1) PM Modi leaves for Netherland in his last leg of his 3 nation visit
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for the Netherland in his last leg of the three-nation visit after completing his two-day US tour. The Prime Minister will reach Amsterdam where he will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Mr. Mark Rutte.
•Both countries are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations this year. Mr. Modi will also interact with CEOs of Dutch companies and will focus on four main issues of agriculture, water management, healthcare, and finance. Two Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs), one each on water management and cultural exchange, will also be exchanged in the presence of both Prime Ministers.
2) US designates Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist
•The USA designated Pakistan-based Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a specially designated global terrorist. The move by the US state department came before the first meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump at the White House.
•The move has been welcomed by India which said it underlines quite strongly that both the countries face the threat of terrorism. Acc. to MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay, it vindicates India’s longest-standing position that cross-border terrorism behind disturbance created in Kashmir.
3) J-K Governor N N Vohra appointed as president of IIC
•The appointment was made after eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee quit the presidential post.
4) Srinivas Gokulnath becomes 1st Indian to finish solo Race Across America
•Srinivas Gokulnath from Maharashtra created history by becoming the first Indian to complete the 4,941-km Race Across America (RAAM) in solo category. Considered to be the toughest cycle race in the world, he cycled for 11 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes.
•In a feat that marks the Indian arrival on the endurance cycling scene globally, another Maharashtrian, Dr. Amit Samarth followed Gokulnath at the finish line at Annapolis on American east coast. Among the nine men who finished, Gokulnath stood 7th while Samarth was right on his heels at number 8. The race was won by Christoph Strasser.
5) Dangal becomes 1st Indian movie to earn Rs2,000 cr worldwide: Forbes
•The Aamir Khan starrer Dangal has become the first Indian movie to earn Rs2,000 crore worldwide. Recently, Dangal also created the record of being the fifth highest-grossing non-English film ever.
•Based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, the sports drama film is also the highest grossing Indian film in China. According to a report by Forbes, on its 53rd day of release in China, Dangal made Rs 2.5 crore ($390,000) at the China box office taking its worldwide total to Rs 2000 crore.
6) World Bank clears $250-million loan to train India's job seekers
•The World Bank has cleared a USD 250-million loan for making Indian youth more employable through reskilling, in a move that is seen to aid the Skill India Mission.
•The multi-lateral lender is keen to support the Indian government in its efforts to better equip the young workforce with employable skills. Under the program, adults in 15-59 years of age, underemployed or unemployed, will get the skill training.
