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July 2024

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Elon Musk Unveils Project Colossus to Train AI Competitor to ChatGPT

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Elon Musk has announced the launch of Project Colossus, a monumental supercomputer based in Memphis, designed to train xAI’s latest artificial intelligence, Grok. Musk revealed that the data center, which he refers to as a “gigafactory of compute,” is now operational, housing an impressive array of 100,000 Nvidia H100 chips.

The primary purpose of this state-of-the-art facility is to develop Grok, an AI model poised to compete directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This ambitious project underscores Musk’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology.

However, the project has not been without its challenges. Local officials have raised concerns about the impact on Memphis’s infrastructure. Project Colossus requires 50 megawatts of electricity—enough to power about 50,000 homes—and 1.3 million gallons of water daily for cooling. Despite assurances from Musk about infrastructure improvements, some city council members are wary, given Musk’s history with similar promises.

As Project Colossus powers up, the tech world eagerly watches to see how Grok will perform against established AI giants, setting the stage for the next big leap in artificial intelligence.

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BlogFeaturedIndiaIndia Parliament

Finance Minister Announces Price Cuts on Mobile Phones and Precious Metals in Budget 2024

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

In the Union Budget 2024-2025 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, several key measures have been introduced that will impact the prices of various goods, making some items cheaper and others costlier. This budget, the first of the BJP-led NDA government, aims to shape India’s economic landscape, affecting everything from infrastructure development to social welfare programs.

Cheaper Items

The finance minister announced measures leading to the reduction in prices for mobile phones, gold, silver, and copper. Here’s a detailed list of items that have become cheaper:

  • Mobile Phones and Chargers: Basic Customs Duty reduced to 15%.
  • Gold and Silver: Customs duty reduced to 6%, and platinum to 6.4%.
  • Cancer Treatment Medicines: Three specific medicines exempted from Basic Customs Duty.
  • Solar Panels: Expansion of the list of exempted capital goods used in their manufacturing.
  • E-Commerce: TDS rate reduced from 1% to 0.1%.
  • Ferronickel and Blister Copper: Basic Customs Duty removed.
  • Shrimp and Fish Feed: Customs duty on various inputs exempted or reduced to 5%.
  • Leather and Textile Sectors: BCD on real down filling material reduced to enhance export competitiveness.
  • Ammonium Nitrate: Basic Customs Duty reduced from 7.5% to 10%.
  • Oxygen-Free Copper: Duty removed for the manufacture of resistors.
  • Critical Minerals: Customs duties fully exempted on 25 critical minerals for sectors like nuclear energy, renewable energy, space, defence, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics.

Costlier Items

Conversely, some items will see a price increase due to higher customs duties:

  • Ammonium Nitrate: Customs duty increased to 10%.
  • Non-Biodegradable Plastics: Duty increased to 25%.
  • Telecom Equipment: Specified equipment’s basic customs duty raised to 15% from 10%.
  • High-Value Goods: TCS of 1% on notified goods valued over ₹10 lakh.

Tax Changes

The finance minister also announced several changes to tax deductions:

  • Standard Deduction: Increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for salaried employees under the new tax regime.
  • Family Pension: Tax deduction increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 for pensioners.

In last year’s budget, there were significant cuts in import taxes on various components, including camera lenses, to promote mobile phone manufacturing in India. The tax rate on lithium-ion batteries, essential for phones and electric vehicles, was also reduced to make manufacturing in India more cost-effective.

The Economic Survey 2024 predicts India’s GDP to grow between 6.5-7% this year, with retail inflation declining to 5.4% during 2023-24 from 6.7% previously. The survey, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasized ‘Service’ and ‘growth’.

Like recent budgets, Budget 2024 was delivered in a paperless format. An Interim Union Budget 2024 was previously presented on February 1, in anticipation of the general elections.

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BlogFeaturedIndiaSports

Suryakumar Yadav Replaces Hardik Pandya as Captain for Sri Lanka Tour

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Mumbai, July 21 — In a surprising move, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian T20 side for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, surpassing Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya. The decision comes amidst Pandya’s personal challenges, including his recent separation from wife Natasa Stankovic after four years of marriage.

Selection Committee’s Concerns

Reports indicate that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, had reservations about Pandya’s leadership capabilities, feeling that he required ‘handholding’ to excel. A recent PTI report quoted selectors stating, “He needs a bit of handholding and Ashish Nehra did that at GT. Mark Boucher wasn’t that man at MI, and the younger lot in the Indian dressing room seem to respond better to Surya than to Pandya.”

Hardik Pandya’s Leadership Questioned

Despite leading India to their first ICC tournament title in 11 years, Pandya has faced criticism for his international performance, having a 50 percent appearance rate in white-ball formats over the last 19 months. The selectors’ decision underscores a significant vote of ‘no confidence’ in his leadership, pushing Pandya to participate in domestic cricket to secure his place in the Champions Trophy next year. He is expected to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December.

Mumbai Indians’ Dilemma

The decision also raises questions about Pandya’s future with the Mumbai Indians (MI), a franchise with significant influence in the IPL. Last year, Pandya replaced the popular Rohit Sharma as MI’s captain under contentious circumstances. With Suryakumar Yadav now captaining the Indian T20 team and being part of MI’s roster, the franchise faces a crucial decision ahead of next year’s mega auction. Retaining both key players will be a challenge, and Pandya’s position as captain is under scrutiny.

Looking Ahead

As Pandya grapples with these professional and personal challenges, the cricketing community will closely watch how he navigates this period. His performance in the domestic circuit will be crucial in determining his future with both the Indian team and Mumbai Indians.

The appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20 captain marks a significant shift in Indian cricket, signaling a preference for leadership that resonates more effectively with the younger players in the team. As the new captain prepares for the Sri Lanka tour, all eyes will be on how this change impacts the dynamics and performance of the Indian T20 side.

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BlogFeaturedWorld

Joe Biden Withdraws from 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Washington D.C., July 21 — In a surprising political move, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic candidate of choice. Although it remains unclear whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the party’s nomination, Biden has endorsed her as the preferred candidate.

The India Connection

Kamala Harris, who made history in 2020 as the first Indian-American and African-American woman to become Vice President, now aims to achieve another milestone by running for President. If she secures the Democratic nomination, Harris will be seeking to become the first Indian-American and African-American woman to hold the highest office in the United States.

Harris’s Indian roots trace back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a cancer researcher and civil rights activist from Tamil Nadu. Raised by her single mother, Harris often speaks about the significant influence her Indian heritage has had on her life and values.

Family Ties and Cultural Roots

Kamala Harris’s maternal uncle, Gopalan Balachandran, a former consultant at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in Delhi, and her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, who worked on refugee rehabilitation in India and later served as an advisor to the Zambian President, have both contributed to her deep connection with India. Her grandfather’s wife, Rajam, was also known for her social work.

Harris’s visits to Chennai, where she immersed her mother’s ashes in the sea according to Hindu traditions, and her fond memories of walks with her grandfather discussing Indian freedom fighters, highlight her strong ties to her Indian heritage.

Celebrating Indian Culture

During her vice-presidential campaign in 2020, Harris often reminisced about her mother’s love for good idli, an Indian dish, and even participated in cooking masala dosas with Indian-origin actor Mindy Kaling. These moments underscored her pride in her Indian roots and her desire to honor her heritage.

A Celebrated Victory

Harris’s ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu celebrated her 2020 victory alongside Biden with traditional festivities, including bursting crackers, distributing sweets, and drawing colorful kolams. Special pujas were performed at the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple to thank the deity for answering their prayers for her success.

As Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight as a potential presidential candidate, her journey reflects a blend of rich cultural heritage and a commitment to public service, drawing inspiration from both her Indian and American identities.

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BlogFeaturedScience

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Discovers Pure Yellow Sulfur Crystals on Mars

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified pure yellow sulfur on Mars. During its decade-long journey on the Martian surface, the rover cracked open a rock, revealing sulfur inside. This discovery occurred on May 30 while Curiosity was exploring Gediz Vallis.

The rover’s camera focused on a rock it had tripped over, leading scientists to observe yellow crystals within it. This was followed by the discovery of another pure sulfur crystal nearby. While sulfur has previously been detected on Mars, it was always in combination with other elements. This marks the first time a pure form of sulfur has been found on the Martian surface.

Ashwin Vasavada, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on the Curiosity rover project, commented on the discovery, saying, “It shouldn’t be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting.”

Curiosity has since parked near a larger rock, named Mammoth Lakes, to study this new find. The sulfur crystal from the earlier discovery was too small to be studied in detail, prompting the rover to target this larger rock. Using a drill joint on its robotic arm, Curiosity will create a hole in the sample rock for future observation and study.

Having been on Mars for 12 years, the Curiosity rover has made numerous significant discoveries, including identifying various rocks, channels, and craters. Gediz Vallis, a channel winding down the slopes of Mount Sharp in the center of the Gale Crater, has become a focal point for studying Martian life and the planet’s geological history.

In Gediz Vallis, Curiosity has identified several intriguing features, particularly in the mounds of debris scattered throughout the channel. The rocks in this region exhibit pale rings or halos near their edges, adding to the evidence suggesting that Mars once had significant bodies of water.

Additionally, in May, Curiosity found rocks containing manganese oxide. This discovery is particularly noteworthy as the formation of manganese oxide requires the presence of oxygen. These rocks provide the best evidence yet that Mars once had an oxygen-rich, Earth-like atmosphere.

Overall, Curiosity’s findings at Gediz Vallis and the adjacent regions have significantly expanded our knowledge of Mars’ geological past and the possibility that the planet once harbored life. The evidence of previous water activity and the presence of oxygen-rich minerals suggest that Mars may have once had conditions suitable for life, making it a crucial location for current and future exploration.

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BlogFeaturedSports

Lionel Messi Only Footballer in ESPN’s Top 10 Greatest Athletes of the 21st Century

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, has been honored by ESPN as one of the greatest athletes of the 21st century, securing a spot in the top three. Messi is notably the only football player to make it into the top 10 of this prestigious list.

According to ESPN’s rankings, Messi earned the third position, following behind the legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, who claimed the top spot, and the renowned tennis player Serena Williams, who came in second.

The top 10 greatest athletes of the 21st century, as determined by ESPN, are as follows:

  • Michael Phelps (Swimming)
  • Serena Williams (Tennis)
  • Lionel Messi (Football)
  • LeBron James (Basketball)
  • Tom Brady (American Football)
  • Roger Federer (Tennis)
  • Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
  • Tiger Woods (Golf)
  • Usain Bolt (Athletics)
  • Kobe Bryant (Basketball)


Messi’s inclusion in the top three highlights his extraordinary achievements and influence in the world of football. His remarkable career, characterized by numerous records and accolades, has solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes in history. This recognition by ESPN further cements Messi’s legacy as a sporting icon of the 21st century.

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BlogBusinessEducation & TechFeatured

OpenAI Developing Breakthrough Reasoning Technology Code-Named ‘Strawberry’

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is reportedly working on a new advanced reasoning technology for its large language models (LLMs), internally code-named ‘Strawberry’. This initiative, as revealed by Reuters on Friday through internal company documents and sources familiar with the matter, aims to significantly enhance the reasoning capabilities of OpenAI’s AI models.

Why is Strawberry Important?

The project Strawberry is shrouded in secrecy, known to only a select few within the organization. Previously referred to as Q, it represents a potential breakthrough for OpenAI. Demonstrations of Q shown to some staff indicate that the LLMs could solve complex science and math problems that current commercial models struggle with.

According to the documents, Strawberry is designed to go beyond generating simple answers. The models are being developed to plan ahead and autonomously navigate the internet to conduct what OpenAI terms “deep research.”

What is Strawberry?

Strawberry represents a specialized method of post-training OpenAI’s generative AI models, aiming to fine-tune their performance even after initial training on large datasets. This post-training process involves adapting the models to enhance their capabilities in specific tasks.

One of the key goals for Strawberry is to enable the AI models to perform long-horizon tasks (LHT). These tasks require the AI to plan and execute a series of actions over an extended period. OpenAI envisions its models using Strawberry’s capabilities to autonomously browse the web, supported by a “computer using agent” (CUA). This agent would be able to take actions based on the information it discovers, effectively conducting research independently.

As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI technology, Strawberry is poised to be a significant advancement, potentially transforming how AI models reason and interact with complex information.

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BlogFeaturedIndiaIndia Parliament

Economic Survey to be Presented in Parliament on Monday, Ahead of Union Budget

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Economic Survey in Parliament on July 22, just one day before the Union Budget. This annual document serves as a comprehensive report on the economy’s current state and provides a growth outlook for the future. Prepared by a team led by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran, the Economic Survey offers detailed statistical information and analysis on various economic sectors, including employment, GDP growth, inflation, and the budget deficit.

India, maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing economy, will present this Economic Survey amidst positive revisions from major financial institutions. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently raised its economic growth forecast for India for the fiscal year 2025 to 7 percent, up from the 6.8 percent projected in April.

“The forecast for growth in India has also been revised upward, to 7 percent, this year, reflecting carryover from upward revisions to growth in 2023 and improved prospects for private consumption, particularly in rural areas,” stated the IMF.

Similarly, in June, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised its growth forecast to 7.2 percent from the previous 7 percent. The RBI projects that India is on track to achieve an 8 percent GDP growth trajectory on a sustained basis, driven by structural economic reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das noted, “If you look at the average growth India recorded over the three years, the average comes to 8.3 percent, and for the current year, we have projected a 7.2 percent growth.” He also highlighted that the Indian economy contributed 18.5 percent to global growth in the last financial year (2023-24), a significant increase from the lower figures of 7 or 8 years ago. The IMF has projected that this growth will continue to rise.

As India prepares to present the Economic Survey, the country’s economic resilience and growth prospects remain strong, positioning it favorably on the global economic stage.

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BlogFeaturedWorld

Windows Meltdown – Microsoft Users Worldwide Hit by Blue Screen of Death After CrowdStrike Update

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Microsoft Windows users worldwide, including those in India, Australia, Germany, the United States, and the UK, are experiencing a persistent blue screen issue on their laptops. This issue has led to systems restarting or shutting down automatically. Dell Technologies has identified a recent update from CrowdStrike as the root cause of the crashes.

The outage began on Thursday evening, primarily affecting Microsoft’s Central US region, and has significantly disrupted essential systems for numerous airlines. Among the affected airlines are American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant, and Sun Country in the US, as well as IndiGo and other carriers in India.

Unclear Scope of Outages

It remains uncertain whether all reported outages are directly linked to the CrowdStrike issue or if there are additional underlying problems contributing to the widespread disruptions.

Understanding CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike is a prominent cybersecurity platform that offers security solutions for both individual users and businesses. The platform uses a single sensor and a unified threat interface to provide comprehensive protection. One of its key features, Falcon Identity Threat Protection, stops identity-driven breaches in real time by correlating attacks across endpoints, workloads, and identities.

The recent problematic update has caused CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor to malfunction, leading to conflicts with the Windows operating system.

CrowdStrike’s Response

Acknowledging the error, CrowdStrike has stated, “Our engineers are actively working to resolve this issue, and there is no need to open a support ticket.” The company has committed to updating users once the issue is resolved.

Microsoft’s Azure Outage

Microsoft confirmed that the Azure outage was resolved early Friday. However, the disruption has highlighted the potential risks associated with heavy reliance on cloud services. The outage has impacted various sectors, including airlines, banks, supermarkets, media outlets, and other businesses.

What is the Blue Screen of Death?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error screen that appears on Windows operating systems when the system encounters a severe issue that prevents it from operating safely. This error forces the computer to restart unexpectedly, often resulting in the loss of unsaved data.

In this specific case, the BSOD error message states, “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We are just collecting some error info, then we will restart for you.” This issue has been observed across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

The recent Microsoft outage and the ensuing blue screen issue serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the far-reaching impact of software updates gone awry.

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BlogBusinessFeatured

Meta Halts Generative AI Tools in Brazil Following Government Concerns

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Meta Platforms announced on Wednesday its decision to suspend the use of its generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Brazil. This move comes in response to the Brazilian government’s objections to Meta’s new privacy policy regarding the handling of personal data and AI.

Significance of the Decision

Brazil is a vital market for Meta, boasting a population of over 200 million people. The country is home to the second-largest user base for Meta’s WhatsApp, second only to India. In June, Meta unveiled its first AI-driven ad targeting program for businesses in Brazil at an event in São Paulo, highlighting the importance of the Brazilian market for the company’s AI initiatives.

Regulatory Context

Earlier this month, Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) intervened by suspending the implementation of Meta’s new privacy policy related to the use of personal data for training generative AI systems. The ANPD ruled that Meta must revise its privacy policy to exclude any clauses pertaining to the processing of personal data for AI training purposes.

Official Statement

In a statement, Meta explained its decision: “We have chosen to suspend our generative AI tools in Brazil as we engage in discussions with the ANPD to address their concerns and ensure compliance with local data protection regulations.”

Future Implications

Meta’s decision to halt its AI tools in Brazil highlights the critical role of regulatory compliance in the deployment of advanced technologies. The outcome of Meta’s negotiations with the ANPD could set a significant precedent for how tech companies handle data privacy issues in major markets around the world.

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