A few days after Meta unveiled its Llama 3 Large Language Model (LLM), Microsoft on Tuesday (April 23) unveiled the latest version of its ‘lightweight’ AI model – the Phi-3-Mini. Microsoft has described the Phi-3 as a family of open AI models that are the most capable and cost-effective small language models (SLMs) available.

What exactly are language models, and how does an SLM differ from an LLM? Are there any benefits of employing an SLM for developing AI applications? We explain.

Phi-3-Mini is believed to be first among the three small models that Microsoft is planning to release. It has reportedly outperformed models of the same size and the next size up across a variety of benchmarks, in areas like language, reasoning, coding, and maths.

Shankaracharya of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swami released “Heavenly Islands of Goa”, a book authored by Governor of Goa P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, in Goa on Saturday.

The book, which is Mr. Pillai’s 221st, was released at a programme held at New Durbar Hall in the Raj Bhavan in Dona Paula.

Jnanpith award winner Damodar Mauzo received the first copy of the book.

The seer appreciated the efforts of Mr. Pillai for creating wonderful literature in the field of social-culture, Indian history and tradition which will be helpful to the young generation to make research and study the vibrant culture and history of the country.

The global vaccine drives of the second half of the 20th century are one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

Immunization campaigns have enabled us to eradicate smallpox, nearly defeat polio, and ensure more children survive and thrive than ever before.

This year World Immunization Week will celebrate 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) – recognizing our collective efforts to save and improve countless lives from vaccine-preventable diseases and calling on countries to ramp up investments in immunization programmes to protect the next generations.

In just 5 decades we went from a world where the death of a child was something many parents feared, to a world where every child –– if vaccinated –– has a chance to survive and thrive.

Central govt has re-appointed T Rabi Sankar as deputy governor of RBI for one year, effective from May 3, 2024, or until further orders.

Sankar, who holds an M Phil in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, assumed the position of deputy governor in May 2021. Prior to his appointment, he served as executive director at RBI.

Beginning his career at RBI in 1990, he has held various roles including responsibilities in payments & settlement, financial markets, and public debt management.

His expertise encompasses exchange rate, reserves portfolio, and public debt management, monetary operations, and the development, regulation, and surveillance of financial markets.

SBI Card has launched three variants of its first travel-focused core credit card, ‘SBI Card MILES’ with curated travel benefits. The three variants, SBI Card MILES ELITE, SBI Card MILES PRIME, and SBI Card MILES.

Cardholders can earn up to 6 Travel Credits on every INR 200 travel spend Up to 2 Travel Credits on spending Rs 200 on other categories. One can convert these Travel Credits into Air Miles/Hotel Points of respective partners or directly use them to book air tickets and hotel accommodations by visiting SBI Card mobile app or website https://www.sbicard.com/. Alternatively, one can redeem them on SBI Card’s Rewards Catalogue as well.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Thursday said it has partnered with Reserve Bank's arm RBIH to put in place a system which will enable faster processing of agricultural loans.

NABARD said it will integrate its e-KCC loan origination system portal with the Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC) of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI.

NABARD has developed the loan origination system portal to facilitate digital Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan processing for cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

Milan has become the latest European hotspot to announce measures to tackle overtourism. The bustling fashion capital, is proposing new regulations that aim to reduce late-night activity. The city is considering a ban on pizza and ice cream sales after 12:30 am on weekdays and 1:30 am on weekends, as well as enforcing closing times for outdoor areas of restaurants and bars.

Milan's deputy mayor of security, Marco Granelli, explained the reasoning behind the new proposal: “We are seeking a balance between sociality and entertainment, the peace and health of the residents, and the free economic activity of traders and entrepreneurs.” However, the response from locals has been mixed, with some expressing concern that the new rules could impact business for shop owners.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, highlighted the pivotal role that GCC sports tournaments play in elevating the standing of GCC sports on the global stage besides enhancing the bonds of cooperation and unity among the youth of the GCC countries.

Such a spirit reflects the profound commitment of GCC leaders to the youth, and the continuous efforts to nurture their talents to enable them to excel in various international sporting arenas, he said.

Sheikh Mansoor was speaking during the official opening of the first GCC Youth Games, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Dubai Opera.

The second Global IP Leadership Summit and Awards organized by ASSOCHAM was held in New Delhi today. The summit aims to bring together industry leaders to share insights, best practices, and strategies for innovation and sustainability across the globe.

Addressing the summit, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM IPR Council, Pravin Anand emphasized the transformative power of Intellectual Property (IP) and its impact on traditional knowledge and culture. He further underlined the necessity for effective measures against global counterfeiting activities and proposed amendments to address regulatory challenges. Additional Secretary of the Department for promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Commerce and Industry Ministry and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

Senior and well known Yakshagana ‘bhagavatha’ Subrahmanya Dhareshwara who had earned hundreds and thousands of fans for his melodious and rich voice passed away in the early hours in Bengaluru on Thursday, April 25.

He was 66 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Dhareshwara, born on September 5, 1957, hailed from Kirimanjeshwara, Kundapura taluk in Udupi district.

The mortal remains of Dhareshwara will be brought to Kirimanjeshwara in the evening on April 25, sources said.