1) Ashok Leyland to partner with US firm to develop defence systems.
- Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS), a division of Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland, selected US-based Lockheed Martin to develop light specialist vehicle and light armoured multi-purpose defence vehicles for armed forces.
- Ashok Leyland would serve as the prime contractor and provide “cost effective” manufacturing hub for global requirements of the vehicles.
- As a licensed manufacturer of CVNG, the association with Lockheed Martin opens up a huge opportunity towards exports of vehicle platform as a Made in India product.
2) Tech Mahindra expands presence in France.
- Tech Mahindra, the information technology services entity, announced the launch of a development centre in Toulouse, France, to work on projects for existing partners and customers in the aerospace industry.
- There are significant investments planned in terms of people, infrastructure, recruitment and training, as a part of Tech Mahindra’s commitment to strengthening its presence in France.
- The company delighted to announce the inauguration of the new, expanded Delivery Centre in Toulouse, which marks a significant milestone for our organization.
3)Iran signs oil contract with France`s Total.
- Iran signed a confidential oil agreement with France`s Total to develope the South Azadegan oil field shared by Iran and Iraq, Iran`s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh.
- Iran and the oil giant, Total, have agreed to keep the articles of the accord confidential, and the French firm is now "studying its participation in the development of the oil field``.
- Iran reached an agreement with the Japanese Inpex a decade ago to develop the oil field, however, the Japanese company quit the project as a result of US sanctions against Iran`s energy sector because of the disputed nuclear issue.
- Iran and the world powers clinched a nuclear deal which enables the country to re-engage with the world`s energy giants to develop its oil and gas fields.
About Iran:
Capital: Tehran
Currency: Iranian rial
President: Hassan Rouhani
4) Pakistan and Iran agree to boost cooperation on security and trade.
- Pakistan and Iran agreed to boost security ties while bolstering bilateral relations in diverse areas of trade, economy and energy.
- The two countries also signed six agreements and decided to open up two more crossing points along their borders.
- The two sides also explored the possibility of sea trade through Gwadar and Chahbahar ports.
- A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for five-year Strategic Trade Cooperation Plan was signed by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir and Iran’s Minister of Industries Mohammad Nematzadeh.
- Other agreements include cooperation between Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy and Iran’s School of International Relations; cooperation and information exchange between Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Central Insurance of Iran; cooperation between Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture of Iran; cooperation for research, training on health, medicine and medical technology and cooperation between Institute for Political and International Studies of Iran and Karachi Council on Foreign Relations of Pakistan (KCFR).
About Pakistan:
Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani Rupee
Prime Minister: Nawaz Sharif
5) Greece passes law allowing migrants` return to Turkey.
- The United Nations Children`s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) launched animate film series `Unfairy Tales`.
- The series seeks to help frame positive perceptions towards the tens of millions of children and young people on the move globally.
- At least 65 million children and young people globally are on the move to escape conflict, poverty and extreme weather and find a stable life and a place to call home.
- It is a collection of 3 animations that explain the horror behind fleeing of three children in real life.
- One story ``Ivine and the Pillow`` –animates the true story of 14-year-old Ivine and her pillow.
- ``Malak and the Boat``, tells the tale of a young girl’s voyage in a leaky boat.
- The third animation depicts the story of Mustafa, who after fleeing his home, wonders who is left to be his friend.
6) Outcomes of 13th India-EU Summit.
- The 13th edition of India-European Union Summit was held on in Brussels, capital of Belgium.
- The 13th summit laid out concrete priority actions for the strategic bilateral partnership in areas like trade and investment, climate, energy, water and migration in the next five years.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented Indian side in the summit. While the European Union (EU) was represented by President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.
About 13th India –EU Summit :
- EU-India Agenda for Action 2020
- EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)
- Terrorism
- Loan assistance to Lucknow Metro
- G20 Skills Strategy
- India-EU Water Partnership
- India-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement
- Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility
- Arbitration procedure on the Italian Marines