Two groups join Myanmar govt's peace process
Two ethnic rebel groups on Tuesday joined Myanmar's long-delayed peace process, a small step forward in ending decades of civil strife. Other major groups continue to keep their distance. The signings of the Nationwide Cease-fire Agreement in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw, by the New Mon State Party and the Lahu Democratic Union were the first since the original eight groups joined in 2015 under the previous military government. Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, which took power in 2016, pursued the process.
Erdogan warns Greece, Cyprus over gas search, Aegean islets
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a warning on Tuesday to neighbouring Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to “step out of line” and encroach on Turkey’s rights. Meanwhile, Greek authorities said a Turkish coast guard vessel rammed a Greek coast guard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two NATO allies nearly went to war in 1996. There were no injuries.
Media has tough time at Rahul Gandhi event
Congress president Rahul Gandhi interacted with professionals and business community of Kalaburagi on the third day of his election campaign at the Hyderabad-Karnataka region on Tuesday.
The event was organised at HKES auditorium. While mediapersons were not allowed in the interaction, arrangements were made to live stream the interaction in a room for journalists. But the poor audio and video quality made it difficult for mediapeople to follow the speech.
Cyclone Gita devastates Tonga
Nuku’alofa awoke to scenes of devastation on February 13, 2018 after the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Tongan capital tore roofs off buildings, downed powerlines and caused extensive flooding, prompting a state of emergency in the tiny Pacific nation.
Veteran disaster management officials were shocked at the fury of Severe Cyclone Gita as it unleashed 230 kmh winds on Tonga’s most populous island Tongatapu.
Historic wooden buildings in the heart of Nuku’alofa, including parts of Tonga’s parliament, were reduced to matchsticks as the tempest hit overnight.
Broken power poles and trees blocked the roads and sheets of corrugated iron stripped from homes littered the capital. - AFP
Largest military exercise in Asia - Cobra Gold
The biggest U.S. force in years joined an annual military exercise in Thailand on Tuesday despite controversy over the Thai junta's invitation to neighboring Myanmar's army, which has been accused of ethnic cleansing.
The United States scaled back attendance at Cobra Gold, Asia's largest multilateral military exercise, after a 2014 coup in Thailand. But relations between the junta and the United States have improved under President Donald Trump.
The presence of the 6,800 U.S. personnel - nearly double than last year's number - was a demonstration of America's continuing muscle in a region where China is growing ever more powerful.
The Cobra Gold military exercise has been held for more than three decades. This year's Cobra Gold will be attended by some 11,075 personnel from 29 countries. - Reuters
Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola
As the D day for the once-in-12-years feat of Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola nears, the local administration has left no stones unearthed to ensure the event a grand success. On Tuesday, it engaged hundreds of volunteers as a part of a rehearsal to the main event.
The district administration has made public transport services available so that people need not take private vehicles in the town.
Those wishing to visit nearby tourist spots can hire two-wheelers offered by a Bengaluru-based organisation. Two-wheelers are offered for the price of ₹150 to ₹300 a day.
The anointing of the Bahubali statue is on February 17.
Holy dip in Godavari on Mahashivaratri
The Pushkar Ghat in Rajamahendravaram in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday witnessed a heavy rush with devotees thronging to take a holy dip in the Godavari before having a darshan of the Lord at Uma Ramalingeswara Swami temple in Jampeta and the Kotilingala temple.
The temples of Lord Siva in and around the city witnessed huge rush from the early hours of Wednesday. Thousands of people are visiting them on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
Winter Olympics
American teenager Chloe Kim blew away the rest of the field to win the women's snowboard halfpipe gold at Pyeongchang's Phoenix Snow Park on Tuesday.
China's Liu Jiayu took silver while Arielle Gold of the U.S. won bronze. The 17-year-old Kim produced a top score of 98.25 points on her third and final run to beat Liu by almost 10 points.
