Europeans Debate Air Conditioning As Heat Waves Hit Hard
Plus: Taylor Swift Discusses "The Life Of A Showgirl" & The U.S. Orange Juice Crisis
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Good afternoon,
The news is coming swiftly these days.
Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, while teasing her appearance on Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, a podcast hosted by her NFL star boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason.
Swift says she titled the album "The Life of a Showgirl" because she wrote the music while on the Eras Tour last year.
The album’s cover, which shows Swift in a glitzy, sequined outfit, features a bright, orange 🍊 color palette — Portofino Orange Glitter, to be specific. Swift says she picked the color because it reminded her of the energy she felt during the tour.
That orange hue is popping up everywhere, including in posts from NHL teams, corporate memes, and the Empire State Building in NYC.
Also in the interview, Swift said she's learned to cut down on her social media consumption to preserve her energy.
She has disabled comments on her Instagram account for the past 10 years and said she does not miss seeing them.
The Life of a Showgirl comes out October 3rd and will feature 12 original songs. It’s produced by Swift, as well as Max Martin and Shellback, who are responsible for hits like “22”, “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space.” Notably, producer Jack Antonoff is not involved this time around.
Sam,
Associate Producer
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Southern Europe Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Record Heatwave As Debate Over A/C Heats Up
Southern Europe is battling major wildfires fueled by historic heat, including in countries like France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece — as Europe is on track for its worst wildfire season on record.
More than 1 million acres have burned across the European Union so far this year — more than double the amount during the same period in 2024, according to new data. Thousands of people have been evacuated, and dozens of homes have been destroyed.
Temperatures have soared above 100°F across the continent in recent days. Europe has become the fastest-warming continent, where temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
That heat might be sparking a cultural change: Europeans are now debating whether to embrace air conditioning — once seen as an American luxury.
THE POLITICS OF IT
In France, far-right leader Marine Le Pen has proposed a nationwide A/C rollout in schools and hospitals. More than 1,000 French schools were forced to partially or fully close in early July due to high temperatures and a lack of cooling. In the U.K., A/C advocates see adoption as a boost to health, productivity, and housing quality; while critics are wary of higher energy use and regulatory overhaul.
Inside the debate: Many Europeans have long viewed air conditioning as wasteful or harmful, warning of “thermal shock”-induced nausea or loss of consciousness when indoor temperatures are cooled more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit below the outdoor temperature — far less of a difference than what many in the U.S. are accustomed to.
Public health officials say access to cooling is essential to prevent heat-related deaths — the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the world — as temperatures continue to rise.
🚨 ONE THING WE’RE WATCHING
Orange Juice Crisis: Production Down 90%, Consumption Down 50% In Past Two Decades
Orange juice is losing its spot at the breakfast table. U.S. consumption has dropped almost 50% in 20 years. Meanwhile, Florida’s citrus production has fallen by more than 90% during the same period, due to a disease affecting its orange groves.
A LOOK AT THE DECLINE
At its 1998 peak, Florida produced 244 million boxes of oranges; the USDA forecasts about 11-12 million boxes this season. Over the past decade, concentrated orange juice prices have reached $4.50 per 16 oz, up from $2.70 a decade ago.
Consumption decline comes amid doctors warning OJ has as much sugar as soda — and may be contributing to obesity and diabetes.
Florida’s groves have also been ravaged by climate change and a bacterial disease called citrus greening.
The disease, spread by an invasive insect, slowly kills trees and leaves them vulnerable to storms.
To help growers, the Trump administration has loosened the FDA’s definition of orange juice — lowering the required dissolved solids from 10.5% to 10%.
Bottom line: With prices up, crops down, and health concerns rising, OJ’s golden era may be gone for good.
⏳ SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Trump falsely claims crime in US capital is ‘worst it’s ever been’ as protesters confront federal officers (GUARDIAN)
Florida plans to open second immigration facility dubbed ‘Deportation Depot’ at a vacant prison (CNN)
Teacher accused of killing parents on hike pleads not guilty to murder charges (NBC)
DOJ employee charged with felony after allegedly whacking federal agent with sandwich amid Trump DC crime crackdown (FOX)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Kremlin gives more details about Trump-Putin summit as Ukraine's Zelensky meets with U.K.'s Starmer (CBS)
Israeli far-right minister says he’ll okay 3,000 homes east of Jerusalem, ‘burying idea of Palestinian state’ (TIMES OF ISRAEL)
Dozens injured in Serbia as protesters clash with pro-government supporters (GUARDIAN)
No agreement in sight as UN plastic pollution treaty talks enter final day (AL JAZEERA)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage drops to lowest level since October (AP)
U.S. Treasury yields ticked higher Thursday after new data pointed to persistent wholesale inflation (CNBC)
Person infected with brain-eating amoeba after water-skiing, health officials say (FOX)
Apple returns blood oxygen monitoring to the latest Apple Watches (VERGE)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Toronto Film Festival reconsiders premiering Israel Oct. 7 documentary after pulling invite over security and footage clearance concerns (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Sinéad O’Connor biopic in the works (VARIETY)
Elvis’s former wife, Priscilla Presley’s ex-business partners sue her for more than $50 million, alleging fraud (AP)
Denver Broncos legendary wide receiver Lionel Taylor dies at 89 (FOX)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… The tech company Envision has partnered with the eyewear brand Solos to create special AI-powered “smart glasses” for people who are blind or have low vision.
The glasses work by having an AI camera embedded in the lenses feed information to the viewer via speakers in the glasses’ stems. The glasses can describe surroundings, recognize people and objects, and even translate texts. Preorders start today at around $500.