News
- CNN
ChatGPT maker says its new AI model can reason and think ‘much like a person’
informed Summary
- OpenAI has introduced a new AI model, OpenAI o1, which can solve complex problems in science, coding and math. The model is designed to spend more time thinking through problems before responding, similar to a human approach.
News2 min read - CNBC
Nokia brand owner launches Barbie phone for $130 — with no internet
informed Summary
- HMD, the company behind Nokia-branded phones, has launched a Barbie-branded phone in partnership with Mattel. The phone, which retails at £99 ($130.74), is a hot pink flip phone that doesn't connect to the internet and only offers basic text, call and camera features.
News2 min read - Popular Science
Steve Jobs’ very own Apple-I computer is for sale
informed Summary
- The Apple-1 that sat on Steve Jobs' desk is expected to fetch at least $300,000 at auction next month. The PC -- the first sold with a fully assembled motherboard -- was designed by Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. Only 200 of them were made, of which half are accounted for.
News2 min read - NBC
AI candidate running for Parliament in the U.K. says AI can humanize politics
informed Summary
- An artificial intelligence candidate, "AI Steve", is on the ballot for the U.K.'s general election next month. The AI is represented by Sussex businessman Steve Endacott, who is also the chairman of Neural Voice, a company that creates personalized voice assistants for businesses.
News3 min read - El Pais
Panda diplomacy returns as China and US announce deal with Washington Zoo
informed Summary
- The Washington Zoo has announced that a pair of pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, will arrive from China later this year. The enclosure built for these animals had remained empty since Beijing repatriated the last pair, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their son Xiao Qi Ji, in November last year.
News3 min read - CNN
Mount Everest climber sets record for fastest ascent by a woman
informed Summary
- Phunjo Lama from Nepal has set a new world record for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest by a woman, completing the climb in 24 hours and 26 minutes without sleep. Her ascent from Everest Base Camp to the summit took 14 hours and 31 minutes, and the descent nine hours and 18 minutes.
News2 min read - NPR
Air travel has gone to the dogs — literally
informed Summary
- Bark Air, a new boutique airline, has launched as the world's first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs and their human companions. The airline, a subsidiary of Bark -- the company behind dog-focused brands like BarkBox -- aims to provide a luxurious, curated experience for dogs, treating them as VIPs from booking to arrival.
News5 min read - AP News
Paris' traffic-clogged Champs-Elysees turned into a mass picnic blanket for an unusual meal
informed Summary
- The Champs-Élysées, Paris's most famous street, was transformed into a giant picnic area on Sunday. Around 4,000 people enjoyed the unique opportunity to enjoy an outdoor meal on the normally traffic-filled avenue.
News1 min read - AP News
We can't have nice things! Japan imposes new rules to climb Mt. Fuji
informed Summary
- The Yamanashi prefecture in Japan has introduced new rules for climbing Mount Fuji, one of the country's most popular trails, due to issues with overtourism, littering and safety concerns. The rules will be in effect for the climbing season from July 1 to Sept. 10.
News2 min read - Politico
World Bank’s climate plan: Pricier red meat and dairy, cheaper chicken and veggies
informed Summary
- In a new paper, the World Bank claims that one of the best ways to save the planet from climate change is to shun red meat and dairy products in favor of poultry, fruit and vegetables.
News1 min read - CNN
French bakers claim world record for longest baguette
informed Summary
- French bakers have set a new Guinness World Record for the longest baguette ever made, measuring 140.53 meters (461 feet). That surpassed the previous record held by Italy of 132.62 meters.
News2 min read - CNN
The near-silent sport which has become the latest focus of Saudi Arabia’s imagination
informed Summary
- The World Snooker Championship has been hosted by the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, since 1977. However, the tournament may soon be relocated to another country.
News7 min read - CNN
This airport says it hasn’t lost a single piece of baggage in 30 years
informed Summary
- Japan's Kansai International Airport (KIX) claims that it hasn't lost a single piece of luggage since it opened in September 1994, despite handling 20-30 million passengers per year.
News1 min read - El Pais
The cycling revolution in Paris continues: Bicycle use now exceeds car use
informed Summary
- Bicycles have surpassed cars as a means of transport in Paris, accounting for about 11% of trips, according to a study by the Paris Région Institute. The trend is similar for trips between the suburbs and the city center, with 14% made by bicycle.
News5 min read - NBC
Venice launches world first tourist entrance fee in bid to fight overcrowding
informed Summary
- Venice has introduced a 5 euro ($5.5) charge for day-trippers to the city, which is expected to be in place for 80 days of the year. The charge is aimed at reducing the number of tourists on the busiest days.
News1 min read - CNN
Private rooms coming to some of Japan’s bullet trains
informed Summary
- Japan's Shinkansen trains will be upgraded to include private rooms in the upper class section on some trains from 2026. They will initially be introduced on theTokaido line, Japan's busiest, which connect Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
News1 min read - CNN
Indian teenager becomes youngest challenger for world chess title
informed Summary
- Indian chess prodigy Gukesh D, aged 17, has become the youngest player to win the men's Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Canada. This victory sets him up to challenge reigning world champion Ding Liren of China at the 2024 World Chess Championship.
News2 min read - CNN
The week that life in Dubai ground to a halt
informed Summary
- Dubai experienced its heaviest rainfall in at least 75 years lat week, causing significant disruption and damage in the city. The storm led to a near halt of life in the city, with emergency services working round the clock to manage the situation.
News5 min read - CNN
The UK just moved a step closer to banning smoking. Here’s the sticking point
informed Summary
- The U.K. House of Commons has voted in favor of a proposed smoking ban, which would prevent anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from ever being able to buy tobacco. The bill easily cleared its first parliamentary hurdle this week.
News4 min read - CBS
John Lennon and Paul McCartney's sons Sean and James release first song together
informed Summary
- James McCartney and Sean Ono Lennon, sons of Beatles legends Paul McCartney and John Lennon respectively, have released a new single titled "Primrose Hill."
News2 min read
