Current Affairs 11 March 2024 for UPSC And State PSC Exam

Table of Contents

PI AI

News- Recently, the company Inflection AI introduced Inflection 2.5, an advanced version of its language model, which enhances the capabilities of its user-friendly chatbot, Pi, serving as a personal assistant.

About PI-

Chatbot Overview: Pi is an AI chatbot designed for deep and meaningful conversations.
Access Method: To use Pi, visit Inflection.AI, click on “Meet Pi,” and start chatting immediately.
Human-Like Qualities: Promoted as having a personality, making it more humane and companion-like.
Cost: Free for users.
Voice Options: Offers six distinct voices, adding depth and variety to interactions.
Learning Base: Trained on billions of lines of text from the open web.
Capabilities: Can engage in conversations on a wide range of topics and answer various questions, as per the company’s claims.

About Inflection 2.5

Model Upgrade: Enhanced in-house model, now on par with global leading LLMs.

Signature Features: Maintains its unique personality with added empathetic fine-tuning.

Real-Time Web Search: Equipped with world-class real-time web search capabilities for access to timely, high-quality information.

Versatile Conversations: With the upgrade, users can engage Pi in discussions on a broad array of topics, including:

Current events
Local dining options
Academic assistance (e.g., biology exam prep)
Business plan creation
Programming and coding
Leisure activities and hobbies

Golden Langurs

News- The Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE) and the Assam Forest Department estimate that there are approximately 7,396 golden langurs in India.

About

Identification: Named for their distinctive golden-colored fur, which varies seasonally.
Fur Color Change: Fur changes color with the seasons; juveniles are almost pure white, contrasting with adults.
Geographic Range: Found exclusively in Assam, India, and Bhutan, residing there throughout the year.
Location Boundaries: Habitat bounded by Bhutan’s foothills (north), Manas River (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra River (south).
Habitat: Inhabits moist evergreen, tropical deciduous forests, riverine areas, and savannas in Assam and Bhutan.
Tree Dependency: Lives primarily in the upper canopy of sub-tropical (south) and temperate forests (north).

Conservation Status

IUCN: Classified as Endangered.

CITES: Listed under Appendix I.

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Included in Schedule I.

Listed in Schedule I of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 (Bhutan).

Endangerment Level: Among the most endangered primates in India and Bhutan.

Habitat Distribution in India

93% reside in forest reserves (Chirang, Manas, Ripu) and the western part of Manas National Park.
The rest are spread across small, isolated fragments.

Population Decline: The species has seen a decline of more than 30% over the last 30 years, with further declines expected.

Legal Protection: Golden langurs are protected by law within their range.

ACADEMY AWARDS

News- The 96th Academy Awards wrapped up in Los Angeles, with Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller “Oppenheimer” dominating the night. The film swept seven awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Robert Downey Jr. also took home Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer.”

Here are some of the ceremony’s highlights

Oppenheimer Reigns Supreme: The night belonged to “Oppenheimer,” solidifying its place as a critical and commercial success. Nolan’s direction and Murphy’s performance were widely praised.
Emma Stone Wins Best Actress: Stone’s portrayal in “Poor Things” earned her the Best Actress award. However, Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about the film’s nudity drew an eye-roll from the actress, sparking online debate.
Billie Eilish Makes History: At just 22, Eilish became the youngest person ever to win two Academy Awards. She and her brother Finneas secured their second-best Original Song win for “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie.”
Messi Steals the Show: The dog who played Snoop in “Anatomy of a Fall” stole hearts with his red-carpet appearance and a surprise cameo during the credits. In a playful continuation of the Jimmy Kimmel-Matt Damon feud, Messi was seen relieving himself on Damon’s Walk of Fame star.

Major Awards

Best Picture: Oppenheimer
Best Director: Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Best Actress: Emma Stone (Poor Things)
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
Best Original Song: “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell (Barbie)

About

Name and Nature: The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, honor artistic and technical merit in the film industry.
Organizer: Hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Awards: Winners receive a golden statuette, officially called the “Academy Award of Merit,” commonly known as the “Oscar.”
Inception: The first ceremony took place in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for films from 1927 and 1928.
Global Event: Has evolved into an international celebration of both American and foreign cinema.
Categories: Includes 24 competitive categories covering both artistic and technical aspects of filmmaking, plus Honorary Oscars for lifetime achievements.
Significance: Considered the most prestigious event in the film industry, symbolizing the pinnacle of filmmaking achievement.
Impact: Boosts careers, enhances prestige, and significantly affects box office and viewership figures.
Cultural Influence: The Oscars reflect and influence societal trends, values, and debates.
Criticism and Evolution: Faces issues like lack of diversity, gender inequality, and politicization but continuously adapts to address these concerns.