Daily GK Updates - 11th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. AzimPremji, Shiv Nadar in Forbes list of 100 richest tech tycoons: Wipro Chairman AzimPremji and HCL co-founder Shiv Nadar are the only two billionaires from India in Forbes' list of the world's 100 richest people in technology. They are ranking in the top 20 ahead of Google boss Eric Schmidt and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Premji ranks 13th on the list with a net worth of $16 billion and Nadar comes in on the 17th spot with $11.6 billion of net worth.

2. Cabinet approvals: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to Section 44 and consequential amendments of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 by introducing the Lokpal and Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament.

3. Jaitley launches data bank portal of MSMEs: Finance Minister ArunJaitley has launched a data bank Portal of micro, small and medium enterprises, MSME in New Delhi. The portal aims to gather information about micro, small and medium enterprises.

4. CBDT constitutes committee to review media policy: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has constituted a new committee to "review" the existing media policy for communicating the activities of the board and the income tax department to the public. The 9 member committee will be headed by Mr.Gopal Mukherjee.

5. IRCTC signs MoU with DRDO to get ready-to-eat food straight out packet: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has signed a MoU with Defence Food Research Laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for Transfer of Technology of Retort Pouch Processed Foods so that ready-to-eat food can be warmed and eaten straight out of the packet.

6. Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry join UDAY scheme: Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry have signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Power to join the UjwalDiscom Assurance scheme that will save the state Rs 17,515 crore  and for the UT it is expected to be around Rs.72 crore. With these two MoUs being signed, the total number of states and union territories who are a part of UDAY has risen to 16.

7. IKEA lays the foundation for its first store at Hyderabad: Ikea, a global leader in retail furniture, has laid the foundation for its first store in India in Hyderabad. The store is expected to open somewhere in July–August next year and is likely to see an investment of about Rs. 700 crore.

8. BHEL appoints Akhil Joshi as its Director: Power plant equipment manufacturer, Bharat Heavy Electricals limited (BHEL) has appointed Akhil Joshi as the Director (Power).

9.  Microsoft appoints Sriram Rajamani as MD of its India Lab.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bill Maris, the CEO and founder of Google Ventures quits: Bill Maris, the chief executive, and founder of Alphabet Inc's, venture capital arm of GV, is leaving the company. Maris, who will leave on Friday, will be replaced by GV managing partner David Krane.

2. Intel buys AI startupNervana Systems run by Indian-origin entrepreneur: Tech giant Intel has acquired California-based deep learning startupNervana Systems, run by an Indian-origin entrepreneur, allowing the chip maker to foray into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. SainaNehwal is the brand ambassador for ITC’s Savlon.

2. India’s sole weightlifter out of Rio Olympics: India's only weightlifter at the Rio Olympics, SathishSivalingam was ousted from the men's 77 kg weightlifting event at the Games.