Key Headlines of July 29 - August 4, 2024

However you get your news, here are a few stories that stood out in local, state, federal and international news.

Largest Prison Swap Since the Cold War Occurs Between Russia and the West

• Russia and Belarus released 16 detainees while the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and Norway collectively released 8 detainees and 2 minors.

• The two minors were children of Russian sleeper agents, who did not know they were Russian until they were on the plane to Moscow.

• American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan were released by Russia. They were both arrested on spying charges. Both Gershkovich and Whelan, along with the United States, deny these allegations.

• Russia received scammers, launderers and spies back to their homeland, including Vadim Krasikov, a former high-ranking Federal Security Service (FSB) colonel. The FSB is Russia’s counterintelligence service.

Hamas Leader Dies

• “Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed with a ‘short-range projectile’ fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran,” the capital of Iran. 

• Further reporting claims Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed by an explosive placed underneath Haniyeh’s bed.

• Haniyeh “had been visiting Iran for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian.”

• One of Hezbollah’s top commanders, Fuad Shukr, was killed in an Israeli strike last Tuesday.

• Israel had claimed the killing of military commander of Hamas in mid-July as well, through a strike in a humanitarian zone that also killed 90 Palestinians. 

• Israel has not claimed responsibility for the latest Hamas death.

Disney Workers Negotiate Higher Pay at the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’

• A coalition of 4 unions representing 14,000 Disney Workers successfully negotiated an “increase in [Disneyland] minimum wage from a previous $19.90 to a final $26 after three years… The new contract grants most of that hike straight away, boosting the wage to $24 immediately.”

• “The contract also provides more flexible attendance and sick-leave policies.”

• “People with 10 years of service get a $0.50 hourly increase, rising to $2 for 20 years of service.”

• Talks began in April, and “in July, a federal mediator joined the union at the negotiating table.”

• “99% of unionized park workers voted to authorize a strike. The last Disneyland strikes were in 1984, where around 2,000 workers walked out for 22 days.”

Olympic Highlights

• The United States currently holds 71 medals, including 19 gold, leading the world. China holds 45 medals, 19 gold.

• The women’s rugby team gave the United States our first-ever Olympic medal in Rugby Sevens.

• Noah Lyles won gold in the Men’s 100M, becoming the fastest man in the world.

• Kristen Faulkner snatches gold in the women’s cycling road race, the United States’ first medal in the event in 40 years.

• “Faulkner, 31, was not supposed to compete at the 2024 Paris Games but was called up to Team USA in early July after [a spot opened up due to resignation]. It was an exciting moment for the woman who had only begun cycling in 2017 on hobby rides through Central Park in New York City.”

• Faulkner “quit her full-time job to race professionally after winning her first pro race in 2020.”

Great Lakes Truckers Unionize

• “Three truck drivers for Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) have formed a union with the local Teamsters chapter [in a 3-0 vote]… the union is among the first in Ohio's craft beer industry.”

• The vote to join the Teamsters Local 293 was on July 11. The National Labor Relations Board certified the results last week.