Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, swapping 157 soldiers and civilians, while peace talks concluded without a breakthrough, according to BBC World. The exchange, which included 157 Ukrainian individuals and 157 Russian soldiers, was the first of its kind in four months and followed two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
The talks involved Russian, Ukrainian, and US teams, with disagreements reportedly centered on territorial concessions and security guarantees for Ukraine. Many of the exchanged Ukrainians had been held in captivity since 2022, Kyiv stated.
In other news, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for believing Lord Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as the UK's ambassador to the US, reported BBC World. Starmer acknowledged public knowledge of Mandelson's acquaintance with Epstein but stated, "None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called Starmer's position "untenable," while the Liberal Democrats called for further action.
Also, Lebanon accused Israel of spraying southern villages with a concentrated herbicide, according to BBC World. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance was glyphosate, with concentrations in some samples "between 20 and 30 times the levels usually accepted," the agriculture and environment ministries said. President Joseph Aoun condemned the spraying as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Norwegian police opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein, reported BBC World. Jagland's lawyer promised his client's full cooperation with the investigation. Police have asked the country's foreign ministry to lift his immunity.
Finally, the UK's £8bn research fund faces "hard decisions" as it pauses new grants, according to BBC Technology. Ian Chapman, the boss of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), warned the organization faces difficult choices on funding future projects. The government instructed the organization to "focus and do fewer things better," which Chapman said "will result in negative outcomes for some." The changes represent a major reorganisation of how Britain's scientific research and innovation is prioritized and funded.
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