Daily GK Updates - 9th April, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India tops credit Suisse Emerging Consumers Scorecard 2016: Indian consumers remain optimistic, among nine nations surveyed by Credit Suisse, about their current and future finances and relatively lower inflation expectations. China and Saudi Arabia shared the second position.

2. Centre releases Rs 12.230 crore to states for MGNREGA.

3. Union HRD Minister SmritiZubinIrani launches ISBN Portal: She launched the portal for registration and allotment of International Standard Book Number (ISBN) at a function held in New Delhi.

4. Textile Minister ShriSantosh Kumar Gangwar inaugurates Apparel and Garment making unit in Agartala, Tripura.

5. Uma Bharti inaugurates 4^th Water Films Festival as a part of the India week celebrations in New Delhi.

6. Rajasthan becomes the first state in India to clear land title bill.

7. Airtel buys Aircel’s 4G spectrum in 8 circles for Rs 3500 crore: It has announced the acquisition of 20 MHz spectrum in eight circles from Aircel for Rs 3500 crore.

8. TausifMonif joined Lambda Therapeutic Research as its new President.

9. Lamborghini India appointed SharadAgarwal as its new head.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. $200 million pact inked to study TAPI Project: Shareholders of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Company Ltd signed an agreement to invest $200 million in studies and engineering for the $10 billion project to transport natural gas to energy-hungry countries like India.

2. Saudi Arabia and Egypt to build bridge across the Red sea: King Salman of Saudi Arabia has announced an agreement with Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah-al-Sisi to build a bridge over the Red Sea connecting the two countries.

3. Maharaj Ranjit Singh’s statue to be installed in France’s Saint-Tropez Town.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Federal Bank and Phillip Capital tie-up announced at Singapore: The Indian bank major Federal Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Phillip Capital (India) Pvt Ltd; a subsidiary of the Singapore headquartered Phillip Capital Group, for managing NRI Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS).

SPORTS:

2. Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd (KNPL) tied up with Gujarat Lions for IPL 2016.

AWARDS:

3. Mother Teresa conferred with Founders Award posthumously in UK.