1) Defence minister flags off women's circumnavigation expedition
•Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flaged off the Navika Sagar Parikrama by an all-women crew of Indian Navy aboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini today from INS Mandovi jetty in Goa. Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and chief of naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba were also present at the occasion.
•Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said, within eight days of my swearing-in, to get the opportunity to flag off an all-women crew for circumnavigation of the globe is something I cannot describe in words. I am absolutely touched and honoured to be here. One does not easily get the opportunity to be among these motivated and inspired women sailors who will take up this challenge.
•This is not an occasion that comes once in five years or 10 years; it is a historic day which will be marked in our navigation history and globally our women would stand out. This is the outcome of several years of training and motivation. The crew members have been well trained and provided adequate resources. More importantly, they are highly motivated.
2) Rajnath Singh meets delegations from different sections of society in Srinagar
•Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with more than 30 delegations from different walks of life yesterday, the first day of his four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Singh arrived in Srinagar yesterday morning on a four-day visit to the state. Home Minister said, he has come with an open mind and is willing to meet anyone who helps the government find solutions to the state's problems. Officials said, around 24 delegations of social, trade, travel and business organisations from the Kashmir Valley called on Mr Singh. Representatives of travel agents, hotel and restaurant owners, and shikara and house boat associations met him. Home Minister also interacted with delegations representing different communities, including Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs, Shias, Gujjars, Bakarwals and Paharis. Fruit growers and self-employed women also met the minister. They apprised Mr Singh of their problems and submitted memoranda to this effect. The meetings lasted more than three hours.
•Home Minister also met Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhavan and discussed several important issues relating to the challenges being faced in the state. Besides security-related issues, Mr Vohra stressed on the efficient and accountable functioning of administrative machinery, eradication of corruption, protecting academic interests of youth, and early conduct of the pending elections to rural and urban local self-governing bodies.
3) PM Modi hails all-women global journey by Naval officers
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the all-women global journey Navika Sagar Parikrama to be embarked by six women officers of Indian Navy. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, the entire nation comes together in wishing the all-women team of Navika Sagar Parikrama the very best in their remarkable endeavour. He said, today is a special day, Six women officers of the Navy begin their journey of circumnavigating the globe on board INSV Tarini. Prime Minister also urged the citizens to share their good wishes and words of encouragement for the team of Navika Sagar Parikrama, on the Narendra Modi) App.
•During his Mann Ki Baat program on All Inida Radio on last month, Mr Modi had recalled his meeting with six women officers of the Indian Navy who would be undertaking the journey.
4) SIM Cards not Linked to Aadhaar to be Deactivated after February 2018
•The government is moving ahead with linking Aadhaar with mobile SIM cards and all unlinked phones will be deactivated after February 2018.
•Aadhaar mobile linkage is being done as per the orders of Supreme Court passed in February 2017 in Lokniti foundation case and all SIM cards have to be verified with Aadhaar within a year from the date of judgement, with all unlinked phones to be deactivated after February next year. So criminals, fraudsters and terrorists cannot use theissued SIMs.
5) India Win 2nd SABA U-16 Championship
•India has won 2nd South Asian Basketball, SABA, Under - 16 Championship. India defeated Bhutan by 131-50 in its last league match at Kathmandu in Nepal. India remained unbeaten in its all four matches and accumulated 8 points.
•Bangladesh finished second and host Nepal third. The championship was played in a round robin league format. India has now qualified for 2017 International Basketball Federation, FIBA, Under-16 Asian Championship to be played in Malaysia later this year.
6) US Open: Sloane Stephens wins Women's Singles Title
•Unseeded American Sloane Stephens lifted the US Open women's singles title. Sloane ranked 83rd completed a spectacular return from injury to beat 15th seed Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the finals.
•The 24-year-old was ranked as low as 957th six weeks ago went on to become only the fifth unseeded woman to win a major title in the Open era. Sloane stunned Venus Williams in the semifinal.
