Today's Current Affairs 9th December 2023

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet Allocates Rs 2,500 Crore for Extended Interest Equalisation Scheme

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned an additional Rs 2,500 crore for the Interest Equalisation Scheme. The scheme is extended until June 30, 2024.

Govt Unveils ‘Mera Gaon, Meri Dharohar’ Project to Document Village Heritage

• The initiative, titled “Mera Gaon, Meri Dharohar” (MGMD), is set to spotlight the cultural richness embedded in villages across the nation, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, responsible for culture, tourism.
• Developed in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture.

‘Green Rising’ Initiative Launched To Empower Youth in Meaningful Eco Initiatives

• On December 8th, at COP28, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, unveiled the “Green Rising“ initiative.
• Co-hosted by UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and Dubai Cares, the Green Rising initiative was formally launched at the RewirEd Summit.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Human Rights Day 2023: 10^th December

• The year 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of a monumental global commitment—the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
• The chosen theme for the 2023 celebrations is “Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All.”

International Anti-Corruption Day 2023: 9 December

• The theme for International Anti-Corruption Day 2023 is ‘UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption.’
• The roots of International Anti-Corruption Day trace back to October 31, 2003, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
• The first observance took place on December 9, 2005.

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide

• This day, also recognized as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide.
• This year’s commemorative event centers on the theme “A Living Force in World Society: The Legacy of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

GPAI 2023: Artificial Intelligence Research Symposium to Be Held On December 12-14

• Currently serving as the incoming Support Chair of GPAI, India is set to take on the Lead Chair position for GPAI in 2024.
• To showcase its commitment to the advancement of AI, India is hosting the Annual GPAI Summit from December 12 – 14, 2023.
• The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), established in June 2020,

 RANKING

Lahore Leads in Global Pollution Ranking

• Lahore, the second-largest city in Pakistan, is grappling with a severe smog crisis that poses significant threats to the health and well-being of its residents.
• Lahore’s AQI was reported as 400, categorizing it as “hazardous” in the morning.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

IDFC FIRST Bank Unveils Youth-Centric “FIRST SWYP” Credit Card in Collaboration with Mastercard

• In a strategic move targeting the dynamic preferences of Millennials and Gen Zs, IDFC FIRST Bank has introduced the “FIRST SWYP” credit card.

RBI Raises UPI Limit for Healthcare and Education to Rs 5 Lakh

• As per the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) website, the existing UPI transaction limit for normal payments stands at Rs 1 lakh per transaction.