Daily GK Updates - 28th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. LokSabha passes an amendment to Lokpal Act: The LokSabha has cleared an amendment to the Lokpal Act giving an indefinite extension to the deadline for assets and liabilities' disclosure by central government employees and management personnel of NGOs.

2. Union Cabinet increases limit for foreign investment in Stock Exchanges from 5% to 15%: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for raising foreign shareholding limit from current 5% to 15% in Indian Stock Exchanges. The decision brings the investment limit of foreign entities at par with that of domestic institutions. This enhanced limit is for a stock exchange, depository, banking company, insurance company and commodity derivative exchange.

3. Union cabinet approves Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Cambodia: The Treaty seeks to promote and protect investments in either country with the objective of increasing bilateral investment flows. It also seeks to encourage each country to create favourable conditions (climate) for investors of the other country to make investments in its territory and also to admit investments in accordance with its laws.

4. Union Cabinet approves setting up of new AIIMS in Bhatinda: The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new AIIMS at Bhatinda, Punjab under the Pradhan MantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana (PMSSY).

5. Two ministers included in Uttarakhand cabinet: The new Ministers are NavPrabhat and Rajender Bhandari. Both the MLAs are from Garhwal region.

6. Bengaluru to host International Transgender Arts Fest: The International Transgender Arts Festival, a performing arts festival for transgenders, is being organized at the National Gallery for Modern Arts in Bengaluru from July 29 to July 31.

7. India signs $1 billion deal with the US for procuring four Poseidon-8I aircraft: India has signed a 1 billion dollar deal with US defense and aerospace major Boeing for procuring four long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, Poseidon-8I.

8. SBI launches Debit card less Instant Money Transfer facility: The India's largest public sector bank, State Bank of India has launched a payment system at its ATMs which will allow the account holders to transfer the money by using the mobile phone number as an identifier.

9.  Sunil Kant Munjal to step down as joint MD from Hero Moto Corp.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Hepatitis Day observed on 28^th July 2016: The theme for this year's global campaign is ‘Elimination’. 2016 is a pivotal year for viral hepatitis. The goal is to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

2. The European Union appoints chief Brexit negotiator: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has appointed Michel Barnier, a former EU Commissioner for internal markets, to lead negotiations with Britain to leave the European Union.

OTHER UPDATES:

AWARDS:

1. East Bengal to honour Milkha Singh with Bharat Gaurav Award: Kolkata's football giants club East Bengal has announced that this year’s Bharat Gaurav award (Pride of India) will be conferred on legendary athlete Milkha Singh.

OBITUARIES:

2. Noted Sorghum expert NGP Rao passed away at the age of 89.

3. Eminent writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away at the age of 90.