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What’s Hot? House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. Tim Burchett, plans a long-anticipated UFO hearing, responding to rising interest after recent Pentagon investigations into unidentified aircraft and numerous UFO reports. Scheduled for late July, it's causing some controversy within the committee and the Defense Department. Burchett insists, "people deserve to know" about aliens.

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🛍️ Amazon Records Highest Sales on First Prime Day

Prime Day 2023 was Amazon's largest ever, with the first day becoming the single biggest sales day in the company's history. It boosted US e-commerce by over 6% to $12.7 billion. Members worldwide bought over 375 million items, saving more than $2.5 billion. Top sellers included small businesses whose sales growth outpaced Amazon's retail business. According to Doug Herrington, CEO of Amazon Stores, this event had more deals than any past Prime Day.

💰 Global Risk Assets Benefit from Falling US Dollar

Cooling U.S. inflation has led to a nearly 13% drop in the dollar, reaching a 15-month low. This has benefits for risk assets globally, U.S. companies, and emerging markets. A weaker dollar enhances the competitiveness of U.S. exports and eases dollar-denominated debt. "For markets, the weaker dollar and its underlying driver, weaker inflation, is a balm for everything," said Alvise Marino, foreign exchange strategist at Credit Suisse.

💦 Kosovo Parliament Erupts as PM Soaked by Lawmaker

A brawl erupted in Kosovo's parliament after an opposition lawmaker doused Prime Minister Albin Kurti with water during a debate on escalating tensions between Albanians and the Serb-majority north. The incident capped a three-day public debate over an audio recording involving a sanctioned Serb official, further straining an already tense relationship. Despite recent unrest, Kurti announced plans to reduce police presence and lower tensions in cooperation with the EU.

🌍 Germany Plans Cutback on Dependence on China's Economy

Germany is set to decrease reliance on China in "critical sectors," including medicine, lithium batteries, and chipmaking, amid concerns over Beijing's human rights record and approach to international law, as outlined in Germany's first-ever "Strategy on China." While the country remains Germany's primary trading partner, the move signals a shift towards "de-risking" via diversification. Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that this doesn't imply decoupling from China but aims at reducing "critical dependencies" in the future.

🎭 Hollywood Actors Strike Over Free AI Replicas

Hollywood studios have proposed creating and owning AI replicas of actors, prompting a strike from the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The proposed "groundbreaking" AI proposal would allow studios to scan actors, pay for one day's work, then own and use the likeness indefinitely without additional compensation or consent. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher warned of the potential for actors to be replaced by machines.

🚀 NASA Rover Discovers More Organic Molecules on Mars 

NASA's Perseverance rover has detected a diversity of organic molecules on Mars, potentially indicative of past or present life, according to new findings from the SHERLOC instrument. The evidence, however, could also point to non-biological processes. "We see multiple signals that appear to vary across the formations of the crater floor and in the minerals they are associated with," stated astrobiologist Sunanda Sharma. The researchers maintain a cautious stance, emphasizing the need to exclude all non-biological explanations before concluding the molecules are a sign of life.

🤖 FTC Probes OpenAI Over ChatGPT's 'Reputational Harm'

FTC is reportedly investigating OpenAI over potential "false, misleading, disparaging or harmful" statements made by its conversational AI, ChatGPT. The probe emerged following a complaint alleging ChatGPT falsely accused an Australian mayor of bribery and imprisonment. This scrutiny underscores the FTC's commitment to hold AI companies accountable for their claims and operations. Despite being exploratory, this investigation signifies the need for OpenAI to justify its technology's practices and impacts.

🎬 Hollywood Strike: Actors and Screenwriters Halt Industry

Hollywood's actors & screenwriters have launched a joint industry-stopping strike, the first in over six decades, disrupting production after contract negotiations with studios and streaming services failed. The strike includes high-profile actors & numerous lesser-known performers who argue their earnings have suffered due to factors like inflation and the rise of streaming. Fran Drescher, actors' union president, criticizes industry executives stating, “Employers make Wall Street and greed their priority...They stand on the wrong side of history.”

⛳ PGA Tour and PIF Scrap No-Poaching Deal

PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have removed a no-poaching clause from their agreement following pressure from the Department of Justice over antitrust concerns. The PGA stated, "While we believe the language is lawful, we also consider it unnecessary in the spirit of cooperation and because all parties are negotiating in good faith." The deal sets up a new entity, majority-controlled by PGA, with a planned $1 billion investment from PIF.

☀️ US Southwest Swelters Under Record Heat

A record-breaking heatwave is scorching the southwestern US, affecting over 115 million people. Phoenix is set to surpass its 18-day record of temperatures over 43C, while states like Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and California face "oppressive heat". Amidst the heat, officials urge caution. The NWS said, "Forecasters say overnight temperatures are expected to remain 'abnormally warm,' offering little night-time relief." The heatwave follows a trend of rising global temperatures attributed to climate change and El Niño patterns.

💰 Powerball Hits Third-Highest Jackpot at $875M

The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $875 million, making it the third-largest in the game's history. The prize came after Wednesday's draw saw no winners match all six numbers. The winner of Saturday's draw can choose between a $441.9 million lump sum before taxes or $875 million paid out yearly. This comes after 36 consecutive Powerball drawings with no major winner.

🏛️ GOP Amendments Threaten Defense Bill Passage

National Defense Authorization Act's (NDAA) future is uncertain after the House approved controversial conservative amendments. These measures, primarily concerning abortion and transgender rights, sparked opposition from Democrats and challenges for Speaker Kevin McCarthy to secure Republican votes. “What was once an example of compromise and functioning government has become an ode to bigotry and ignorance," claimed Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee. The fate of the defense bill remains unresolved.

On this day, July 14, back in 1968, baseball legend Hank Aaron made history, smashing his 500th career home run. His unwavering drive and precision set the baseball world alight, marking an unforgettable moment in American sports history. How far did that 500th ball fly?

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