NEWS 28-07-2021. NEWS FOR 30-JUL (FRIDAY) National News 1. Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Central University in Ladakh, and an integrated multi-purpose corporation in Ladakh for infrastructure & construction projects. 2. The country celebrated 22nd anniversary of the Kargil War on 26th Jul. Each year, a two-day event is held at the Kargil War Memorial located in Drass, in which the soldiers who participated in the war and families of those martyred gather together to pay homage. DEFENCE NEWS 1. A seventh batch of three more Rafale fighter jets arrived in India after flying non-stop for a distance of almost 8,000 kms from France, in a further boost to the strike capability of the Indian Air Force. The aircrafts were provided mid-air refueling by the air force of the United Arab Emirates. The new squadron of Rafale jets will be based in Hasimara airbase in West Bengal. 2. India has successfully test fired indigenously developed New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG), a Surface to Air Missile defence system off the coast of Odisha in Balasore on 23 Jul . This is the 2nd test firing of the 30 km strike-range, air defence missile system in past few days. 3. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program aims to build a homegrown fifth-generation fighter jet with “sixth-generation characteristics,” intended to replace the fleet of Jaguar, Dassault Mirage 2000, & MiG-27. 4. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), is getting ready to go for sea trials soon and is expected to be commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command in 2022 as INS Vikrant. It is a Rs 24,000-crore project INTERNATIONAL NEWS 1. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif against the backdrop of intense fighting raging between the Taliban & Afghan security forces in Afghanistan. 2. India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla has said that "growing convergence" between India - Japan on "strategic and economic issues" has the "potential to shape a multi-polar world that is more peaceful, secure and sustainable." Both countries share close relations and had elevated ties to "Special Strategic and Global Partnership". 3. Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister & President-Elect of 76th General Assembly of United Nations, Abdulla Shahid visited New Delhi. During his visit, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks with the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on key international, multilateral, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. 4. Indian Army is on Alert as China has enhanced its activity along area In Uttarakhand. People's Liberation Army (PLA) were seen patrolling the area along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Barahoti area in Uttarakhand. 5. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a rare visit to Nyingchi, a strategically located Tibetan border town close to Arunachal Pradesh on 23 Jul. He has urged the Tibetans to join the PLA. 6. India will attend the inauguration of Iranian president elect Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran on 5 Aug 2021 amid growing coordination between New Delhi & Tehran over Afghan development. 7. Afghan Army chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai has postponed his visit to India because of the offensive by the Taliban in Afghanistan. 8. Russia is cooperating closely with Myanmar to supply military hardware including aircrafts. 9. The U.S. carried out airstrikes across Afghanistan in the last several days as part of an effort to support the Afghan security forces fighting Taliban insurgents. 10. China and Pakistan have decided to launch 'joint actions' in Afghanistan to stop the war-torn country from becoming a 'hotbed for terrorism' and drive out terrorist forces from there. 11. Pakistan & Saudi Arabia agreed to work together to ensure stability in both the regions, as they decided to further improve their economic ties and expand cooperation in new areas to boost their fraternal relationship. Sports: 1. The biggest sporting event in the world, the 32nd Summer Olympic Games got underway with a glittering opening ceremony at the newly built National Stadium Tokyo, Japan after a one-year postponement due to the COVID pandemic. 2. Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics on 24 Jul, clinching a silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting category. < < Back