Canister-based nuclear capable Agni-V missile test fired successfully

India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni-5’, which has a strike range of over 5000 kms and can carry a nuclear warhead of over one tonne, from Wheeler’s Island off Odisha coast.

Sergio Mattarella elected as President of Italy

Italy’s parliament has elected constitutional court judge Sergio Mattarella as the country’s president. He will Italy’s 12th president and succeed Giorgio Napolitano who had resigned earlier in January 2015 citing reason of poor health before his 2020 expiry term.

35th National Games inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram …

The 35th National Games will begin on January 31 in Kerala. The opening ceremony will be held at the Green Field Stadium at the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar as the chief guest .

  • Sachin Tendulkar is  the Goodwill Ambassador for the 35th edition of National Games.
  • The official mascot of the 35th National Games has been named ‘Ammu’ which is a hornbill , the State bird of Kerala.
  • Last National Games (34th edition) was hosted by Jharkhand in 2011.
  • The next 36th Games will be hosted by Goa, and the 37th by Chhattisgarh.

Maharashtra clears trials for GM food

Maharashtra government has granted no-objection certificates for open field trials in genetically modified (GM) lines of rice, chana (chickpeas), maize, brinjal and cotton. The government has only given permission for field trials in some crops. The committee was headed by Anil Kakodkar, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. With this decision, Maharashtra has become the fourth state after Punjab, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh to approve open field trials in GM crops.

Serena Williams wins Australian Open 2015 Women’s Singles title

Top seeded Serena Williams (US) defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova by 6-3, 7-6, 7-5 in the finals. This was her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th singles Grand Slam title. With this she overtook 18-time Grand Slam winners Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. She is now just three titles away from Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.

Mattek-Sands, Safarova Win Australian Open Doubles Title

The unseeded pairing of American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Czech Lucie Safarova won the Australian Open women’s doubles title, their first Grand Slam success. The two were playing together in Melbourne for the first time and clicked immediately, downing the 14th seeded Zheng Jie of China and Taiwan’s Chan Yung-Jan 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014

  • Best Actor (Male): Shahid Kapoor – Haider
  • Best Actor (Female): Kangana Ranaut – Queen
  • Best Film: Queen
  • Best Director: Vikas Bahl – Queen
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Kay Kay Menon – Haider
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Tabu – Haider