Today's Liberal News

Prisoner Swap with Russia “Offers a Possible Pathway” to Peace in Ukraine, Says Katrina vanden Heuvel

We speak with The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel about the prisoner swap between Russia, the United States and several other countries on Thursday that saw the release of 24 people, with 16 prisoners in Russia traded for eight Russian nationals held in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere. It was the biggest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West since the Cold War era. Among those released are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S.

Picking Shapiro as VP Would Remind Voters Kamala Harris Is Liberal, Not Progressive: Marc Lamont Hill

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is reportedly at the top of the list of potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. But many progressives have raised alarm about Shapiro’s record, including his support for corporate tax breaks and school vouchers, his relationship with oil and gas companies, and his demonization of pro-Palestinian protesters.

“Simply Lying”: Marc Lamont Hill Slams Trump’s NABJ Interview, Attacks on VP Harris’s Racial Identity

We speak with journalist Marc Lamont Hill amid Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on the racial identity of Vice President Kamala Harris. The Republican presidential nominee was interviewed this week at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, where he claimed Harris “happened to turn Black” for political expediency, even though she has always been open about her Jamaican and Indian American parents and identifies as both Black and South Asian.

Money War: How the U.S. Unleashed Economic Warfare Across the Globe, from Venezuela to Iran

We look at a new Washington Post investigation titled “Money War” that traces the effects of U.S. sanctions under the last four presidents: Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden. According to the report, the U.S government has instituted, in some form or another, sanctions against a third of all other countries around the world, despite no clear evidence that they are effective in influencing target nations’ politics, and in fact may often entrench the power of ruling parties.

Olympics Photo of the Day: Catching a Fall

Amanda Perobelli / Reuters
At the start of the women’s artistic-gymnastics uneven-bars final, the 16-year-old gymnast Zhang Yihan of Team China fell during her performance. Unable to fully grasp the high bar during a tricky move, she dropped face-down toward the mats. A coach, who had been standing close for just such a possibility, reached out quickly and was able to help slow her fall. She recovered quickly and finished the routine.

Maybe BMI Report Cards Weren’t the Best Idea

This article was originally published by Undark Magazine.
Among Lexie Manion’s memories of her junior year of high school in New Jersey was the experience of being regularly hassled by a school nurse who was trying to weigh her.
The nurse, Manion recalled, was trying to get Manion’s weight on file—a common practice at schools across the United States, which aim to use the data to improve student health. But for Manion, who had an eating disorder, the experience was deeply distressing.

The Worst Feature Apple Ever Made

One Saturday last month, I had a perfect day. I woke early, drove up the California coastline, and surfed for a couple of hours with friends. Then I met up with another friend nearby, went kayaking, and ate a late lunch. After that—sun-worn and salty—I drove home, washed off my gear, walked the dog, and ate pizza on my couch.
A big part of what made the day so perfect was all the time spent outside—away from work deadlines, chores, and screens.

Six Acclaimed Movies With Short Runtimes

This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.
Welcome back to The Daily’s Sunday culture edition.
In an age when many films drag on for more than two hours, some viewers are left pining for the days of shorter runtimes.

Prisoner Swap with Russia “Offers a Possible Pathway” to Peace in Ukraine, Says Katrina vanden Heuvel

We speak with The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel about the prisoner swap between Russia, the United States and several other countries on Thursday that saw the release of 24 people, with 16 prisoners in Russia traded for eight Russian nationals held in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere. It was the biggest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West since the Cold War era. Among those released are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S.

Picking Shapiro as VP Would Remind Voters Kamala Harris Is Liberal, Not Progressive: Marc Lamont Hill

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is reportedly at the top of the list of potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. But many progressives have raised alarm about Shapiro’s record, including his support for corporate tax breaks and school vouchers, his relationship with oil and gas companies, and his demonization of pro-Palestinian protesters.

“Simply Lying”: Marc Lamont Hill Slams Trump’s NABJ Interview, Attacks on VP Harris’s Racial Identity

We speak with journalist Marc Lamont Hill amid Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on the racial identity of Vice President Kamala Harris. The Republican presidential nominee was interviewed this week at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, where he claimed Harris “happened to turn Black” for political expediency, even though she has always been open about her Jamaican and Indian American parents and identifies as both Black and South Asian.

Money War: How the U.S. Unleashed Economic Warfare Across the Globe, from Venezuela to Iran

We look at a new Washington Post investigation titled “Money War” that traces the effects of U.S. sanctions under the last four presidents: Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden. According to the report, the U.S government has instituted, in some form or another, sanctions against a third of all other countries around the world, despite no clear evidence that they are effective in influencing target nations’ politics, and in fact may often entrench the power of ruling parties.

Olympics Photo of the Day: A Winner’s Circle

Jack Guez / AFP / Getty
The Olympic judo mixed-team final between France and Japan had come down to a tie, 3–3, at the end of the regulation bouts, when the random spin of a wheel was used to decide which gender and weight class would face each other in a tie-breaker: “men’s +90kg.” France’s Teddy Riner faced off against Japan’s Tatsuru Saito, with Riner winning the bout—and a team gold medal—before a wildly cheering home crowd.

The Value of Alliances in Washington

Editor’s Note: Washington Week With The Atlantic is a partnership between NewsHour Productions, WETA, and The Atlantic airing every Friday on PBS stations nationwide. Check your local listings or watch full episodes here.
As speculation over whom Kamala Harris will name as her running mate continues, Donald Trump is under fire this week for his controversial remarks to the National Association of Black Journalists about the vice president’s race.