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Some of those freed in US-Russia prisoner swap: (L-R, top to bottom) US journalist Evan Gershkovich; Paul Whelan, a former US Marine; Alsu Kurmasheva, a US-Russian journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Photo: AFP By Andrew Osborn, Filipp Lebedev and Lucy Papachristou Jailed US Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-US Marine Paul Whelan were among two dozen detainees from the United States, Russia and a number of their allies freed on Thursday in the biggest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. The White House said the US had negotiated the complex trade with Russia and other countries. It said eight prisoners held in the West were being sent back to Russia. Germany confirmed that they included Vadim Krasikov,...

From 15 August Korean Air will stop serving instant noodles to economy passengers. Photo: NongShim/Amazon By Annabelle Liang, BBC News If you're taking a flight on Korean Air, you might soon notice something missing from your menu - a cup of instant noodles. From 15 August onwards, the carrier will stop serving the noodles to economy class passengers. It said the increased risk of turbulence, narrow aisles and passengers sitting closely together could mean "burn incidents occur frequently". Business and first class fliers, however, will continue to enjoy the treat. The snack has long been a passenger favourite and something the carrier is widely known for. Many praise the fact that it is available for free on request. In a statement, the carrier said that since 2019 the number of times ...

By Rebecca Armitage, Toby Mann and Basel Hindeleh, ABC News Iranian mourners are holding portraits of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a funeral ceremony for him and his bodyguard Abu Shaaban in Tehran, Iran, on August 1, 2024. Photo: Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto via AFP Iran says it has a "duty" to avenge the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed during a visit to Tehran this week. Describing Haniyeh as a "dear guest", the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has placed the blame for Wednesday's assassination squarely on Israel. "Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge," his account wrote on X. While Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied th...

By Manon Cruz and Kylie MacLellan, Reuters Handout pictures released by Merseyside Police in London on 30 July, 2024, of nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar (left), seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and six-year-old Bebe King. Photo: AFP PHOTO / Merseyside Police A 17-year-old boy has appeared in an English court on Thursday (local time) charged with the murder of three young girls in a knife attack at a summer dance class that has shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests. Axel Rudakubana first appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court over Monday's incident at a "Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop" summer vacation event for children in the seaside town of Southport. He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one of possession ...

In this image released by the US Government, US journalist Evan Gershkovich (L), former US Marine Paul Whelan (2R) and US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva (R) are seen on a plane after their release from Russia on August 1, 2024. Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva and Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza were part of a 24-prisoner swap with Russia. Photo: HANDOUT / US Government / AFP A plane carrying detainees released by Russia has landed in the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, media footage showed. Earlier, tears of joy flowed in the Oval Office the moment families of prisoners such as Evan Gershkovich, freed by Russia in the biggest such swap since the Cold War, first spoke by phone to their loved ones, a White House video showed on Thursday. Happening Now: ...