“Their Brutal Ordeal is Over”

Behind the scenes of the prisoner swap. August 2, 2024 Good morning. Today we’ve got: - [The details of the historic prisoner exchange with Russia]( - [An inside look at the Trump trial](, from the courtroom sketch artist who covered it - Highlights from the Olympics — and [my favorite memories from covering the Games]( - [A derm’s advice for crepey neck skin](, plus [a deal on our favorite firming device]( Away we go…   In the News [US journalist Evan Gershkovich]( Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. (Getty Images) “Their Brutal Ordeal is Over” With help from its allies, the U.S. just completed its biggest prisoner swap with Russia since the end of the Cold War. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were among those who were released. “Their brutal ordeal is over, and they are free,” President Biden said from the White House. “It’s an incredible relief.” Thursday’s historic exchange was a result of complex, behind-the-scenes negotiations with several countries, including Germany. So, here’s a closer look at [who was released and what went down](. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Frussia-us-prisoner-swap-who-was-released%2F   More Stories [Donna Massey wipes away tears next to cardboard sign showing where the officer's bullet hit her daughter]( Donna Massey, Sonya's mother, at a press conference in Chicago. (Getty Images) The day before 36-year-old Sonya Massey was fatally shot by police inside her home, her mother called 911 to ask for help — and said that her daughter was vulnerable due to her mental state. “I don’t want you guys to hurt her, please," she said. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a bomb planted in his residence about two months ago, per new reports. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched dozens of rockets at northern Israel as fears grow of a wider Middle Eastern war. The U.S. has declared opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won the Venezuelan presidential election, rejecting President Nicolas Maduro's "undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power.” A day after saying Kamala Harris decided to become "a Black person," Trump posted a photo of her in a sari on Truth Social, and highlighted posts from Laura Loomer, who's spread false accusations about Harris's heritage. Meanwhile, GOP VP candidate JD Vance described Trump's comments as "totally reasonable."   Going for Gold [Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee]( Getty Images She's done it! Simone Biles won gold in the all-around competition, becoming the oldest champion in the event since 1952 and only the third woman to win the title twice. Her teammate, Suni Lee, took the bronze, a remarkable feat considering that kidney diseases had sidelined her from the sport less than two years ago. After setting an Olympic record in the 1500m earlier this week, Katie Ledecky helped Team USA win silver in the 4x200m relay. She now has a record 13 women's swimming medals — and is the most decorated U.S. female Olympian of all time. And then there's Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish athlete the internet just can't get enough of. The 51-year-old went viral for winning silver in the mixed air pistol event with practically no gear. The athletes competing in Paris join a long line of inspiring and unforgettable Olympians — including [these superstars who made a personal impression on me]( when I covered the Games myself.   Must-Reads [Jane Rosenberg posing with her sketch of Tom Brady]( Between the Lines Fresh off the Trump trial, courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg dished on drawing this century's most famous legal battles. [Read More »]( [Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea at Vanity Fair oscars party]( Opening Up Chrissy Teigen revealed her son has Type 1 diabetes. Usher, who also has a child with T1d, talked to us about how his family manages it. [Read More »]( [Close-up of a woman's neck. she has short cropped silver hair.]( Thicker Skin Has your décolletage gotten crepey? We asked a derm why your neck is often the first to show signs of aging, and what to do about it. [Read More »](   Dig In! [CocoaVia protein bar and jar of product]( KCM Snacking doesn't get much easier than the recipe for [these cocoa flavanol rich protein bars](. They require zero oven time, and they're packed with flavanols that are clinically proven to promote a strong cardiovascular system. [SEE MORE]( [Sponsored by CocoaVia](   Skin Deep [Neuface toning device, LaMer cream, Jo Malone perfumes]( Nordstrom / KCM Psst! We've got a few hot beauty tips we couldn't help but share. Unbeatable deals: Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is a treasure trove of beauty bargains. From addressing skin concerns with [NuFace's high-tech firming device]( or [La Mer's luxurious creams]( to upping your fragrance game with [Jo Malone perfumes](, you're sure to find what you're looking for. Soft launch: Wake-Up Call readers love Soft Services, and [their smoothing set]( has everything you need to buff and hydrate until you're nice and silky. It even works on keratosis pilaris and strawberry skin.   [Body and Soul by Katie Couric Media](   One More Thing The U.S. Open is just around the corner, and we already have details about the fantastic food that'll be on hand — and the celebrity chefs who'll be cooking it up! Alex Guarnaschelli, Masaharu Morimoto, and Kwame Onwuachi are just a few of the big names on the list, and you can get a taste of their work at the very special Flavors of the Open event, scheduled for Aug. 22. [Get your tickets right here](.   Want to stay connected? Subscribe right here: 💪 Wake up well: [Body and Soul]( 🍴 See what's cooking: [Good Taste]( 🌎 Explore the planet: [Ripple Effect]( 🛒 Bargain-hunt: [The Shop Edit]( 👔 Clock in: [Wake-Up Call at Work](   Have questions or comments? Drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. 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