Summary‍

Residents in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama can now buy bullets from vending machines with AI tech to ensure safe sales. Gregg Berhalter was fired as the U.S. men’s soccer coach after a poor Copa America performance, while England beat the Netherlands to reach the Euro 2024 finals. Witness testimony began in Alec Baldwin's trial for the "Rust" shooting, with Baldwin pleading not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. George Clooney urged President Biden to bow out of the race in an NYT opinion piece. Ellen DeGeneres announced her retirement from show business after her upcoming Netflix special. The DOJ shut down a Russian bot farm spreading pro-Putin propaganda. A man was caught smuggling over 100 live snakes into China in his trousers.

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Sources & More

Good morning and welcome to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels. I’m your host, Gabe, and today is July 11th. Let’s get on to the news!

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In Must Know News…

• Grocery lists just got a lot more interesting for residents in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. The bullet manufacturer, American Rounds, installed bullet vending machines that use advanced AI technology to check your ID, scan your face, and search the serial database to ensure each sale is safe. Many gun reform activists are worried that this will increase gun violence issues faced in America. The company has stated that their technology is as, if not more safe than online ammunition purchasing. 
• In soccer news, Gregg Berhalter has been fired just partway through his second stint as the U.S. men’s soccer coach following the team’s first-round disaster at Copa America last week. Speaking of which, Columbia played Uruagy in the semi final and after the game, it might has well have been fight night with the Uruguayan players fighting the columbian fans! Now, America is racing to find a replacement with just short of two years until the U.S. is to hold the World Cup. On a more exciting note, England beat the Netherlands yesterday in a thrilling 2-1 victory, sending England to the Euro 2024 finals against Spain on Sunday. And we’re not telling you who to root for, but let’s just say “A Por Ellos!” or “its coming home!”
• Witness testimony has begun in the Alec Baldwin trial for the on-set tragedy that occurred during the filming of “Rust”, where a prop gun loaded with live ammunition fired and killed  cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin is pleading “not-guilty” on charges of involuntary manslaughter. The first witness called was Santa Fe sheriff’s deputy who confirmed it was indeed a real firearm and not a prop, leading prosecutors to blame Baldwin for “playing make believe” with a dangerous weapon.  

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In Other Notable News…

• In an opinion piece for the NYT, Hollywood icon George Clooney became the latest of President Biden’s most ardent supporters to call for him to bow out of the race this November, just weeks after headlining a major fundraiser for his campaign. 
• Speaking of bowing out, comedian Ellen DeGeneres announced at a recent show on her “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up” tour that she is “done” with show business after her upcoming Netflix special is released. If you ask me, I think the name of her tour already made that pretty clear, but whatever.
• The DOJ announced Tuesday that they successfully shut down a Russian “bot farm” made up of hundreds of AI-generated accounts spreading pro-Putin propaganda across social media; c’mon Russia, we already went down this road in 2016—you’re really starting to become a one trick pony. 
• Finally, to top off today’s commentary on the insanity of events in our modern world— let’s look at a story that can make everything else look sane in comparison. A man was recently caught trying to smuggle over 100 live snakes into China through his trousers; his motives are still unknown… 

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If you liked this episode, make sure to send the link over to your friends. Have a great Thursday and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

Bullets now sold in grocery store vending machines (AP, Newsweek)

US soccer coach fired; Spain and England advance to Euro 2024 finals (AP, NYT)

Witness testimony begins in Alec Baldwin trial (CBS, CNN)

George Clooney calls for Biden withdrawal (CNN)

Ellen Degeneres done with show business (Variety)

Russian AI bot farm spreading disinformation shut down (USA Today)

Man caught smuggling 100 snakes in his pants into China (BBC)