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Three American citizens who had been detained in China for years have been released, Sky's US partner network NBC News reports.They are Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, a State Department spokesperson said. It comes after Politico earlier cited an unnamed US administration official as saying years-long attempts to free the trio had finally been successful, in exchange for unidentified Chinese citizens in US custody.The agreement reportedly came as part of sensitive negotiations which are yet to be announced. "We are pleased to announce the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention in the People's Republic of China," a State Department spokesperson said. "Soon they will return and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years."Th...

Marilyn Manson has agreed to drop a defamation lawsuit against his former fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, lawyers for both have said.The musician has also agreed to pay Wood's legal fees of almost $327,000 (about £260,000). In 2020, the Westworld actress publicly claimed the rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, sexually and physically abused her during their relationship. Image: The former couple confirmed their relationship in 2007, and split a few months after announcing their engagement in 2010. Pic: Henry McGee/MediaPunch /IPX/AP Manson, 55, filed a lawsuit in 2022, saying the claims were fabricated and had "derailed" his career. A Los Angeles County judge threw out several key sections of the suit the following year.Now,...

A former Manchester City football player is set to be Georgia's next president after the ruling party selected him as its candidate. Mikheil Kavelashvili, 53, who also played for Georgia's national team, is almost certain to be elected to the largely ceremonial position. The new president will be chosen by the 300-seat electoral college, which is largely controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party.Their success in last month's parliamentary election has been disputed by European election observers, who have described instances of bribery, double voting and physical violence.The victory sparked protests and led to the opposition boycotting parliament. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow.Mr Kavelashvili told reporters "radica...

Germany is drawing up a list of bunkers for a new app to help civilians find emergency shelter amid increasing tensions with Russia.Residents are also being encouraged to turn garages and basements into bomb shelters as part of a new review of suitable locations. Underground car parks, train stations and government buildings could also be converted - while a special app is being developed to help direct people to their nearest shelter during an emergency, according to the German interior ministry.A government spokesperson did not make any reference to the potential threat from Russia or other nations - and also did not reveal when the project would be ready.Bild newspaper, which first reported on the so-called "bunker plan", said officials were working on the project in response to the wor...

For the first time in more than a year, there is a peace of sorts on the Israel-Lebanon border, but there are still huge questions about whether it can hold and what it means more broadly for the region.The ceasefire is in its infancy as it came into effect at 4am local time. On the streets of Beirut, there was celebratory gunfire as the deal was welcomed - and there is reason for optimism that it will succeed.Over the last few months, Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah has been severely degraded.Latest updates from the Middle East Much of its arsenal has been destroyed and its leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, eliminated.Hezbollah had miscalculated it would be able to fight a limited war against Israel in solidarity with Hamas, the militant group ruling Gaza, without suffering major...

An Australian police officer who Tasered a 95-year-old great-grandmother in a care home has been found guilty of manslaughter.Kristian James Samuel White was found guilty of killing Clare Nowland, who had dementia and used a walking frame, by a jury in Sydney who deliberated for 20 hours before convicting the 34-year-old. Senior Constable White, who could face up to 25 years in prison after his conviction at the Supreme Court in New South Wales, used the weapon against her in May 2023 after she reportedly refused to put down a steak knife.Ms Nowland, a resident of Yallambee Lodge, a nursing home in the town of Cooma, fell backwards after being Tasered and died a week later in Cooma Hospital.Police said at the time that Ms Nowland sustained her fatal injuries from striking her head on the f...

The alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk framed the 2024 election and their bond has only deepened since.Musk has been a regular fixture at the president-elect's Florida mansion and the pair have introduced their families. He has been privy to phone conversations with world leaders, consulted with Trump on his cabinet picks and even hosted him at Space X for the launch of the Starship rocket.Musk will co-chair the new Department of Government Efficiency, charged with cutting government spending.But how might the entrepreneur's other views affect Trump policy? Image: Elon Musk secured the confidence of Donald Trump during his election campaign. Pic: Reuters The cause closest to Musk's heart is pronatalism, a pro-birt...

China has warned Donald Trump a new trade war "will leave no party unscathed" as the incoming US president's new tariff threats provoke an angry reaction.The response by the world's second-largest economy to Mr Trump's promise of additional 10% tariffs on all goods from China into the US, came via state media. "There are no winners in tariff wars. If the US continues to politicise economic and trade issues by weaponising tariffs, it will leave no party unscathed," the China Daily said in an editorial.Money latest: UK pension scheme slammed over Bitcoin investmentMr Trump announced late on Monday that he would also target neighbours Mexico and Canada. He pledged 25% tariffs on goods coming from both nations due to excessive migration.Mexico and China, however, are also in his sights for ano...

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has begun.Commencing at 2am UK time (4am local time) on Wednesday, the deal marks a notable step forward in diplomatic efforts in the region. Previously such talks had floundered and failed to produce results - until this week.Read more:Analysis: Dark clouds hang over Middle EastExplained: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefireThe deal, brokered by the US and France, was announced by President Joe Biden and will see an initial 60-day halt to the fighting that has claimed thousands of Lebanese lives and displaced over a million people. It will also allow tens of thousands of people both sides of the border to return home.Israel will gradually withdraw its forces from Lebanon as the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah leaves its positions in the region, and r...

Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire deal that will end more than a year of fighting.The deal was announced by US President Joe Biden, who said it is "designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities". Sky News takes a look at what the US-proposed deal involves, what happens if it's broken and what will come next.Middle East latest: Biden insists ceasefire deal will be 'permanent'When will the fighting stop? Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah will end at 4am local time (2am GMT) on Wednesday, Mr Biden said.It will bring an end to nearly 14 months of fighting which has seen more than 3,500 Lebanese killed and more than 15,000 injured.Israeli strikes into Lebanon have forced 1.2 million people to leave their homes, while Hezbollah attacks have driven som...