NATIONAL:
1. New Delhi Declaration
Why in news - Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit unanimously adopts New Delhi Declaration.
Key Points -
• The Declaration has been unanimously adopted by all 29 member nations of the GPAI.
• Under the declaration, the GPAI will also focus on countries from the Global South and make available the benefits of AI platforms and solutions to all the people of the world.
• GPAI nation members showed agreement upon using the GPAI platform to create a global framework on AI trust and safety and make AI solutions and benefits available for all.
About GPAI:
• GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative with 29 member countries, which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.
2. Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023
Why in news - Rajya Sabha Passes Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 for establishment Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana.
Key Points -
• The Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2023 passed the Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 further to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 for establishment Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu in the State of Telangana.
• The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 7th December, 2023.
• The University will be established at a cost of Rs. 889.07 crore. In the University, there will be graduate, postgraduate and Doctoral level courses under the five schools having 11 departments.
• The University has been named “Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University” on the mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma (commonly known as Sarakka), who are believed to be manifestations of Adi Parashakti sent to protect the tribal communities of Telangana.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Cyclone Jasper
Why in news - Tropical cyclone Jasper hit Australia weakened into low pressure system
Key Points -
• Tropical cyclone Jasper which hit Australia weakened into a low pressure system but continued to lash the northeast coast today with flooding rain and left almost 40,000 homes and businesses without power.
• The cyclone crossed the Queensland state coast as a category 2 storm on a five-tier scale that whipped the sparsely populated region with winds of up to 140 km per hour.
ART & CULTURE:
1. Jaffna International Cinema Festival
Why in news - Ninth edition of Jaffna International Cinema Festival to begin at Jaffna Cultural Centre.
Key Points -
• The ninth edition of Jaffna International Cinema Festival will begin at the Jaffna Cultural Centre.
• The six-day event will showcase films from various countries in general and the subcontinent in particular.
• The works of noted Indian filmmaker Mrinal Sen will be screened in Mrinal Sen Retrospective section.
• The Indian films that will be premiered at the festival include Bhagwan Bharose, Whispers of Fire and Water, Faded Memories, Main Hoon Lallu Singh and Chhaad.
SPORTS:
1. Khelo India Para Games
Why in news - Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur formally inaugurates Khelo India Para games in New Delhi
Key Points -
• The inaugural Khelo India Para Games 2023 is the latest addition to the Khelo India initiative by the Government of India. With an aim to bolster sports at the grassroots level, the Khelo India Para Games seek to empower every sportsperson who faces a disability.
• KIPG 2023 are being held across three venues in New Delhi from December 10 to 17.
• The Games will bring together approximately 1,400 athletes. These athletes will be participating across seven disciplines - athletics, shooting, archery, football, badminton, table tennis, and powerlifting.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Energy Conservation Day 2023 (14 December)
Why in news - National Energy Conservation Day 2023 to be celebrated on December 14, 2023.
Key Points -
• The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated on December 14 every year, in order to spread the message on the importance of conserving energy and to showcase the achievements of the nation in energy efficiency and conservation.
• The National Energy Conservation Day and the Awards are being organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Ministry of Power, Government of India, which is mandated as per the Energy Conservation Act 2001, to regulate and promote energy efficiency and its conservation in India.
• The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu will grace the National Energy Conservation Day 2023 function being held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on December 14, 2023. On the occasion, the President will address the gathering and also felicitate the winners of the National Energy Conservation Awards 2023, National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards 2023 and National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2023.
About BEE:
• Government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on March 1, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
Why in news - Many species of migratory birds start arriving from Siberia, North Africa, Europe and the foothills of the Himalayas – the Eurasian Curlew, Caspian Tern, Little ringed Plover and Eurasian Spoonbill.
Key Points -
• It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, close to Marakkanam on the East Coast Road, the Kazhuveli wetland, spread over an expanse of 670 sq.km of catchment area, is one of the major wetlands on the Coromandel Coast after the Pulicat Lake.
• The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the Uppukalli Creek and the Yedayanthittu estuary and is visited for nesting by migratory birds on the Central Asian flyway. The southern part of the wetland has been reserved land since 2001.
Pulicat Lake:
• It lies at the border of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. (Majorly lies in Andhra Pradesh).
• It is the second-largest brackish water lake in the country.
• The long and narrow Sriharikota Island, which separates Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Business Connect 2023
Why in news - Bihar Business Connect-2023, a 2-day global investors' summit kicked off on December 13 in Patna and attracted over 600 investors from across India and 15 other countries.
Key Points -
• Representatives from 16 countries including the US, Taiwan, Japan and Germany, are attending the summit, which aims to project the state as an attractive global investment destination.
• Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Bihar government and 38 companies for proposed investment of Rs 26,429 crore in textile, leather, food processing and general manufacturing sectors in the eastern state.
• Major investment commitments include 7,386.15 crore by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Patel Agri Industries Private Limited (Rs 5,230 crores), Indo-European Research and Healthcare Private Limited (Rs 2,000 crores), Dev India Project and Spray Engineering Devices Limited (Rs 1,600 crores), UltraTech Cement Limited (Rs 1,000 crores) and Spray Engineering Devices (Rs 800 crore).
POINTERS:
• India recently celebrated its 50 years of diplomatic ties with which country, in December 2023- Republic of Korea
• AstroSat’ is a space telescope launched by which country- India
• Where was the 5th edition of Global Ayurveda Festival held in 2023-Thiruvananthapuram
• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) functions under which Union Ministry-Ministry of Home Affairs
• Gram Manchitra” application, which was recently launched, is associated with-Geographic Information System
• Who was honoured with the 2023 Diwali 'Power of One' Award, also known as the 'Oscars of Diplomacy - Ban Ki-moon
• Who is set to receive the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival-Javed Akhtar
• Who has been honoured with the 2023 REACH Game Changing Innovator award for a groundbreaking contribution to leprosy care-Dr. Atul Shah
• Which government department has introduced the PM-JANMAN Scheme-Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Which country recently unveiled the world's first 4th-generation nuclear reactor - China
• Which bank launched the Nari Shakti Savings Account specifically for women-Bank of India
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