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The Olympics in Paris, starting July 26, will test the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) efforts to address the financial, environmental, and political challenges of hosting the games. Paris aims to host the "greenest-ever" Olympics, cutting emissions in half from previous hosts and using renewable energy. The IOC has also changed its bidding process to reduce costs and environmental impact, capping the number of athletes and prioritizing bids requiring minimal new infrastructure. However, financial hurdles remain, with each Olympiad overrunning its original budget by an average of 195%. Despite concerns, the Olympics' power to captivate a global audience endures, with over 3 billion viewers expected for Paris.

The evolution of media has transformed the sports industry, with broadcasting rights generating significant revenue. As digital platforms like streaming services gain prominence, traditional cable viewership declines, and sports are increasingly consumed online. This shift is reshaping the media landscape, with streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ acquiring sports rights. The digital transition offers sports leagues broader global reach, especially among younger audiences, and is changing fan engagement, with a growing focus on individual athletes over teams. Additionally, the rise of fantasy sports and betting is influencing how fans interact with sports content.

Baidu is leaving Western carmakers in the dust

Researchers have discovered "dark oxygen" in the deep sea, created without sunlight. This oxygen is produced near polymetallic nodules on the seafloor, which may strip electrons from water, liberating oxygen. The finding suggests aerobic life may have existed before photosynthesis, challenging current theories and potentially supporting deep-sea life forms.

Augmented reality head-up displays (HUDs), like the one developed by Envisics, enhance driving safety by projecting holographic images onto the windscreen, providing navigation cues and hazard warnings. These 3D displays improve clarity over traditional 2D HUDs and reduce driver distraction by eliminating the need to look at dashboard screens or touchscreens. Envisics's technology, supported by major car manufacturers, uses miniaturized lasers and custom chips to create bright, visible holograms even in sunlight. Analysts predict the automotive HUD market will grow to over $10bn by 2034, driven by advancements in smart displays and safety features.

Artificial intelligence (AI) firms are facing a looming "data wall" as the vast amount of textual data available on the internet is expected to be exhausted by 2028, according to research firm Epoch AI. The internet has been a crucial source of data for training AI models, but as their appetite for text grows, the available data is not keeping pace. One solution is to focus on data quality rather than quantity, using techniques such as filtering and sequencing to maximize learning. Another approach is to use synthetic data, which can be machine-created and is therefore limitless. However, extending this approach to fields like healthcare or education, where defining "winning" moves is more complex, remains a challenge.

"The Blair Witch Project," released in 1999, revolutionized horror films by blurring the lines between reality and fiction, using a "found footage" approach. The low-budget film, costing only $35,000 to shoot, grossed nearly $250 million globally. It popularized the genre, inspiring successful low-budget horror films and the lucrative "Paranormal Activity" franchise. The film's success demonstrated that simple, rough storytelling could be effective in creating terror, relying on odd noises and the characters' realization of being lost, rather than expensive special effects.

The 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich highlighted progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with a 90% drop in new infections and HIV-related deaths since 2010. UNAIDS aims for a 95-95-95 target by 2030, where 95% of infected individuals are aware, on antiretroviral drugs, and successfully suppressing their viral load. Innovative treatments like injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offer hope, with lenacapavir providing 100% protection for six months. Additionally, the discovery of the seventh individual in permanent HIV remission after a bone marrow transplant suggests potential for a cure, with further research into shrinking HIV reservoirs and genetically engineered T-cells.

Rich countries are seeing a surge in anti-immigration sentiment, with policies tightening to reduce inflows. The US, UK, Canada, and Australia are among nations implementing stricter measures, including deporting illegal immigrants and curbing "degree mill" universities. This shift follows a period of record immigration, but also brings economic risks, as migrants often fill vital roles in sectors like construction and healthcare. While short-term benefits like reduced housing inflation are possible, long-term consequences include labor shortages and potential negative impacts on GDP.