17th july 2014 - Daily Current GK

National Affairs

1. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a tariff hike of 8.32%. 
2. Children under 12 years of age will no longer be allowed to take part in formation of human pyramids during 'Dahi Handi' celebrations, which are integral part of Janmashtami festivities in Maharashtra.
3. The Central Government has advised the States and Union Territories to take up a large number of labour intensive works under MGNREGA keeping in view the anticipated drought like situation due to less than normal rainfall.

International Affairs

1. MH17, a Malaysian airline plane carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was crashed in Ukraine.Ukrainian interior ministry official Anton Gerashchenko stated on Facebook that the airliner was "shot down with a Buk anti-aircraft system by terrorists", referring to militants seeking to unite eastern Ukraine with Russia.
2. European Union leaders ordered tougher sanctions against Russia because of its actions in Ukraine, asking the European Investment Bank to sign no new financing agreements with Moscow.
3. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange today lost a court bid to get an arrest warrant against him scrapped, leaving him marooned in the Ecuadoran embassy in London where he sought refuge more than two years ago.
4. A Dubai initiative to provide potable water to five million people facing shortages in Asia and Africa has raised nearly USD 50 million (36.89 million euros), local media reported today.
5. India and Brazil called for urgent progress in reforms of the UN Security Council, as they agreed to scale up bilateral ties and deepen cooperation.
6. The US and EU have slapped fresh sanctions on Russia, hitting its finance, military and energy sectors, with President Barack Obama saying the action was taken as Moscow continued its provocative and destabilising actions in Ukraine.
7. US Defence Secretary ChuckHagel to visit India next month to discuss bilateral defence and security ties with India.
8. Kerala-based magician Samraj selected for Merlin award instituted by New York-based International Magicians Society (IMS).

Business & Economy

1. RBI and Monetary Authority of Hong Kong ink MoU for exchange of supervisory information. With this, RBI has signed MoUs with 21 supervisors for supervisory co-operation.
2. Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley to present FY 2014-15 Budget for NCT Delhi in Parlmt tomorrow as Delhi Assembly is under suspended animation.