PM launches Indigenously-developed Rotavirus vaccine

India’s indigenously developed and manufactured Rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’ was launched today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a step that will help boost efforts to deal with diarrhoea that kills up to 80,000 children under 5 years of age every year. Rotavac vaccine was developed under the joint collaboration between India and the United States in the area of medical research.

Pakistan successfully test-fires Shaheen-III ballistic missile

Pakistan has successfully test launched a surface to surface Shaheen-III ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads up to a distance of 2,750 kilometers, bringing most Indian cities under its range. The missile, also called White Falcon-III in English, has been developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and NESCOM along with its subsidiary NDC.

Saudi Arabia outpaces India to become top defence importer

Saudi Arabia overtook India to become the world’s biggest weapons importer in 2014 as disclosed by research company IHS. IHS disclosed that the top five importers in 2014 were Saudi Arabia, India, China, the UAE and Taiwan. The 2013 rankings were India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Taiwan and China. IHS claimed that the defence imports from Saudi Arabia rose 54% between 2013 and 2014, and based on planned deliveries imports will grow 52% to $9.8 billion in 2015.  The United States remained the top defence exporter in 2014.

Solar Impulse 2 starts round-the-world flight

Solar Impulse-2 took off from Abu Dhabi on its 5-month long journey in which it will skip from continent to continent, crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in the process. Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are the two pilots of this mission. Solar Impulse is claimed to be the first aircraft to fly day and night without a drop of fuel, propelled solely by the sun’s energy. The 17,248 solar cells built into the wing supply electric motors with renewable energy.

TCS ranked as top employer in Europe for third consecutive year

Tata Consultancy Services has been named as the top employer in Europe for third consecutive year by an employers certification agency, citing the Indian IT major as an “exceptional performer” in nine core human resources areas. TCS, the leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation, has been certified as the leading employer in eight European countries – UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway by Top Employers Institute. TCS was ranked as the overall number one in a process that assessed 688 organisations across Europe.

Chen Long wins Men’s Singles Title in All England Open Badminton Championships 2015

World champion Chen Long (China) captured the title for the second time in three years as he defeated Jan O Jorgensen (Denmark) by 15-21, 21-17, 21-15. It was China’s eighth men’s singles title in the event since 2005.