India signs $8 million loan agreement with World Bank

India signed a loan agreement worth USD 8 million with World Bank for sustainable livelihoods and adaption to climate change(SLACC) Project. The agreement was signed by Joint Secretary in Union Ministry of Finance Tarun Bajaj and World Bank’s India Country Director Onno Ruhl.

India successfully test-fires BrahMos missile from INS Kolkata

On 14 February 2015 India, successfully test-­fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Indian Navy’s latest destroyer INS Kolkata. INS Kolkata the country’s largest indigenously built warship was commissioned in Indian Navy on 16 August 2014. The launch off the Goa coast was flawless as the missile met all its designed parameters. BrahMos is a missile with a range of 290 kilometers and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kilograms. BrahMos is one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft and land. 

23rd edition of World Book Fair begins in New Delhi

The 23rd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair is beginning in the National Capital. Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani will inaugurate the nine-day fair organised by the National Book Trust in association with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Pragati Maidan.

Michele Ferrero, Pioneer Who Gave the World Nutella, Dies at 89

Michele Ferrero, widely regarded as the richest man in Italy and — a distinction more notable to lovers of sweets everywhere — the creator of Nutella, died on Saturday at his home in Monte Carlo. Mr. Ferrero  ranked 22nd on the most recent Forbes list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $26.5 billion. The magazine stated the source of his wealth simply: “chocolates.” Actually, it was more than chocolates; Ferrero products include fruity and minty Tic Tacs, as well as Ferrero-Rocher candies and Kinder snacks.

Cipla wins $189 m Global Fund tender for AIDS drugs

In a significant development in the treatment of AIDS patients, Cipla has been awarded $188.95 million (around Rs.1,172 crore) of Global Fund ARV (anti-retroviral) tender. Cipla said it had been selected as a ‘Panel Supplier’ for a supplier partnership agreement. The contract is effective from January 1, 2015 and will run for three years. Cipla has been associated with the Global Fund since 2002, having been one of the suppliers awarded with a long-term contract to supply anti-malarial drugs.

National Games ends with colourful closing ceremony

Swimming sensations Sajan Prakash and Akanksha Vora were declared the best athletes as curtains were drawn to the 35th National Games with a colourful closing ceremony. The Services Sports Control Board emerged as champions in the 35th National Games with 91 Gold medals and overall tally of 159 medals .This is a record for the Services team, as they have topped the medals tally in National Games for the third consecutive time. Kerala was declared the second (best among all the states )for an unprecedented 162 medals, which included 54 gold. Haryana, with 40 Gold medals emerged third, while Maharashtra with 30 Gold medals was fourth in the medals position. The 36th edition of National Games would be held at Goa in 2017.