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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Jul 7 2023

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

The Daily Briefing (Taylor's Version)

"Taylor's Version" of Taylor Swift's 2010 album "Speak Now" includes 22 songs.

'Drop everything now.'

Taylor Swift summer fever continues with the new version of her 2010 release, "Speak Now." Also in the news: More global heat records could fall after yet another hottest day on record this week and a first drug proven to curb memory degradation has been approved by the FDA.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. My heart is broken. Dunkin' has reined in its rewards program.

Now, here we go with Friday's news.

These are the songs you must hear on the new version of 'Speak Now'

The new version of Taylor Swift's 2010 album "Speak Now" arrived Friday, the third in Swift's catalog to be rereleased as "Taylor's Version," in a move she made to reclaim her artistic ownership following the bitter fallout from the sale of her original master recordings in 2020. ("Fearless" and "Red" precede it.) The album boasts rerecords of the original 14 tracks from the album, along with two songs from the bonus version released in 2010. But the treasure for fans is the six new "vault" tracks, two of which feature Fall Out Boy and Paramore's Hayley Williams. Read more

•	Britney Spears claims Spurs player Victor Wembanyama's security guard ''backhanded me'' in Las Vegas.
•	Keke Palmer, Darius Jackson and the problem with his very public comments.

Heat hit a global record three times this week and more records could fall

In terms of the brutal summer heat, experts say people can expect more of the same on Friday. The interior Northwest and parts of the East Coast can expect more hot weather with Arizona still experiencing Excessive Heat Warnings and Critical Fire Risk.

The forecast comes after Wednesday was Earth's hottest day on record, based on a preliminary and unofficial data source, scientists said Thursday.

•	It tied a mark set Tuesday, which — in turn — had broken the record set Monday.
•	The records come as scientists say the planet is the hottest it has been in roughly 125,000 years. Experts believe more heat records will continue to fall this summer.
•	The unusual warmth is the result of a combination of human-caused climate change, the strengthening El Niño and the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

A mother and child in a fountain in Coney Island on a hot afternoon on July 06, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

More news to know now

•	OceanGate says it has suspended operations following its submersible's deadly implosion last month.
•	Donald Trump's ''body man'' and co-defendant Walt Nauta pleaded not guilty in a classified documents case.
•	There's ''no doubt'' the U.S. will go to war with Russia if Ukraine falls, Pence says.
•	Hurricane season could turn ''hyperactive'' amid unprecedented conditions, a new outlook warns.
•	On today's 5 Things podcast, nearly half of U.S. tap water is estimated to have dangerous chemicals. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

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

First proven Alzheimer's drug earns FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug lecanemab for people with early Alzheimer's disease, making it easier for older adults to get the first drug proven to slow memory and thinking problems. The decision was closely watched by patient advocates and scientists alike because Eisai and Biogen's drug, sold under the brand name Leqembi, is the first beta amyloid-targeting medication to pass the FDA's full review. The approval also is expected to trigger Medicare coverage for adults over 65 who have been unable to afford the $26,500-a-year drug. Read more

Biden administration OKs largest US offshore wind farm

The federal government has approved the largest U.S. offshore wind energy project, which officials say could power hundreds of thousands of New Jersey homes with clean energy and is expected to create over 3,000 jobs through construction and development. The Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its approval of Ocean Wind 1 project's plan for construction and operations this week, which will generate enough electricity to power up to 500,000 homes with nearly 100 wind turbines off the coast of southern New Jersey. Read more

•	Marjorie Taylor Greene was ousted from the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
•	Former Trump press secretary: ''No way'' Hunter Biden was the source of cocaine at the White House.

Just for subscribers:

•	Would a buyout of threatened Outer Banks homes be cheaper than beach nourishment?
•	As UPS and Teamsters hit contract impasse, how much does FedEx stand to benefit?
•	As Florida law sparks immigration protests, Trump and other businesses bid for foreign workers.
•	Analysis: School districts are among last havens of democracy. Let them make decisions – not politicians.

These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here.

Pogacar wins Tour de France Pyrenees big stage

Just 24 hours after losing more than a minute to his biggest rival at the Tour de France — defending champion Jonas Vingegaard — Tadej Pogacar showed he was not ready to give up, and revived the suspense at cycling's biggest race. Two-time champion Pogacar, who was dethroned by Vingegaard last summer, claimed a 10th career stage win on Thursday after a stunning counterattack that dropped the reigning champion in the finale of the second and last stage in the Pyrenees. Read more

•	More from USA TODAY Sports: How Deion Sanders built (and stripped) his roster at Colorado.

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar cycles to the finish line to win the 6th stage of the 110th edition of the Tour de France cycling race in southwestern France, on July 6, 2023.

MARCO BERTORELLO, AFP via Getty Images

Quick hits

•	After the Supreme Court reversed affirmative action, could race-based college scholarships face attacks?
•	Why is maternal mortality so high in the U.S.?
•	Sha'Carri Richardson ran a world-leading time in the 100m to start the USA track championships.
•	These five bird species are the most likely to be at your feeder.
•	Here's why work from home may be here to stay.

Photo of the day: Wimbledon finally finishes first round two days later than planned

The first round of Wimbledon finally finished, two days later than planned. After rain threw the schedule into chaos, the sun returned Thursday so 56 matches were completed. That meant plenty of results and plenty of drama, including when Alexander Zverev finished off his victory over Dutch qualifier Gijs Brouwer. Read more

Germany's Alexander Zverev falls over during the men's singles match against Gijs Brouwer of the Netherlands on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Alastair Grant, AP

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 or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.