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After more than a century, people are swimming in the River Seine. The killing of a top Hamas official has intensified fears about a widening regional war. And a much-anticipated interest rate cut could be on the horizon. |
👋Hey, y'all! Laura Davis here, and Wednesday's news is ready for you. |
But first: Long bottom? No thanks. 🙅♀️ Why Lululemon pulled its new leggings off the shelves. |
Splish, splash, she was off like a flash. Katie Ledecky, the greatest female swimmer in history, won Olympic gold again Wednesday in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Ledecky took command early and never was threatened, winning in an Olympic record 15:30.02. It is her first gold medal of these Games to go along with a bronze she won Saturday in the 400 freestyle. Ledecky, 27, is undefeated in the 1,500 in her professional career. 🥇 A look at her Olympic dominance. | Katie Ledecky, after her 1,500-meter freestyle gold medal, now has 12 total Olympic medals - tied for most in women's swimming. Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports |
Yep, they swam in the Seine: After 100 years of dreaming that Paris' River Seine could be sanitary enough for humans to swim in and an investment of 1.4 billion euros to make it possible, it has finally happened. After days of uncertainty about bacteria levels, Olympic triathletes finally got the go-ahead Wednesday morning and plunged into the river under a sprinkle of rain. France's Cassandre Beaugrand made a late surge to win gold, finishing the circuit in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 55 seconds. More from today's Games. | For more news from the Paris Games, follow @usatodaysports for on-the-ground updates. USA TODAY |
Trump says Harris 'happened to turn Black' |
In a controversial and combative appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual conference, Donald Trump on Wednesday took swipes at Vice President Kamala Harris's racial identity. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," the former president said. Throughout the panel, Trump repeatedly attacked the press over the questions he was asked. He was also met with loud gasps from the room when he said he was unfamiliar with the details of the shooting of Sonya Massey, which sparked national outrage. 👉 Everything that happened. | Donald Trump speaks on a panel of the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, July 31, 2024. Vincent Alban, REUTERS |
Fed's rate cut coming soon? |
The Federal Reserve's long-awaited interest rate cut – a move that's likely to juice the U.S. economy and stock market – may be just weeks away. The Fed held its key interest rate steady again Wednesday but signaled it could start lowering it as soon as mid-September amid easing inflation and a cooling job market. A report Wednesday morning provided the latest evidence that wage growth is slowing, bolstering the case for rate cuts. 📊 What it means for you. |
Hamas leader killed in Iran |
A top political leader for Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed Wednesday in an apparent assassination at his residence in Tehran – an attack that is now drawing reprisal pledges from the militant group and Iran and fueling deeper concern that Israel's war in Gaza could rapidly expand across the Middle East. Hamas and Iran immediately blamed Israel, which has pledged to take down Hamas leaders responsible for the Oct. 7 attack that left almost 1,200 people dead and about 250 taken hostage. 👉 See the latest. | | | | Florida limits absentee drop boxes, making voting harder for elderly and disabled voters. Many other states have also recently restricted drop boxes | | | |  | Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on "The Bachelor," has died after a battle with leukemia. | | | | The National Hurricane Center is continuing to track a tropical wave in the Atlantic that could develop into Tropical Storm Debby. | | | | Kathie Lee Gifford, the author and "Today" alum, was hospitalized with a fractured pelvis after a fall amid hip replacement surgery recovery. | | | | Christopher Dunn was halted from leaving prison last week after convictions were overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court. He was released Tuesday. | | | | Former ballerina, Ashley Benefield, was found guilty of manslaughter Tuesday in the killing on her estranged husband, Doug Benefield. | | | | Houston police said the 2-year-old girl was attacked inside a home by 3 Rottweilers where she was being babysat. | | | | Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette said he is "frustrated" and "embarrassed" by the former deputy's actions in the fatal Sonya Massey shooting. | | | | It wasn't a matter of if the attacks on Kamala Harris would turn sexist, but when, experts say. But these comments impact young girls – and boys, too. | | | | Francine Pascal, author of the best-selling "Sweet Valley High" books, died Sunday in Manhattan. She was 92. | | | | | Brighten your day with one of our games. | | | | | |
