INTERNATIONAL
World's First Drone-Killing Laser weapons system
The U.S. Navy recently test fired the world's first operational and deployed laser weapons from a warship in the Persian Gulf. The world's first active laser weapons system was fired from the Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Ponce. The laser successfully destroyed an unnamed aerial vehicle (UAV) and moving surface targets. The new weapon releases photons-elementary particles which transmit light at the speed of light silently hitting their target and burning it to a temperature of thousands of degrees. Unlike depicted in movies such as Star Wars, the laser beam, essentially a narrow beam of focused light, is entirely invisible
India leads in Facebook Using
According to Facebook official release India has overtaken the United States to become the platform's largest country audience. As of July 13th 2017, Facebook reported a total potential audience" of 241 million active users in India, compared to 240 million in the United States. Active users in India are up 27 percent in the past six months alone 50 million), compared to growth of 12 percent (+26 million) in the United States over the same period
'Bomb attacks' killing more Afghan civilians: U.N
The United Nations on 17th July called on insurgent groups in Afghani stan to curb attacks on civilians after more than 5,000 non-combatants were killed or wounded in the first six months of 2017. The war in Afghanistan killed at least 1,662 civilians and wounded 3,581 in the first half of the year, roughly similar to the toll in the same period in 2016, according to U.N. investigators
NATIONAL
Ralpur Airport Ranked First in CSI Survey
Raipurs Swami Vivekananda Airport was ranked first in Customer Satisfaction among 49 airports in the country. Raipur Airport achieved 4.84 score on a five point scale index in the latest CSI survey conducted by an dependent agency for the period of by Udaipur, Amritsar and Dehradun airports which have scored 4.75, 4.74 and 4.73 respectively
Solar Powered DEMU train launched
Indian Railways launched its first 1600 HP solar powered Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train on 14th July in Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi. The train runs from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. Railways' first DEMU rake with solar power hotel load system, based at Shakurbasti shed, was launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Shakurbasti DEMU shed has provisioned dual fuel arrangement in 16 of the total holding of 1400 HP Driving Power Cars.
National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination launched
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.PNadda launched the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22) on 12th July The Strategic Plan gives year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria in the next 5 years. The government would like to eliminate malaria by 2027
Matunga becomes India's first railway station run by women
Central Railway has appointed all women staff at suburban Matunga station. Matunga is a railway station on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. Now it as thus become countrys first women special station. A total of 30 women staffers, including 11 booking clerks five RPF personnel, seven ticket checkers are working under the supervision of station manager Mamta Kulkarni.
BILATERAL
India, Sri Lanka MoU for "Sri Sobitha' Village
India and Sri Lanka signed a MoU to develop Maduluwave Sobitha Thero Village (Elapathagama) in Anuradha pura District on July 14, 2017. The village will be developed using a grant of SLR 300 million from the Government of India. The project envisages construction of 153 new houses, a multipurpose community building and alms hall, internal water supply system and renovation of Monk's Quarters & library. This project is in line with Government of Sri Lanka's policy of rehabilitation of rural villages for economic development.
ECONOMY
Panel to enhance cyber security framework
The central government has formed a panel of experts to suggest how to strengthen the cyber security frame work of information technology (IT) support systems operated by the Rural Development Ministry. The panel will be headed by Kiran Karnik, former head of NASSCOM, The panel also has the chief executive of the National Institute of Smart Governance and cyber security specialists.
DIPP to set up India's first TISC in Punjab
The Department of hdustrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi on 13th July to establish India's first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab, under the World intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) TISC program. The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs system in India to foster creativity and innovation thereby promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing social, economic and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India
India's foodgrain output up
India's foodgrain production is up by 8.7%. The production reached to a record high 273.38 million tonne during 2016-17, according to government data, released on 18th July. Rice output increased by 4.5% and reached to a record 109.15 million tonne. Wheat production was up 5.6% at all- time high of 97.44 million tonne Coarse grains production rose by 15.2% to highest ever 44.39 million tonne. Output of all major pulses jumped 37% to 22.40 million tonne, which may reduce dependence on imports and cool food inflation. A record high output of grains, which contribute about 12.4% to the consumer inflation (CP) basket, will increase supplies and moderate prices
Nod for revised strategy for Bharat Net
The Union Cabinet on 19th July approved a revised implementation strategy for BharatNet, to give broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats by March 2019. BharatNet aims to provide minimum 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to gram panchayats by using an optimal mix of underground fibre, aerial fibre, radio and satellite media. The project was earlier scheduled to connect all gram panchayats by December 2018
Approval for sale of govt stake in HPCL to ONGC
The Cabinet on 19th July approved sale of government's stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) to ONGC for Rs 30.000 crore. ONGC will buy government's 51.11 per cent stake in HPCL, and it will become a subsidiary of ONGC and will remain a listed company post the acquisition.
SPORTS
Federer wins record 8th Wimbledon
Roger Federer won a record 8th Wimbledon title and became the tournament's oldest champion on 16th July defeating Marin Cilic. Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title at the age of 35 is Wimbledon's oldest men's winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976.
Manudev triumph
Manudev has won the first National Masters snooker tournament title in Chennai. In final he defeated former National Men's Champion Alok Kumar.
PERSONS IN NEWS
Ram Nath Kovind: Former Bihar
Governor and the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA's) Presidential election candidate Ram Nath Kovind has won Presidential Election. He succeeds Pranab Mukherjee and becomes the 14th President of India. Kovind was in a contest with the Opposition candidate, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar. In the presidential election 2017, held on July 17, of the total 4,880 valid voters 4,109 members of legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and 771 elected members of Parliament (MPs) 99.49 per cent had cast their vote. Of the total 771 MPs, 768 MPs cast their votes. Likewise, of the total 4,109 MLAs entitled to vote, 4,083 or 99.37 per cent cast their votes.
No of Votes
Ram Nath Kovind: 7,02,044 (65.65%) Meira Kumar: 3,67,314 (34.35%)
M Venkaiah Naidu: Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu, has been chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate, by the ruling National Democratic Alliance. Before he was declared, he was the Urban Development Minister in Cabinet. He quit his ministries. Smriti Irani had taken additional charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Narendra Tomar will take charge of Urban Development.
Pachnanda: R.K. Pachnanda took charge as the new Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) He replaces Shri Krishna Chaudhary (DG). He is the 29th Chief.
Lilly Singh: The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) appointed Lilly Singh as its newest Global Goodwill Ambassador
T.R.Zeliang: Has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Nagaland by Governor PB Acharya. This is his second term. He was appointed as Chief Minister of Nagaland in 2014.
