Daily Current Affairs- 11th December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 11th December 2024

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY    

OpenAI launches Sora, the AI video generator

• OpenAI publicly launched the AI video generator Sora, offering new creative tools. Sora can create up to 20-second videos from text and modify existing videos by filling frames. It's rolling out in the US and many other countries to paid ChatGPT Plus and Pro users.

 OBITUARY

SM Krishna passes away

• Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, former External Affairs Minister of India and Karnataka chief minister, passed away at 92. Krishna served as Karnataka's Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004 and was credited with transforming Bengaluru into the Silicon Valley of India. 

SPORTS

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was voted WTA Player of the Year 2024

• Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was voted WTA (Women Tennis Association) Player of the Year for 2024. This is the first time Aryna Sabalenka has won the WTA Player of the Year award.
• The international tennis media, accredited by the women’s professional tennis governing body WTA, votes to select the best players, tournaments, and coaches of the year after the conclusion of the WTA calendar year. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Ajay Seth gets additional charge of Revenue Secretary

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given additional charge of the post of Secretary of the Department of Revenue to Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth with immediate effect. He will be in charge of the post until the appointment of a regular incumbent or further orders. 

BCCI appoints Devajit Saikia as Board’s Acting Secretary

• The BCCI has appointed Devajit Saikia as the board’s acting secretary by President Roger Binny, replacing Jay Shah who recently took over as the new ICC chair from December 1. Mr. Saikia, who hails from Assam, is a former first-class cricketer. He is currently the BCCI joint secretary. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mountain Day

• International Mountain Day is celebrated annually on 11 December to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development,
• In 2002, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated 11 December as International Mountain Day. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) coordinates the annual celebration of the Day to foster greater awareness of mountain issues.
• The theme for International Mountain Day 2024 is - Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation, and youth. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

MoU between GSI and CNR-IRPI, Italy, for Collaboration in Landslide Prediction and Forecasting

• The Geological Survey of India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with The Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection of the National Research Council (CNR-IRPI), Italy for collaboration in Landslide Forecast and Early Warning. 

DPIIT inks MoU with Flipkart to invest in and mentor Indian startups

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce market and signed an MoU with the former to support and empower tech start-ups across India. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Shaji N Karun wins JC Daniel Award

• Veteran filmmaker Shaji N Karun has been selected for the prestigious JC Daniel Award 2023 for his lifetime contributions to Malayalam cinema.
• The JC Daniel Award is the highest honour for a filmmaker in Kerala is presented by the state government to recognize excellence and long-lasting contributions to the film industry. This recognition is a testament to Shaji N Karun’s immense influence on Malayalam cinema, both in India and internationally. 

BOOKS AND AUTHOR

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Releases Vishnukant Shastri’s Rachana Sanchayan

• Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released Vishnukant Shastri’s Rachana Sanchayan published by Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi, During the release, the Minister lauded Vishnukant Shastri’s contribution to advancing Indian culture, religion, spirituality and literature.