Top Headlines - 22.01.2016

Top Headlines - 22.01.2016
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1. India signed Financing Agreement with World Bank for US$ 250 million for Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project. The Financing Agreement was signed by Mr. Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Onno, Country Director in India, on behalf of the World Bank.

2. Department of Space / Indian Space Research Organization (DOS/ISRO) and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

3. Eminent Classical Dancer and Padma Bhushan awardee Mrinalini Sarabhai passed away at Ahmedabad. She was 97.

4. Music maestro Ilaiyaraja was presented the prestigious ‘Nishagandhi Puraskaram’ by Kerala government in recognition of his valuable contribution to Indian film music.

5. Uttar Pradesh won Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the first time. Uttar Pradesh won title by defeating two- time champions Baroda.

6. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and MRF Tyres announced a four-year deal. Under this the tyre maker will be the Global Partner of ICC for all world cricket events from 2016-20.

7. National Securities Clearing Corporation Limited (NSCCL), has got the highest corporate credit rating of 'CCR AAA' from Crisil. 'CCR AAA' rating indicates the highest degree of strength with regard to honouring debt obligations. NSCCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of NSE.

8. Government of Mauritius has exclusively offered to India for transfer of biofarming technology and also exchange of cooperation in the health sector.

9. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and NASA has announced that 2015 was by far the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping. The NOAA said 2015’s temperature was 58.62°F (14.79°C), passing 2014 by a record margin of 0.29°F. That’s 1.62°F above the 20-century average.

10. According to UNCTAD Foreign direct investment flows into India nearly doubled in 2015 while the US emerged as the top host country for FDI last year. Global FDI flows “unexpectedly” increased significantly by 36 per cent, according to the annual report of the UNCTAD.

11. India’s unemployment rate remained at 3.5 per cent in 2014 and 2015 but will decrease slightly to 3.4 per cent in 2016 and 2017, according to the ILO findings. However, the number of people seeking jobs will increase to 17.6 million people in 2017 from 17.5 million people in both 2015 and 2016.