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☆ A beloved whale long suspected of being a Russian 'spy' was shot dead, animal-rights groups say
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Go to newsletter preferencesSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA white beluga whale nicknamed Hvaldimir, beloved in Norway and believed to have been trained to spy for Russia, was found dead in Norwegian waters over the weekend. The animal-rights groups provided Business Insider with images of the whale's body, which appeared to show bullet holes. The lifeless body of Hvaldimir was discovered by a teenage fisherman and his father near the town of Risavika on Saturday morning. A spokesperson for the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said it couldn't comment on any results as Hvladimir's autopsy was still ongoing.

Persons: —, NOAH, they'd, Regina Haug, Hvaldimir, Vladimir Putin's, Siri Martinsen, Martinsen, Sebastian Strand, Hvladimir, Strand Organizations: Service, Business, NATO, Marine, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, of Fisheries Locations: Norway, Russia, Risavika, Petersburg

☆ The princess and the shaman: Norway's royal wedding unlike any other
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-31 | by ( Alexander Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Norway's Princess Martha Louise and her American fiancé Durek Verrett on their way to the gala dinner for Princess Ingrid Alexandra at the castle in Oslo on June 17, 2022. A Norwegian princess marrying her Hollywood fiancé — it sounds like exactly the sort of fairy tale to charm a world beset by war and political strife. But the wedding on Saturday of Princess Märtha Louise to Durek Verrett, an American spiritual healer and self-professed shaman, is mired in controversy and criticism. The wedding has intensified scrutiny and criticism of the views — and associated businesses — pedaled by the princess and the shaman. And it has added to a growing tone of dissatisfaction with the historically popular Norwegian royals.

Persons: Martha Louise, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Märtha Louise, Durek, Märtha Louise, Norway's, King Harald, Queen Sonja, Prince Haakon, Mette, Marit, Verrett Organizations: Hollywood, UNESCO, Heritage, Netflix Locations: Oslo, Norwegian, American, California, Verrett, Geiranger

☆ Denmark: First set of coins from L.E. Bruun fetches $16.5M
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-26 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

On Tuesday, just under a year since the 100-year-old order expired, the first set of coins from Bruun’s personal 20,000-piece collection went up for auction in Copenhagen. Bruun Collection was insured for 500 million Danish kroner, or around $72.5 million. An exceptionally rare gold coin from 1496 smashed estimates to fetch a record 1.2 million euros ($1.34 million) at auction on Tuesday. Stack’s Bowers GalleriesThe auction house described it as the most valuable collection of world coins to ever come to market. The star lot was one of Scandinavia’s oldest gold coins, according to the catalog a noble of King Hans dated from 1496.

Persons: Lars Emil Bruun, Stack’s Bowers, Bruun, Brian Kendrella, few.But Bruun, King Frederik, ”, King Hans, “, Matt Orsini Organizations: CNN, Stack’s Bowers Galleries, Royal Danish, Danish Numismatic Society, “, Kalmar Union, Galleries Locations: Copenhagen, Akershus Castle, Oslo, Danish, Denmark, Norway, Sweden

☆ World's largest sovereign wealth fund posts $138 billion in first-half profit as AI demand boosts tech
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Norway's massive sovereign wealth fund on Wednesday posted first-half profit of 1.48 trillion kroner ($138 billion), primarily driven by robust returns on its investments in technology stocks. The so-called Government Pension Fund Global — the world's largest sovereign wealth fund — said it had a value of 17.75 trillion kroner at the end of June. Norway's sovereign wealth fund said its equity portfolio posted a return of 12.5% through the first half of the year, while its fixed income and unlisted real estate portfolios incurred marginal losses. It said higher capital costs had adversely affected the value of investments in the period from January to June. One of the world's largest investors, Norway's sovereign wealth fund was established in the 1990s to invest the surplus revenues of the country's oil and gas sector.

Persons: —, Nicolai Tangen, Tangen, NBIM's Tangen Organizations: Fund, Norges Bank Investment Management, Reuters

☆ I flew budget carrier Norse Atlantic Airways from Europe to New York. It's a great value if you follow strict bag rules.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Norse Atlantic Airways began its budget flights between Europe and the US in early 2021. I think Norse offers a better value than mainline carriers if you follow its strict bag rules. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Atlantic Airways, Service, Boeing, WOW Air, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Business Locations: Europe

☆ Turn to these dividend growers as the Fed cuts rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As the Federal Reserve starts to cut interest rates, it makes sense that investors might turn to dividend stocks. In slow tightening cycles, fast dividend growers have outperformed slow growers and high yielders, the firm found in its analysis. The fastest growers are defined as the top 25% of the S & P 500 payers by trailing one-year dividend growth, while the slowest are the bottom 25%. We looked within the top 25% of S & P 500 dividend stocks by trailing one-year dividend growth. They also have a dividend yield of more than 2% and an upside of 10% or more to the average price target.

Persons: Ned Davis, Ed Clissold, Clissold, Prologis, SLB Organizations: Federal Reserve, Ned Davis Research, Ned, CNBC, CNBC Pro, Wall, Resorts, Equinix Locations: Real, Aker

☆ Tom Cruise jumped off a stadium at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. Here are his 11 best stunts of all time, ranked.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Tom Cruise does his own stunts and it's remarkable what he's been able to pull off. He also jumped off the roof of the Stade de France to mark the end of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . He started to do a lot of his own stunts when appearing in action blockbusters like "Top Gun," "Mission: Impossible," and "Minority Report."

Persons: Tom Cruise, he's, — Organizations: Stade de France, Service, Business Locations: Hollywood, Norway

☆ U.S. and China fight to 40-40 draw for most Olympic gold medals
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( David K. Li | Sean Nevin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Cameron Spencer | Getty ImagesThe U.S. and China each won 40 gold medals in the first Summer Games draw in Olympic history, with the Americans pulling into a tie Sunday with victory in the last event, women's basketball. China's Li Wenwen won gold in women's heavyweight weightlifting in what could have been a death knell for American hopes to capture overall gold. U.S. hopes were dimmed further when Chicago native Kennedy Blades, who made a surprising run to the gold medal wrestling match, lost to 76-kg rival Yuka Kagami of Japan. Gold medalist Simone Biles of Team USA poses during the artistic gymnastics women's all-around final medal ceremony on Aug. 1. Patrick Smith | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Persons: Cameron Spencer, China's Li Wenwen, Yuka Kagami, Jennifer Valente, Noah Lyles, Breanna Stewart, Cheryl Reeve wryly, hasn't, Simone Biles, Tom Weller, voigt, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova, Katie Ledecky, Isabel Gose, Quinn Rooney, Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Eleanor Harvey of Canada, Patrick Smith Organizations: Eiffel, Rings, Olympic Games, Getty, U.S, France, China, Chicago, Kennedy Blades, Team USA, USA, WNBA, didn't, Summer, " Unified, Soviet, Games Locations: Paris, France, China, U.S, Japan, Italy, San Diego, Beijing, Norway, Germany, Soviet Union, Barcelona, Tokyo, Rio, London

PARIS — The United States and China each won 40 gold medals, in the first Summer Games draw in Olympics history, with America pulling into a tie Sunday with victory in the last event, women’s basketball. But then San Diego native and decorated cyclist Jennifer Valente bailed out the United States by defending her gold in the women’s omnium. Gold medalist Noah Lyles of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's 100m medal ceremony at the Olympics in Paris, on Aug. 5, 2024. The United States still came out with the most overall medals, taking home 126 from Paris 2024. The United States hasn’t failed at winning the most medals since 1992 when the “Unified Team,” athletes from the former Soviet Union republics, won 112 medals, 45 gold.

Persons: China’s Li Wenwen, could’ve, Yuka Kagami, Jennifer Valente, Noah Lyles, Cameron Spencer, United States hasn’t, Simone Biles, Jamie Squire, France's Anastasiia, Katie Ledecky, Germany's Isabel Gose, Jonathan Nackstrand, Frenchman Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Lee Kiefer of, Lauren Scruggs, Eleanor Harvey, Patrick Smith, David K, Li, Sean Nevin Organizations: PARIS, America, France, Chicago, Kennedy Blades, Team United, States didn't, United, “ Unified, Soviet, Olympic Games, Bercy Arena, Getty, Paris La Defense, Lee Kiefer of Team United States, Team United States, Team Canada, Grand Palais Locations: United States, China, Japan, Italy, San Diego, Paris, U.S, States, Beijing, Norway, Germany, Soviet Union, Barcelona, Tokyo, Rio, London, Nanterre, AFP, Grand, France, Israel, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Soviet Republic

☆ Promises of happier, healthier living drove tourists to Costa Rica in droves. Now, locals say the Blue Zone lifestyle is dying out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Tourists are flocking to Costa Rica, with visitors trying to get a taste of the Blue Zone lifestyle that promises better-than-average health and longevity. Researchers from Stanford have studied the Nicoya Blue Zone. "It's not uncommon to see people in Nicoya live to be in their 90s, but we're seeing that number slip back down into the 80s." AdvertisementStill, if you're in the region, you will probably see a lot about the Blue Zone as a selling point driving more tourism. "A lot of people are using it for their business — Blue Zone this, Blue Zone that — I'm sure they know what it means, but the lifestyle is something that's fading, unfortunately, because it was all the old-timers keeping it alive," Jones told BI.

Persons: Costa, Thomas Jones, it's, —, Jones, Juan Gabriel, Gabriel, he's, David Rehkopf, Luis Rosero, there's Organizations: Service, Central, Business, Tourism, Bahia Rica, Stanford, Stanford Medicine Magazine, Stanford School of Medicine Locations: Costa Rica, Nicoya, Central American, Paquera, Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Bahia, Costa Rican

The International Olympic Committee will hand out more than 300 medals over the course of the Paris Games, but it won't hand out any cash. Without them, there would be no Olympics," Bloom told CNBC Sport. This makes cashing in on Olympic success more complicated than you would expect. "But then, like many athletes know, injuries aren't just a physical thing. Find out more about how Olympic athletes cash in on their dream by watching the video above.

Persons: Ben Bloom, Bloom, Desiree Henry, aren't, Henry Organizations: Olympic, Paris Games, Games, CNBC Sport, Sport, Britain, Business, Elite Locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Paris

☆ Arshad Nadeem: Pakistan celebrates its first Olympic medal in decades as javelin hero breaks Games record
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Samra Zulfaqar | Sophia Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Islamabad, Pakistan CNN —Pakistan partied late into the night after javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem won the country’s first ever Olympic track and field medal with a Games record throw of 92.97 meters to take gold in Paris. The normally cricket-mad nation stayed up late Thursday night to watch Nadeem clinch Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since the men’s field hockey team won bronze in Barcelona 32 years ago. Supporters and family members of Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem celebrate after his Olympic victory at Mian Channu in Khanewal district, Pakistan on August 9, 2024. Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and Neeraj Chopra of India embrace after their gold-silver medal finish at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Cricket holds an unofficial but prominent position as the national sport of Pakistan, resulting in increased funding and support.

Persons: Arshad Nadeem, Nadeem, Pakistan’s, I’ve, ”, Shahid Nadeem, Mian Channu, Shahid Saeed Mirza, ” Nadeem, Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, Arshad, India’s, Neeraj Chopra, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, Chopra, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, Denis, Andrej Isakovic, Altamish Jiwa, “ Nadeem, ” Jiwa, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, Tim Clayton, Corbis, “, Nadeem’s, Shehbaz Sharif, “ You’ve Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, CNN, Getty, Geo, Pakistan, Paris, Stade de France, India, Olympic, Cricket, Pakistan’s Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan CNN — Pakistan, Paris, Barcelona, Mian, Pakistan’s Punjab, Khanewal district, AFP, Beijing, Indian, Saint, Los Angeles

☆ What are the economics of war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Gaelle Legrand | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Last March, Thierry Breton, the EU's commissioner for internal market, advocated for a shift of the European defense industry toward a war economy. Europe is facing an "existential threat," he said, as the Commission announced a new defense strategic plan, with a minimum of €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) subsidy to boost the continent's war machine. In Germany, arms maker Rheinmetall inaugurated a new factory in February that will produce artillery ammunition, explosives and rockets. Aerospace and defense company Kongsberg also opened a new anti-ship and cruise missile manufacturing plant in Norway last June. Watch the video above to learn more about the economics of war.

Persons: Thierry Breton Organizations: Commission, Rheinmetall, Aerospace, Kongsberg, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Locations: Europe, Germany, Norway, Stockholm

☆ New tech will trap CO2 from cargo ships and store it in the ocean
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The dissolved calcium carbonate then reacts with the CO2 in the water to form bicarbonate salts, locking the CO2 away. Adkins says that with a full-scale reactor, he aims to capture and store about half of a ship’s CO2 emissions. BAR Technologies/Cargill French company Airseas has developed the Seawing, which it says could help ships cut their carbon emissions by an average of 20%. A British company called Seabound, for example, makes a device that captures between 25% and 95% of a ship’s CO2 emissions. “We think that ships are actually going to be able to compete with underground CO2 storage,” he said.

Persons: it’s, Jess Adkins, ”, Adkins, ” Adkins, Calcarea, Melissa Gutierrez, Pierre Forin, geochemist Will Berelson, Will Berelson, Airseas, Maxime Horlaville, Norsepower, Daniel Sigman Organizations: CNN — International, International Maritime Organization —, UN, California Institute of Technology, Caltech, University of Southern, USC, British Port Association, Cargill, BAR Technologies, de Bordeaux, Michelin, Norsepower, Anemoi, Technologies, Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University Locations: University of Southern California, Port of Los Angeles, Norway, Nantong, Vancouver, British

☆ These scientists want to safeguard Earth’s species by cryogenically preserving them on the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A group of scientists has devised a plan to safeguard Earth’s species in a cryogenic biorepository on the moon. In order to reach the required temperatures on earth, a supply of liquid nitrogen, electricity and human staff are required. To reduce this risk, Hagedorn and the team thought about how cryopreservation could be achieved passively, which is impossible on Earth, and alighted on the moon. “We aren’t saying what if the Earth fails – if the Earth is biologically destroyed this biorepository won’t matter,” Hagedorn said in the statement. Sally Keith, a senior lecturer in Marine Biology at Lancaster University, who was not involved in the research, had similar concerns.

Persons: Norway Lise Aserud, NTB Scanpix, ”, Mary Hagedorn, Hagedorn, ” Hagedorn, Rob Brooker, James Hutton, ” Brooker, Sally Keith Organizations: CNN, Smithsonian, BioScience, Reuters, Conservation Biology Institute, James, James Hutton Institute, Lancaster University Locations: Svalbard, Norway, Scotland

☆ Ukraine finally sends F-16s into the battle against Russia — but they might not be a game-changer
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Flanked by another two of the U.S.-made combat aircraft, Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that the country's air force had already started operations using the warplanes against Russia. A number of Ukraine's European allies have pledged to send F-16s to Ukraine, and the first batch arrived in the country in late July. Russia has dismissed the supply of F-16s, with Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying last Thursday that Russian forces were prepared to shoot down the F-16 jets. The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine is seen on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. "The jets will considerably enhance Ukraine's ability to prevent Russian pilots entering Ukrainian air space, and can also target Russian cruise missiles in flight.

Persons: Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Ukraine's, Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Vitalii, Antony Blinken, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov Organizations: Falcons, Dynamics, Anadolu, Getty, Ukraine's Air Forces, Ukrainian, Ukrainian Air Force, Anadolu Agency, NATO, Defense, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Fighting Falcons, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, States, USSR, Kyiv, Ukrainian

☆ How Norway Became a Powerhouse for All Seasons
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Rory Smith | David B. Torch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the runners hit the penultimate bend, the racing pulse of the music starts to beat faster. The choice, and the timing, are perfect: Darude’s now semi-ancient trance track “Sandstorm.” But very few of the 15,000 in attendance can hear any of it. Ingebrigtsen, sensing the crowd’s desperation, digs deep and then, at the last, dives forward, feet off the ground, to beat his rival to the line. Norway’s annual celebration of track and field, the Bislett Games, has been a highlight of the country’s sporting calendar for more than half a century. For a long time, though, its headline acts were imported; once, organizers committed a significant portion of their appearance budget to Usain Bolt to persuade him to come.

Persons: Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Timothy Cheruiyot, Bolt Organizations: Bislett Locations: Oslo, Kenya

☆ What to watch at Olympics today: Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky — and so much more
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Lukas Weese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

ET, 5:16 p.m. in Paris (men’s pommel horse)TV: NBC and PeacockWhat to watch: Biles continues her gold medal aspirations when she competes in the individual vault competition. Biles enters the vault competition as the leader from qualifying after posting a 15.3. The Canadiens, reigning gold medal winners, needed to win all three matches to get through — and they did. GO DEEPER Ledecky becomes most decorated U.S. female OlympianCanadian Summer McIntosh eyes her third Olympic gold at just 17 years old. With a win Saturday, Crouser would be the first male shot putter to win three Olympic gold medals.

Persons: We’ve, Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles, Stephen Nedoroscik, Katie Ledecky’s, —, Nedoroscik, Biles, Jade Carey, Rebeca Andrade, Nedoroscik —, Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan, Peter Vidmar, It’s, Richardson, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, Jamaica’s Shelly, Ann Fraser, Pryce, Sha'Carri Richardson, Mallory Swanson, Alex Livesey, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman dazzled, Emma Hayes ’, Hayes, Davidson, Shaw, Ledecky, American Paige Madden, Ariarne, McIntosh, American Kate Douglas, Douglass, Crouser, Ryan Crouser, American Joe Kovacs, Germany’s Leo Neugebauer, Michael Steele, Damian Warner, Kevin Mayer of, Pierre LePage, Leo Neugebauer, Ayden Owens, Sander Skotheim, Franz Wagner, Orlando, Wagner, Andrej Isakovic Organizations: Paris Olympics, NBC, U.S, USA, Stade de France, Getty, United, Olympic, Canada, FIFA, New Zealand, Canadiens, Spain, Canada Soccer, La Defense, Ledecky, Kevin Mayer of France, Puerto Rico Locations: Paris, American, Sha'Carri, USWNT, Canada, women’s, United States, Japan, Germany, U.S, Colombia, France, Brazil, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Puerto, Norway, AFP

☆ I’m a 30-year-old American living in Norway: 5 reasons ‘I’m so much happier’ here
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Gabriella Mikiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

There's a joke in Norway that people move here for two reasons: a job or love. I'm much happier in Norway. Better work-life balanceIn Norway, there's a big departure from the work-centric mentality that I'm used to in the U.S. Free time, family time and personal well-being are prioritized. For me, I think I'm still a bit governed by my American roots when it comes to work-life balance. Happiness in Norway is often less about feeling constant joy and more about taking care of myself and others.

Persons: I'm, I've, Gabriella Mikiewicz, it'll, it's Organizations: Intercultural Relations, U.S ., fireside Locations: Norway, Europe, U.S, Oslo, Lofoten, Gabriella Mikiewicz Norway, Chicago, there's, it's, Loen, panicking, Rjukan

☆ Gershkovich advocates for Russian dissidents in first comments after arriving in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Aurora Almendral | Aurora Almendral Is A London-Based Editor With Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich chose to advocate for dissidents languishing in Russian prisons, in his first public comments on U.S. soil after he was freed as part of a prisoner exchange. “I just spent a month in prison in Yekaterinburg where basically everyone I was sat with is a political prisoner,” he added. Seven Russian citizens, including four who worked with the late opposition figure, Alexey Navalny, were among the the 24 people freed in Thursday’s major multinational prisoner exchange. On the dissidents he’d met behind bars Gershkovich said no one knew them publicly, but they had various political beliefs. President Joe Biden called the deal a “feat of diplomacy and friendship.” It was cut among seven nations, involving 24 people, including five Germans and seven Russian citizens held in Russia, and eight Russians imprisoned in the U.S., Germany, Slovenia, Norway and Poland.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, “, ” Gershkovich, Andrew Roth, ”, Alexey Navalny, he’d, Gershkovich, “ They’re, Paul Whelan, Joe Biden, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Biden, Whelan, ” “, ” Whelan, Putin, “ I’m Organizations: Guardian, Base Andrews, AP, Getty, Marine Locations: Russian, Maryland, Yekaterinburg, Russia, U.S, Germany, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Turkey, United States

☆ Freed prisoners return to U.S. from Russia and the race to define Kamala Harris: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Elizabeth Robinson | Elizabeth Robinson Is A Newsletter Editor For Nbc News | Based In Los Angeles. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +13 min

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva make an emotional return to the U.S. Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky add to their Olympic medal collections. Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesBiles won gold in the women’s all-around gymnastics final, reclaiming her 2016 title and becoming the first American to win the Olympic all-around gold medal more than once. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won silver, and American Suni Lee, who won the all-around gold medal three years ago in Tokyo, took home the bronze. Katie Ledecky made Olympic history when she won a silver medal in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay final on Thursday. The battle intensifies to define HarrisIt goes without saying that Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to de-facto Democratic presidential nominee has been unprecedented.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Sonya Massey, Biden, Harris, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Alsu Kurmasheva, Whelan, Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, “, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Antony Blinken’s, Sergei Lavrov, Suni Lee, Jamie Squire, Biles, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, Maddie Meyer, Peacock, Read, rance, wimmer, ▶️, ure, Ana l, J uly, dow, ros, Pres, ena, Gray, ood, Joh, edd, maki, abou, , in Organizations: U.S, Russia, Marine, Joint Base Andrews, Wall Street, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Paris, unt, pla, us. Locations: Maryland, Germany, U.S, Russia, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Radio Free Europe, Berlin, Paris, American, Tokyo, Belgium

☆ How Aleksei Navalny’s Death Restored Evan Gershkovich’s Life - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( M. Gessen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A few days ago, Russian political prisoners started vanishing from their prison colonies: Their lawyers would come to see them only to be told their clients were no longer there. The disappearance of an inmate is often bad news — it can mean a move to a more remote colony, illness or death. “A trade,” a prominent Russian in exile posted on his Facebook page, without bothering to explain the reference. “Definitely a trade,” posted a young Russian activist in exile, a day later. On Thursday, Russia released the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, along with 15 other inmates.

Persons: ”, “, Evan Gershkovich, Vadim Krasikov, Christo Grozev, Maria Pevchikh, Aleksei Navalny Organizations: Street Locations: Russian, Russia, Germany, United States, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Vienna, Los Angeles

☆ Joint Base Andrews: Three freed Americans back on US soil in Maryland after historic prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Elizabeth Whelan hugs her brother Paul Whelan at Joint Base Andrews following his release from a Russian prison. Alex Brandon/APPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk with family members of the returning Americans to greet them at Joint Base Andrews. Today, their agony is over,” said Biden, who hosted the families of Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva and Kara-Murza at the White House. Whelan, Gershkovich and Kurmasheva flew roughly 10 hours from Ankara, Turkey, on top of a three hour and 45 minute flight from Moscow to Ankara. This is typical protocol for wrongfully detained Americans who return home.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Whelan, Gershkovich, Harris, Biden, Kurmasheva, “, ”, ” Biden, Feedback Biden, CNN Whelan, Vladimir Kara, Murza, –, Vadim Krasikov, Elizabeth Whelan, Joint Base Andrews, Alex Brandon, Base Andrews, Brittney Griner Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Joint Base Andrews, Street Journal, US State Department, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Washington Post, Joint Base, Base, AP, White, National Security Council, State Department, Brooke Army Medical Center, Defense Department Locations: American, United States, Russia, Maryland, Moscow, Radio Free Europe, Germany, Poland, Norway, Slovenia, Gershkovich, Kara, Ankara, Turkey, San Antonio, PISA

☆ Egypt’s women’s beach volleyball team slams French hijab ban after Olympic match
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Members of the Egyptian women’s beach volleyball team have spoken out against France’s hijab ban for its athletes after competing in an Olympic beach volleyball match wearing modest clothing. Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy represented Egypt at the Paris Olympics, wearing hijabs, long black sleeved shirts and black ankle length leggings in a women’s beach volleyball match against Spain. Speaking to CNN’s Swedish affiliate Expressen Thursday, Abdelhady said that she “doesn’t like” the hijab ban for French athletes. “I want to play in my hijab, she wants to play in a bikini,” Expressen reported Elghobashy as saying. In January 2022, the French senate voted to ban the wearing of the hijab and other “ostensible religious symbols” in sports competitions.

Persons: Elghobashy, Abdelhady, “, ”, Amélie Oudéa, Castéra, Marwa, Doaa Elghobashy, Louisa Gouliamaki, Reuters Elghobashy, Olivia Breen Organizations: CNN, Paris, Spain, France, Paris Olympics, French Sports, Reuters, Olympics, International Volleyball Federation, CNN Sport, Double Paralympic, Championships, “ Locations: Egypt, Rio De Janeiro, Bulgaria

☆ Even Zoom's ex-CMO is tired of non-stop video meetings. Here's her take on how remote work needs to change.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It's emblematic of our flexible post-pandemic world, which has allowed remote working arrangements to thrive. Moving forward, the former Zoom CMO believes that developing in-person relationships and a strong company culture can support the effectiveness of remote work. Pelosi said online meetings are more structured than a coffee chat or desk-side discussions in the office. AdvertisementBecause the video meetings are transactional and set up for a specific purpose, they're dealt with swiftly. This could help drive company culture and strengthen relationships in a world overcrowded with online meetings.

Persons: —, Janine Pelosi, Pelosi, she's, it's Organizations: Service, Neat, Business, Zoom CMO, BI, Technology Locations: California, Oslo, Norway

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