Daily Current Affairs 12th Dec, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
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This post contains important current affairs of 12th Dec, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 12th Dec, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 12th Dec, 2024 Current affairs test.
Science & Technology News
OpenAI Debuts Sora Turbo for AI-Generated Videos
- OpenAI has launched Sora Turbo, its highly anticipated AI video generation tool, for paid users.
- The model enables the creation of 20-second videos in 1080p resolution, derived from text prompts or storyboards.
- Originally announced earlier this year, the model’s release was postponed by nine months to refine its safety and privacy measures.
- Sora Turbo is now available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers as a standalone platform.
Google Unveils Willow, a Revolutionary Quantum Chip
- Google has introduced Willow, a cutting-edge quantum chip that marks a milestone in computing and scientific discovery.
- The chip demonstrates exponential error reduction and faster computation speeds, achieving in five minutes what current supercomputers would take 10 septillion years to complete.
- Willow represents a pivotal step in Google’s efforts to build scalable quantum computers capable of addressing complex global challenges.
Understanding ‘Disease X’
- A mysterious and highly lethal illness referred to as Disease X has emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- The disease exhibits flu-like symptoms and a high mortality rate, prompting global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to investigate its origins and implement containment measures.
National News
Lok Sabha Approves Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 Amid Disruptions
- Despite interruptions during the Winter Session, the Lok Sabha approved the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed apprehensions raised by opposition members regarding potential privatization, emphasizing that these concerns were unfounded.
- The bill consolidates the Railway Board Act of 1905 into the Railways Act of 1989, streamlining the legal framework and granting statutory powers to the Railway Board.
- Opposition leaders expressed worries about the centralization of authority and lack of representation for marginalized communities, which the minister refuted.
India Targets Tripling Atomic Power Capacity by 2031
- India has significantly enhanced its nuclear power capacity, nearly doubling from 4,780 MW in 2014 to 8,081 MW in 2024.
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted this achievement during a Lok Sabha session, noting that advancements made in a decade previously took over six decades. The government’s strategic focus
- on political leadership and technological innovation has driven this growth.
- By the fiscal year 2031-32, the nation aims to triple its nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW, bolstering its position as a leader in nuclear energy.
Bhopal and Kurukshetra Break Records on Gita Jayanti 2024
- On Gita Jayanti 2024, Bhopal and Kurukshetra set historic benchmarks in religious and cultural observances.
- Bhopal achieved a Guinness World Record as over 5,000 Acharyas collectively recited verses from the Bhagavad Gita.
- Meanwhile, Kurukshetra drew a global audience of 1.5 crore participants through a virtual platform, making the celebration an iconic event.
Business News
Coca-Cola Sells 40% Stake in Indian Bottling Operations
- Coca-Cola has entered into a strategic alliance with Jubilant Bhartia Group, selling a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings (HCCH) for ₹12,500 crore.
- This move aligns with Coca-Cola’s global strategy of refranchising operations and solidifies its presence in India, its fifth-largest market.
- Jubilant Bhartia Group, known for its operational expertise in brands like Domino’s and Dunkin’, will bring its strengths to enhance Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Coca-Cola’s largest Indian bottler.
Economy News
ADB Lowers India’s GDP Growth Projections for FY25 and FY26
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised its GDP growth forecast for India, reducing the estimate for FY25 to 6.5% from the earlier projection of 7%.
- Similarly, the FY26 projection was adjusted downward from 7.2% to 7%.
- ADB attributed these changes to weaker industrial output, reduced public capital spending, and the impact of tight monetary policies.
Schemes News
Centre to Launch 8 New Smart Cities Under Extended Mission
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has unveiled a new initiative to extend the Smart Cities Mission, allocating ₹8,000 crore as a performance-linked challenge fund for the development of eight additional cities.
- This scheme is designed to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization.
- Each state is eligible to develop one city under the allocated fund, following the success of the original Smart Cities Mission.
Awards News
Ang Lee Honored with DGA Lifetime Achievement Award
- Renowned filmmaker Ang Lee has been awarded the Directors Guild of America (DGA) 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Known for his innovative storytelling and diverse body of work, Lee has earned international acclaim, including two Academy Awards.
National Panchayat Awards 2024 Recognize Rural Development
- The National Panchayat Awards 2024 honored 45 exemplary Panchayats for their contributions to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
- The awards ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was attended by President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
Indian Projects Win UNESCO Heritage Awards
- India’s Abathsahayeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu and the BJPCI Conservation Project in Maharashtra have won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2024.
- These projects were celebrated for their dedication to preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
Obituaries News
Gujarati Music Icon Purushottam Upadhyay Passes Away at 90
- Legendary Gujarati singer and composer Purushottam Upadhyay has passed away at the age of 90.
- Renowned for his timeless contributions to Gujarati music, Upadhyay’s work deeply resonated with the Gujarati community worldwide.
Nikki Giovanni, Celebrated Poet and Activist, Dies at 81
- Nikki Giovanni, a trailblazing poet and prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement, passed away at 81.
- Her influential poetry and activism profoundly impacted American culture, focusing on themes of social justice and Black liberation.
Sports News
Haris Rauf and Danni Wyatt-Hodge Win ICC Player of the Month Awards
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) named Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge as the ICC Players of the Month for November 2024.
- Rauf’s outstanding bowling helped Pakistan secure their first ODI series victory in Australia since 2002, while Wyatt-Hodge’s remarkable batting led England to a dominant T20I series win over South Africa.
Leh and Gulmarg Announced as Hosts for Khelo India Winter Games 2025
- The Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir will host the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), which aim to foster talent in winter sports and promote their culture.
- The event has become a vital platform for nurturing athletes from remote Himalayan regions and preparing them for international competitions.
Hosts Announced for FIFA World Cups 2030 and 2034
- FIFA has confirmed the host nations for the next two men’s football World Cups.
- The 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the event’s centenary.
- Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 2034 tournament.
- These decisions, made during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress, have received mixed reactions from the global football community.
