Current affairs 23 April 2024

Microsoft announced VASA-1 AI model to turn images into videos.

• Microsoft has introduced a new VASA 1 AI model, a framework designed to generate lifelike talking faces for virtual characters.
• With just a single static image and a speech audio clip, the company says its VASA-1 can create life-like short videos. Microsoft founders: Bill Gates, Paul Allen.
• Headquarters: Washington, U.S.
• Chairman and CEO: Satya Nadella.

Gukesh became youngest ever player to win Candidates Chess Tournament.

• India's 17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh scripted history by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament.
• He become the youngest ever challenger to the world title, bettering a record created by the legendary Garry Kasparov 40 years ago.
• Gukesh played out an easy draw with American Hikaru Nakamura in the 14th and final round to finish with nine out of a possible 14 points in the tournament.

First Hindi Radio broadcast started in Kuwait.

• Starting a Hindi program on Kuwait Radio on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3 is seen as a step to strengthen India-Kuwait relations. Kuwait is a country in West Asia.
• It is situated on the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia, including maritime borders with Iran.
• Capital: Kuwait City
• Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar
• Official language: Arabic

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$95 Billion U.S. Security Aid announced for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

• The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $95 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with the Senate's review pending and President Biden's endorsement assured.
• The package allocated $60.84 billion for Ukraine; $26 billion for Israel, with $9.1 billion for Gaza humanitarian aid; and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on Taiwan.

Hong Kong, Singapore banned MDH and Everest spice powders.

• Hong Kong has banned three MDH and one Everest-branded spice powder, and Singapore has banned Everest's Fish curry masala.
• They allege the presence of ethylene oxide at levels surpassing permissible limits which causes cancer in long term.
• Nestle has been blamed for excess added sugar usage, thereby causing obesity and chronic diseases among the kids, as per Public Eye, a Swiss organisation.