Move over Google, here comes SearchGPT

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Big Stories

Let the Games Begin

The 2024 Olympic Summer Games officially kicks off today from Paris, France.

• For the first time in Summer Games history, the opening ceremony will be held outside a stadium. At 1:30 p.m. ET athletes will float down Paris' River Seine. About 10,500 athletes on 94 boats will parade past landmarks like the Louvre and Notre Dame. Larger delegations will have their own boats, while smaller ones will share.

• A few storylines to watch heading into the games:

  1. Will Simone Biles add to her GOAT resume?: Biles abruptly withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Games due to mental health issues but refound her form while dominating the U.S. Gymnastics Championships and Olympic Trials. She looks to add to her 37 Olympics and World Championship medals and solidify her title of the greatest gymnast ever.

  2. USA Basketball’s Ageless Leaders: This will likely be the last Olympic games for Lebron James, who will turn 40 this year. The men’s team struggled in international friendlies leading up to the games, but are favorites to win a 5th straight gold. At 42, Diana Taurasi seeks to lead the women’s team to her sixth gold and become the most decorated team athlete in U.S. Olympic history.

  3. Sha’Carri Richardson Redemption: Sha’Carri Richardson aims for redemption after missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a suspension. She won gold in the 100-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay at the 2023 World Championships.

  4. Will Katie Ledecky Dominate in the pool again?: Katie Ledecky, with seven Olympic golds, is poised to become the most decorated female swimmer in U.S. history at the Paris Games. She has been a dominant force in swimming since her debut in 2012 and has 4 chances to add to her legacy in these games.

• See the full schedule here. And follow the Olympic Medal Race here.

Gov. Newsom Orders Homeless Encampment Removals

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state will start removing homeless encampments.

• The announcement comes after a recent Supreme Court decision that supports anti-camping laws. Newsom emphasized the need to act quickly to address public health and safety concerns, stating that there are no longer any excuses for inaction. California had 180,000 homeless people in 2023, the most in the U.S.

• The Supreme Court's decision on June 28 reversed a previous ruling that made it unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outdoors when no shelter beds were available. Some local agencies had stopped removing encampments due to the previous ruling, while others faced legal challenges when they did.

• Newsom's new order requires state agencies to prioritize removing camps that pose health and safety risks, give at least a 48-hour notice to those affected, offer social services, and store their belongings for at least 60 days.

Move Over Google, Here Comes SearchGPT

OpenAI introduced SearchGPT, a prototype search engine designed to give quick and clear answers with relevant sources.

• The tool is being tested with a small group of users and is planned to be integrated into the ChatGPT chatbot. The new search engine aims to offer a more natural and intuitive way for users to search for information and ask follow-up questions.

• The launch of SearchGPT has implications for Google, as it could challenge Google's dominance in the search engine market. Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, there have been concerns that OpenAI might take market share from Google. Google's own AI Overview, launched in May, faced criticism for returning inaccurate results, highlighting the competitive pressure from OpenAI's advancements.

• OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has been expanding its capabilities and staff to stay ahead in the generative AI market. The company recently launched a new AI model, GPT-4o mini, and announced a partnership with Apple that includes a ChatpGPT-Siri integration.

Little Stories

• Russia and China conducted a joint patrol over the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea near Alaska. This was their first patrol together in that area and said it wasn't aimed at any other country. The U.S.-Canadian NORAD intercepted the bombers but didn't see them as a threat since they stayed in international airspace. (More)

• Protesters outside Union Station in Washington, D.C. replaced an American flag with a Palestinian flag and burned the U.S. flag before someone in the crowd removed it. The White House called these actions "disgraceful" and said that antisemitism and violence are never acceptable, though peaceful protest is a right. (More)

• In the second quarter, the U.S. economy grew more than expected thanks to strong consumer spending, government spending, and inventory buildup. The GDP, which measures all goods and services produced, rose by 2.8%, beating the 2.1% economists predicted. (More)

• Hollywood's video game performers are going on strike starting Friday after failing to agree on a new contract with big game studios about protecting their jobs from AI. This is the second strike for video game voice actors and motion capture performers. They've been negotiating for nearly two years with companies like Activision, Warner Bros., and Disney. (More)

• People with lots of belly or arm fat are more likely to get diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's than those with less fat in these areas, according to a study in Neurology. The study also found that people with high muscle strength are less likely to get these diseases than those with low muscle strength. (More)

Extra Credit

Inside the Olympic Villages with former Olympians. 

Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth. 

What you need to make to buy a home in 50 U.S. cities.

The Hello Kitty character isn’t a cat.