A historic prisoner swap between Russia and the West has brought 8 Russians home, including a couple convicted of spying in Slovenia and their two children. President Vladimir Putin personally greeted the returnees at Moscow's airport. The exchange freed 24 prisoners held in six countries, with 16 from the West and 8 from Russia. The swap marks a rare diplomatic breakthrough between Russia and Western nations. The returned prisoners were met with applause and flowers as they stepped off the plane, reunited with their families after years apart.

A recent Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump in four battleground states: Arizona (49%-47%), Michigan (53%-42%), Nevada (47%-45%), and Wisconsin (49%-47%). Trump leads in North Carolina (48%-46%) and Pennsylvania (50%-46%), while the two are tied in Georgia (47%-47%). The poll was conducted after Harris announced her 2024 presidential bid, during which she has gained support among Democrats. The results indicate a close contest between the two candidates in key swing states, with Harris holding a slight edge in several crucial areas.

Three Americans - Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan - have returned to the US after being released from Russian prisons in a prisoner exchange deal. The deal involved the release of 24 people and was negotiated with Russia and other countries over a year. The Americans landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where they were greeted by President Joe Biden. This exchange marks the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, with 13 other Western detainees released to Germany. The exchange was finalized after over a year of secret negotiations.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia as part of a significant prisoner swap with the US. Both men were jailed on espionage charges that they and the US deny. They are currently en route to destinations outside of Russia. The US and its allies will reciprocate by returning prisoners held under the deal. Details of the exchange remain undisclosed. The US has been negotiating their release for years, with the State Department designating them as wrongly detained.

Israel has confirmed that Mohammed Deif, Hamas's military chief, was killed in an airstrike on July 13 in Gaza. Deif was responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This comes after Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran on July 31. Israel Defence Forces carried out the airstrike, targeting a compound in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Deif's death marks a significant blow to Hamas's leadership. The Israeli military has confirmed his elimination, ending speculation about his fate.

A 17-year-old boy from Lancashire has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon after a deadly stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Three girls, aged 6, 7, and 9, were killed, and 10 others, including two adults, were seriously injured. The suspect, who was arrested on Monday, will appear in Liverpool City Magistrates' Court today. The motive behind the attack is still unclear. Merseyside Police are continuing their investigation. The victims have been named as Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Aguiar. The community is in shock following the tragic incident.

Violent protests erupted in London and Hartlepool, resulting in over 100 arrests outside Downing Street and eight in Hartlepool. The unrest follows Monday's knife attack in Southport, with false reports circulating about the suspect's asylum seeker status. In Hartlepool, police were attacked and a police car was set alight. A criminal investigation is underway, with further arrests expected. The Southport attack suspect is due in court today. Authorities are working to restore order and counter misinformation fueling the violence. The incidents highlight concerns about the spread of false information and its consequences.

Vice President Kamala Harris has eliminated former President Donald Trump’s lead in the 2024 presidential race, with both candidates now tied, according to new polls. Harris, now the de facto Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden's withdrawal, has closed the gap nationwide and in key battleground states. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Harris leading Trump in Michigan by 11 points and by two points in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada. Trump holds a four-point lead in Pennsylvania and a two-point lead in North Carolina, while the two are tied in Georgia. These developments indicate a highly competitive race ahead.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a 'Direct Attack' on Israel in response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Following Haniyeh's assassination, Iran convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council, where Khamenei issued the attack order. Such meetings are rare and indicate the seriousness of the situation. Earlier in April, a similar meeting was held after an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed two top Iranian commanders. Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Israel has sent messages through diplomatic channels warning it is prepared for full-scale war if Iran or its proxies attack.

Iran has threatened severe retaliation against Israel for the alleged assassination of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at involvement, stating that his country had delivered "crushing blows" to its enemies, including a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. The UN Secretary-General warned against a "dangerous escalation" of hostilities, as the UN Security Council convened to discuss the situation. Iran's threat comes amid growing fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, with Netanyahu cautioning Israelis of "challenging days ahead" and vowing to stand united against any threat.