Daily GK Updaes - 17th May, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Bank approves $625 m loan to support rooftop solar programme in India: The project will finance the installation of at least 400 MW grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) across India which will provide clean renewable energy and reduce GHG emissions by displacing thermal generation.

2. Government launches Swacch Office Drive across India: The government launched a 15-day ‘Swachh Office Drive’ across India to ensure cleanliness at government-run offices.

3. Union Government launches e-PACE, INFRACON and up-Scaled INAM PRO for Road Transport Sector: These three innovative IT initiatives are aimed at making the road building procedure faster, more transparent and more efficient.

4. India ranks 3^rd in ‘Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index’ with China at 2^nd position and the US on top.

5. India, US hold first Maritime Security Dialogue: The dialogue was held between the officials of Defence and External Affairs ministries and their US counterparts. It was created as a part of the maritime security objectives under the India-US Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

6. NTPC forms joint venture with Coal India: State run power generating firm NTPC has signed a joint venture agreement of 50:50 contribution with state-run Coal India to revive plants run by the Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL).

7. Indian short film ‘Beti’ to be screened at the 42^nd Seattle International Film Festival, Washington DC.

8. New CJs of Rajasthan HC, Tripura HC and Chhattisgarh HC have sworn in: Justive Navin Sinha-CJ of Rajasthan HC, Justice T Vaiphei-CJ of Tripura HC and Justice Deepak Gupta-CJ of Chhattisgarh HC.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Hypertension Day being observed today: The World Hypertension Day is being observed across the world on 17^th May 2016 to increase awareness about hypertension. The theme for the WHD is ‘Awareness of high blood pressure’.

2. NASA launches super pressure balloon from New Zealand: It launched a super pressure balloon from New Zealand’s South Island Wanaka Airport to conduct near-space scientific investigations.

3. China launches Yaogan-30 Remote Sensing Satellite.

4. British Royals launches Heads Together Campaign to tackle stigma of mental health: The campaign launched by Prince Harry and Princess Kate aims to change the national conversation on mental health and wellbeing.

5. Pfizer to buy Anacor Pharma in a $5.2 billion deal.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI authorises 29 agency banks to accept payments of IT due: Tax payers can now use the facility of online payment or use alternate channels like the authorised agency banks. Some of the agency banks authorised by RBI to collect tax include Allahabad Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Canara Bank, etc.

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

3. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to shut down its operations in India.

SPORTS:

4. Archers Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi and Laxmirani Majhi named for Rio Olympics 2016.

AWARDS:

5. South Korean author Han Kang wins 2016 Man Booker International Prize for her novel ‘The Vegetarian’.

6. J K Rowling received highest French civilian honour- ‘French Legion of Honour’.

OBITUARIES:

7. Discoverer of Neptune’s rings, French Astrophysicist Andre Brahic died at the age of 73.