Today’s Headlines: Major Inmate Swap Frees Dissidents and U.S. Journalists From Russian Prisons

For Simone Biles, a Long Road Back Is Paved in Gold

View in browser August 2, 2024, 4:00 a.m. Eastern time Top News Major Inmate Swap Frees Dissidents and U.S. Journalists From Russian Prisons The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was among 24 people released in a seven-nation, painstakingly negotiated deal that President Biden hailed as a triumph of diplomacy. For Simone Biles, a Long Road Back Is Paved in Gold After winning the all-around gymnastics title, she wore a sparkly necklace in the shape of a goat, for Greatest of All Time. But she is not done yet: She has three more chances to win medals in Paris. Bomb Smuggled Into Tehran Guesthouse Months Ago Killed Hamas Leader An explosive device hidden in a heavily guarded complex where Ismail Haniyeh was known to stay in Iran was what killed him, according to a Times investigation. Editors' Picks A Pattern of Lavish Spending at a Leading L.G.B.T.Q. Nonprofit GLAAD paid for its chief executive to fly first-class, rent a Cape Cod house and remodel her home office. It may have violated I.R.S. rules. Opinion | 14 Democrats Size Up Kamala Harris and Her Chances Against Donald Trump The group discusses President Biden's decision to withdraw from the race, Kamala Harris's candidacy, her possible picks for vice president and more. Today's Videos Video | Video Shows Aftermath of Israeli Airstrike on School in Gaza City At least 15 people were killed and dozens were injured after an Israeli airstrike hit a school building in Gaza City, according to a Palestinian emergency rescue agency. Video | Watch Live: Biden and Harris Greet Americans Released From Russia Three Americans — Evan Gershkovich, a reporter of The Wall Street Journal; Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for RFE/RL; and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine — were freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia. Video | Harris Remembers Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Vice President Kamala Harris eulogized the long-serving congresswoman from Texas during a memorial service on Thursday. World Israel Confirms Death of Hamas Commander Amid Funerals for 2 Senior Militants The Israeli military said it had killed Muhammad Deif, who it called a planner of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which would make him the third Iranian-backed militant leader slain in recent days. Fears of Wider Mideast Conflict Deepen, With U.S. Seen as 'Not in Control' American officials said they had no advance warning of the attack on the Hamas leader in Iran, raising worries of a power vacuum that could lead to a broader geopolitical crisis. Election Results Presented by Venezuela's Opposition Suggest Maduro Lost Decisively The Times analyzed partial voting tallies collected by the opposition. They cast further doubt on Nicolás Maduro's declared victory. See more world news U.S. What Can a City Do When Neo-Nazis Start Marching Down Its Streets? The brazen appearance of white supremacist groups in Nashville left the city grappling with how to confront hateful speech without violating First Amendment protections. Secret Service's Tech Flaws Helped Gunman Evade Detection at Trump Rally Technologies that might have protected the former president failed because they were improperly deployed or because the Secret Service chose not to use them. Pentagon Data Shows High Suicide Rates Among Troops Exposed to Blasts A military report on suicide rates broken down by occupation finds the highest rates among categories of troops that often work and train around weapons blasts. See more U.S. news Politics Pro-Palestinian Groups Seek to Thwart Josh Shapiro's Chances for Harris's V.P. Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, an observant Jew, is seen as bringing plenty of upsides to the Democratic ticket. But some worry about setting off opposition to the Democratic ticket from pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Schumer Promises Year-End Judicial Push as Courts Gain New Political Importance Pushing for an overhaul of the Supreme Court is a new priority as Democrats try to match Trump-era judicial confirmations, the Senate majority leader says. Trump Elevates False, Fringe Attacks on Harris to Center of His Campaign Rivals and critics have for years accused Kamala Harris of shifting her personal identity for political advantage, with those attacks escalating dramatically online since she became the Democratic standard-bearer. See more political news Business Trump Promises Lower Interest Rates, but the President Doesn't Control Those The Federal Reserve sets interest rates, and it operates independently of the White House. But rates could come down as inflation cools. Productivity Surges 2.3%, Beating Forecasts Output was up sharply in the second quarter, with the rise in goods produced far exceeding the increase in hours worked. N.F.L. Sunday Ticket Verdict Is Thrown Out by Judge The decision, five weeks after a jury awarded $4.7 billion in damages in an antitrust case, is a reprieve for the league. See more business news Technology Intel Will Cut Over 15,000 Jobs Amid Struggles to Turn Itself Around The Silicon Valley chip maker also reported a net loss and declining revenue in the latest quarter. Don't Let Your Smartphone Keep You Up at Night These features to let you wind down for bed, mute notifications and stay on a regular sleep schedule may help you get more rest. Meta Says It Will Continue Spending, as Growth Surges The company has been investing in artificial intelligence technologies, as well as building the immersive world of the metaverse. See more technology news Sports How Golf and Physics Are Raising the Limits in Shot-Put Ryan Crouser, an American, has combined radar technology borrowed from golf and an innovative technique to take aim at his third straight Olympic gold. Track Keeps Banning Drug Cheats. It Worries That Other Sports Are Not. Track and field's antidoping arm, the Athletics Integrity Unit, has announced a string of cases in recent months. Is that the sign of a problem, or proof that its approach is working? Italian Boxer Quits Bout, Sparking Furor Over Gender at Olympics The Italian, Angela Carini, stopped fighting only 46 seconds into her matchup against Imane Khelif of Algeria, who had been barred from a women's event last year. See more sports news Arts Some Final Notes From the 'Voice of God' Milton Nascimento, a musical deity in Brazil, collaborates with the bassist, vocalist and producer Esperanza Spalding on an album that contemplates age's effect on art. Meshell Ndegeocello Could Have Had Stardom but Chose Music Instead The bassist, singer and composer's 1993 debut jolted the industry — then she decided to change. Now she is releasing a powerful album inspired by James Baldwin. From Harlem to Selma to Paris, James Baldwin's Life in Pictures An exploration of the long arc of Baldwin's career, on what would have been the 100th birthday of the author of "Giovanni's Room" and "The Fire Next Time." See more arts news Movies This Filmmaker Saw War Everywhere, and So Can You Harun Farocki, a German artist and documentarian, spent his career unpacking how consumer and military technology intermingle in even the most mundane images. 'War Game' Review: It Can't Happen Here (Right?) This nail-biter of a documentary imagines it is Jan. 6, 2025, and armed supporters of the losing candidate are hatching a coup and maybe a civil war. What will the nation's leaders do? Disney Comes for 'Deadpool' Making fun of schlocky, overwrought superhero movies used to be the Deadpool signature. But with "Deadpool & Wolverine," and Disney's push into the Marvel Universe, that thread is lost. At Sundance Lab, Movie Economics Can't Be Ignored This Year Funding is a perennial problem for the indie filmmakers who workshop their latest works here. But now Sundance itself is feeling the financial pressure. See more movies news New York Armed With Saran Wrap, She Sinks in the Muck to Save the Planet A dogged paleoecologist named Dorothy Peteet is digging through the salt marshes of New York in the hope of preserving the city's best natural defense against climate change. This 23-Floor Manhattan Office Building Just Sold at a 97.5% Discount The sale price of 135 West 50th Street in Midtown, which is only 35 percent full, was a sign of how much the pandemic upended the market for office buildings in New York City. Head of an Elite New York School Resigns After Turmoil Over Gaza War Joe Algrant will step down as the head of Ethical Culture Fieldston School following a year marked by infighting among parents, students, faculty and alumni. See more New York news Media & Advertising John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois Named Anchors of 'CBS Evening News' The pair are part of a broader shake-up at the show, which includes the addition of Lonnie Quinn as a regular weather anchor. Don Lemon Sues Elon Musk Over Canceled X Deal The former CNN reporter said in a lawsuit that X had refused to pay him after a testy interview with its billionaire owner. The Wall Street Journal Kept Gershkovich's Detention Front and Center The Journal staged several events in his honor and set up a part of its website to call attention to the plight of the journalist during his lengthy detention in Russia. See more media & advertising news Science This Scientist Has a Risky Plan to Cool Earth. There's Growing Interest. David Keith wants to spray a pollutant into the sky to block some sunlight. He says the benefits would outweigh the danger. As Botanists Drop a Racist Plant Name, Some Fear Scientific Confusion The International Botanical Congress voted to change a scientific name belonging to hundreds of plant species because it was offensive in southern Africa. How Did Roses Get Their Thorns? The "prickles," as botanists call them, evolved in roses and other plants thanks to a single gene, a new study found. See more science news Obituaries Stanley Simon, Bronx Leader Brought Down by Corruption, Is Dead at 93 After delivering improvements to the Bronx as borough president, he, along with others, was convicted in the 1980s Wedtech scandal and went to prison. Alma Powell, 86, Esteemed Military Spouse of a Revered Statesman, Dies Her causes and quiet, elegant manner enhanced Colin Powell's mystique, and she figured strongly in his decision not to run for president in 1996. Tom Porton, Hall of Fame Teacher on a Humanitarian Mission, Dies at 74 At James Monroe High School in the Bronx, he inspired students to embrace the arts and to be engaged with the world, through AIDS programs and other community service projects. Gail Lumet Buckley, Chronicler of Black Family History, Dies at 86 She wrote two books about multiple generations of her forebears, including her mother, Lena Horne. See more Obituaries Opinion Thomas L. Friedman America May Soon Face a Fateful Choice About Iran President Biden and his successor may face the most fateful decision of their presidencies over Iran. Guest Essay On Turning Black Pitting the interests of minority groups against one another seems to be part of Trump's re-election strategy. Paul Krugman How 2024 Became a Crypto Election Will libertarian derp get a government bailout? Michelle Goldberg Natural Childbirth Isn't Actually the Ideal Health, safety and happiness are crucial for new parents. David Brooks A.I. Can Be a Force for Good Machines are no match for the human brain. Pamela Paul Cats Are Better Than Dogs Yes, you must earn their affection. But the payoff is huge. See more Opinion Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines from The New York Times. To stop receiving Today's Headlines, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018