Daily GK Updates - 1st September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet Approvals: Cabinet approves the dissolution of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited. Union Cabinet approved MoU between CERT-In and CERT-UK in the field of cyber Security. Union Cabinet approves Project Development Fund for CLMV countries. Union Cabinet approved the scheme for the grant of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors.

2. Union Cabinet approves simplification of FDI Policy 2016 in various sectors: Private Security: The earlier policy permitted 49% FDI under government approval route in Private Security Agencies. FDI in Defence Sector up to 100%, Earlier FDI regime permitted 49%.Pharmaceutical: 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield pharma, FDI up to 100% under government approval in Brownfield pharma and 74% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield pharmaceuticals.

3. Odisha CM to share his thoughts through radio every month: Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik, would share his thoughts on different issues through the radio for 10 minutes every month. The State government has decided to launch ‘BijuGoan Radio’ through which the Chief Minister would address the people soon.

4. Madhukar Gupta committee submits its report to centre: Madhukar Gupta committee was formed to review security at India-Pakistan border; the report running close to thousand pages submitted its report to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Madhukar Gupta, former home secretary in April 2016, for strengthening border protection and addressing the issue of gaps and vulnerability in border fencing along Indo-Pakistan Border.

5. Ashok Chawla is new Chancellor at Teri University: The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) has officially appointed former Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla as the new Chancellor of Teri University.

6. BRICS convention on Tourism to begin today:The two-day long "BRICS Convention on Tourism" will begin today at world heritage site Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

7. MoUD, Amar Chitra Katha sign MoU to publish comic book on Swachh Bharat Mission: Storyteller to generations of Indians, Amar Chitra Katha will now publish and distribute a special edition of a comic book focusing on Swachh Bharat Mission.

8. President of Egypt to arrive on three-day visit to India today: President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, is arriving on a three-day visit to India today. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Ministers, officials and business leaders.

9. Anuradha Rao appointed as MD, CEO of SBI Mutual Fund.

10. Kerala to form JV with Railways for infrastructure projects: Kerala has decided to enter into joint venture agreement with Railways for rail projects in the state under the 51:49 equity partnership arrangements.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Michel Temer sworn in as new Brazil President.

OTHER UPDATES:

AWARDS:

1. Sudarshan Patnaik wins prize in Moscow Sand Art Show: India's Sand artist SudarsanPattnaik has won the people's choice prize for his sand sculpture titled "Mahatma Gandhi - World Peace" at the ninth Moscow Sand Sculpture Championship 2016.