CELLPHONE SERVICES SNAPPED IN KASHMIR  FOR REPUBLIC DAY
NDTV, New Delhi
Cellphone services in Kashmir Valley - switched off since last night - will be restored this afternoon, sources said. The service was snapped on the eve of the Republic Day celebrations as a precautionary measure. While mobile internet services were suspended hours after their restoration on Saturday, mobile phone connectivity was suspended in the early hours of yesterday.

FRENCH DEFENCE CHIEF HEADS TO US TO PRESS SAHEL CASE
AFP, Paris
France’s defence minister departs for Washington yesterday hoping to convince officials to keep US soldiers in West Africa, where French authorities are under pressure after years of trying to bolster local forces against Islamic extremists. Florence Parly’s visit comes just days after her tour of the Sahel region, a vast arid expanse where states have little more than nominal control, allowing jihadist fighters to flourish.

NETANYAHU HOPES TO ‘MAKE HISTORY’ AT TALKS ON TRUMP PEACE PLAN
AFP, Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced hope yesterday that he can “make history” in Washington this week during talks on US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East. Netanyahu has been invited to meet Trump at the White House on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the project, which has already been dismissed by the Palestinians.

CANADA MONARCHISTS AFLUTTER OVER PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN’S MOVE
AFP, Vancouver
A striking sight, the Royal Standard flaps against the dark skies and unrelenting rains of Vancouver, Canada’s Pacific coast metropolis. Monarchist Raymond Greenwood raised the Queen’s banner atop his house just days ago to welcome Prince Harry and his wife Meghan after learning that the royal runaways were considering moving to his oceanside Kitsilano neighborhood here.