in confronting Iran, whom they accuse of destabilising the Middle East.

In doing so, the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are navigating a minefield. Protests against President Trump&rsquo;s move have, so far, underplayed the link between the fight against Iran and apparent Saudi and Emirati willingness to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace, which include East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Abu Dis, capital of Palestine?

That could change as US plans for Israeli-Palestinian peace crystalise and the link to the Saudi-Iranian rivalry manifests itself. According to a Lebanese official, at the core of the US draft plan is the controversial suggestion that Abu Dis &mdash; a Palestinian village bordering Jerusalem &mdash; would be the capital of a future Palestinian state, instead of East Jerusalem.

Perceived Saudi and Emirati backing for the proposal, which is reportedly being drafted by Trump&rsquo;s aide and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would bring anger at alleged Arab complicity to the forefront, fuel the persistent anti-US and anti-Israel protests, and complicate the campaign by the US and the two Gulf states against Iran.

The notion that Abu Dis could replace East Jerusalem has been around for almost two decades. It failed to garner support during the 2000 Camp David peace talks because Arab and Palestinian leaders rejected it. Saudi and Emirati eagerness to work with Israel, coupled with Trump&rsquo;s seemingly unqualified support for the Jewish state, has given the proposal a new lease on life.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite their official condemnation of Trump&rsquo;s recognition of Jerusalem, have signalled a willingness to be more flexible by continuing to support Kushner&rsquo;s effort and playing a low-key, if not dampening, role in the Arab and Muslim rejection of the president&rsquo;s move.

Ironically, differences among Arab leaders about how to respond to Trump&rsquo;s Jerusalem comments may have temporarily prevented Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from adding Palestine to a string of failed foreign policy moves aimed at escalating the kingdom&rsquo;s proxy war with Iran. Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s devastating military intervention in Yemen, his botched effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign, and his hamstrung boycott of Qatar have backfired and only strengthened the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s regional influence.

Inadvertently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah did Prince Mohammed a favour when they reportedly rejected pressure by the crown prince to not participate in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia was represented by a lower level cabinet official. Abbas may have further shielded the Saudi leader when his refusal to accept the US as a mediator was adopted by the summit.

The standby Abbas and King Abdullah, coupled with the OIC summit&rsquo;s rejection of Trump&rsquo;s move, make it more difficult for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to endorse any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that does not recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The problem is that Prince Mohammed and his UAE counterpart, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, run the risk of misreading or underestimating public anger and frustration in significant parts of the Arab and Muslim world.

The Iran deal

The link between Israeli-Palestinian peace-making and Iran is likely to become undeniable in January 2018, when Trump must decide whether to uphold the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran, which puts severe restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Under US law, Trump has to certify Iranian compliance every three months. In October, the president refused to do so. He threatened to pull out of the deal if Congress failed to address the agreement&rsquo;s perceived shortcomings within 60 days.

Congress has so far refrained from acting on Trump&rsquo;s demand. The president wants Congress to ensure that Iranian compliance involves accepting restrictions on its ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies.

It is anybody&rsquo;s guess what Trump will do.

At first glance, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley&rsquo;s presentation of Iranian missile parts as evidence of Tehran&rsquo;s support for Houthi rebels in Yemen &mdash; and wider Iranian destabilisation of the Middle East &mdash; would suggest that Trump is preparing to decertify Iran and possibly withdraw from the agreement. It could, however, also be an effort to project a tougher US stance toward Iran, while cooler heads in the administration put pressure on Trump to keep the agreement in place.

In either case, Trump and his Gulf allies are walking a tightrope by fueling suspicion that they are willing to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace in a bid to cater to Israel, a natural ally in the fight against Iran. In doing so, Trump and the two Gulf princes risk misreading not only the public mood but also Iranian influence and intentions, particularly regarding the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s ability to control the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Haley&rsquo;s evidence, which was supplied by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, failed to convince many in the international community.

Haley&rsquo;s display of missiles was prompted by the Iranian-backed Houthis who fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on November 4. It remains unclear whether that missile was supplied by Iran, or possibly North Korea, and when it was given to the Houthis. These are key questions that need to be answered to determine possible Iranian culpability.

The Houthis, a fiercely independent actor who have repeatedly demonstrated that they do not take orders from Tehran and at times ignore its advice, could throw a monkey wrench into the fragile Middle East mix if they make good on a threat to target not only Saudi but also Emirati cities. A missile strike would no doubt provoke a harsh response, possibly involving a joint American-Saudi-Emirati strike against Iran rather than the Houthis in Yemen.

Anger at President Trump&rsquo;s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders, who would be seen to be cooperating with the US and willing to sacrifice Palestinian rights to work with Israel.

In short, it could open a can of worms in which public anger is directed against multiple parties, ranging from the US to Israel to Arab leaders to Iran and the Houthis, and/or prove to be a perfect storm.

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/jerusalem-donald-trump-palestine-israel-iran-world-news-today-34349/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">Fair Observer</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Anger at President Trump?s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders

Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel potentially sets the stage for a controversial American effort — backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US and the two Gulf states see an American peace plan-in-the-making as a way for more overt cooperation with Israel in confronting Iran, whom they accuse of destabilising the Middle East. In doing so, the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are navigating a minefield. Protests against President Trump’s move have, so far, underplayed the link between the fight against Iran and apparent Saudi and Emirati willingness to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace, which include East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Abu Dis, capital of Palestine? That could change as US plans for Israeli-Palestinian peace crystalise and the link to the Saudi-Iranian rivalry manifests itself. According to a Lebanese official, at the core of the US draft plan is the controversial suggestion that Abu Dis — a Palestinian village bordering Jerusalem — would be the capital of a future Palestinian state, instead of East Jerusalem. Perceived Saudi and Emirati backing for the proposal, which is reportedly being drafted by Trump’s aide and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would bring anger at alleged Arab complicity to the forefront, fuel the persistent anti-US and anti-Israel protests, and complicate the campaign by the US and the two Gulf states against Iran. The notion that Abu Dis could replace East Jerusalem has been around for almost two decades. It failed to garner support during the 2000 Camp David peace talks because Arab and Palestinian leaders rejected it. Saudi and Emirati eagerness to work with Israel, coupled with Trump’s seemingly unqualified support for the Jewish state, has given the proposal a new lease on life. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite their official condemnation of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem, have signalled a willingness to be more flexible by continuing to support Kushner’s effort and playing a low-key, if not dampening, role in the Arab and Muslim rejection of the president’s move. Ironically, differences among Arab leaders about how to respond to Trump’s Jerusalem comments may have temporarily prevented Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from adding Palestine to a string of failed foreign policy moves aimed at escalating the kingdom’s proxy war with Iran. Prince Mohammed’s devastating military intervention in Yemen, his botched effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign, and his hamstrung boycott of Qatar have backfired and only strengthened the Islamic Republic’s regional influence. Inadvertently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah did Prince Mohammed a favour when they reportedly rejected pressure by the crown prince to not participate in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia was represented by a lower level cabinet official. Abbas may have further shielded the Saudi leader when his refusal to accept the US as a mediator was adopted by the summit. The standby Abbas and King Abdullah, coupled with the OIC summit’s rejection of Trump’s move, make it more difficult for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to endorse any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that does not recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The problem is that Prince Mohammed and his UAE counterpart, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, run the risk of misreading or underestimating public anger and frustration in significant parts of the Arab and Muslim world. The Iran deal The link between Israeli-Palestinian peace-making and Iran is likely to become undeniable in January 2018, when Trump must decide whether to uphold the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran, which puts severe restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Under US law, Trump has to certify Iranian compliance every three months. In October, the president refused to do so. He threatened to pull out of the deal if Congress failed to address the agreement’s perceived shortcomings within 60 days. Congress has so far refrained from acting on Trump’s demand. The president wants Congress to ensure that Iranian compliance involves accepting restrictions on its ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies. It is anybody’s guess what Trump will do. At first glance, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s presentation of Iranian missile parts as evidence of Tehran’s support for Houthi rebels in Yemen — and wider Iranian destabilisation of the Middle East — would suggest that Trump is preparing to decertify Iran and possibly withdraw from the agreement. It could, however, also be an effort to project a tougher US stance toward Iran, while cooler heads in the administration put pressure on Trump to keep the agreement in place. In either case, Trump and his Gulf allies are walking a tightrope by fueling suspicion that they are willing to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace in a bid to cater to Israel, a natural ally in the fight against Iran. In doing so, Trump and the two Gulf princes risk misreading not only the public mood but also Iranian influence and intentions, particularly regarding the Islamic Republic’s ability to control the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Haley’s evidence, which was supplied by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, failed to convince many in the international community. Haley’s display of missiles was prompted by the Iranian-backed Houthis who fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on November 4. It remains unclear whether that missile was supplied by Iran, or possibly North Korea, and when it was given to the Houthis. These are key questions that need to be answered to determine possible Iranian culpability. The Houthis, a fiercely independent actor who have repeatedly demonstrated that they do not take orders from Tehran and at times ignore its advice, could throw a monkey wrench into the fragile Middle East mix if they make good on a threat to target not only Saudi but also Emirati cities. A missile strike would no doubt provoke a harsh response, possibly involving a joint American-Saudi-Emirati strike against Iran rather than the Houthis in Yemen. Anger at President Trump’s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders, who would be seen to be cooperating with the US and willing to sacrifice Palestinian rights to work with Israel. In short, it could open a can of worms in which public anger is directed against multiple parties, ranging from the US to Israel to Arab leaders to Iran and the Houthis, and/or prove to be a perfect storm. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: The Arabs trade Jerusalem for Iran

Train testing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-metros-magenta-line-to-be-inaugurated-by-modi-crashes-through-wall-on-test-run-27200">Delhi Metro&#39;s magenta line, to be inaugurated by Modi, crashes through wall</a>

The Delhi Metro&#39;s magenta line, which was to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, has crashed through a wall on a test run.&nbsp;

The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj depot, the matter is being probed.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-will-be-the-next-gujarat-chief-minister-here-are-the-top-contenders-27197">Who will be the next Gujarat Chief Minister? Here are the top contenders</a>

The BJP, which managed to retain Gujarat for a record sixth time after a keenly contested assembly elections, is reportedly mulling a course correction as it also lost several seats to its arch-rival Congress.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194">Saudi Arabia intercepts Yemen rebel missile over Riyadh: State media</a>

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, state media said,

The rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-killed-8-injured-as-shopian-encounter-sparks-clashes-between-locals-security-forces-27186">J&amp;K: Woman killed, 8 injured as Shopian encounter sparks clashes between locals, security forces</a>

Sparked by the killing of two terrorists in the Shopian encounter, clashes erupted between locals and the security forces in the Jammu and Kashmir district on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-nifty-close-at-record-highs-after-bjps-gujarat-himachal-wins-27183">Sensex, Nifty </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-nifty-close-at-record-highs-after-bjps-gujarat-himachal-wins-27183">close</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-nifty-close-at-record-highs-after-bjps-gujarat-himachal-wins-27183"> at record highs after BJP&#39;s Gujarat, Himachal wins</a>

The Sensex and NIfty closed at record highs on Tuesday after the BJP&#39;s wins in Gujarat and Himachal.&nbsp;

The BSE Sensex rose 0.7 per cent to end at 33,836.74, while the NSE Nifty ended 0.72 per cent higher at 10,463.20.&nbsp;

Both indexes rose for a fourth straight session.&nbsp;

Train testing Delhi Metro's magenta line, to be inaugurated by Modi, crashes through wall The Delhi Metro's magenta line, which was to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, has crashed through a wall on a test run. The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj depot, the matter is being probed. Who will be the next Gujarat Chief Minister? Here are the top contenders The BJP, which managed to retain Gujarat for a record sixth time after a keenly contested assembly elections, is reportedly mulling a course correction as it also lost several seats to its arch-rival Congress. Saudi Arabia intercepts Yemen rebel missile over Riyadh: State media Saudi Arabia intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, state media said, The rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman. J&K: Woman killed, 8 injured as Shopian encounter sparks clashes between locals, security forces Sparked by the killing of two terrorists in the Shopian encounter, clashes erupted between locals and the security forces in the Jammu and Kashmir district on Tuesday. Sensex, Nifty close at record highs after BJP's Gujarat, Himachal wins The Sensex and NIfty closed at record highs on Tuesday after the BJP's wins in Gujarat and Himachal. The BSE Sensex rose 0.7 per cent to end at 33,836.74, while the NSE Nifty ended 0.72 per cent higher at 10,463.20. Both indexes rose for a fourth straight session.

WION Evening News Brief, December 19, 2016

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, motorcycles and trucks.&nbsp;

The King Salman regime issued a decree in September stating that women in the country will be allowed to drive from June 2018.

The royal decree also stated that it identifies law on driving &quot;equal&quot; for both men and women.&nbsp;

Female-driven cars shall not bear any special licence plate numbers, reports said.

The move is now seen as an ambitious reform push in the conservative kingdom that finally found its way after decades of resistance from female activists.

Many women activists who opposed the ban previously were jailed.

Women drivers involved in road accidents traffic violations will be dealt with at special centres established and run by women officials, noted an AFP report.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Female-driven cars shall not bear any special licence plate numbers

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, motorcycles and trucks. The King Salman regime issued a decree in September stating that women in the country will be allowed to drive from June 2018. The royal decree also stated that it identifies law on driving "equal" for both men and women. Female-driven cars shall not bear any special licence plate numbers, reports said. The move is now seen as an ambitious reform push in the conservative kingdom that finally found its way after decades of resistance from female activists. Many women activists who opposed the ban previously were jailed. Women drivers involved in road accidents traffic violations will be dealt with at special centres established and run by women officials, noted an AFP report. (With inputs from AFP)

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women drivers

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-confirms-processing-visa-applications-of-jadhavs-wife-mother-26944" target="_blank">&nbsp;Pakistan confirms &#39;processing&#39; visa applications of Jadhav&#39;s wife, mother</a>

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed that the visa applications of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s mother and wife were being processed. According to local media Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office had issued directives to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mudslide-in-southern-chile-kills-three-15-others-missing-26943" target="_blank">&nbsp;Mudslide in southern Chile kills three; 15 others missing</a>

&nbsp;A mudslide tore through a small village near a popular national park in southern Chile on Saturday (December 16), leaving three people dead and 15 missing after a night of torrential downpours, authorities said.&nbsp;Two Chilean women and a male tourist whose name and nationality have not been disclosed died in the accident, authorities said. Rescue workers were continuing to search through the debris for at least 15 other people.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-tax-overhaul-christmas-gift-for-middle-class-26951" target="_blank">Trump calls tax overhaul &#39;Christmas gift&#39; for middle class</a>

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a &quot;great&quot; gift for the middle class. Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-lifts-ban-on-women-driving-26949" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving</a>

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, drive motorcycles and trucks.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-cabinet-sanctions-pension-scheme-for-transgenders-26948" target="_blank">Andhra Cabinet sanctions pension scheme for transgenders</a>

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs 1,500 to transgenders above 18 years of age in the state. The Andhra cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and was briefed by Information and Public Relations (I-PR) Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu and Municipal Administration minister P Narayana on Saturday.

Pakistan confirms 'processing' visa applications of Jadhav's wife, mother Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed that the visa applications of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother and wife were being processed. According to local media Pakistan's Foreign Office had issued directives to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to Jadhav's wife and mother. Mudslide in southern Chile kills three; 15 others missing A mudslide tore through a small village near a popular national park in southern Chile on Saturday (December 16), leaving three people dead and 15 missing after a night of torrential downpours, authorities said. Two Chilean women and a male tourist whose name and nationality have not been disclosed died in the accident, authorities said. Rescue workers were continuing to search through the debris for at least 15 other people. Trump calls tax overhaul 'Christmas gift' for middle class President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a "great" gift for the middle class. Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office. Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, drive motorcycles and trucks. Andhra Cabinet sanctions pension scheme for transgenders The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs 1,500 to transgenders above 18 years of age in the state. The Andhra cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and was briefed by Information and Public Relations (I-PR) Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu and Municipal Administration minister P Narayana on Saturday.

WION morning news brief, December 17 2017

Saudi Arabia on Monday lifted a decades-old ban on cinemas, part of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&#39;s far-reaching liberalisation drive that is shaking up the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom.

The government said it would begin licensing cinemas immediately and the first movie theatres are expected to open next March, in a decision that could boost the Gulf state&#39;s nascent film industry.

Reviving cinemas represents a paradigm shift in the kingdom, which is seeking to balance unpopular subsidy cuts in an era of low oil prices with more entertainment options, despite opposition from hardliners who vilify movie theatres as vulgar and sinful.

&quot;Commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the Kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years,&quot; the culture and information ministry said in a statement.

&quot;This marks a watershed moment in the development of the cultural economy in the kingdom,&quot; the statement quoted Information Minister Awwad Alawwad as saying.

Saudi Arabia is expected to have more than 300 cinemas -- with over 2,000 screens -- by 2030, giving rise to an industry that would contribute $24 billion to the economy, the ministry said.

Like most public spaces in the kingdom, cinema halls are expected to be segregated by gender or have a separate section for families.

Beautiful day

Hardliners, who see cinemas as a threat to cultural and religious identity, were instrumental in shutting them down in the 1980s.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s highest-ranking cleric warned in January of the &quot;depravity&quot; of cinemas, saying they would corrupt morals.

But authorities appear to be shrugging off the threat, with some comparing Saudi Arabia&#39;s reform drive to a fast-moving bus -- either people get on board or risk being left behind.

Saudis themselves appear quietly astounded by the torrid pace of social change, which includes the historic decision allowing women to drive from next June.

Saudi Arabia in recent months has organised concerts, comedy shows, a Comic-Con pop culture festival and a mixed-gender national day celebration that saw people dancing in the streets to thumping electronic music for the first time.

The social transformation chimes with Prince Mohammed&#39;s recent pledge to return Saudi Arabia to an &quot;open, moderate Islam&quot; and destroy extremist ideologies.

Saudi filmmakers have long argued that a ban on cinemas does not make sense in the age of YouTube.

Saudi films have been making waves abroad, using the internet to circumvent distribution channels and sometimes the stern gaze of state censors.

&quot;It is a beautiful day in #SaudiArabia!&quot; Saudi female director Haifaa al-Mansour said on Twitter, reacting to Monday&#39;s announcement.

Her film &quot;Wadjda&quot; made history in 2013 after it became Saudi Arabia&#39;s first Academy Award entry.

The film depicts the dream of a 10-year-old girl to get a bicycle just like the boys in her conservative neighbourhood.

Catalyst for economic growth

The lifting of the ban represents a huge opportunity for regional movie chains that have long eyed Saudi Arabia as the Middle East&#39;s last untapped mass market.

Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim, which owns the VOX Cinemas chain, said it was looking to launch movie theatres in the kingdom.

&quot;These are exciting times and (we) will work with the kingdom to extend the footprint of our VOX Cinemas brand to Saudi Arabia in the months ahead,&quot; Majid Al Futtaim said in a statement.

Without cinemas, filmmakers said investment in films was unlikely to flourish and the depiction of society would not move beyond the foreign portrayal of Saudis as extremist or culturally primitive.

&quot;Now our young men and women will show the world possibilities and stories worth seeing,&quot; Saudi filmmaker Aymen Tarek Jamal said on Twitter.

&quot;Congratulations to the 2030 Generation.&quot;

The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices.

Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai.

&quot;Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification,&quot; Alawwad said.

&quot;By developing the broader cultural sector we will create new employment and training opportunities,&quot; the information minister said, adding the cinema industry was expected to generate 30,000 permanent jobs by 2030.

The move is part of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's far-reaching liberalisation drive that is shaking up the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom

Saudi Arabia on Monday lifted a decades-old ban on cinemas, part of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's far-reaching liberalisation drive that is shaking up the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom. The government said it would begin licensing cinemas immediately and the first movie theatres are expected to open next March, in a decision that could boost the Gulf state's nascent film industry. Reviving cinemas represents a paradigm shift in the kingdom, which is seeking to balance unpopular subsidy cuts in an era of low oil prices with more entertainment options, despite opposition from hardliners who vilify movie theatres as vulgar and sinful. "Commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the Kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years," the culture and information ministry said in a statement. "This marks a watershed moment in the development of the cultural economy in the kingdom," the statement quoted Information Minister Awwad Alawwad as saying. Saudi Arabia is expected to have more than 300 cinemas -- with over 2,000 screens -- by 2030, giving rise to an industry that would contribute $24 billion to the economy, the ministry said. Like most public spaces in the kingdom, cinema halls are expected to be segregated by gender or have a separate section for families. Beautiful day Hardliners, who see cinemas as a threat to cultural and religious identity, were instrumental in shutting them down in the 1980s. Saudi Arabia's highest-ranking cleric warned in January of the "depravity" of cinemas, saying they would corrupt morals. But authorities appear to be shrugging off the threat, with some comparing Saudi Arabia's reform drive to a fast-moving bus -- either people get on board or risk being left behind. Saudis themselves appear quietly astounded by the torrid pace of social change, which includes the historic decision allowing women to drive from next June. Saudi Arabia in recent months has organised concerts, comedy shows, a Comic-Con pop culture festival and a mixed-gender national day celebration that saw people dancing in the streets to thumping electronic music for the first time. The social transformation chimes with Prince Mohammed's recent pledge to return Saudi Arabia to an "open, moderate Islam" and destroy extremist ideologies. Saudi filmmakers have long argued that a ban on cinemas does not make sense in the age of YouTube. Saudi films have been making waves abroad, using the internet to circumvent distribution channels and sometimes the stern gaze of state censors. "It is a beautiful day in #SaudiArabia!" Saudi female director Haifaa al-Mansour said on Twitter, reacting to Monday's announcement. Her film "Wadjda" made history in 2013 after it became Saudi Arabia's first Academy Award entry. The film depicts the dream of a 10-year-old girl to get a bicycle just like the boys in her conservative neighbourhood. Catalyst for economic growth The lifting of the ban represents a huge opportunity for regional movie chains that have long eyed Saudi Arabia as the Middle East's last untapped mass market. Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim, which owns the VOX Cinemas chain, said it was looking to launch movie theatres in the kingdom. "These are exciting times and (we) will work with the kingdom to extend the footprint of our VOX Cinemas brand to Saudi Arabia in the months ahead," Majid Al Futtaim said in a statement. Without cinemas, filmmakers said investment in films was unlikely to flourish and the depiction of society would not move beyond the foreign portrayal of Saudis as extremist or culturally primitive. "Now our young men and women will show the world possibilities and stories worth seeing," Saudi filmmaker Aymen Tarek Jamal said on Twitter. "Congratulations to the 2030 Generation." The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices. Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai. "Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification," Alawwad said. "By developing the broader cultural sector we will create new employment and training opportunities," the information minister said, adding the cinema industry was expected to generate 30,000 permanent jobs by 2030.

Saudi Arabia lifts decades-long ban on cinemas

United Nations officials have found that missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen&#39;s Houthi rebels appear to have a &quot;common origin,&quot; but they are still investigating US and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them, according to a confidential report.

The officials traveled to Saudi Arabia to examine the debris of missiles fired on July 22 and November 4, wrote UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the fourth biannual report on the implementation of UN sanctions and restrictions on Iran.

They found &quot;that the missiles had similar structural and manufacturing features which suggest a common origin,&quot; said Guterres in the Friday report to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters on Saturday.

The report comes amid calls by the United States for Iran to be held accountable for violating UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and Iran by supplying weapons to the Houthis.

Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have fought the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen&#39;s more than two-year-long civil war. Saudi Arabia&#39;s crown prince has described Iran&#39;s supply of rockets to the Houthis as &quot;direct military aggression&quot; that could be an act of war.

Iran has denied supplying the Houthis with weapons, saying the U.S. and Saudi allegations are &quot;baseless and unfounded.&quot;

Guterre&#39;s report said the UN officials saw three components, which Saudi authorities said came from the missile fired on Nov. 4. The components &quot;bore the castings of a logo similar to that of the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group&quot; - a UN-blacklisted company.

The officials are &quot;still analyzing the information collected and will report back to the Security Council,&quot; wrote Guterres.

Nuclear deal

The Saudi-led coalition used the Nov. 4 missile attack to justify a blockade of Yemen for several weeks, saying it was needed to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran.

Although the blockade later eased, Yemen&rsquo;s situation has remained dire. About 8 million people are on the brink of famine, with outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria.

A separate report to the Security Council last month by a panel of independent experts monitoring sanctions imposed in Yemen found that four missiles fired this year into Saudi Arabia appear to have been designed and manufactured by Iran.

However, the panel said it &quot;as yet has no evidence as to the identity of the broker or supplier&quot; of the missiles, which were likely shipped to the Houthis in violation of a targeted U.N. arms embargo imposed on Houthi leaders in April 2015.

Most U.N. sanctions on Iran were lifted in January last year when the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran fulfilled commitments under a nuclear deal with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the United States. But Iran is still subject to a UN&nbsp;arms embargo and other restrictions.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump dealt a blow to the nuclear deal in October by refusing to certify that Tehran was complying with the accord and warning that he might ultimately terminate it. International inspectors have said Iran is in compliance.

&quot;I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region and beyond before taking any further steps,&quot; Guterres wrote.

&quot;Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan,&quot; he said.

The report comes amid calls by the United States for Iran to be held accountable for violating UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and Iran by supplying weapons to the Houthis.

United Nations officials have found that missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels appear to have a "common origin," but they are still investigating US and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them, according to a confidential report. The officials traveled to Saudi Arabia to examine the debris of missiles fired on July 22 and November 4, wrote UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the fourth biannual report on the implementation of UN sanctions and restrictions on Iran. They found "that the missiles had similar structural and manufacturing features which suggest a common origin," said Guterres in the Friday report to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters on Saturday. The report comes amid calls by the United States for Iran to be held accountable for violating UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and Iran by supplying weapons to the Houthis. Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have fought the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen's more than two-year-long civil war. Saudi Arabia's crown prince has described Iran's supply of rockets to the Houthis as "direct military aggression" that could be an act of war. Iran has denied supplying the Houthis with weapons, saying the U.S. and Saudi allegations are "baseless and unfounded." Guterre's report said the UN officials saw three components, which Saudi authorities said came from the missile fired on Nov. 4. The components "bore the castings of a logo similar to that of the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group" - a UN-blacklisted company. The officials are "still analyzing the information collected and will report back to the Security Council," wrote Guterres. Nuclear deal The Saudi-led coalition used the Nov. 4 missile attack to justify a blockade of Yemen for several weeks, saying it was needed to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran. Although the blockade later eased, Yemen’s situation has remained dire. About 8 million people are on the brink of famine, with outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria. A separate report to the Security Council last month by a panel of independent experts monitoring sanctions imposed in Yemen found that four missiles fired this year into Saudi Arabia appear to have been designed and manufactured by Iran. However, the panel said it "as yet has no evidence as to the identity of the broker or supplier" of the missiles, which were likely shipped to the Houthis in violation of a targeted U.N. arms embargo imposed on Houthi leaders in April 2015. Most U.N. sanctions on Iran were lifted in January last year when the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran fulfilled commitments under a nuclear deal with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the United States. But Iran is still subject to a UN arms embargo and other restrictions. US President Donald Trump dealt a blow to the nuclear deal in October by refusing to certify that Tehran was complying with the accord and warning that he might ultimately terminate it. International inspectors have said Iran is in compliance. "I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region and beyond before taking any further steps," Guterres wrote. "Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan," he said.

UN says missiles fired at Saudi Arabia have 'common origin'

I never thought I&#39;d be saying this, but Donald Trump, for once, is making sense. &quot;We cannot solve problems by making the same failed assumptions. Old problems need new solutions&quot;, he said.&nbsp; It was a pleasant change to see him sticking to the script. (It&#39;s time the world recognised the virtues of the teleprompter too!) Low on his trademark garbled rhetoric, more coherent. He declared his commitment to achieving peace, announcing the shift of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognised the latter as the capital of Israel.

Bad in law, unjust to the Palestinians, unfair on the part of a mediator, a blow to decades of US foreign policy, diplomatic arson, the kiss of death for peace - the naysayers have spared no effort in crafting the choicest expressions of criticism. And yet, the move makes sense.

Did anyone have illusions about where the American loyalties lay in this conflict? Others pretended to be fair, Trump wore his bias on his sleeve.

Did the so-called peace process make any tangible progress when America stuck to the previous strategy of maintaining a precarious balance? Previous Presidents failed. There&#39;s nothing to suggest that Trump&#39;s advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner&#39;s efforts and visits had made any headway.

Will the Arab world and America&#39;s European allies do anything beyond the token protests? The EU is mulling pushing for the Palestinian capital in Jerusalem. Only, Jerusalem is under Israeli control and under the current circumstances, the idea is impractical.

The Arab League is meeting&nbsp;on Saturday, but it&#39;s going through the motions. The Sunni states, led by Saudi Arabia see Israel as a potential partner, no more a pariah, as they prepare to deal with the perceived threat from Iran. There are elements who care about the &quot;Palestinian cause&quot; but no Arab ally of Ramallah has offered more than lip service for a while now.

Protests have begun, there&#39;s a call for another intifada or uprising by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. But can the decision of one sovereign nation to recognise the right of another sovereign nation to determine its capital be held hostage to threats of protests?

To Trump&#39;s credit, he has made good on an election promise that most of his predecessors broke. Yes, he undermines America&#39;s stature as a peace broker. Yes, it&#39;s a gamble. But it&#39;s a better bet than seven decades of a bloody status quo which, by the way, is also a misnomer. The American President promised an unconventional approach to policymaking and governance. He&#39;s doing it. Shifting the orbit. Jolting a system. If the gambit doesn&#39;t pay off, you cannot accuse him of not having tried.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Donald Trump is shifting the orbit. Jolting a system. If the gambit doesn't pay off, you cannot accuse him of not having tried.

I never thought I'd be saying this, but Donald Trump, for once, is making sense. "We cannot solve problems by making the same failed assumptions. Old problems need new solutions", he said. It was a pleasant change to see him sticking to the script. (It's time the world recognised the virtues of the teleprompter too!) Low on his trademark garbled rhetoric, more coherent. He declared his commitment to achieving peace, announcing the shift of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognised the latter as the capital of Israel. Bad in law, unjust to the Palestinians, unfair on the part of a mediator, a blow to decades of US foreign policy, diplomatic arson, the kiss of death for peace - the naysayers have spared no effort in crafting the choicest expressions of criticism. And yet, the move makes sense. Did anyone have illusions about where the American loyalties lay in this conflict? Others pretended to be fair, Trump wore his bias on his sleeve. Did the so-called peace process make any tangible progress when America stuck to the previous strategy of maintaining a precarious balance? Previous Presidents failed. There's nothing to suggest that Trump's advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner's efforts and visits had made any headway. Will the Arab world and America's European allies do anything beyond the token protests? The EU is mulling pushing for the Palestinian capital in Jerusalem. Only, Jerusalem is under Israeli control and under the current circumstances, the idea is impractical. The Arab League is meeting on Saturday, but it's going through the motions. The Sunni states, led by Saudi Arabia see Israel as a potential partner, no more a pariah, as they prepare to deal with the perceived threat from Iran. There are elements who care about the "Palestinian cause" but no Arab ally of Ramallah has offered more than lip service for a while now. Protests have begun, there's a call for another intifada or uprising by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. But can the decision of one sovereign nation to recognise the right of another sovereign nation to determine its capital be held hostage to threats of protests? To Trump's credit, he has made good on an election promise that most of his predecessors broke. Yes, he undermines America's stature as a peace broker. Yes, it's a gamble. But it's a better bet than seven decades of a bloody status quo which, by the way, is also a misnomer. The American President promised an unconventional approach to policymaking and governance. He's doing it. Shifting the orbit. Jolting a system. If the gambit doesn't pay off, you cannot accuse him of not having tried. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Trump's orbit shift, this year in Jerusalem

saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia, News on Saudi Arabia, stories on Saudi Arabia, articles on Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia stories at Wion, Saudi Arabia news, Saudi Arabia latest news

saudi arabia