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Complex negotiations spanning over months finally led to a 24-person prisoner swap, one of the largest since the end of the Cold War — among the U.S., Russia, Germany and three other Western countries, on Thursday.

The Biden administration on Thursday announced it had secured the release of three American prisoners in Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. 
 
Gershkovich, Whelan and&nbsp;Kurmasheva, imprisoned by the Kremlin, were exchanged for Russians, including a convicted murderer, held in the US and Europe. In all, eight Russians were released in the swap deal, among which three were&nbsp;being held in U.S. prisons: Vadim Konoshchenok, Vladislav Klyushin and Roman Seleznyov.

Two Russians held in Slovenia, one in Poland and another in Norway are also headed home. They all were known to have suspected ties to Russian intelligence.

The prisoner exchange&nbsp;is said to have taken place on Thursday on a tarmac in Ankara, Turkey.

During a White House briefing with the families of the US citizens incarcerated in Russia, President Joe Biden shared that they had spoken with the recently freed prisoners via phone, that they have left Russia and are heading to the US. He expressed his gratitude to the allies involved in the challenging negotiations.

Watch |&nbsp;Haniyeh Assassination: How did the attack on Hamas leader Haniyeh take place?

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"Now, their brutal ordeal is over," Biden announced. “Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They’re out of Russia,” Biden said.

“The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship,” he said, adding, “Today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world.”

“Our alliances make our people safer,” he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-prisoner-swaps-between-russia-and-the-us-in-recent-decades-746357">Timeline: Prisoner swaps between Russia and the US in recent decades</a>

In his speech, Joe Biden stopped to lead everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to 13-year-old Miriam, the daughter of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was freed as part of the exchange.

"Now, she gets to celebrate with her mom. That’s what this is all about, families able to be together again, but they should have been all along," said Biden.&nbsp;

"Thank you again to everyone who did their part. In just a few hours, welcome home, our fellow Americans. We’re looking forward to that, God willing, Thank you. And it’s a good day," Biden added.

The deal is a significant for the Biden administration, which has secured the release of more than 60 hostages or wrongful detainees from around the world over the past three years.

Whelan, who is the longest-held American detainee in Russia, was arrested in December 2018 when he traveled to the country to attend a friend's wedding. He was also charged with espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020.&nbsp;

Gershkovich, 32, was accused of espionage and kept behind bars for more than a year before a three-day trial after which a judge ordered him sent to a penal colony for 16 years. 
 
Kurmasheva, a journalist based in Prague&nbsp;who holds dual Russian and American citizenship, was detained&nbsp;in June 2023, after visiting her mother in May. Russian authorities charged her with disseminating false information about Russia's military.

(With inputs from agencies)

Complex negotiations spanning over months finally led to a 24-person prisoner swap, one of the largest since the end of the Cold War — among the U.S., Russia, Germany and three other Western countries, on Thursday.

Complex negotiations spanning over months finally led to a 24-person prisoner swap, one of the largest since the end of the Cold War — among the U.S., Russia, Germany and three other Western countries, on Thursday. The Biden administration on Thursday announced it had secured the release of three American prisoners in Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva, imprisoned by the Kremlin, were exchanged for Russians, including a convicted murderer, held in the US and Europe. In all, eight Russians were released in the swap deal, among which three were being held in U.S. prisons: Vadim Konoshchenok, Vladislav Klyushin and Roman Seleznyov. Two Russians held in Slovenia, one in Poland and another in Norway are also headed home. They all were known to have suspected ties to Russian intelligence. The prisoner exchange is said to have taken place on Thursday on a tarmac in Ankara, Turkey. During a White House briefing with the families of the US citizens incarcerated in Russia, President Joe Biden shared that they had spoken with the recently freed prisoners via phone, that they have left Russia and are heading to the US. He expressed his gratitude to the allies involved in the challenging negotiations. Watch | Haniyeh Assassination: How did the attack on Hamas leader Haniyeh take place? × "Now, their brutal ordeal is over," Biden announced. “Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They’re out of Russia,” Biden said. “The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship,” he said, adding, “Today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world.” “Our alliances make our people safer,” he said. Also read: Timeline: Prisoner swaps between Russia and the US in recent decades In his speech, Joe Biden stopped to lead everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to 13-year-old Miriam, the daughter of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was freed as part of the exchange. "Now, she gets to celebrate with her mom. That’s what this is all about, families able to be together again, but they should have been all along," said Biden. "Thank you again to everyone who did their part. In just a few hours, welcome home, our fellow Americans. We’re looking forward to that, God willing, Thank you. And it’s a good day," Biden added. The deal is a significant for the Biden administration, which has secured the release of more than 60 hostages or wrongful detainees from around the world over the past three years. Whelan, who is the longest-held American detainee in Russia, was arrested in December 2018 when he traveled to the country to attend a friend's wedding. He was also charged with espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020. Gershkovich, 32, was accused of espionage and kept behind bars for more than a year before a three-day trial after which a judge ordered him sent to a penal colony for 16 years. Kurmasheva, a journalist based in Prague who holds dual Russian and American citizenship, was detained in June 2023, after visiting her mother in May. Russian authorities charged her with disseminating false information about Russia's military. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden hails release of Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva from Russia: ‘Brutal ordeal is over’

Reports suggest that indian tech giant Infosys is facing a massive tax demand of approximately $4 billion from the country’s tax authority. The demand stems from services received by infosys from its overseas branches between 2017 and 2022. The company has refused any tax fraud claims.

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#Gravitas | Several Gulf countries, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, have warned Islamabad about Pakistani nationals' inappropriate and problematic behaviour overseas. From poor work ethics to rising criminal activity, these countries have raised serious reservations about opening the door to nationals from Pakistan.

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#Gravitas | Is china preparing to invade Taiwan in 2027? This question stems from a series of strategic moves and statements from Chinese President Xi Jinping which suggest a significant shift in china’s military posture and capabilities.

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#Gravitas | In what could come as a significant development, the Supreme Court of India called for states to identify the creamy layer among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/STs) to take them out of the fold of reservation.

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#Gravitas | In an emergency meeting of Iran's supreme national security council on Wednesday, the supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued orders for an attack on Israel. What remains unclear is how forcefully Iran will respond. Where and how will Iran hit Israel?

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The political gridlock in France persists and Paris is hosting the Olympics. Still, in the middle of all of this, the French President is being scrutinized for allegedly taking a summer break. Watch in for more details!

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Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, reported Bloomberg&nbsp;citing people familiar with the situation.&nbsp;In other news, Swapnil Kusale won his maiden bronze medal in the final of the Men’s 50m air rifle 3 position event. Swapnil finished with a score of 451.4, behind second-positioned Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine (461.3) and gold medallist Yukun Liu (463.6).&nbsp;

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Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, Bloomberg reported while citing people familiar with the situation.&nbsp;

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History was made for India at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, as shooter Swapnil Kusale won his maiden bronze medal in the final of the Men’s 50m air rifle 3 position event. Swapnil finished with a score of 451.4, behind second-positioned Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine (461.3) and gold medallist Yukun Liu (463.6). Swapnil’s bronze is the third medal for India in this edition of the Summer Games, with all coming in the Shooting discipline.

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Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of Hamas, was assassinated using an explosive device that was smuggled into the guesthouse he was staying at in Tehran, Iran, according to a report in the&nbsp;New York Times.&nbsp;

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The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday (Aug 1) that&nbsp;Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza last month. The confirmation comes a day after the terror organisation's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh&nbsp;was assassinated in Tehran.&nbsp;

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Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, reported Bloomberg citing people familiar with the situation.

Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, reported Bloomberg citing people familiar with the situation. In other news, Swapnil Kusale won his maiden bronze medal in the final of the Men’s 50m air rifle 3 position event. Swapnil finished with a score of 451.4, behind second-positioned Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine (461.3) and gold medallist Yukun Liu (463.6). Click on the headlines to read more Russia frees US journalist Gershkovich in biggest prisoner swap since Cold War Russia on Thursday (August 1) released incarcerated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan as part of a major prisoner swap with the United States, Bloomberg reported while citing people familiar with the situation. Paris Olympics 2024: Swapnil Kusale wins bronze in 50m Rifle 3 Position event History was made for India at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, as shooter Swapnil Kusale won his maiden bronze medal in the final of the Men’s 50m air rifle 3 position event. Swapnil finished with a score of 451.4, behind second-positioned Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine (461.3) and gold medallist Yukun Liu (463.6). Swapnil’s bronze is the third medal for India in this edition of the Summer Games, with all coming in the Shooting discipline. India asks its citizens to leave Lebanon amid deep West Asia turmoil The Indian embassy in Lebanon's capital Beirut asked all nationals to leave the country in the wake of raging turmoil in West Asia days after Israel targeted a site in Beirut to kill a Hezbollah operative. Hamas chief Haniyeh was killed by bomb hidden 2 months ago in guesthouse Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of Hamas, was assassinated using an explosive device that was smuggled into the guesthouse he was staying at in Tehran, Iran, according to a report in the New York Times. India offers $300mn loan to Vietnam during PM Pham Minh Chinh's Delhi visit The Indian government on Thursday (Aug 1) offered a $300 million loan to build up Vietnam's maritime security to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Israel confirms Hamas military leader Deif’s death in airstrike, day after Haniyeh's assassination The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday (Aug 1) that Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza last month. The confirmation comes a day after the terror organisation's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran. India: 4 dead, 200 pilgrims stranded as cloudburst hits Kedarnath route Amid heavy rain in Uttarakhand on Wednesday (July 31), four people, including two children, were killed and several others were injured. Nearly 200 pilgrims on the Kedarnath Yatra route were also stranded. Macron slammed for holidaying during Olympics as city workers do overtime Emmanuel Macron has come under scrutiny after the French president jetted off for a holiday as the Olympics are underway in Paris. Macron taking a hiatus comes at a time when police leaves have been cancelled, accident and emergency doctors are on stand-by and municipal workers are putting in overtime to keep the city running for the biggest sporting event. LIVE | Paris Olympics 2024 Day 6: PV Sindhu in action at 10 PM IST Catch all the live updates from India's sixth day at the Paris Games with a chance for the Indian contingent to add to their medal tally. Why it is a good idea to end Squid Game after third season Squid Game, the Korean show that had gripped the whole world back in 2021, will be ending after the third season. On Thursday, Netflix revealed the trailer of the highly anticipated second season heightening everyone's excitement levels.

Top 10 world news: Russia frees US journalist Gershkovich; Indian shooter Kusale wins Olympic bronze; and more

In a sign of major escalation in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered a direct assault on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, according to three officials briefed on the order. Watch in for more details!

Iran vows revenge on Israel after Hamas leader assassinated in Tehran; Israel warns of heavy price

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