Current Affairs 17th May 2016

1. The World Hypertension Day is being observed today
i. The World Hypertension Day (WHD) is being observed today (17th of May). The day was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL) to increase awareness about hypertension.
ii. The WHL launched its first WHD on May 14, 2005. Since 2006, the WHL has been dedicating May 17 of every year as WHD.
iii. The WHL began with the simple theme of “awareness of high blood pressure.” It changed the theme to “Treat to goal” with a focus on keeping blood pressure under control the next year.


2. World Bank approves $625 m loan to support rooftop solar programme in India


3. Govt launches Swachh Office Drive across India

4. Union Government launches ePACE, INFRACON and up-Scaled INAM PRO for Road Transport Sector

5. India ranks 3rd in 'Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index'

6. India, U.S. Hold First Maritime Security Dialogue

7. RBI authorises 29 agency banks to accept payments of I-T dues

8. DBS Bank to set up new technology hub in Hyderabad

9. NASA launches super pressure balloon from New Zealand

10. China Launches Yaogan-30 Remote Sensing Satellite
i. China has successfully launched a remote sensing satellite Yaogan-30 into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) using the Long March-2D rocket.
ii. The rocket was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in Gobi desert in northwest China’s Gansu Province.


11. British Royals launches Heads Together campaign to tackle stigma of mental health

12. Pfizer to buy Anacor Pharma in $5.2 bn deal

13. NTPC forms joint venture with Coal India

i. State-owned power generating firm NTPC has signed a joint venture agreement with state-run Coal India to revive plants run by the Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL).

14. Indian Short Film ‘Beti’ To Be Screened At Seattle International Film Festival

15. New CJ Of Rajasthan HC, Tripura HC and Chhattisgarh HC have sworn in
i. Justice Navin Sinha was sworn-in as the new Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. Governor Kalyan Singh administered the oath to the new Chief Justice of the state High Court.
ii. Justice Tinlianthang Vaiphei was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice of Tripura High Court. He was administered the oath of office by the Governor Tathagata Roy at the Raj Bhavan in Agartala.
iii. Justice Deepak Gupta on was sworn-in as the new Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court. Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon administered the oath of office to Justice Gupta at a function at Raj Bhawan in Raipur.

16. South Korean author Han Kang wins Man Booker International Prize
i. Han Kang, a South Korean author has won he 2016 Man Booker International Prize for her novel 'The Vegetarian'.

17. JK Rowling receives highest French civilian honour
i. Renowned author of Harry Potter series, Mr. JK Rowling has been honoured with the highest French civilian honour -'French Legion Of Honour'.

18. Discoverer of Neptune's rings dies aged 73
i. French astrophysicist Andre Brahic, one of the discoverers of Neptune's rings, died in Paris at the age of 73.

19. Archers Deepika, Bombayla, Laxmirani named for Rio Olympics