A leisurely cruise ends deep underwater
After a luxury superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, the chance of survival is currently slim. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to accept the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday. Americans are falling ill with COVID-19, but booster shots are hard to find.
🙋🏼♀️ I am Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. TikTok has revealed the songs of the summer.
A perfect storm led to the sinking of a yacht, experts say
Experts are trying to determine why the Bayesian yacht was quickly dragged underwater in the early hours of Monday during a storm that caused at least one tornado to form over the water. The ship’s cook died and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, are missing. That sparked a large-scale search operation that drew international attention. The combination of unlikely factors that may have contributed to the ship’s fate represented 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 on Wednesday in Chicago. The Democrats’ theme of the day is “a fight for our freedoms.” The packed program at the United Center includes meetings of the Black, LGBTQ, Hispanic and AAPI caucuses, as well as the official acceptance of the vice presidential nomination by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In case you missed last night: Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama urged Democrats across the country to get involved in the 2024 election campaign.
Click here to see the full DNC schedule for Wednesday and access the USA TODAY live stream. Read more from USA TODAY journalists on the ground in Chicago:
More news on Wednesday
How is the weather today? Check your local weather forecast here.
Do you sweat while reading?
You’re not alone. A heat dome over the Southwest and Texas has created widespread danger for millions of Americans as forecasters predicted record-high temperatures for the regions. As of early Wednesday, more than 23 million Americans were under heat advisories or warnings, officials said. In Texas, the scorching temperatures are straining the state’s power grid as electricity demand has reached record levels. Drink water and stay indoors if possible.
COVID boosters are currently hard to find
Supply of the current COVID-19 vaccine is spotty as pharmacies wait for the updated vaccines that target newer variants. The good news is that the Food and Drug Administration could soon approve the updated vaccines, which would begin shipping to pharmacy chains in the weeks following such an announcement. Read more
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In an exclusive conversation with USA TODAY, Usher revealed all at the start of his Past Present Future tour.
Don’t cry – but “Bennifer” is over
The “Bennifer” love story that began more than two decades ago is over. On Tuesday, Jennifer Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, 52, in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. Tuesday marked the two-year anniversary of the estranged couple’s wedding in Georgia. Read more
Photo of the day: A billionaire and 3 astronauts launch into space
With the launch of Polaris Dawn possibly within a week, four non-governmental astronauts are about to embark on what could be a groundbreaking mission to the upper reaches of Earth’s orbit.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer for USA TODAY. Sign up for the email newsletter here. Want to send Nicole a message? Email her at [email protected].
