31 July 2016 Current Affairs
Railway Ministry launches maiden Agartala to Delhi broad gauge train service
The Union Railway Ministry has flagged off the maiden broad gage train service dubbed as ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ from Agartala (Tripura) to Delhi. It was flagged off by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. With this, the landlocked north eastern state of Tripura entered the broad gauge railway map of the country. The ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ will run weekly between Anand Vihar (Delhi) and Agartala (Tripura). The train service will cover distance of 2461 kms in 46 hours and 50 minutes. It will have commercial stoppages at 16 stations. Besides, the Railway Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Agartala-Akhaura International Rail link Project (India-Bangladesh Board Gauge Rail link Project) along with Bangladesh Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque.
Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 German Grand Prix of F1
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 German Grand Prix title of Formula One. It was his fourth consecutive win in the 2016 season and overall fifth title of the 2016 season. It was also his third win of German Grand Prix of F1 after winning it in 2008 and 2011. Earlier in 2016 season, he had won Monaco (May 2016), Canadian (June 2016), Austrian (July 2016), British (July 2016) and Hungarian (July 2016) Grand Prixes. German Grand Prix was the twelfth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Hockenheimring motor-racing circuit in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
India to host 2016 Kabaddi World Cup
India is going to host 2016 Kabaddi World Cup scheduled to be held in October 2016. It was announced by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). In this edition of World Cup 12 international teams are going to participate. They are US, India, UK, Australia, Canada, Poland, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Japan and Kenya. Star Sports has been announced as the official broadcaster of the World Cup.
Patna Pirates wins 4th season of Pro Kabaddi League
The Patna Pirates have won the fourth edition of STAR Sports-ProKabaddi League by defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers. With this win Patna Pirates has become first team to defend its title which they won in the third season in March 2016. In the final match played at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad (Telangana) the defending champion defeated Jaipur Pink Panthers by 37-29 score. The Puneri Paltan was placed at the third place in this edition after they defeated Telugu Titans by 40-35 score. Women’s Section: Storm Queens have won inaugural edition of the Women’s Challenge of Pro Kabaddi League. In the final match they defeated Fire Birds by 24-23 score.
Tokyo Elects Its First Woman Governor Yuriko Koike
Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike was elected Tokyo’s first woman governor, pledging to regain control of the capital’s 2020 Olympic spending. Ms Koike, running as an independent candidate, received more than 2.9 million votes in Sunday’s election, beating her opponents by a wide margin. One of her key challenges will be curbing the financial problems plaguing Tokyo’s preparations to host the 2020 Olympic Games.