Current affairs 13 June 2024

India slipped in Global Gender Gap Index, ranked 129th.

• According to the Global Gender Gap Index released by the World Economic Forum, India has slipped two places to the 129th position.
• Iceland has retained its top spot.
• Within South Asia, India ranked fifth after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, with Pakistan ranked last.
• The global gender gap in 2024 stands at 68.5%, which is just 0.1 percentage point lower than what it was in 2023.

IISc developed sustainable method for heavy metal removal from water.

• IISc researchers developed a three-step method to sustainably remove heavy metals like arsenic from groundwater, preventing re-contamination.
• The process involves separation using biodegradable absorbent, followed by bioremediation using microbes in cow dung to convert toxic inorganic arsenic to safer organic forms.
• Pilot tests in rural areas show the system can produce safe drinking water.

Oxford University to return stolen 500-year-old bronze idol to India.

• Oxford University agreed to return a 500-year-old bronze idol of Saint Tirumankai Alvar to India, stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple.
• Ashmolean Museum, which acquired the statue from Sotheby's auction house in 1967, supports the Indian High Commission's claim for its return.
• The decision, supported by the university's council on March 11, 2024, now awaits approval from the Charity Commission.

UN declares 2025 "International Year of Quantum" and Technology.

• UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to increase public awareness and support for quantum science.
• Introduced by Ghana, the resolution emphasizes the application of quantum technologies for sustainable development in renewable energy, medicine, financial inclusion, and secure communications.
• PsiQuantum to build a quantum computer in Brisbane.

India to host 2025 FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup.

• Executive Board of the International Hockey Federation named India as the host for the 1st-ever Junior World Cup to be held in Dec 2024.
• The last edition of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup took place in 2023 in Malaysia and won by Germany.
• This will be 1st time that FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will include 24 teams.
• FIH President: Tayyab Ikram
• Dilip Tirkey: President of Hockey India