Update actions for new runner release

[MatthiasHertel80]

Some issues that are related to new GHA runner image releases (see https://github.blog/changelog/2024-09-25-actions-new-images-and-ubuntu-latest-changes/)

Python version update: GitHub Actions recently updated the default Python version on their Ubuntu runners to Python 3.12 Reference. This newer Python version implements PEP 668, which introduces the concept of "externally managed environments" Reference.

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