Daily Current Affairs 26 & 27 May 2024

1. KKR won the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 title

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, securing their third title.
• In a one-sided final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, KKR showcased an impressive all-round performance.
• KKR secured their third IPL championship, adding to their previous titles in 2012 and 2014.
• After winning the toss, SRH opted to bat first but struggled to find momentum, posting a mere 113 runs.
• Chasing the modest target, KKR cruised to victory in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand.
• Here’s a summary of their previous winnings of KKR:
• 2012: KKR clinched their first IPL title by defeating Chennai Super Kings in the final.
• 2014: The Knight Riders repeated their success, winning the IPL for the second time. In the final, they triumphed over Kings XI Punjab, showcasing their dominance.

About IPL

• The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008.
• It features various franchise teams representing different cities, and matches are played annually during the summer.
• Teams are owned by private entities and corporations, featuring a mix of international and Indian cricket stars.
• Players are selected through a high-profile auction, leading to dynamic team compositions each season.
• It is one of the richest cricket leagues, generating significant revenue from sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and ticket sales.

2. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Mechanical Engineering Research launched Electric Tiller

• N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)& Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) unveiled the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute’s Electric Tiller in Durgapur on 25th May 2024.
• The CSIR-CMERI’s innovative technology is tailored to meet the requirements of small to marginal farmers, who constitute over 80% of the nation’s farming community.
• These farmers, typically with land holdings of less than 2 hectares, can utilize the electric tiller for various agricultural tasks, benefiting from substantially reduced operational costs.
• The Electric Tiller boasts enhanced torque and field efficiency, while also prioritizing user comfort and environmental sustainability.

About CSIR

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the premier research and development organizations in India.
• Established in 1942, it is an autonomous body that operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• CSIR is known for its extensive contributions to scientific and industrial research, spanning diverse fields such as aerospace, biotechnology, chemicals, energy, environment, healthcare, and materials.

3. Indian high commissioner inaugurated New Indian Investment in Bangladesh

• India’s top pharmaceutical business, Sun Pharma, opened a new factory close to Dhaka on May 26, 2024, with the joint opening of Prime Minister Salman Fazlur Rahman’s investment adviser and India’s High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Pranay Verma.
• With a yearly production capacity of more than 1 billion pills and capsules, this is the company’s second investment in Bangladesh.
• The plant, the first pharmaceutical facility in any Bangladeshi Economic Zone, not only demonstrates India’s ongoing dedication to fostering partnerships with Bangladesh, but also shows the increasing inclination of Indian companies to make investments in Bangladesh.

4. 10th World Water Forum commenced in Bali

• The 10th World Water Forum commenced in Bali, Indonesia from 18 to 25 May 2024.
• With the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity,” this global event serves as a unique platform for collaboration between the water community and key decision-makers.
• The forum focuses on four critical topics: water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters.
• The opening ceremony featured the traditional Water Purification Ceremony inspired by Balinese customs, emphasizing the significance of water in our lives.
• As the largest international gathering in the water sector, the World Water Forum has been co-hosted by the World Water Council and a host city since 1997.

5. G7 finance meeting concluded in Italy’s Stresa

• On 25 May 2024, the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors concluded their meeting in Stresa, Italy.
• Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta represented the Italian presidency during this three-day working session.
• The meeting focused on critical economic matters, including support for Ukraine and the handling of proceeds from immobilized Russian assets.
• While specific details about a loan for Ukraine were not agreed upon during this meeting, it sets the stage for further discussions and actions in the coming weeks or months.

About G7

• The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal bloc of industrialized democracies that meets annually to discuss global issues.
• Member countries of the G7:

1. Canada
2. France
3. Germany
4. Italy
5. Japan
6. United Kingdom
7. United States

• Additionally, the European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated member” of the G7.
• The G7 serves as a forum for discussing critical matters such as global economic governance, international security, and energy policy.
• It is organized around shared values of pluralism, liberal democracy, and representative government.
• Italy currently presides over the G7 in 2024.

6. Dipa Karmakar becomes first Indian gymnast to win gold in Asian Gymnastics Championship

• Dipa Karmakar, the talented Indian gymnast, etched her name in history by winning the gold medal in the women’s vault apparatus at the Asian Gymnastics Championships 2024 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian gymnast to clinch a gold medal in any event at the Asian Championships.
• In the women’s vault final, the 30-year-old Olympian displayed remarkable skill, posting an average score of 13.566.
• This secured her victory ahead of Kim Son-hyang from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (silver with 13.466) and Jo Kyong-byol (bronze with 12.966).
• India had previously won four medals at the continental championships, all bronze. Dipa herself contributed to this tally with a third-place finish in the women’s vault in 2015.
• Dipa Karmakar is also the first Indian female gymnast to compete at the Olympics, where she finished a commendable fourth in the women’s vault at Rio 2016.

7. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh takes command of NDA

• Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed the appointment of Commandant, National Defence Academy from Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar in Pune on 25 May 2024.
• An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1st July 1990.
• Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has held several appointments, both afloat and ashore. As a specialist in Gunnery and Missiles, he has served onboard Indian Naval Ships Ranjit and Prahar.

8. Delhi tops Indian rankings in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index

• Delhi has achieved the 350th rank in the Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2024, making it the highest ranked Indian city on the list.
• The index meticulously compares the world’s 1,000 largest cities across various parameters, including economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance.
• Leveraging economic data and other publicly available datasets, the index provides a holistic assessment of cities worldwide.
• New York claims the top spot on the index, followed by London, San Jose, Tokyo, Paris, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Melbourne, and Zurich.
• While Delhi leads the Indian rankings, several other Indian cities also feature on the list: Bengaluru (ranked 411), Mumbai (ranked 427), Chennai (ranked 472), Kochi (ranked 521), Kolkata (ranked 528), Pune (ranked 534), Thrissur (ranked 550).
• According to Oxford Economics, the world’s foremost independent economic advisory firm, these rankings provide valuable insights into global urban dynamics.

9. Henley Passport Index 2024

• According to the Henley Passport Index 2024, the most powerful passport in the world is held by France.
• With a visa-free score of 194, French passport holders enjoy access to an impressive array of destinations without requiring a visa.
• Following closely behind are passports from Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain, each granting their citizens extensive global mobility.
• These top-ranking passports facilitate seamless travel, business, and leisure opportunities across borders, making them highly coveted by international travelers.

10. India’s Payal Kapadia wins Grand Prix at 77th Cannes Film Festival

• Payal Kapadia, the talented Indian filmmaker, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian director to win the Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
• Her remarkable achievement is attributed to her film “All We Imagine as Light”, which bagged this prestigious honor.
• The Grand Prix is the second-most prestigious prize at Cannes, following the iconic Palme d’Or.
• “All We Imagine as Light” is a Malayalam-Hindi language film that captivated audiences with its compelling narrative.
• Kapadia’s film marks a significant milestone, as it is the first Indian film in 30 years and the first ever by an Indian female director to be featured in the main competition at Cannes.

About Cannes Film Festival

• The Cannes Film Festival, also known as the Festival de Cannes, is an annual international film festival held in Cannes, France.
• The festival has a rich history, dating back to its first edition in 1946. It has evolved into a global platform for filmmakers, producers, and distributors.
• Cannes previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world. It serves as a showcase for filmmakers to present their latest works.
• The festival awards prestigious prizes, such as the iconic Palme d’Or (Golden Palm), which is the highest honor. Other awards include the Grand Prix and various category-specific awards.