Marine Acoustic Research Ship INS Sagardhwani on Thursday embarked on a two-month-long 'Sagar Maitri' mission from SNC Kochi. INS Sagardhwani was flagged off by Southern Naval commander Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla and Defence Research and Development Organisation chairman G. Satheesh Reddy.

Indian Navy said in a tweet that the objective of this mission is to promote cooperation in areas of ocean research among the Indian Ocean Rim countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has extended his best wishes for the success of Sagar Maitri mission. The Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative is in consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Safety And Growth of All in the Region (SAGAR) and it is seen as a step by Indian Navy towards enhancing oceanic research and strengthening relationships with South-East Asian countries.

Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with India to upgrade tracks in a key railway segment connecting the north and south at a cost of $ 91.26 million.

This is the first time in 100 years that the 130 km-long-tracks, running from Maho town in the North Western Province to Omanthai in the Northern Province, are being upgraded. The initiative seeks to double the speed potential of the track from the current 60 km/hour to 120 km/hour, reduce maintenance costs and potentially improve travel comfort of passengers, according to a press release from the Indian High Commission here.

The contract agreement for concessional financing was signed in Colombo on July 18 between the Government of Sri Lanka and IRCON International Ltd., represented respectively by Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, and Sunil Kumar Choudhury, Chairman & Managing Director, IRCON.

Indian Foreign Service officer Vivek Kumar was today appointed as Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official order said, the decison was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister. 

Mr Kumar, a 2004 batch IFS officer, is currently working as the Director in the Prime Minister's Office. Mr Kumar's appointment will come into effect from the day of the assumption of charge.

In Shooting, extending India's domination at the ISSF Junior World Cup, Sarabjot Singh shot a 239.6 to bag the men's 10 metres air pistol gold. 

This is India's ninth yellow metal at the event in Suhl, Germany. 

Sarabjit's effort meant that India swept both the men's and women's 10 metres air pistol crowns with 14-year-old Esha Singh winning the women's event yesterday. 

After six days of top-class shooting and with one more day to go, India remain on top of the medal standings with nine gold, nine silver and four bronze for a total of 22 medals.

ICC funding has been withdrawn and the country will be barred from participating at ICC events.

Zimbabwe are due to take part in a T20 World Cup qualifier in October.

"We must keep our sport free from political interference," said ICC chairman Shashank Manohar.

"What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked."

The ICC issued the punishment after the entire Zimbabwe Cricket Board was suspended by the government sports and recreation commission last month and replaced with an interim committee.

India’s track and field legend PT Usha has been nominated for the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) ‘Veteran Pin’ for her outstanding service to the sport.

Usha is often called the “queen of track and field”. She won five gold medals -- 100 metres(m), 200m, 400m, 400 m hurdles and the 4x400 m relay -- besides a bronze in the Asian Games which were held at Jakarta in 1985 .

“We are delighted that you have been nominated by your Area Association as a recipient of the IAAF Veteran Pin for your long and meritorious service to the cause of World Athletics,” the IAAF CEO Jon Ridgeon informed Usha in a letter.

At the ISSF Junior World Cup, Anish Bhanwala today claimed gold in 25m rapid fire pistol competition to continue India's dominance in the tournament in Suhl, Germany.

Indian shooters, Adarsh Singh came fourth with a score of 17, while Agneya Kaushik finished sixth with nine points. India have so far won eight gold, seven silver and three bronze medals in the tournament.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill which seeks to replace the 63-year-old Medical Council of India (MCI) to reform the medical sector in India, with focus of medical education.

The Bill also repealed the Indian Medical Council Act 1956, stating that the Council set up under it was corrupt. It was alleged that the process by which the MCI regulated medical colleges was flawed.

The new Bill will have the provision for making national standards in medical education uniform by proposing that the final year MBBS exam be treated as an entrance test for PG and a screening test for students who graduated in medicine from foreign countries. This exam will be called the National Exit Test (NEXT).

The "Find the Incredible You" campaign of the Tourism Ministry, has won the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award, 2019. 

The campaign focuses on digital and social media and the promotion of niche tourism products of the country.

An official release said this year's awards attracted 198 entries from 78 organisations and individuals worldwide.

The campaign won the award under the "Marketing - Primary Government Destination" category.

The statement said, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its promotional initiatives, annually releases Global Media Campaigns under the 'Incredible India' brand-line in the television, print, digital and social media platforms, in key and potential source markets overseas.

Star Indian sprinter Hima Das clinched her fourth gold in a fortnight as she won the 200m race with a creditable timing in the Tabor Athletics Meet in Czech Republic yesterday. 

Hima won the race in 23.25 seconds, which had a mediocre field with most of the competitors representing clubs of Czech Republic. 

Hima's compatriot VK Vismaya was second with a season of best 23.43 seconds.

Hima has a 200m personal best of 23.10 seconds. This was 19-year-old Hima's fourth gold since July 2 when she ran her first competitive race in Europe.