Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan are among the Americans released on Thursday in a prisoner swap between the U.S., Russia and other countries.

Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmashev, U.S. permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza and 12 German nationals held in Russia have also been released in exchange for eight Russian nationals who were being held in the U.S., Slovenia, Germany, Norway and Poland.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called the swap, one of the largest since the Cold War, “historic.” 

“It’s the culmination of many rounds of complex, painstaking negotiations over many, many months,” Sullivan said on a call with reporters Thursday morning…

Source: Biden Administration Negotiates Historic Prisoner Swap with Russia | Diane Ravitch’s blog

Source: Memes! I’ve Got Memes! | Filosofa’s Word

Source: Simone Biles wins gold, claiming Paris Olympics all-around title – Los Angeles Times

Believe it or not, Sean Hannity used an instrumental portion of this song as his show’s theme for many years. Hornsby, a liberal democrat, had vastly different political views, but there was nothing he could do about Hannity using the song as long as royalties were paid.

The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Source: ♫ The Way It Is ♫ | Filosofa’s Word

A love like this is rare and beautiful

The kind of love that makes your heart feel full

Your soul feels at peace

It’s a love that withstands the test of time conquers all obstacles

Remains unwavering in the face of adversity

A love like this is built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding

It grows stronger with each passing day

It’s the kind of love that inspires poetry, music, and art

Leaves an indelible mark on the world

A love like this is truly something to cherish and celebrate

I’m thankful that my love is matched and blessed that today makes 24

~Bella~

Source: And Today Makes 24 – Belladonna’s Flashlight

2023-08-01 02615-tod-019307 Juneberry

NIKON D7100 – ƒ/5.6 1/250 140mm ISO800 – Brooklyn Center, MN

Source: Sharpshot Nature .Com 02615-tod-019307 Juneberry

Source: FOTD 1st August 2024: Hibiscus | Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss

Source: Nasal COVID-19 vaccine halts Infection in animal study – UPI.com

Eddie Cotton on his farm in Hermanville, MS in 2021. He is among thousands of Black farmers who were denied federal loans in past years. Photograph: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy

The Biden administration has doled out more than $2bn in direct payments for Black and other minority farmers discriminated against by the US Department of Agriculture, the president announced Wednesday.

More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Another 20,000 who planned to start a farm but did not receive a USDA loan received between $3,500 and $6,000.

Most payments went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama.

USDA secretary, Tom Vilsack, told reporters that the aid “is not compensation for anyone’s loss or the pain endured, but it is an acknowledgment by the department”.

The Biden administration has doled out more than $2bn in direct payments for Black and other minority farmers discriminated against by the US Department of Agriculture, the president announced Wednesday.

More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Another 20,000 who planned to start a farm but did not receive a USDA loan received between $3,500 and $6,000.

Most payments went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama.

USDA secretary, Tom Vilsack, told reporters that the aid “is not compensation for anyone’s loss or the pain endured, but it is an acknowledgment by the department”.

The Biden administration has doled out more than $2bn in direct payments for Black and other minority farmers discriminated against by the US Department of Agriculture, the president announced Wednesday.

More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Another 20,000 who planned to start a farm but did not receive a USDA loan received between $3,500 and $6,000.

Most payments went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama.

USDA secretary, Tom Vilsack, told reporters that the aid “is not compensation for anyone’s loss or the pain endured, but it is an acknowledgment by the department”…

Source: US pays $2bn to Black and minority farmers after years of discrimination | US news | The Guardian

Source: The First Air Force One and One Man’s Quest to Save It – Atlas Obscura