Daily Current Affairs July 09, 2014

1) Amit Shah is new BJP chief: Amit Shah, who is credited with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha election, was on Wednesday named the next party president. Mr. Shah’s elevation marks the rise and influence of Gujarat in the ruling party after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister. At 50, he is the youngest president of the BJP and his appointment marks a generational shift in the organisation. A close confidant of Mr. Modi and a political strategist, Mr. Shah was unanimously chosen for the party’s top post at a meeting of its Central Parliamentary Board. He will succeed Rajnath Singh, who was picked by Mr. Modi as Union Home Minister. Mr. Singh resigned after a year-and-a-half’s tenure. 

2) India England test series began: India's tour to England comprising 05 test matches began on 9 July 2014 in Trent Bridge. On day one Murali Vijay scored a classy century as India eased to 259-4 on a slow, lifeless track.

3) Economic Survey ’13-’14 released: Indian economy is likely to grow in the range of 5.4 to 5.9 per cent in 2014-15 overcoming the sub-5 per cent GDP growth of past two years, even as poor monsoon and disturbed external environment remain a cause for concern, says the Economic Survey. "The growth slowdown in the last two years was broad based, affecting in particular the industry sector. Inflation too declined during this period, but continued to be above the comfort zone, owing primarily to the elevated level of food inflation", said the Survey for 2013-14 tabled by finance minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament on 9 July 2014.

4) Pinky Anand appointed ASG: Senior Advocate Pinky Anand has been appointed Additional Solicitor-General in the Supreme Court and she assumed office on Wednesday. She is the second woman lawyer to be appointed ASG after senior advocate Indira Jaising demitted office following the change of government at the Centre. Ms. Anand is an expert in the field of Constitutional Law, Property, Private International Law, Family Law, Environmental and Corporate Law with over 25 years of experience. She is the head of All-India Legal Cell (BJP) and former Additional Advocate-General of Uttarakhand.

5) Harry Potter fame Emma Watson appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador: Actress Emma Watson of “Harry Potter” fame has been appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador by UN Women, dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Known for playing Hermione Granger in the popular Hollywood franchise, Ms. Watson, a recent graduate of Ivy League institution, Brown University, will dedicate her efforts as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador towards the empowerment of young women and will serve as an advocate for UN Women’s HeForShe campaign in promoting gender equality, according to UN Women.