NEWS 31-07-2017. NEWS FOR 1-AUG (TUESDAY) Srilanka has signed a US $1.1 Billion deal with China. It has decided to lease out 70% stakes in Hambantotta Port to China’s Merchant Port holding Company for a period of 99 years. India is concerned about the deal. India perceives the deal as China’s bid to circumvent it by acquiring the ports from Sudan in West to Strait of Malacca in the East in the Indian Ocean. 2. DRDO has rolled out India’s first unmanned and remotely operated tanks - Mantra S, Mantra and Mantra N. They will be mainly used for surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas affected by biological and nuclear attack. They are equipped with surveillance radars, integrated camera and laser range finder capable of finding 15 kms away targets. 3. Mr Nawaz Sharif has stepped down from the post of Pakistan’s Prime Minister. He was disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan from the post after being held guilty money laundering in Panama Paper Case. It is the third time that Mr Nawaz Sharif was unable to complete the term as Prime minister. Meanwhile Mr Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been nominated as Pakistan’s interim prime minister. 4. Ajay Singh of India has won bronze medal in 2017 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship held at Kathmandu, Nepal in 77kgs men’s junior category by lifting 143 kgs in snatch and 172kgs in clean and jerk event. Nirupma Devi has won bronze medal and Ormila Devi has won the Gold medal in the Championship. 5. Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Trivendrum scientists have developed a gelator that can suck up and congeal oil upto 16 times it’s weight. It is eco-friendly can serve as quick and cost effective way for controlling oil spill in sea water. < < Back