Current Affairs - July 18, 2017 Current Affairs

The first ever Kargil International Marathon 'Run for Sarhad'concluded with more than 800 runners from all over the world participating in the event The marathon was organised by Sarhad Pune, Run Buddies, SEWAK, All Kargil Tour and Travel Association with support from LAHDC Kargil and Indian Army. The winner of 60 km is Zaheer Abbass. He ran in less than 6 hours.

The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is observed every year on July 15 to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.The 2017 theme is "Skills for the Future of Work".

Nelson Mandela International Day is observed on the 18th July across the world. The day is commemorated with the slogan Take Action! Inspire Change.

Jammu and Kashmir government launched the Culture of Cruise program to bring artists from various fields at Dal Lake. The innovative programme series brings writers, performance artistes, musicians, poets and academics together and offers a program of performances, workshops, talks, forums and debates.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with the West Bengal Government, will host Horasis Asia Meeting, a Global Business meeting, in the city in November. The two-day business meet, starting November 26, will focus on sustainable business practices in various areas, including power and energy.s

Scientists from ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed a 3D-printed soft silicone heart that closely resembles and functions like the human organ. It is not an exact biological replica of the actual but can help to save lives of people who suffer from cardiac failure. The 3D-printed soft artificial heart is a silicone monoblock with complex inner structure. It weighs 390 gms and has a volume of 679 cubic centimetres.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu resigned his Union Minister post for his party choosing him as a candidate for the Vice Presidential Election. He was holding two portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, and Housing and Urban Affairs.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee receives the first copy of the book 'Future of Indian Universities Comparative and International Perspectives' at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The book is compiled by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of JGU University and is published by Oxford University Press. It aims to provide international and comparative perspectives on higher education and highlights issues being faced by Indian Universities.

Actress Taapsee Pannu was named the Woman of the Year at the 18th edition of the IIFA Awards held in New York. Taapsee was presented the award by actress Preity Zinta. Whereas Priyanka Chopra had received the Woman of the Year award at IIFA 2016.

Smriti Irani became Information and broadcasting minister. She is already holding Union textiles ministry. This announcement came after BJP leader Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, who is the Government's nominee for the position of Vice-President, resigned from his ministerial responsibilities.

Garbine Muguruza Blanco, a Spanish-Venezuelan professional tennis player, has won the 2017 women's singles Wimbledon Tennis tournament by defeating Venus Williams in the final by 7-5, 6-0 at All England Club in London, United Kingdom (UK). Muguruza also became the first player to defeat both Williams sisters in Grand Slams singles finals.

Tata Motors has developed the country's first bio-CNG (bio-methane) bus. Bio-CNG will help in contributing to the smart cities and to keep them clean and is a good option for Wet Garbage management. It is aimed to develop environment-friendly vehicles. Bio methane is produced out of bio-degradable materials like kitchen waste.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a memorial of Former President APJ Abdul Kalam at the latter's birthplace in Rameswaram on July 27. The National Memorial is being set up the Defence Research and Development organisation (DRDO). The total project is expected to be around 20 crores.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the first time in its trading history crossed Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation. It is the second company to cross Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation.

India won three medals, including gold in the Asian Cadet Judo Championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Thangjam Tababi Devi of Manipur won the yellow metal for India in the girls below 44kg weight category. Haryana's Simran won a bronze in the girl's below 40kg division. Paramjeet of Haryana won a bronze medal in the boys below 90kg category.