Philanthropist and founder of Microsoft Corporation - Bill Gates has been conferred with Hilal-e-Pakistan, which is the 2nd highest civilian award of Pakistan. He is receiving this award as the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the recognition of two separatist republics in eastern Ukraine - Donetsk and Lugansk - as independent through a televised address.
The government has made it mandatory for telecom companies for the storage of international calls, satellite phone calls, conference calls and messages, made over normal networks as well as on the internet for at least two years.