The Global Gender Gap Report 2024, released by the World Economic Forum, presents a dire picture of the current state and evolution of gender parity across four indices: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. It would take 134 years, that is, till 2158, to reach full gender parity,Says report.

Highlights of the report

1. The global gender gap score, interpreted as the percentage of the gender gap that has been closed, stands at 68.5 per cent for 2024, improving by a mere 0.1 percentage point from last year.
2. 97 per cent of the world’s economies have closed more than 60 per cent of the gender gap, a significant increase from 85 per cent in 2006.
3. India has slipped two places on the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Gender Gap index to 129th place, while Iceland retained its top position in the rankings published on June 12.
4. 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.
5. Iceland remains at the top, having closed 93.4 per cent of its gender gap, leading the index for over a decade and a half.

Visakhapatnam Port has emerged as the leading port dealing in marine products shipments in the country by handling 3,14,199 tonnes in FY24 valued at Rs. 17,983.99 crore and $2,194 million in dollar terms.

• This achievement places Visakhapatnam ahead of JNPT, which handled 2,40,253 tonnes worth ?6,395.70 crore ($779.49 million), and Cochin Port, which managed 1,81,400 tonnes valued at ?6,120 crore ($746.43 million).
• Chennai Port and Kolkata Port ranked fourth and fifth, handling 1,01,903 tonnes and 94,559 tonnes, valued at ?4,655 crore and ?4,452 crore, respectively. Other ports collectively handled 8,49,289 tonnes worth ?20,915 crore.
• India’s seafood exports reached an all-time high volume of 17,81,602 tonnes worth ?60,523.89 crore in FY24, despite challenges in major export destinations.
• Marine products were shipped to 132 countries, with the US and China as the major importers. Frozen shrimp remained the top export item.

The government has appointed Atul Kumar Chaudhary, as the new Secretary, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the position which was lying vacant after superannuation of V Raghunandan on May 31.

• Prior to this he was UDID, Chanudhary was DG - UIDAI.
• Previously he was posted as Director General at Department of Telecommunication.
• He worked in various capacities in the personnel, human resource (HR), administration, licensing, vigilance divisions of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and DoT.

India’s Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh and Vijender Singh came together on social media to celebrate Olympic Day 2024 on Sunday(23 June 2024).

• The Olympic Day, celebrated every year on June 23 since 1948, commemorates the revival of the Olympic Games in Paris on June 23, 1894.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was officially formed on the same day.
• The theme for Olympic Day 2024 is ‘Let’s Move and Celebrate’, aiming to inspire people worldwide to engage in daily physical activity.
• Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual gold medallist at the Olympics, shared his thoughts on his social media handle. 
• Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Extends His Greetings Of International Olympic Day

The 67th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) held from June 17-20, 2024 ended with an approval for $736.4 million in funding. A total of 34 nature protection and renewal projects have been provided funds.

These include 19 projects under the GEF Trust Fund, three under Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), 12 under Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and one under the Multi-Trust fund.   

About The Global Environment Facility Council

The Council, the Global Environment Facility's main governing body, comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from developing countries, and two from economies in transition). Council members rotate at different intervals determined by each constituency. The Council customarily meets twice annually but has decided to meet three times in 2024. It develops, adopts, and evaluates the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities, and reviews and approves the work program (projects submitted for approval), making decisions by consensus.

Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), said Manoj Jain assumed charge as its chairman and managing director (CMD).

• He has donned multiple key roles in his career spanning over three decades with the company.
• Prior to this appointment, Jain served as Director (R&D) since September 2022 and also held additional charges as director (Bangalore complex) from Aug 2023 and director (HR) from Nov 2022 to May 2023.
• He previously headed BEL's electronic warfare & avionics strategic business unit at the Bangalore Complex.
• Jain, A gold medalist in electronics engineering from REC Jaipur (MNIT), Jain joined BEL in 1991 as a probationary engineer.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated the landing of the Pushpak reusable launch vehicle for the third time, bringing it one step closer to using the vehicle for an orbital mission.

Announcing the success, the space agency wrote on X, ‘Hat-trick for ISRO in RLV LEX!

The Indian Army has opened the Khalubar War Memorial to tourists as a tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War.

• This opening ceremony was part of the 'Forever in Operations' Division's pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, as this year, the country will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26.
• Located in the renowned Aryan Valley this memorial commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers who fought to reclaim the valley during the war.
• Khalubar, a serene valley near the border, became a focal point during the Kargil War when enemy forces captured it.