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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Jul 12 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

Americans are trying to keep up as President Joe Biden misnames public figures and former President Donald Trump launches claims without fact-checking. A pier meant to deliver aid to Gaza is shutting down. A prince (and athletes) won at the ESPYS.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Is it time to get a foldable smartphone?

Biden's flubs and Trump's freestyles

The potential 2024 presidential nominees gave two very different speeches this week. GOP frontrunner Donald Trump employed fiery rhetoric to rally supporters in Miami on Tuesday (when he spewed dystopian scenes and a made an off-the-cuff rant about airports). President Joe Biden delivered his first solo press conference on Thursday since a disastrous debate performance last month, adding to flubs that are making Democrats sweat.

Defense vs. Offense: While Biden continues to defend his reelection campaign in public discourse, Trump's speech is shaped by attacks on the president, taking full advantage of concerns from Democratic voters and lawmakers about Biden's fitness for another four years in office.

•	Biden's press conference didn't do any him favors: Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin," the leader of Russia, on Thursday.
•	Biden corrected the Putin gaff. But what caught people's attention during the press conference was when he mistakenly referred to Harris as "Vice President Trump", without correcting himself.
•	This is ammo for Trump. Attacks on Democrats could hit fever pitch next week at the Republican National Convention, where Trump will become the official GOP nominee and do his best to spin anxiety over Biden into strength for his ticket.

President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images

$230 million pier in Gaza is shutting down after two months of troubles

Plagued by looting and weather-related problems, a high-profile $230 million pier that the Biden administration said would bring massive amounts of humanitarian aid into war-ravaged Gaza is shutting down after just two months. Officials suggested the temporary floating pier, built by the U.S., is no longer essential for Gaza's supply of food, water and other humanitarian aid because of key border crossings that have recently reopened during the Israel-Hamas war. Read more

More news to know now

•	As immigrants arrive in the South, border politics come with them.
•	A heat wave in West incinerates temperature records, killing dozens.
•	Trump wants to vacate his hush money conviction and he might have a shot.
•	Hawaii's Haleakala fire continues to blaze as memory of 2023 Maui wildfire lingers.
•	Friday game time! Play today's USA TODAY Crossword. Our expert Sally has the answers.

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

Hospitality workers fired after death of man outside Milwaukee Hyatt

Hotel employees in Wisconsin have been fired after the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who was held face down by security guards outside a downtown Milwaukee hotel last month. The move came hours after the Hyatt called for the employees involved in Mitchell's death to be fired and face criminal charges. Read more

Yes, it's hotter in the city.

While talk of warmer temperatures often centers on climate change and trapped greenhouse gases from fossil fuels, people who live in cities and built-up metropolitan areas also experience the urban heat island effect. And as average global temperatures continue to rise, this phenomenon makes the situation much more serious. These graphics show how much more intense the heat is in a city's urban core.

Keep scrolling

•	Very relieved this blind horse was saved from a Colorado canal.
•	Women are going "boysober" and have never felt better.
•	Here's how to watch the remaining stages of the Tour de France.
•	Why does Taylor Swift keep pausing her European concerts?
•	Review: Eminem cuts and soothes as he slays his alter ego on "The Death of Slim Shady."

Remarkable sports (and a prince) at the ESPYS

The 2024 ESPYS awarded athletes and teams across the world. Host Serena Williams served some fun while the ceremony recognized inspiring and courageous athletes. Duchess Meghan made a surprise appearance on Thursday night to support her husband, Prince Harry, as he received the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Here are all the winners and highlights, from South Carolina women's basketball winning best team to Caitlin Clark earning the accolade for best recording-breaking performance.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex accepts the Pat Tillman Award during the 2024 ESPY Awards on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Photo of the day: Get your strawberries ready

The 2024 Wimbledon Tournament is down to the semifinal and final rounds with the premier tennis tournament set to wrap up on Sunday. It's time to wear your tennis whites, make a Pimm's Cup and dip some strawberries in cream as you watch the Grand Slam come to a close in London (British accents optional). Here's how to watch.

Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates winning the women's singles semi-final tennis match at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships in London, on July 11, 2024

HENRY NICHOLLS, AFP via Getty Images

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.

Trump's rally was sad to watch, as the 78-year-old has clearly lost it

Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection in Doral, Fla., on July 9, 2024.

One thing is clear, Donald Trump isn't fit for the presidency. I hope his campaign can survive all of the media coverage calling for him to step down.

READ MORE