Three recently released Americans have returned to the United States following a historic prisoner exchange with Russia.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Journalist Evan Gershkovich, corporate security executive Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland just before midnight on Thursday. They were warmly greeted by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris. These three Americans were part of the largest U.S.-Russian prisoner swap since the Soviet era. Officials report that the multinational deal has resulted in the release of two dozen individuals. Despite the strained relations between Washington and Moscow, marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, years of secret negotiations led to this significant exchange.
Here are the key points about the massive US-Russia prisoner exchange in post-Soviet history:
WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, the United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, involving 24 people, extensive negotiations, and concessions from other European nations that released individuals in their custody as part of the agreement. While the deal may not indicate a broader improvement in U.S.-Russia relations, it is still a noteworthy development. Despite some Americans being left behind and the exchange involving the release of criminals convicted in Western courts in exchange for wrongly detained Americans, President Joe Biden believes that such agreements necessitate tough decisions.
The most recent updates on the prisoner swap show that the freed Americans have returned to U.S. soil and received an emotional welcome:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia have successfully completed a prisoner swap involving 24 individuals, marking the largest exchange in post-Soviet history. Moscow released journalist Evan Gershkovich and American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that saw around two dozen people being set free. The three liberated Americans arrived at an Air Force Base near Washington late in the night and were reunited with their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris. This exchange comes after a trade in December 2022 that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner back to the U.S. in exchange for Viktor Bout, a notorious arms trafficker. Russia, on the other hand, secured the release of its own nationals convicted of serious offenses in the West.
The United States has acknowledged opposition candidate González as the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election:
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The pressure is mounting on Venezuela’s electoral body to provide evidence supporting its decision to declare President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the country’s presidential election, following the United States’ recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo González as the victor. This move discredits the official election results. The U.S.’s stance comes after multiple governments, including allies of Maduro, urged Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to disclose detailed vote counts, as done in previous elections. Although the electoral body declared Maduro the winner on Monday, the main opposition coalition later presented evidence contradicting this outcome.
Donald Trump is centering his 2024 campaign around Harris’ race, despite the reservations of some Republicans:
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s recent rhetoric and track record on race suggest that divisive attacks on race could become a central theme of the GOP’s election strategy. Democrats and some Republicans have expressed outrage at the former president’s racially charged and false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris, who has Jamaican and Indian heritage. Trump’s success in politics has often been fueled by stoking racial tensions, casting doubts on Barack Obama’s citizenship and consistently using racist or derogatory language against his opponents.
Hezbollah’s leader announces that the conflict with Israel has entered a “new phase” after the killings of top militant figures:
BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah’s leader has issued a warning, stating that the conflict with Israel has taken on a “new phase”. This statement follows the recent killings of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and Hamas’ political chief in Tehran. Hassan Nasrallah spoke at a funeral ceremony for the commander, Fouad Shukur, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. In Tehran, Iran’s supreme leader conducted prayers over the body of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader. Iran has pledged to retaliate for Haniyeh’s killing, believed to have been carried out by Israel. These incidents have raised concerns about the potential escalation of hostilities.
Israel confirms that the chief of Hamas’ military wing was killed in a July strike in Gaza:
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military has officially confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, in an airstrike in Gaza in July. This announcement comes after Hamas’ political chief was assassinated in an airstrike in Iran. The killings have led U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediators to scramble in an attempt to salvage talks for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, amidst efforts by international officials to prevent a full-scale regional conflict. Hamas has not immediately responded to Israel’s announcement of Deif’s death, having previously stated that he survived the airstrike.
The British prime minister announces a policing plan to address violence following the fatal stabbing of girls:
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has revealed plans to establish a national policing capability to combat violent protests, after clashes with police erupted across England over the past two nights. Starmer has condemned the violence and vowed to put an end to it. The announcement comes in the wake of police being attacked by “marauding mobs” in several cities, in response to a tragic stabbing incident at a children’s dance class on Monday that claimed three lives and left 10 injured. This attack, which took place at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance class, shocked the nation, where knife crime remains a persistent issue, although mass stabbings are rare.
Katie Ledecky secures a record 13th medal with a silver, while Summer McIntosh and Kate Douglass win gold:
NANTERRE, France (AP) — Katie Ledecky made history by winning her 13th medal and becoming the most decorated woman in swimming history after securing a silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. While she would have preferred a gold, the top spot went to an Australian team led by gold medalists Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus. This achievement marks Ledecky’s eighth gold, four silver, and one bronze across four Olympics, with her sights set on participating in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Simone Biles clinches her second all-around Olympic gymnastics title, eight years after her first:
PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles narrowly defeated Rebeca Andrade of Brazil in a tense all-around gymnastics final to secure her second Olympic championship. Biles’ total score of 59.131 was just ahead of Andrade’s 57.932, making it one of the closest victories in Biles’ illustrious career. The event ended with Biles once again triumphing, as she has consistently done over the past 11 years. American Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, claimed the bronze medal.
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