1- India, Sri Lanka inks agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, Cultural cooperation

India and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, Cultural cooperation during Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Maithripala Sirisen four-day visit to India.

Sri Lanka has signed first such bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.

Following agreements were signed between India and Sri Lanka

• Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy-It will facilitate the transfer and exchange of knowledge and expertise, resources in peaceful uses of Nuclear energy between both nations. This agreement also includes capacity building and training of personnel for nuclear security, radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster mitigation and environmental protection.
• Programme of Cultural cooperation between both nations for years 2015-18 –It seeks to enhance cooperation in different fields like arts, visuals arts, cultural documentation, archeology, handicrafts etc between both nations.
• MoU on establishment of Nalanda University-It will enable Sri Lanka to participate in India’s Nalanda University project.
• Work Plan 2014-15 under MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture-It will facilitate bilateral cooperation in Agro Processing, Agricultural extension, horticulture, agricultural machinery, training in farm mechanization, livestock diseases, etc. between relevant institutes and organizations from both countries.

2- China opens largest embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan

China has opened new embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is the largest overseas diplomatic mission of China.

An opening ceremony of this embassy was held on 13 February 2015, during China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi ‘s three day visit to Pakistan. During the opening ceremony Wang Yi has described its largest overseas embassy as a symbol of friendship between China and Pakistan.

However, China has not disclosed the details of the new embassy.

The opening of China’s largest Islamabad based embassy came after China and Pakistan deepen their all weather relations by constructing the multi-billion Economic Corridor through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) region.

Economic Corridor through PoK, is part of the China’s ambititous Silk Road projects which is proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This Corridor aims to connect China’s Xinjiang province with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port located in Balochistan.

At present, China maintains large diplomatic missions abroad, including in Washington, New York and New Delhi. Its mission in New Delhi has over 300 personnel.

3- Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Dhanak honoured at 65th Berlin Film Festival

Dhanak

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Dhanak has been honoured with The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best feature-length film at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival (also known as the Berlinale).

The movie, which was premiered at the festival also has received a honour of special mention with the children’s jury at the festival.

About film Dhanak

• Film’s story revolves around the relationship between a 10-year old girl Pari and Chotu, her 8-year old brother who live in a picturesque village.
• Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor
• The film stars: Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria.
• Produced by: Elahe Hiptoola, Nagesh Kukunoor, Manish Mundra

4- UN adopts resolution to resolve political & security crisis in Yemen

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a unanimous resolution to resolve the political and security crisis in Yemen.

In this regard, Resolution 2201 (2015) was adopted unanimously, at 15 nations UNSC’s emergency meeting.

UNSC in its adopted resolution has asked for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Shia Houthi rebel forces from Yemen’s government institutions in its capital Sanaa. It also has sought the release of President Mansour Hadi and his Cabinet from house arrest, and urged Houthi rebels to engage in good faith in U.N.- led peace talks.

Background

The UN resolution comes a day after foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had urged the U.N. to intervene in order to maintain regional security.

The security situation in Yemen deteriorated after the Shia Houthis rebels had seized power by dissolving Yemen’s government and parliament in January 2015 after taking control of key government buildings in capital Sanaa including Presidential Palace.

Amidst security concerns, nine Arab and Western countries have closed their embassies in Yemen and evacuated diplomats. It include’s countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, Britain, France and Italy.

5- French actor Louis Jourdan passes away

Louis Jourdan

French actor Louis Jourdan has passed away on 14 February 2015 in Los Angeles, United States. He was 93. He was best known for his role in the multi-Oscar winning musical film Gigi of 1958 .

About Louis Jourdan

• Louis Jourdan was born on 19 June 1921 in Marseilles, France.
• He began his acting career in French films and later acted in the Hollywood films. He is often described himself as Hollywood’s French cliche.
• His early career in France was interrupted by Second World War as he had refused to star in Nazi propaganda films and joined the resistance.
• He was best known for his suave roles in several Hollywood films, including The Paradine Case (1947), Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948), Gigi (1958), The Best of Everything (1959), The V.I.P.s (1963) and Octopussy (1983).
• Jourdan had sang title tune of film Gigi which had won the Oscar for best song in 1958. Film Gigi had dominated the 1959 Academy Awards by winning nine Oscars, a record at the time.
• His also had played evil villains role in many films including in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy.
• In 2010 he was given France’s top civilian award, the Legion D’Honneur.

6- Former home minister of Maharashtra RR Patil passes away

Raosaheb Ramrao Patil

Former Home Minister of Maharashtra, Raosaheb Ramrao Patilhas passed away in Mumbai. He was 57 years old and was suffering from oral cancer.

About Raosaheb Ramrao Patil

• R Patil was born on 16 August 1957 in Anjani village of Sangli district in Maharashtra. He was popularly known as Aaba.
• His political career spanned over 25 years and belonged to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He was elected to the Maharashtra legislative assembly for consecutive 6 times in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 from Tasgaon constituency of Sangli district.
• R Patil was Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from November 2004 to December 2008 during the NCP-Congress coalition government.
• He was among the longest serving home ministers of Maharashtra i.e. for two times during the NCP-Congress coalition government. For first time in December 2003 to December 2008 and for second time in October 2009 – September 2014.

7- HTC appoints Faisal Siddiqui as new South Asia chief

Faisal Siddiqui

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has appointed Faisal Siddiqui as new regional President of HTC South Asia. He will replace current president Jack Yang, who is leaving the company for personal reasons.

Currently, Faisal Siddiqui is Vice President and head of HTC India.

As president of HTC South Asia he will lead company and work to strengthen the company in the region which includes, India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and emerging markets in Asia.

Faisal Siddiqui has more than 18 years of rich industry experience and has been leading HTC’s India operations since 2011.

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