Today’s topics

• BYD is supercharging its European ambitions

• AI model fluent in the language of proteins

• TSA screens over 3 million passengers in a day

• Earliest known photograph of a US First Lady

  and more…

The S&P 500 achieved another record close on Tuesday, spurred by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's cautionary remarks on prolonged high interest rates. The broad market index edged up 0.07%, marking its 36th record close of the year. Simultaneously, the Nasdaq also reached a new peak, rising 0.14%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.13%. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh all-time highs during the trading session, reflecting ongoing market optimism amid Powell's insights.

Bloomberg's billion-dollar boost: Johns Hopkins med school goes free. Bloomberg Philanthropies is doling out a hefty $1 billion to make medical school free for most students at Johns Hopkins University, aligning with other big-name benefactors fueling tuition-free medical education nationwide. In his annual report letter, Michael Bloomberg highlighted this donation's mission to combat declining health and education. Johns Hopkins announced that the gift will cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses, for students from families earning less than $300,000, with additional living expenses support for those from families earning under $175,000.

BYD powers up: $1bn EV plant set to electrify Turkey. China's automotive giant, BYD, is supercharging its European ambitions with a $1bn electric vehicle plant in Turkey. Slated to roll out 150,000 cars annually by the end of 2026, this facility will spark a local job boom with around 5,000 new positions. The Turkish government is already revving up for this game-changing production shift.

AI Speaks Protein: New Fluorescent Molecules Unveiled

An AI model fluent in the language of proteins has successfully created new fluorescent molecules, marking a significant advancement in biological research. EvolutionaryScale announced this breakthrough in New York City, alongside securing $142 million in funding to further apply its model to drug development, sustainability, and more. Founded by ex-Meta scientists, the company joins a competitive field leveraging advanced machine-learning models on biological data to drive innovation.

Eco-Perks in Copenhagen: Tourists Earn Freebies for Going Green

Copenhagen's tourist board is launching a clever scheme on July 15 to reward eco-conscious visitors with free food and activities. Tourists can snag free lunches, coffees, wine, and kayak rentals by participating in green tasks like litter-picking, using public transport, or biking around the city. This initiative turns sightseeing into an environmentally friendly adventure, making sustainability a rewarding part of the travel experience.

Record travel surge: TSA screens over 3 million passengers in a day. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a historic milestone as over 3 million travelers were screened at airports nationwide on Sunday, setting a new single-day record. This surge, following the Fourth of July holiday, surpassed the previous peak set on June 23, with approximately 2.99 million screenings. The data highlights a robust recovery in air travel despite ongoing challenges, underscoring renewed confidence among passengers.

Blastoff! Ariane 6 Rocket Makes Historic Debut

Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket soared into the skies for its long-awaited debut mission, launching nine cubesats into low Earth orbit from Kourou, French Guiana on July 9, 2024. This historic lift-off marks a critical milestone, coming a year after the retirement of its predecessor, the Ariane 5, left Europe without a homegrown option for launching large satellites. The success of this mission is crucial for reestablishing Europe's independent access to space.

Stinky discovery: exoplanet HD 189733 b's rotten-egg atmosphere. A gas giant exoplanet just 64 light-years away, known for its wild weather, has a new claim to fame: a rotten-egg smell. Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have found that HD 189733 b's atmosphere is rich in hydrogen sulfide, giving it this distinctive odor.

Trash triumph: NYC unleashes garbage bins. New York City's newest rodent-fighting champion is the humble garbage bin. In a bid to tackle the trash piles attracting pests, the city is rolling out bins as its latest weapon in the war on rats.

Historic snapshot: NPG acquires earliest photo of a US First Lady. The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has added a significant artifact to its collection: the earliest known photograph of a US First Lady. This quarter-plate daguerreotype of Dolley Madison, wife of the fourth president James Madison, dates back to around 1846.

Chill Turf: self-cooling artificial grass tackles extreme heat. Self-cooling artificial grass is revolutionizing urban sports pitches by mimicking natural evaporation to stay cool on hot days. This innovative turf absorbs rainwater and releases it to prevent overheating, protecting athletes from burns and heat exhaustion while aiding in stormwater management.

TikTok of the day: watch here

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