Shubman Gill Breaks Virat Kohli’s Record In IPL

On April 24, Shubman Gill, the skipper of the Gujarat Titans, created IPL history by being the second-youngest and fastest Indian to reach 100 matches in the tournament. In an IPL 2024 encounter against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Gill broke Virat Kohli’s record to reach this milestone. Gill’s accomplishment is noteworthy as it places him in the same elite club as Hardik, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, and Pant.

Gill has tallied 298 runs in nine matches this IPL season, with an average of 42.57 and a strike rate of 146.79. He has scored two half-centuries and reached his maximum score of 89, which remains undefeated.

Gill has made 3,094 runs in 100 matches during his IPL career, with an average of 38.12 and a strike rate of 135.14. Along with three hundred and twenty half-centuries, his best score was an undefeated 129 against the Mumbai Indians.

Gill, who was cut loose by the Kolkata Knight Riders before the 2022 Indian Premier League, signed with the Gujarat Titans and was selected as captain for the 2024 tournament following Hardik Pandya’s trade to the Mumbai Indians. The squad has a net run rate of -1.055 and is ranked sixth under his direction.

Nikhil and Dhruva shine in Indian National Autocross Championship 2024

Nikhil J won the race in the INAC1 800-1650cc class finals. He demonstrated his skill by clocking a phenomenal 1:25.094, which beat Dhruva Chandrashekar’s 1:26.267. Meanwhile, Nikeetaa Takkale stood out as a standout female driver in the Indian National Autocross Championship held at the Nanoli Stud Farm near Pune.

The Indian Automotive Racing Club organised the event, which included an exciting demonstration of ability and speed and produced national champions in several categories. It marked the start of the 12 Nationals organised by FMSCI for 2024, concluding with the declaration of Indian champions.

Philippos Matthai won the INAC1 1651-2400cc championship, being the only competitor in his class. Drivers from many categories, including Dhruva Chandrashekar, Mazdayar Vatcha, Nikhil J., Daksh Gill, and Nikeetaa Takkale, displayed exceptional performances in the championship finals.

In the INAC 3-Open Class, Mazdayar Vatcha became victorious, while Amey Desai and Praveen Dwarkanath secured impressive positions. Nikeeta won the women’s Time Attack competition with a fantastic time of 1:31.380. Nikita Nair and Tarushi Vikram came in second and third, respectively.

The INAC 2024 signalled the start of the 12 Nationals hosted by FMSCI, which concluded with the announcement of Indian athletes as champions.

Chile Replaces Argentina As 2025 Track World Championships Hosts

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has recently announced a change in plans for the 2025 Track Cycling World Championships. Originally slated for San Juan, Argentina, the event will now be held in Santiago, Chile. Economic concerns prompted the withdrawal of the Argentine organisers, with Chile subsequently stepping in as the host.

Scheduled to take place from October 15 to 19, 2025, the championships will be held at the Peñalolén Velodrome. This venue, inaugurated in 2014 for the South American Games, boasts a seating capacity of 3,000 spectators. It has previously hosted notable international competitions, including the 2015 Pan American Track Cycling

Championships and track cycling events during the 2023 Pan American Games. This relocation marks South America’s first time hosting the event since Cali, Colombia, in 2014. Typically, the World Championships showcase various track cycling disciplines, with athletes representing their respective countries.

Following the 2024 championships in Ballerup, Denmark, and the 2026 edition in Shanghai, China, the event will return to Europe in 2027, taking place in Haute-Savoie, France.

Taking place in Santiago in 2025, the Track Cycling World Championships are expected to attract nearly 400 athletes from over 45 countries. The event first took place in 1893, and it continues its storied tradition.

Japan Set For Clean Power Surge In 2024

Japan is all set for a significant surge in clean power generation in 2024. According to data from energy think tank Ember, clean electricity output during January and February reached 52.67 terawatt hours (TWh), the highest in at least five years. This marks a notable 12.4% increase from the same period in 2023.

Japan’s power firms reduced fossil fuel-based generation by 6%, the lowest since 2019. As a result, clean power sources accounted for 31.6% of Japan’s electricity in the first two months of 2024, up from 28% in 2023.

During this period, solar power emerged as Japan’s primary clean energy source, generating over 14 TWh, followed by nuclear reactors, hydro dams, and bioenergy plants. All clean energy sources witnessed growth, with nuclear, hydro, and bioenergy registering double-digit increases. Conversely, coal and gas-fired generation saw declines of 2.3% and 5.5%, respectively.

With peak solar and hydro output periods approaching, utilities are expected to further boost clean power generation, possibly reaching levels not seen since Japan curtailed nuclear output after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Additionally, Japan’s solar electricity generation historically surges by approximately 70% during the summer months of May through August.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Welcomes The British Pm With Military Honours

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with military honours, symbolising the enduring partnership between the two countries. Their discussions on Euro-Atlantic security, especially against Russian threats, reconfirmed the NATO partnership and commitment to strengthen the European contribution to deterrence.

The two leaders agreed to joint defence procurement, including the remote-controlled Howitzer 155mm wheeled artillery system and Eurofighter/Typhoon aircraft. They agreed to work together on projects in the field of air defence and coordinate deployments in the Indo-Pacific.

In condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany, and the UK pledged to assist Ukraine but tried to avoid provoking Russia.

On energy transition and decarbonisation, the partnership goes beyond defence. In this respect, Germany and the UK made commitments to renewable projects in the North Sea. They also made commitments for the examination of the possibility of hydrogen exports from the UK to Germany.

The establishment of a task force aims to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, building upon existing collaborations across military, industrial, cyber, and defence policies.

Germany and the UK’s joint efforts to divest Europe from Russian hydrocarbons demonstrate their shared commitment to a sustainable and secure future.

Salt Lake City Likely To Be Awarded 2034 Olympics

With its robust infrastructure and overwhelming public support, Salt Lake City is expected to be the winner of the 2034 Winter Olympics, according to city officials. Salt Lake City has already held the Games once in 2002, and subsequent visits by IOC representatives have strengthened support for the bid, particularly in light of the city’s intentions for a no-build Games.

The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games has enjoyed the backing of more than 80% of the people for the past 20 years. The chair of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, Catherine Raney-Norman, was a former Olympic speed skater.

Although new sports are being added to the Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City feels more than prepared to handle the increased activity. The 2030 Games were the original goal, but officials decided against them because of their closeness to the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.

On July 24, Salt Lake City is anticipated to be officially named as the host city by the IOC, presenting a “generational opportunity” for the US. The goal of the partnership with the LA28 organisers is to raise the profile of the Olympic movement in this nation.

Lionel Messi Breaks Goal Scoring Record Of Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi, acclaimed as one of football’s greatest, recently surpassed a milestone held by rival Cristiano Ronaldo during Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC. The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has dominated football, with both striving for supremacy.

Messi delivered a fantastic performance in the match, showcasing his signature skills to lead Inter Miami to victory. Despite initially trailing due to his own goal, Messi’s influence on the game quickly became apparent as he scored a crucial goal to level the score before ultimately securing the win with a late penalty.

Messi’s influence in this game pushed him above Ronaldo’s record for the fewest games taken to reach 830 career goals, highlighting his remarkable efficiency and consistency in front of goal throughout his illustrious career.

Even though Messi’s accomplishment is noteworthy, Ronaldo will always be remembered as the greatest goal scorer in football history, with 885 goals to his credit. Ronaldo is regarded as one of the great legends of the game for his profound impact on the sport, which extends beyond teams and nations.

Messi’s status as one of the greatest football players of all time is solidified as he continues to wow fans. He has inspired millions of people worldwide and will forever change the game for future generations.

Eligible Indians Can Get Long-Term Schengen Visas For 29 European Countries

Long-term Schengen visas are now available to Indians, strengthening the value of their passports and enabling smooth travel between 29 European nations. Indians can now access these nations multiple times in two years, extendable by five, without the prior three-month limit. India is now ranked 85th in the world for passport strength.

This new policy, which offers a two-year multi-entry visa, helps regular travellers and those who have been to Europe twice in the last three years. However, working locally isn’t permitted.

After COVID, the Scandinavian areas had a 140% surge, showing a rise in demand for travel. The visa changeover entails a two-year visa that may be extended for an additional five years, provided that the passport remains valid. Schengen permits allowed brief visits but not employment.

Herve Delphin, the ambassador of the European Union to India, confirms the change and its effects on holders of visas. Furthermore, France has expanded its visa policies, providing Indian students pursuing master’s degrees with a five-year post-study visa—a considerable improvement over the prior two-year work permits.

These events highlight the strengthening connections between Europe and India in terms of education and employment opportunities.

Binjor Excavation Uncovers A 5,000-Year-Old Industrial Powerhouse

The ancient Harappan civilisation, trading and production-oriented, flourished around 5000 years ago. While trade is well documented, the practices of manufacturing are not.

Excavations also indicate a sophisticated system of production, especially the production of high tin bronze, bead-making, pottery, weaving, and textiles like cotton. Beyond the major cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro, the rural settlements themselves contained workshops and craft centres.

One such site, Binjor (4 MSR) near the India-Pakistan border, sheds new light on the Harappan industry. Binjor’s excavation unearthed seven phases spanning the Early to Late Mature Harappan periods. Structures made of mud bricks contained workshops, courtyards, and a massive enclosure wall. Artefacts such as pottery, seals, beads, figurines, and copper objects were discovered. Notably, over 250 hearths found across phases indicate industrial activity, particularly during the mature Harappan period.

Excavations discovered hearths for smelting, secondary melting, and forging of artifacts. A water tank, stone anvils, tools, terracotta crucibles, and finished products were found, revealing a well-equipped industrial setup. Further analyses of the sediment samples showed intensive industrial activity with a high copper content.

It challenges the narratives of the past, showing ancient Indian manufacturing sophistication and its integral role in the Harappan civilisation’s economy and trade network.

Zambia Seeks Power Imports For Key Mining Sector

Zesco, the state-owned energy provider in Zambia, is getting ready to import electricity to combat an increasing supply shortfall that could hinder operations in the crucial mining sector. Zambia is the second-largest producer of copper in the world.

Zesco is getting ready to maintain economic stability and growth by directing the additional power imports towards vital industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The shortage is expected to reach an estimated 700 megawatts this year. Although the utility has not yet confirmed the precise amount of additional power that must be imported, the early announcement of this action indicates the urgency of closing the gap.

Zesco issued a warning to mining industries last week about possible variations in the power supply, citing reduced generation capacity. The production of copper in Zambia, the biggest copper producer in Africa, has drawn criticism. The nation’s mining association reports that the country’s copper output decreased to about 698,000 metric tonnes this year from 763,000 metric tonnes the year before.

This only serves to exacerbate worries on the global market that limited supply is making the production of refined copper, which is vital to the building and energy sectors, worse. Zambia is taking proactive steps to support its economic lifeline during these difficult times by attempting to import energy.