India has slipped two places on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap index to 129th place, while Iceland retained its top position in the rankings published. Within South Asia, India was ranked fifth after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, while Pakistan was ranked last.
Globally, Sudan was ranked last on the index of 146 countries, while Pakistan slipped three places to 145th.
India figured among the economies with the lowest levels of economic parity, alongside Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Morocco. All of them registered less than 30 per cent gender parity in estimated earned income.
Iceland was followed by Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden in the top five. The UK was ranked 14th, while the USA was at 43rd place. The WEF said the world has closed 68.5 per cent of the gender gap, but at the current pace it will take another 134 years -- equivalent to five generations -- to achieve full gender parity.
The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. Since launching in 2006, it is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous economies’ efforts towards closing these gaps.
Japan-India maritime exercise (Jimex 24) commenced at Yokosuka in Japan. According to the Indian Navy, during the exercise, navies of both the countries will jointly hone their war fighting skills at sea and enhance their interoperability. Indian Navy’s indigenous Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik is participating in the bilateral maritime exercise.
While, Japan is being represented by the Guided Missile Destroyer JS Yugiri. Indian Navy said that JIMEX 24 provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices and facilitates operational interactions between India and Japan.
Sarod maestro of international repute Rajeev Taranath has passed away in Mysuru. A disciple of Ali Akbar Khan, the reputed Sarod player Taranath had enthralled the audience across different continents. He has composed music for many internationally acclaimed Kannada films including Samskara, Kanchana Sita and Kadavu.
He served as the head of the Indian music programme at the World Music department of the California Institute of the Arts. He is the recipient of Padma Shri award in 2019. He is also honoured with Central Sangeet Natak Academy award, the state Sangeet Vidwan award, Chowdiah award, Kannada Rajyotsava Award given by Karnataka state Government among others.
Four-time MLA Mohan Charan Majhi was named next chief minister of Odisha by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leader Mohan Charan Majhi took oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar. Governor Raghubar Das administered him the oath to office.
Along with Majhi, two deputy Chief Ministers — Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida — were also sworn in. Pravati Parida has become the first woman deputy chief minister of the state. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik, who served as Chief Minister of Odisha for 24 years, was also present on the stage.
On December 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. 2024 marks a decade since the launch of International Albinism Awareness Day! To mark this occasion, this year’s theme is “10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress”.
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.
Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.
IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the most valuable Indian brand, ranked 46th globally, followed by Infosys at number 74, according to Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Global Brands report. TCS is ranked 16th in the top 20 business technology and services platforms, and Infosys at 20th.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based headline retail inflation eased to a 12-month low of 4.75 per cent in May on the back of a softening core and fuel inflation, even though food inflation remained elevated. Separately, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) also moderated to 5 per cent in April from an upwardly revised figure of 5.4 per cent in the preceding month.
Data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed that food inflation remained sticky at 8.69 per cent in May from 8.7 per cent in April,
The Indian Army has launched 'Vidyut Rakshak', an integrated generator monitoring, protection, and control system developed by the Army Design Bureau. This tech-based innovation, part of the Army's 'Year of Tech Absorption', utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor, predict faults, and automate manual operations of all existing generators, regardless of type.
The system aims to save manpower and signifies the Army's commitment to leveraging technology for transformative change. Vidyut Rakshak was showcased during Aero India 2023 and has already been inducted into the Indian Army. Vidyut Rakshak has been developed by Major Rajprasad R S and was displayed recently during the 'Exercise Bharat Shakti' and was witnessed by PM.
The United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). According to the proclamation, this year-long, worldwide initiative will "be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications."
Led by the nation of Mexico, in May 2023 the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) endorsed a resolution encouraging official UN proclamation, followed by an endorsement of the full UNESCO General Conference in November 2023, which was co-sponsored by nearly 60 countries.