Welcome to Trippant Takeaway!
This week’s newsletter we’re diving into stories that span the globe—from the Olympic Games to the cutting-edge AI innovations in China. Let’s get into it!
The big stories 🚀
Surfing the Skies? Gabriel Medina’s Floating Photo at the Paris Olympics
Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina stunned the world with a jaw-dropping photo that makes it look like he’s floating mid-air. Shot at the Paris 2024 Olympics, this viral image isn’t just a trick of the eye but a masterclass in timing and skill by photographer Jérôme Brouillet. Discover how this gravity-defying moment was captured and why it’s causing such a splash. Catch the wave here. The Guardian – Carly Earl and Graham Russell
China Is Closing the A.I. Gap With the U.S
China is rapidly catching up to the U.S. in the AI race, with tech companies unveiling advanced technologies that rival leading American systems. At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, Chinese companies showcased tools like Kuaishou’s video generator, which are already available to consumers—ahead of similar American offerings. Dive into the AI revolution. The New York Times – Meaghan Tobin and Cade Metz
Simone Biles Shines in Paris
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, has done it again. At the Paris Olympics, Biles added another gold medal to her collection, but more importantly, she reclaimed her joy and competed on her own terms. After facing immense challenges in Tokyo, Biles returned to the world stage with a renewed focus on her mental health, showing that greatness is about more than just medals. Get inspired by her journey. Variety – Angelique Jackson
Amazon Ordered to Recall Over 400,000 Dangerous Products
Amazon is facing major scrutiny after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held the company responsible for failing to properly recall more than 400,000 hazardous products sold by third-party vendors on its platform. These products, which include flammable children’s pyjamas, faulty carbon monoxide detectors, and unsafe hair dryers. The CPSC found Amazon’s previous efforts to notify customers inadequate and has ordered the company to take stronger actions. Read more. Wired – Ashley Belanger
Canadian Soccer’s Drone Scandal Unfolds
The Canadian soccer teams are under scrutiny for using drones to spy on opponents, a practice reportedly spanning several years. The controversy recently erupted when the Canadian women’s team was caught with a drone over New Zealand’s practice. This led to the suspension of key personnel, including head coach Bev Priestman. Further investigations reveal that drone surveillance was a routine tactic during past tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics. Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue acknowledged the issue but stated the organisation is still investigating. Read more here. The Verge – Victoria Song
Copenhagen’s CopenPay: A Sustainable Tourism Initiative
Copenhagen has launched CopenPay, a pilot scheme aimed at promoting sustainable tourism through rewards. Until August 11, 24 attractions are participating, encouraging visitors to make eco-friendly choices, like biking or volunteering, in exchange for perks. The scheme contrasts with stricter measures seen in other cities and aims to inspire a more sustainable mindset among tourists. While early feedback is positive, with activities like litter-picking and volunteering proving popular, experts suggest the scheme’s environmental impact may be limited. Still, if successful, CopenPay could become a model for other destinations. Explore the details here. BBC – Adrienne Murray Nielsen
IRL Founder Abraham Shafi Charged with Fraud
Abraham Shafi, founder of the social media app IRL, faces serious fraud charges from the SEC. Shafi is accused of misleading investors about the app’s user base, claiming millions of users were real when, in fact, 95% were bots. Additionally, he and his fiancée allegedly misused company funds for personal expenses. Despite raising $200 million and achieving a $1.17 billion valuation, IRL shut down in June 2023 after internal revelations. Get the full story here. TechCrunch – Kirsten Korosec
The Sports Where Women Shine Brighter
Women are showing remarkable performance in sports like ultrarunning and sport shooting, often outperforming men in endurance events. Penny Lee Dean’s historic English Channel swim and evidence from sports science suggest that women’s higher body fat aids in cold-water endurance and mental toughness. Despite overall male dominance in many sports, women excel in specific areas due to better pacing, pain tolerance, and recovery. The need for more research on female athletes and celebrating their unique strengths is increasingly recognised. Read the full article here. BBC – Christian Ro
AI-Driven PortfolioPilot Hits $20 Billion in Assets
PortfolioPilot, an AI-powered financial advisor, has swiftly amassed $20 billion in assets, signalling a potential shake-up in wealth management. Launched two years ago by Alexander Harmsen, the San Francisco-based startup offers personalised investment advice through generative AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. With a $2 million funding boost this month, PortfolioPilot is set to expand further, challenging traditional human advisors and robo-advisors alike. Find out more here. CNBC – Hugh Son
Insights & Analysis 📈
Mercedes’ F1 Fiasco: What Happened and What’s Next?
The Belgian Grand Prix ended with a twist as George Russell’s Mercedes was disqualified for being underweight. This handed victory to Lewis Hamilton, who now has 105 career wins. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were elevated to second and third, respectively. BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson explores the impact of the weight issue. Read more here. BBC Sport
The Price of Olympic Glory
Olympians often trade their bodies for the chance at gold, enduring countless injuries and surgeries. Mariana Pajón, a BMX champion with two Olympic golds and a silver, has suffered 25 fractures and undergone 12 surgeries, with medical hardware throughout her body. Despite this, she views these sacrifices as part of the pursuit of excellence. Athletes across high-impact sports like wrestling, gymnastics, and rugby face similar physical tolls, pushing their bodies to the limit. Read more about their sacrifices here. The New York Times – James Wagner
Expert Opinion 📝
Problematic Smartphone Use: Should We Be Worried?
Ever catch yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone? You’re not alone. Experts are now looking into what they call “problematic smartphone use,” where excessive screen time might be impacting mental health and daily life. While smartphones are essential tools, the concern is whether we’re developing unhealthy habits that could be hard to break. Is it time to rethink our relationship with our devices? Explore the details here. NewScientist – Carissa Wong
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