Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, swapping 157 soldiers and civilians each, following peace talks in Abu Dhabi that ended without a breakthrough, according to BBC World. The exchange, the first in four months, saw 157 Ukrainian soldiers and seven civilians return home. The talks, brokered by the United States, focused on territorial concessions and security guarantees, but failed to yield a deal.
The negotiations, which involved Russian, Ukrainian, and US teams, took place in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The main sticking points were believed to be related to territorial concessions Ukraine might have to make and the security guarantees needed to prevent further Russian attacks if an agreement were reached, according to BBC World. Many of the exchanged Ukrainians had been held in captivity since 2022, Kyiv said.
In other news, Keir Starmer, the UK's Prime Minister, apologized to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Lord Mandelson, who had known Epstein, as the UK's ambassador to the US, BBC World reported. Starmer acknowledged that Mandelson's association with Epstein had been publicly known, 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.
Meanwhile, Lebanon accused Israel of spraying southern villages with a concentrated agricultural 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," according to the agriculture and environment ministries. President Joseph Aoun condemned the spraying as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and an environmental and health hazard. The Israeli military declined to comment on the allegations.
In Japan, the city of Fujiyoshida canceled its cherry blossom festival due to unmanageable tourist numbers, BBC World reported. The influx of tourists led to traffic congestion, litter, and instances of trespassing and public defecation, according to local residents. The city's mayor explained that the picturesque scenery threatened "the quiet lives of citizens," adding, "We have a strong sense of crisis."
Finally, Norwegian police opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein, BBC World reported. The 75-year-old is suspected of "aggravated corruption," according to a special Norwegian police unit analyzing newly released Epstein files. Police have asked the country's foreign ministry to lift Jagland's immunity, which he enjoys due to his past role as a senior foreign diplomat. Jagland's lawyer promised his client's full cooperation with the investigation.
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