Daily Current Affairs of 18 April 2016 for all competitive exams. Read Daily Current Affairs play important role in competitive exams.
1. BRICS New Development Bank approves first loans for renewable energy projects
1. The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has approved its first package of loans worth 811 million dollars for four renewable energy projects in Brazil, China, South Africa and India. The decision to approve the first loans was approved by the NDB board of governors on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC, US.
2. The NDB in its first loan tranche will provide $300 million to Brazil, $250 million to India, $180 million to South Africa and $81 million to China. These funds will be used in area of green and renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 2.37MW together.
2. Australia wins 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament
1. Australia has won the 25th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2016 for record ninth time. In the final match played at Ipoh, Australia defeated India by 4-0 goals. With this India settled at the second position and was followed by New Zealand (defending champion) at the third position.
2. This was the second time India had finished with the silver medal in seven final appearances. Earlier, Australia had won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in 1983, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. They also holds record of most titles win of this tournament.
3. Dipa Karmakar became first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics
1. Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar on 17 April 2016 created history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics.
2. Karmakar booked a berth for the Rio Games after a strong performance at the final qualifying and test event. She earned a total score of 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in Rio Games to be held in August 2016.
3. Karmakar has been listed as the 79th gymnast among individual qualifiers in the list of women’s artistic gymnast who have qualified for the Rio Olympics.
4. Nico Rosberg won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix
1. German Formula 1 Mercedes Driver Nico Rosberg on 17 April 2016 won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai International Circuit.
2. With this, he made a hat-trick by winning all three Grand Prix that were held in 2016. The other Grand Prix include 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix and 2016 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
3. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany stood second and Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat secured 3rd place where as Lewis Hamilton finished at seven.
5. International Day for Monuments and Sites observed with theme The Heritage of Sport
1. International Day for Monuments and Sites traditionally called World Heritage Day was observed across the world on 18 April 2016 with theme ‘The Heritage of Sport’.
2. The theme was decided by the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in the backdrop of Rio Olympics 2016 that is to be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 2016.
3. World Heritage Day is observed to create awareness to protect and preserve the shared wealth of humankind and showcases the diversity of cultural heritage. It calls for collective efforts of the international community to preserve the valuable asset.
6. Hero Group co-founder Satyanand Munjal passed away
1. Satyanand Munjal, co-founder of Hero Cycles group, passed away at Model Town, Ludhiana. He was 99.
2. He was popularly known as Mahatma Satyanand Munjal for being devoted to several social causes related to the Arya Samaj.
Satyanand had co-founded Hero Group with his three brothers, Om Prakash Munjal, Brijmohan Lall Munjal and Dayanand Munjal. The brothers hailed from a small town called Kamalia, now in Pakistan.
3. The philanthropist had served as a Co-Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of Hero Cycles Ltd.Satyanand was also known for his philanthropic acts such as Bahadur Chand Munjal (BCM) Arya schools, Hero DMC Heart Institute, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
7. US court slaps 940 million dollars fine on two Tata group companies
1. The federal grand jury in the US State of Wisconsin has slapped 940 million US dollars fine against two companies of India’s Tata group – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata America International Corp. They were fined in a trade secret lawsuit filed against them by the US based electronics medical records vendor Epic Systems.
2. The jury verdict has directed two companies of India’s Tata group to pay 240 million dollars to Epic Systems for ripping off its software and pay 700 million dollars in punitive damages. Epic Systems had accused the two companies of brazenly stealing its trade secrets, confidential information, documents and data.
8. EU Parliament approves joint system for sharing air passenger data to fight terror
1. The European Parliament has approved creation of a European passenger name records (PNR) system to combat terrorism The proposal in this regard was passed by 461 votes to 179 against. Now the EU member countries will have two years to turn it into national law.
2. PNR is a joint system for security agencies to access airline passenger data on all flights to and from the EU. It will enable police and justice officials to systematically store the data of airline passengers travelling to, from and within the EU. PNR system will include name, travel dates, ticket details, itinerary, contact details, travel agent and seat number, means of payment and baggage information of the passengers.
9. Sri Lanka’s veteran spinner Rangana Herath announces retirement from T20, ODI
1. Veteran Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (38) has announced his retirement from T20 and One Day International Cricket (ODI).
2. However he will continue to play in Test matches which always have been his personal passion. He took the decision of retiring from T20 and ODIs in order to make room for fresh talent to be groomed for the 2019 World Cup.
Daily Current Affairs of 18 April 2016 for all competitive exams. Read Daily Current Affairs play important role in competitive exams.
1. BRICS New Development Bank approves first loans for renewable energy projects
1. The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has approved its first package of loans worth 811 million dollars for four renewable energy projects in Brazil, China, South Africa and India. The decision to approve the first loans was approved by the NDB board of governors on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC, US.
2. The NDB in its first loan tranche will provide $300 million to Brazil, $250 million to India, $180 million to South Africa and $81 million to China. These funds will be used in area of green and renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 2.37MW together.
2. Australia wins 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament
1. Australia has won the 25th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2016 for record ninth time. In the final match played at Ipoh, Australia defeated India by 4-0 goals. With this India settled at the second position and was followed by New Zealand (defending champion) at the third position.
2. This was the second time India had finished with the silver medal in seven final appearances. Earlier, Australia had won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in 1983, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. They also holds record of most titles win of this tournament.
3. Dipa Karmakar became first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics
1. Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar on 17 April 2016 created history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics.
2. Karmakar booked a berth for the Rio Games after a strong performance at the final qualifying and test event. She earned a total score of 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in Rio Games to be held in August 2016.
3. Karmakar has been listed as the 79th gymnast among individual qualifiers in the list of women’s artistic gymnast who have qualified for the Rio Olympics.
4. Nico Rosberg won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix
1. German Formula 1 Mercedes Driver Nico Rosberg on 17 April 2016 won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai International Circuit.
2. With this, he made a hat-trick by winning all three Grand Prix that were held in 2016. The other Grand Prix include 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix and 2016 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
3. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany stood second and Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat secured 3rd place where as Lewis Hamilton finished at seven.
5. International Day for Monuments and Sites observed with theme The Heritage of Sport
1. International Day for Monuments and Sites traditionally called World Heritage Day was observed across the world on 18 April 2016 with theme ‘The Heritage of Sport’.
2. The theme was decided by the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in the backdrop of Rio Olympics 2016 that is to be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 2016.
3. World Heritage Day is observed to create awareness to protect and preserve the shared wealth of humankind and showcases the diversity of cultural heritage. It calls for collective efforts of the international community to preserve the valuable asset.
6. Hero Group co-founder Satyanand Munjal passed away
1. Satyanand Munjal, co-founder of Hero Cycles group, passed away at Model Town, Ludhiana. He was 99.
2. He was popularly known as Mahatma Satyanand Munjal for being devoted to several social causes related to the Arya Samaj.
Satyanand had co-founded Hero Group with his three brothers, Om Prakash Munjal, Brijmohan Lall Munjal and Dayanand Munjal. The brothers hailed from a small town called Kamalia, now in Pakistan.
3. The philanthropist had served as a Co-Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of Hero Cycles Ltd.Satyanand was also known for his philanthropic acts such as Bahadur Chand Munjal (BCM) Arya schools, Hero DMC Heart Institute, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
7. US court slaps 940 million dollars fine on two Tata group companies
1. The federal grand jury in the US State of Wisconsin has slapped 940 million US dollars fine against two companies of India’s Tata group – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata America International Corp. They were fined in a trade secret lawsuit filed against them by the US based electronics medical records vendor Epic Systems.
2. The jury verdict has directed two companies of India’s Tata group to pay 240 million dollars to Epic Systems for ripping off its software and pay 700 million dollars in punitive damages. Epic Systems had accused the two companies of brazenly stealing its trade secrets, confidential information, documents and data.
8. EU Parliament approves joint system for sharing air passenger data to fight terror
1. The European Parliament has approved creation of a European passenger name records (PNR) system to combat terrorism The proposal in this regard was passed by 461 votes to 179 against. Now the EU member countries will have two years to turn it into national law.
2. PNR is a joint system for security agencies to access airline passenger data on all flights to and from the EU. It will enable police and justice officials to systematically store the data of airline passengers travelling to, from and within the EU. PNR system will include name, travel dates, ticket details, itinerary, contact details, travel agent and seat number, means of payment and baggage information of the passengers.
9. Sri Lanka’s veteran spinner Rangana Herath announces retirement from T20, ODI
1. Veteran Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (38) has announced his retirement from T20 and One Day International Cricket (ODI).
2. However he will continue to play in Test matches which always have been his personal passion. He took the decision of retiring from T20 and ODIs in order to make room for fresh talent to be groomed for the 2019 World Cup.