1.US Navy tests world’s first Laser Weapons System :-
United States Navy successfully tested the world’s first-ever active Laser Weapons System (LaWS).
In the test, the LaWS deployed aboard the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship was able to destroy a drone in flight and moving targets on the Persian Gulf.
USS Ponce is first ship in the world to be deployed with such advanced weapons system.
2.India enter Women’s World Cup final for second time after beating Australia :-
Elyse Villani looked brutal as she attacked the Indian bowlers.
After India picked up three early wickets, she took the charge of rebuilding the Australian innings.
They were chasing 282 in just 42 overs and needed a big innings.
But, once she hit Shikha Pandey straight to mid-on on the first ball of the 24th innings, India sensed they have the match.
3.President of India inaugurates the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Paika Rebellion of Odisha :-
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Paika Rebellion of Odisha today (July 20, 2017) in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it was indeed a privilege for him to be present on the occasion of inauguration of year-long celebration of Bi-Centenary of the Paika Bidroha of Odisha.
He congratulated the people of the country and especially those of Odisha on the occasion.
4.Ram Nath Kovind enters Rashtrapati Bhavan with big win :-
Ram Nath Kovind was on Thursday declared elected as India’s 14th President polling 65.6% of the vote defeating the Opposition’s joint candidate, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who secured 34% of the vote.
Mr. Kovind will be the second Dalit President of India after late President K.R. Narayanan but, more significantly, the first from politically significant Uttar Pradesh and the first person from the BJP to hold the office of President since Independence.
5.Indian Director General of Military Operations Raises Issue of Specific Targeting of Civilians by Pakistan :-
Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt spoke to his Pakistani counterpart at 1530h today.
Consequent to unprovoked and coordinated ceasefire violations onto Indian civilians along the Line of Control, Pak DGMO was informed of action by Pakistani troops wherein they had deliberately targeted civilian villages and then fired at school children while they were being evacuated.
6.TR Zeliang sworn in as 19th Chief Minister of Nagaland :-
Senior Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislator TR Zeliang (65) was sworn in as the 19th chief minister of Nagaland.
He was administered oath to office and secrecy by Governor P.B. Acharya.
Earlier Governor had dismissed the Shurhozelie Liezietsu government under Clause (I) of Article 164 of the Constitution after he failed to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly.
7.Shri Rajnath Singh chairs meeting of Home Minister’s Advisory Committee for Daman & Diu :-
The meeting of Advisory Committee associated with the Minister of Home Affairs for the UT of Daman & Diu was held here today under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned that he had visited Daman & Diu during February last year and reviewed coastal security, development and governance issues.
8.‘Kuwait orders Iran envoy to leave’ :-
Kuwait ordered the Iranian ambassador on Thursday to leave the country within 48 days, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported, in an escalating row following a court case which implicated “Iranian parties” in a spy cell.
“Under the pressure of Saudi interventionist policies, and the baseless accusation of Iranian interference … Kuwait has announced that … Alireza Enayati, the Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, must leave within 48 days,” the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) said.
9.Union Cabinet nod for IWAI bond issue :-
The Union Cabinet gave its nod to Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to raise Rs.660 crore in bonds for extra budgetary resources (EBRs) in 2017-18.
The proceeds from the bonds will be utilised by IWAI for development and maintenance of National Waterways (NWs) under National Waterways Act, 2016.
10.UIDAI launches mAadhaar app for Aadhaar data on phone :-
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched ‘mAadhaar’, a new mobile application for syncing Aadhaar data on mobile phones.
The app allows users to carry their unique Aadhaar information including name, date of birth, gender, address, and the linked photograph, on their smartphones. The app also allows users to lock or unlock biometrics data.
