Iran summoned Pakistan's ambassador after Tehran accused Islamabad of harbouring the terror outfit responsible for the deadly terror attack on its security forces.
Iran lodged an official protest with Pakistan's envoy over the suicide attack in Sistan-Baluchestan province that claimed the lives of 27 paramilitary forces on February 13.
Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Ghasemi conveyed to Pakistani Ambassador Rafat Masoud that Tehran expected Islamabad to make a serious and decisive action against the Jaish al-Adl outfit operating in Pakistani.
The terror outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iran which borders Pakistan shares a nearly 1,000 km between the two countries.
Iran has witnessed several cross-border attacks carried out by Jaish al-Adl and other affiliated groups.
Riyadh Defends App that Allows Men to Track Women
Saudi Arabia defended a mobile app that allows men in the kingdom to track women relatives after rights groups and a U.S. lawmaker criticised tech giants for offering it.
The Absher app provides services for all members of the society, including women, the elderly, and people with special needs.
The free app is available on Android and Apple smartphones and allows users to renew passports, visas and eases a variety of other electronic services.
But critics have said the app enables abuse against women and girls by allowing men to track their movements.
Saudi Crown Prince in Pakistan
Visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has expressed optimism about the economic future of Pakistan, and said that his country had been waiting for a leadership like that of Prime Minister Imran Khan to partner with Islamabad in various areas.
According to Mohammad bin Salman, Salman believes that Pakistan is going to be a very, very important country in the coming future and Salman wants to be sure Saudi is part of that.
The Saudi royal said that his country would collaborate with Pakistan economically, politically and in terms of security.
The two countries signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation worth $20 billion.
The deals include exploration of investment opportunities in refining and petrochemical sectors; cooperation in the field of sports; financing agreement for the import of Saudi goods; power generation projects; and development of renewable energy projects.
Two years after the government shifted to revenue sharing contracts for oil and gas block auctions, a high-level panel has suggested reverting to the earlier system of awarding areas in most basins based on exploration commitment.
The six-member panel, headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar, in its report, stated that unexplored areas in Category II & III basins be bid out exclusively based on exploration work programme.
According to the panel, no revenue or production sharing other than payment of statutory levies (including royalty) should be the criteria.
RBI Net Buyer of Dollars in FY19
The Reserve Bank of India has turned net buyer of dollars in December, first time in the current fiscal, as it purchased $607 million of the greenback on a net basis from the spot market.
RBI bought $837 million and sold $230 million in the spot market during the reporting month.
As against this, in December 2017, the RBI was a net buyer of $5.647 billion, after it bought $6.008 billion from the market and sold $361 million.
Indian Bank Revises Interest Rates
Chennai-based public sector lender Indian Bank has revised interest rates on domestic term deposits with immediate effect.
The lender announced upward revision in interest rate on domestic term deposits by 50 bps to 90 bps for amount less than Rs. one crore across various tenors from three years to less than five years, five years and above five years.
Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal started the season on a strong note as Indian boxers packed enough power into their punches to assure themselves of five medals in the 70th Strandja Memorial Boxing in Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABN AMRO World Tournament
Three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka reached his first final since his comeback a year ago from left knee surgeries.
The unseeded Wawrinka beat top-seeded Kei Nishikori in the ABN AMRO World Tournament semifinals to face Gael Monfils for the title.
The final is Wawrinka's first since the 2017 French Open.
President Ram Nath Kovind praised the farmers of Haryana for adopting new methods to manage stubble and crop residue as he honoured some of them with 'Kisaan Ratna' and 'Krishi Ratna' Awards.
Stubble burning by farmers in many States has been one of the major causes for air pollution for years, prompting the governments to ban the practice and encourage the growers to adopt alternative ways to manage crop residue.
He said that the people and the government of Haryana were making efforts for the overall development of the State, including enhancing ease of doing business and improving social indicators such as the child sex ratio.
Commercial Run of Vande Bharat Express
India's first semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express, began its first commercial run, a day after it broke down on its way to Delhi from Varanasi.
Vande Bharat Express left Delhi for Varanasi on Sunday on its first commercial run.
Names for 26 Maharashtra Seats
The Congress Maharashtra unit has sent a final list of possible candidates for 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State to the All India Congress Committee.
On the list, Milind Deora (Mumbai South), Sushil Kumar Shinde (Solapur), Charulata Tokas (Wardha), Mukul Wasnik (Ramtek), Rajeev Satav (Hingoli), Manikrao Thakre (Yavatmal) and Amita Chavan (Nanded) have no competitors. Latur (Scheduled Caste reserved) has the highest number of ticket aspirants with the selection committee receiving 31 names.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he was relinquishing the role of Foreign Minister and handing it to a rival from within his Likud party, Israel Katz.
The move comes ahead of April 9 elections and follows court challenges arguing that Mr. Netanyahu has taken on too many portfolios.
Maharashtra's most successful sportspersons, coaches and organisers of 2017-18 were presented the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Awards.
Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao presented the trophy and cash award of Rs. 1 lakh to Smriti Mandhana (cricket) and lifetime achievement and cash award of Rs. 3 lakh to Uday Deshpande for promoting the traditional sport Mallakhamb for over 50 years.
In all 88 sportspersons, coaches and organisers received the award.
Trump Nominated for Nobel Prize at U.S. Request
According to a Japanese newspaper, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after being requested to do so by Washington.
The report came after Mr. Trump's claimed that Mr. Abe had nominated him for the Prize.
Mr. Trump said that Mr. Abe had sent him a copy of a five-page nomination letter delivered to the Nobel Peace Prize committee in which the Japanese leader praised his efforts in defusing tensions with Pyongyang.
Continuing its drive against non-conforming buildings in Karol Bagh, the Delhi government suspended fire safety certificates of 28 more hotels, forcing them to shut down.
Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain said that the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) checked fire safety mechanisms in 80 hotels. Of them, fire certificates of 58 were suspended for 15 days.
The hotel owners of Karol Bagh held a meeting afternoon in which it was decided they would cooperate with the agencies to get fire safety mechanisms in place.
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