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Current Affairs 12th December 2025
1. TIME Magazine Names ‘Architects of AI’ as Person of the Year 2025
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Recognition of AI's Pivotal Year (2025): The selection marks 2025 as the year when Artificial Intelligence's full potential truly "roared into view," shifting from a niche technology to one that a critical mass of consumers and industries saw as part of their mainstream lives, making a return to a pre-AI world impossible.
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Focus on the Builders, Not Just the Technology: TIME intentionally selected the "individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI"—the Architects—rather than choosing the concept of AI itself. This spotlights the unparalleled influence and responsibility of a small group of leaders.
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Dual Impact: Transformation and Trade-offs: The recognition acknowledges the immense positive transformations AI brings—accelerating medical research, boosting productivity, and solving complex problems—but also highlights the serious societal "trade-offs," including job displacement, the proliferation of misinformation, huge energy requirements, and the extraordinary concentration of power.
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A Consequential Tool in Geopolitics and Competition: The magazine described AI as "arguably the most consequential tool in great-power competition since the advent of nuclear weapons," noting that the group's actions have reoriented government policy, altered geopolitical rivalries, and led to multibillion-dollar investments in physical infrastructure.
2. Indian Navy to Commission First Indigenous Diving Support Craft ‘DSC A20’
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Lead Ship in an Indigenous Series: DSC A20 is the first vessel of its class—a series of five indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Crafts. This entire series is being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) in Kolkata, making it a proud achievement under the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.
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Enhancement of Underwater Capabilities: The primary role of the craft is to substantially strengthen the Indian Navy's diving and underwater support operations, particularly in coastal waters.
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Advanced Design and Specifications: The DSC A20 incorporates a Catamaran hull form. This twin-hulled design offers superior stability, a larger deck area for deploying diving equipment, and improved seakeeping characteristics. It has a displacement of approximately 390 tons.
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Operational Base and Command: The vessel is scheduled to be formally commissioned on December 16, 2025, at Kochi and will operate under the Southern Naval Command (SNC). This strategic placement will boost maritime vigilance and operational readiness in the Southern Arabian Sea region.
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A Milestone for Private Sector Shipbuilding: The DSC A20 is noted as the first Indian Naval Commissioned Vessel to be built and delivered by a private shipyard in Bengal (TRSL). Its successful construction demonstrates a robust partnership between the Indian Navy.
3. IIT Bombay’s ATMAN 3.0 Accelerator Launch
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Exclusive Focus on HealthTech: ATMAN 3.0 is a specialized accelerator dedicated entirely to early-stage HealthTech ventures. Its mission is to bridge the gap between academic research (prototypes) and commercial viability in the healthcare sector, aligning with India's goal of achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 by improving access to medical solutions.
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Conversion to Investment-Ready Businesses: The core objective is to transform promising, early-stage HealthTech startups (13 selected from 173 applicants) into investment-ready businesses.
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Significant Seed Funding Potential: Each winning participant in the cohort stands a chance to be awarded seed funding support of ₹1 Crore (INR 10 million) or more, based on their evaluation. This direct financial injection is crucial for moving a product from a validated prototype to early commercialization.
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Backing by National Mission: The program is a flagship initiative of the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Bombay, which is backed by the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This ensures governmental support and a mandate for translational research in IoT (Internet of Things) and IoE (Internet of Everything) applied to health.
4. India’s First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel Begins Commercial Service
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Zero-Emission Green Technology: The vessel is powered by a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT-PEM) fuel cell system. This technology converts stored hydrogen into electricity, with the critical result of producing only water as a by-product, ensuring zero smoke, zero pollution, and noise-free operation on the river.
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Fully Indigenous 'Make in India' Achievement: It is the first vessel in India to feature fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell propulsion in a maritime setting. It was built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and is owned by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), showcasing India's self-reliance in cutting-edge green technology.
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Launch Location and Service Route (Varanasi): The commercial service was flagged off from Namo Ghat in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), operating on the River Ganga (National Waterway 1). This positions the holy city as one of the world's first to adopt hydrogen-powered public transport on a major river, aligning with the mission to rejuvenate and preserve the Ganga.
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Operational Capacity and Range: The vessel is a 24-meter air-conditioned catamaran designed for urban transit, capable of carrying 50 passengers. Its hybrid energy system combines hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and solar power, allowing it to operate for up to eight hours on a single hydrogen fill.
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Alignment with National Green Goals: The successful deployment of this vessel directly supports India's ambitious national commitments, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Maritime India Vision 2030, and the long-term goal of achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2070.
5. Indian Swimmer’s Double Gold at Asian Youth Para Games
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The Athlete and Event: The Indian para-swimmer is Abdul Quadir Indori. He achieved the rare feat of winning two gold medals in the swimming events at the ongoing Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) 2025.
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Venue and Edition: The Asian Youth Para Games 2025 is being hosted in Dubai, UAE. This is the fifth edition of the Games and a crucial platform for nurturing the next generation of Asian Para-athletes.
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Significant Start for the Indian Contingent: Indori’s double gold medals provided a huge boost to the Indian campaign, setting a golden tone on the opening day of the event. His performance was crucial in establishing India's presence on the medal tally early on.
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Rising Strength of Para-Sports: His exceptional performance was widely applauded by the Paralympic Committee of India, which acknowledged it as a reflection of his dedication, discipline, and the rising strength of India's young para-athletes.
6. Henrique Braun appointed as CEO of The Coca-Cola
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Effective Date and Transition: Henrique Braun will officially take over as CEO on March 31, 2026. He succeeds James Quincey, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the board. This phased approach is designed to ensure strategic continuity and a smooth leadership handover.
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Longtime Company Insider: Braun is a Coca-Cola veteran, having been with the company for nearly three decades (since 1996). His extensive experience includes leading major global operating units, notably serving as the President for Latin America, and President for Greater China & South Korea.
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Immediate Predecessor Role: Prior to his CEO appointment, Braun served as the company’s Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role he assumed in January 2025.
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Building on the 'Total Beverage Company' Legacy: Braun's task is to build on the transformative legacy of his predecessor, James Quincey, who successfully shifted Coca-Cola into a "total beverage company" by diversifying the portfolio beyond core sodas into categories like sparkling water, coffee, and energy drinks.
7. India and Liberia Sign MoU to Boost Cooperation on Medicine Quality Standards
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Adoption of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP): The central provision of the MoU enables Liberia to officially adopt the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) as the reference standard for medicine quality within its national regulatory framework. The Pharmacopoeia is the official book of standards (compendia) for drugs.
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Focus on Regulatory Alignment: The agreement aims to achieve regulatory alignment between the two nations. By adopting the IP, Liberia's drug quality assessment processes will become consistent with internationally recognized standards, improving the efficiency of the drug registration and testing lifecycle.
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Improving Access to Safe and Affordable Medicines: The primary public health objective is to enhance access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines for the Liberian population. India is the world's leading supplier of generic drugs, and this MoU will facilitate easier and more trustworthy imports of quality-assured Indian pharmaceuticals.
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Strengthening Liberia's Regulatory System: The MoU includes provisions for technical cooperation and capacity building. This means India will help Liberia's regulatory body, the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), in areas like drug testing, quality assurance protocols, and standardization techniques.
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Boosting India's Global Health Influence: This collaboration reinforces India's commitment to South-South cooperation and the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative by promoting the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a global standard.
8. Anant Ambani received the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare
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Global Awarding Body: The award was presented by the Global Humane Society (GHS), the international brand of the American Humane Society, which is the world's oldest national humane organization. This places the award among the most prestigious global recognitions in the field.
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Historic Recipient Status: Anant Ambani is the youngest ever and the first Asian to receive this esteemed recognition. This highlights the transformative, global impact of his work and places him in the company of past honorees like US Presidents and major Hollywood icons.
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Recognition for Vantara Initiative: The award is primarily for his visionary leadership in establishing Vantara (Star of the Forest), a massive wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Vantara is recognized for setting a new global benchmark for large-scale, ethical animal care.
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Science-Led Conservation Model: The Global Humane Society praised Vantara's approach for combining large-scale rescue and long-term rehabilitation with science-led conservation. The facility integrates ex situ (outside natural habitat) and in situ (within native ecosystem) methods to protect endangered species and restore wildlife populations.
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Focus on Dignity and Seva: Upon receiving the award, Ambani emphasized that Vantara's mission is guided by the principle of sarva bhuta hita (the wellbeing of all beings) and the spirit of seva (selfless service).
9. Alia Bhatt receives Golden Globes Horizon Award at Red Sea Film Festival
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Prestigious Partnership Award: The award was presented by the Golden Globes in collaboration with the Red Sea International Film Festival (held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). This partnership significantly elevates the award's international standing and links her achievement directly to a major US-based awards body.
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Recognition of Rising Global Impact: The Horizon Award is specifically given to an emerging creative force whose rapid ascent in the entertainment industry is making a significant impact on both regional and international culture. It celebrates her exceptional contributions to international cinema from the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa region.
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Co-Honoree and Context: Alia Bhatt was honoured alongside Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, who received the Omar Sharif Award (named after the legendary Egyptian actor). This dual honour highlights the festival's commitment to recognizing leading talent across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
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Festival Showcase and Upcoming Project: The honour coincided with a curated retrospective of her career at the 5th edition of the Red Sea Film Festival, spotlighting her versatility in films like Gangubai Kathiawadi and Raazi. She also used the platform to present an exclusive first look at her upcoming film, Alpha, the first female-led installment in the YRF Spy Universe.
10. Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 observed on 12th December
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Global Theme: Unaffordable Health Costs: The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 is “Unaffordable health costs? We're sick of it!” This theme focuses on the devastating human impact of high medical expenses, which push millions into poverty and force families to choose between medical care and basic necessities like food or education.
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Health as a Human Right: UHC Day serves as the global rallying point to reiterate that health is a human right, not a privilege. It advocates for the goal that all people should have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
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UN Endorsement Anniversary: The day commemorates the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) unanimous endorsement of Universal Health Coverage on December 12, 2012. It was officially proclaimed an International Day by the UN in 2017.
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Core Component of SDGs: Achieving UHC is a specific target (Target 3.8) within the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. The 2025 observance is a critical moment to push governments for accelerated action toward the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs.
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