1) PM Modi 2-Day Visit to Varanasi
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi. In the Visit, he flagged off remotely Varanasi-Vadodara country’s third Mahamana Express.
•The Projects worth over Rs. 1000 crore are being inaugurated. PM also inaugurated Jal Shavbahan and Jal Ambulance. He has also inaugurated Utkarsh Bank, it specialises in micro-finance to extend assistance to self-help groups.
2) Textiles Minister Smriti Irani Inaugurates 'VASTRA' Fair
•Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated the 6th edition of the four-day international textile and apparel fair, 'VASTRA' in Jaipur.
•FDI in textiles industry has tripled in 2016-17. Mudra Yojna has benefited the weavers community and their incomes have shown a tremendous increase within 60 days from the date of loan availed. Skill development has also enhanced the quality of placements in the textile industry.
3) Himachal Pradesh, First State to Launch Electric Bus Service in India
•The Himachal Pradesh government on launched first-of-its-kind electric bus service in the 51km-long stretch road between Manali and Rohtang Pass. The bus service was flagged off by State Transport Minister GS Bali.
•The move was made amidst concern over increasing environmental degradation in the Rohtang Pass area due to plying of diesel taxis. With this initiative, the state has become the first in the world to ply electric buses at an altitude of 13 thousand feet.
4) Britain and Saudi Arabia Sign Military Cooperation Deal
•Saudi Arabia and Britain signed a framework deal for military cooperation. The agreement came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed security ties with visiting British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.
•The agreement comes as Britain seeks to explore lucrative trade deals outside Europe, including energy-rich Gulf monarchies, after voting to leave the European Union.
5) First Scorpene Submarine INS Kalvari Delivered to Navy
•The first of the Scorpene class submarines, INS Kalvari, was delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The submarine will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy.
•Similarly, other Scorpene class submarines Khanderi and Karanj are undergoing trials and development. The delivery of a submarine means that its trials are over and the navy has accepted the boat. Commissioning is a ceremony that officially makes it part of the navy’s fleet.
6) ‘Newton’ India’s Official Entry For Oscars 2018
•‘Newton’ will be India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars 2018, according to the Film Federation of India.
•The movie directed by Amit Masurkar, starring Rajkummar Rao, tells the story of a polling officer Newton Kumar who is bent on conducting free and fair elections in the conflict ridden jungles of Chhattisgarh.
