Current affairs 12 January 2025

India Joins UN Committee on Big Data for Official Statistics.

• India becomes part of the UN Committee on Big Data and Data Science for Statistics.
• It aims to shape global standards in using big data for official statistics.
• Ministry highlights India’s pioneering initiatives like the Data Innovation Lab.
• It focuses on exploring alternate data sources for statistical improvements.
• Supports monitoring and reporting on sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Sunita Williams to return to spacewalks after 12 long years.

• Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams will perform a spacewalk on the 16th after 12 years, alongside Nick Hague.
• The mission aims to repair the NICER X-ray telescope's damaged thermal shields, disrupted by sunlight.
• It marks the first-ever servicing of an X-ray telescope in orbit by astronauts.
• Williams and Butch Wilmore will stay aboard the ISS until March 2025 due to replacement delays.

21st Third Eye Asian Film Festival Begins in Mumbai.

• The festival features 61 films, including the opening film The Black Dog, an award-winning Chinese drama.
• South Korea is the focus country, showcasing six films, and the Asian Spectrum section highlights films from China, Malaysia, Bangladesh, etc.
• Javed Akhtar will receive the Asian Cinema Culture Award, and Rafique Baghdadi will be honoured with the Satyajit Ray Memorial Award.

India to Host 28th CSPOC in 2026 with AI and Social Media Focus.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments (CSPOC) in 2026, focusing on AI and social media in parliamentary processes.
• The conference will showcase India’s cultural heritage, traditions, and inclusive governance, marking the 4th time India hosts CSPOC, previously held in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath Launches Kumbhvani Channel for Mahakumbh 2025.

• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched Akashvani's Kumbhvani channel in Prayagraj to share updates and extend the spirit of Mahakumbh 2025 to remote areas.
• The channel will disseminate cultural and event-related information, supported by Prasar Bharati's live telecast.
• Kumbh Mangal Dhun was also launched during the event, emphasizing Mahakumbh's message of unity beyond caste and creed.