Current Affairs 18th April 2016

Current Affairs 18th April 2016 - Important Points

• Who became first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics - Dipa Karmakar
• Which three countries finalize draft of Chabahar Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors - India, Afghanistan and Iran
• Which country won 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament – Australia
• Which New Development Bank approves first loans for renewable energy projects – The BRICS
• Who won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix - Nico Rosberg

Details - 

Who became first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics - Dipa Karmakar

On 17 April 2016, Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar created history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics.

Dipa Karmakar booked a berth for the Rio Games after a strong performance at the final qualifying and test event. She scored 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in Rio Games which is to be held in August 2016.

Karmakar name 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.

Know About Dipa Karmakar – 

•An Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar is from Agartala, Tripura who represents India at the international circuit.

•Karmakar was first came to recognition when she won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, held at Glasgow becoming the first Indian female gymnast to do so in the history of the games.

•In 2015, at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Karmakar won a bronze medal. 

Which three countries finalize draft of Chabahar Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors - India, Afghanistan and Iran

Draft of the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors have been finalized by the India, Afghanistan and Iran. Whereas, the text of the draft was finalized at the second technical meeting of experts from the three countries in New Delhi. After completing necessary internal procedures in the three countries, the agreement will be signed.

Do You Know – 

•The Agreement is all about for providing alternative access to seas to Afghanistan, inter alia for Afghanistan’s trade with India. 

•And when it will come into force it will significantly enhance utilization of Chabahar port, contribute to economic growth of landlocked Afghanistan.

•This agreement will facilitate better regional connectivity including between India and connections to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Which country won 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament – Australia

The 25th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2016 for record ninth time won by Australia. 

In this final match, which is 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.

This was the second time when India had finished with the silver medal in seven final appearances. It was year 1983, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014 when Australia had won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. Australia also holds record of most titles win of this tournament.

Know About Sultan Azlan Shah Cup:

•An annual international men's field hockey tournament The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup held in Malaysia. It began in 1983 as a biennial contest. 

•After 1998, the tournament became an annual event, following its growth and popularity. This tournament is named after the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah, an avid fan of field hockey.

Which New Development Bank approves first loans for renewable energy projects – The BRICS

The BRICS New Development Bank 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 has made to approve the first loans which 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.

About New Development Bank – 

•The New Development Bank (NDB) which is formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries.

•According to this Agreement on the NDB, the Bank shall support public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation and other financial instruments.

• The NDB shall cooperate with international organizations and other financial entities, and provide technical assistance for projects to be supported by the Bank.

Who won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix - Nico Rosberg

On 17 April 2016, Nico Rosberg who is a German Formula 1 Mercedes Driver won 2016 Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai International Circuit.

After this win, he made a hat-trick by winning all three Grand Prix that were held in 2016. The other Grand Prix includes - 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix and 2016 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

List of top 5 finishers in 2016 Chinese Grand Prix

•Nico Rosberg, Mercedes

•Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari

•Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull

•Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

•Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrar