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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Aug 21 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

At this point, the chance of survivors looks unlikely after a luxurious super yacht sank off the coast of Sicily. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination on Wednesday. Americans are getting sick with COVID-19, but booster vaccines are hard to find.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. TikTok has unveiled the songs of the summer.

A perfect storm led to yacht sinking, experts say

Experts are piecing together why in the early hours of Monday the Bayesian yacht was quickly pulled under the waves amid a storm that saw at least one tornado spin up over the water. The event left the vessel's cook dead and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, missing, prompting a massive search that has drawn international attention. The combination of unlikely factors that could have contributed to the ship's fate constituted a "black swan event," experts told USA TODAY. Read more

'A Fight for our Freedoms'

The third day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention begins Wednesday in Chicago with Democrats focusing on "a fight for our freedoms" as the day's theme. A packed schedule at the United Center features meetings of the Black, LGBTQ, Hispanic and AAPI caucuses, among others, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz officially accepting the vice presidential nomination.

In case you missed last night: Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama called on Democrats across the country to get involved in the 2024 race.

•	"I'm feeling fired up!": In his speech, Barack Obama praised Harris' record and her economic agenda aimed at lowering costs for the middle class.
•	The job Trump wants might just be a "Black job": Michelle Obama had the harshest words for the former president.
•	Protests outside the United Center are likely to continue Wednesday after dozens of demonstrators were arrested outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago on Tuesday night.

Click here for Wednesday's full DNC schedule and access to USA TODAY's livestream. Read more from USA TODAY's journalists on the ground in Chicago:

•	Here's how the DNC honors each state with unique songs.
•	Which state has the best DNC swag?
•	Harris needs two-thirds of Latino voters in her corner to win.
•	Is Harris the ally LGBTQ voters need?
•	An ex-Trump insider went after her former boss in a DNC speech.
•	Michelle Obama's DNC outfit has internet buzzing.

Former first lady Michelle Obama introduces former President Barack Obama during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Mike De Sisti, USA TODAY

More news to know on Wednesday

•	Israel's Netanyahu says a cease-fire deal may not happen.
•	Officials missed chances to avert a Lewiston, Maine, mass shooting.
•	Young adults are major targets for back-to-school scams.
•	After hundreds of LGBTQ+ books tossed, a library dean at a Florida college was placed on leave.
•	Take a game break. Our expert Sally has the crossword answers .

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Sweating as you read this?

You're not alone. A heat dome blanketing the southwest and Texas has caused widespread hazardous conditions for tens of millions of Americans as forecasters predicted record highs in the regions. More than 23 million Americans were under some level of heat advisory or warning early Wednesday, officials said. In Texas, scorching temperatures are pushing the state's electric grid as power demand hit a record high. Drink water and stay inside, if possible.

COVID boosters are hard to find right now

Supplies of the current COVID-19 vaccine are spotty as pharmacies await the updated vaccines that target more recent variants. The good news is that the Food and Drug Administration could soon approve the updated vaccines, which would be shipped to chain pharmacies in the weeks following such an announcement. Read more

Keep scrolling

•	How is it possible for a surgeon to lose part of a patient's skull?
•	Taylor Swift can "Do It With A Broken Heart."
•	Beyoncé launched a new whiskey.
•	"It Ends With Us" star Brandon Sklenar defended Blake Lively.
•	Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast is headed to SiriusXM.

Usher bared all as he launches his Past Present Future tour, in an exclusive series of conversations with USA TODAY.

Follow @usatoday on Instagram for more.

USA TODAY

Don't cry — but 'Bennifer' is over

The "Bennifer" love story that first blossomed more than two decades ago has come to an end. On Tuesday, Jennifer Lopez, 55, filed to divorce Ben Affleck, 52, in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to court filings obtained by USA TODAY. Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the estranged couple's Georgia wedding ceremony. Read more

Photo of the day: A billionaire and 3 astronauts launch into space

Four non-government astronauts are about to embark on what could become a defining mission to the upper reaches of Earth's orbit when Polaris Dawn potentially launches within a week.

The crew of the Polaris Dawn mission: Jared Isaacman, Anna Menon, Scott Poteet and Sarah Gillis, at Kennedy Space Center.

Craig Bailey/Florida Today/USA TODAY NETWORK

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.