OpenAI launched GPT-4o, a powerful free-for-all AI model with vision, text, and voice.

• The new GPT-4o is faster, smarter, and much more capable than OpenAI’s existing AI models.
• It has also a vision, allowing users to upload photos and documents, and can start conversations about the same.
• User can also use the Memory feature, and browse to search real-time information during conversations.

ABOUT OPENAI :

• It as a non-profit AI research organisation was set up in December 2015.
• Goal : To develop “artificial general intelligence,” or AGI.
• It introduced the idea of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs).

ABOUT GPT

• A GPT is a neural network, or a machine learning model, which functions like a human brain and is trained on input, such as large data sets, to produce outputs, meaning answers to users’ questions.

Current Context:  Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship  inaugurated the country’s biggest skill competition designed to demonstrate the highest standards of skilling

• Inauguration ceremony held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
• Participation of over 900 students from more than 30 states and Union Territories and over 400 industry experts.
• About 5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out of which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening.
• Objective : To develop a variety of skills from Construction and Building Technology, Creative Arts and Fashion to Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, and Transportation and Logistics in youngsters.
• Winners of India Skills will be prepared for the WorldSkills Competition with the help of the best industry trainers which take place in Lyon, France in September 2024 and will bring together 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries.

ABOUT WORLDSKILLS COMPETITION:

• WorldSkills is an international charity that organises world and national championships for vocational skills.
• They inspire young Competitors to reach new heights, helping them turn their passion into a profession.
• It is held in every two years in different parts of the world.
• Founded in 1946.
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Current Context : An endangered species, Red panda was recently spotted in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) located in the Singchung subdivision of the West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.

ABOUT RED PANDA:

• The red panda also known as the lesser panda, is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
• Scientific name Ailurus fulgens
• Nickname ‘Firefox.’
• The red panda lives between 2,200- and 4,800-meters altitude.
• Temperature between 10- and 25-degree Fahrenheit.
• IUCN status : Endangered species

ABOUT EAGLENEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (EWS)

• Location : Situated in Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Considered as a birding paradise due to abundance of bird species over 500 species.
• Eagle’s nest Wildlife Sanctuary acquired its name from the Indian army regiment named “Eagle”.
• It is also a part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve.

Current Context : United Nations-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India (NHRC) for the second year in a row.

• The decision could affect India’s ability to vote at the Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
• The status of NHRC as an accredited Human Rights body was suspended in 2023 and now again in 2024.
• Reason: India’s NHRC has failed to satisfy the international body that the NHRC is ‘able to operate independent of government interference’, According to GANHRI.
• Previous report had cited a number of reasons for recommending the deferral, including the lack of transparency in appointing members to the NHRC.

ABOUT GANHRI:

• Geneva-based GANHRI is responsible for reviewing and accrediting NHRIs (National Human Rights Institutions) in compliance with the Paris Principles.
• It was set up on December 13, 1993 in Tunis, Tunisia.
• Two classifications for accreditation are used by GANHRI:
  • ‘A’ — fully compliant with the Paris Principles.
  • ‘B’ — partially compliant with the Paris Principles.

ABOUT NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION (NHRC) :

• NHRC is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights defined by the act as “Rights Relating To Life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the constitution.
• It was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act in 1993.
• It is a statutory body.
• The NHRC had got ‘A’ status of accreditation the first time in 1999, which it retained in 2006 and 2011 reviews.

3rd Session of India-Zimbabwe Joint Trade Committee held in New Delhi.

• Held between Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
• Aim: To enhance bilateral trade and cooperation in pharmaceuticals, Geospatial Sector, healthcare, machinery and mechanical appliances, vehicles, electrical machinery, mineral fuels between both nations.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed for regulatory cooperation in Digital transformation solutions, Tele-medicines, Rough diamonds, fast payments system and traditional medicine among others.

Current Context: Dileep Sanghani elected as Chairman of IFFCO for the second consecutive occasion.

RELATED FACTS:

• Balvir Singh elected as vice-chairman.
• The elections for the post of 21 Directors were held on May 9, 2024 at the corporate office of IFFCO, New Delhi.
• He is a Former parliamentarian was a cabinet minister in the Modi government in Gujarat.

INDIAN FARMERS FERTILIZER COOPERATIVE (IFFCO)

• IFFCO, is a multi-state cooperative society engaged in the manufacture and marketing of fertiliser in India.
• Established on 3 November 1967
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founder: Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa

Current Context: Seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint exercise ”Tarkash” was held in Kolkata.

• It is a joint exercise between Indian National Security Guard (NSG) and U.S Special Operations Force (SOF).
• Aim: To improve bilateral cooperation between India and the U.S. in matters relating to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations”.
• The sixth edition of the exercise was conducted at Chennai in January 2023.

Current Context: Inflation in India’s wholesale prices rose to a 13-month high in April.

Relevant facts:

• Food inflation rose to 26% in April from 0.53% in March.
• Fuel and power prices rose 4% year-on-year.
• Vegetables inflation spurted to 6% from 19.5% in March.
• Price rise in primary food articles picked up from 88% in March to a four-month high of 7.74% in April.
• Cereals and Pulses inflation which stood at 7% and 16.6%.

ABOUT WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX

• A wholesale price index (WPI) is an inflation indicator that measures change in the overall price level of goods before they are sold at retail.
• Base year -2011-2012
• Released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Data released on the 14th of every month or on the next working day.

Celebrated on 15^th May every year.

• Objective : To promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
• Theme : Families and Climate Change.
• The first International Day of Family was observed on 15 May 1994.
• The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 1993 on the recommendation of the United Nations Commission for Social Development to observe 15 May as the International Day of Family.

Bhavi Mehta won the 9th Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2024 for ‘The Book Beautiful’ by Pradeep Sebastian.

• The event was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
• Mehta received a trophy, certificate and a cash prize of INR 1 lakh.
• Three other designers were also recognised for their exceptional work, namely:
  • Gunjan Ahlawat for ‘The Penguin Book of Indian Poets’
  • Saurav Das for ‘Azad Nagar’
  • Saurabh Garge for ‘The Adornment of Gods’.

ABOUT OXFORD BOOKSTORE ART BOOK PRIZE:

• It was launched in 2022 with the Visual Arts Gallery, and recognises art across various genres in publications.
• It aims to celebrate and support artists, designers, and publishers in India.