Taylor Swift’s 'Tortured Poets Department' is a double album, Israel's airstrike in Iran and what to know about the NBA playoffs
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Good morning, folks. Grab your binoculars: You may be able to see a rare “devil comet” right after sunset on Sunday. Now, on to the news.
NEED TO KNOW
Taylor Swift releases surprise double album
Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated album The Tortured Poets Department is out today, and it came with an overnight surprise: It’s a double album, with a total of 31 songs.
What it’s about: Many fans believed the record would focus on her breakup with Joe Alwyn, but it also makes references to ex-fling Matty Healy and current boyfriend Travis Kelce. [People/Entertainment Weekly]
The lead single: After months of teasing the album, Swift announced yesterday that she’s dropping a music video for the song “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, tonight at 8 p.m. ET. [Yahoo Entertainment]
What critics are saying: Early reviews have called the record “audacious” and “messy, unguarded and undeniably triumphant.” [Variety/Billboard]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
🌍 Israel’s Iran airstrike
Officials from Iran and Israel reportedly confirmed an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian military base this morning, which appeared to cause no significant damage. Both countries seemed to downplay the strike. [Reuters]
⚖️ Trump’s hush money trial
The final 12 jurors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial were selected yesterday, with six more alternates expected to be picked today. Opening arguments could begin Monday. [Yahoo News]
🏛️ Florida book ban law
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law limiting how many school book objections people can make if they don't have a child accessing those materials. It scales back earlier book banning policies. [ABC News]
🚗 Google Maps EV feature
Google announced a new Maps update that includes a feature to help electric vehicle drivers find nearby charging stations with real-time information about availability and charge speed. [Washington Post]
🏬 Wayfair’s 1st store
E-commerce furniture retailer Wayfair announced that it’s opening its first physical store near Chicago next month. In a move similar to competitor Ikea, it’ll include a restaurant called the Porch. [CBS News]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
🎬 The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill and Eiza González, is in theaters. [Variety]
🏀 In the NBA play-in tournament: The Bulls play the Heat at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, while the Kings play the Pelicans at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT. [NBC Sports]
⚾ In baseball, the Dodgers play the Mets at 10:10 p.m. ET on Fubo. All eyes are on Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. [Yahoo Sports]
🍟 Wendy’s is giving out free fries through its app every Friday for the rest of 2024. [Delish]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1987, animator Matt Groening debuted the Simpsons in a Tracey Ullman Show short called “Good Night.” The famous family got its own show two years later, in 1989, and the series is still on the air today. [Yahoo News]
3 QUESTIONS
...about the NBA playoffs
With the NBA playoffs starting this weekend, I asked writer Dan Devine, who’s covered the NBA for nearly 15 years, to break down all of the action.
Lily: As the regular season ends, who’s your pick for most valuable player?
Dan: Nikola Jokić at the Nuggets. From scoring to passing to rebounding to clutch play, I think few players have ever controlled the game more completely.
Lily: What makes this year’s playoffs worth my time?
Dan: I’d say it’s the older stars (LeBron James, Kevin Durant) trying to add to their legacies and the newcomers (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards) trying to build their own. It’ll be an evenly matched, competitive first round.
Lily: If I only have time to watch one game this weekend, what should I turn on?
Dan: Knicks-76ers. There's nothing like the atmosphere of playoff basketball at Madison Square Garden. Also, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson vs. Philly's Joel Embiid has “David vs. Goliath” vibes.
Who else should you keep an eye on? Read Dan’s analysis of this season’s biggest stars.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
A group of 353 ballerinas at New York’s Plaza Hotel broke the Guinness World Record for the most ballerinas dancing on pointe in one place. “It was very cool how we can all get together from all over the world and accomplish a goal,” one dancer said. [AP]
Swifties: How much do you know about Taylor? Test your knowledge. And have a great weekend!
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Want to lower your risk of falls? An expert recommends taking time to identify and fix “fall traps” at home. [Yahoo Life]
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