16th july 2014 - Daily Current GK

National Affairs

• In a major victory for India, the BRICS on Tuesday night decided to establish the New Development Bank with an initial authorised capital of $100 billion for which the initial subscribed capital will be equally shared by the founding members. 1st President is from India, Headquarters in Shanghai, Africa Regional Center in SouthAfrica. Check complete details of New Development Bank from here. 
• Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said her government would bring in legislation to put an end to the practice of denying entry to dhoti-clad people into clubs in the state.
• One third of the extreme poor global population reside in India which has also recorded the highest number of under-five deaths in the world, the latest UN Millennium Development Goals report has said.
• The Supreme Court today issued notice to all states and Union territories on a plea for legalizing passive euthanasia (mercy killing).
• SC appoints former Solicitor General T R Andhyarujina as amicus curiae (impartial adviser) to assist it in the case relating to legalizing euthanasia

International Affairs

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has favoured broadening of the strategic partnership with Russia in nuclear, defence and energy sectors and invited President Vladimir Putin to visit Kudankulam atomic power project during his trip in December for his annual summit.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil and discussed various issues including the need to resolve the boundary question in an amicable manner.
• India and Brazil sign 3 agreements on Bilateral cooperation. Those are, 
• Environment
• Consular & Mobility issues
• Augmentation of Brazilian earth station
• India-Brazil sign an MoU on the Establishment of a consultation mechanism on consular and mobility issues
• Israel has stepped up its military offensive inGaza saying it has "no choice" asking thousands of Palestinians to leave their homes.
• The United States is looking forward to working on a strong bilateral relationship with the Indian armed forces, the Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said today.
• US President Barack Obama has called German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the current Ukraine situation and the progress made in negotiations with Iran and its nuclear program.

Business & Economy

• India's exports grew by 10.22 per cent to USD 26.4 billion in June this year while imports stood at USD 38.24 billion, up by 8.33 per cent, leaving a trade deficit of USD 11.76 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's data.
• With development of three gas finds in Reliance Industries' KG-D6 block held up due to a technical dispute, the Oil Ministry is seeking Cabinet nod to relax timelines to allow the firm retain and produce from the discoveries worth USD 1.45 billion.

Science & Technology

• A Mexican software company has managed to transmit audio, video and Internet across the spectrum of light emitted by LED lamps - at a data transfer rate of 10 gigabytes per second with a technology called Li-Fi or light fidelity.

Sports

• England seamer James Anderson has been charged by the International Cricket Council over an alleged confrontation with India’s Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge last week.