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Russia and Ukraine Conduct Major Prisoner Swap Brokered by UAE
In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the 59th and one of the largest prisoner swaps since the conflict escalated in February 2022.
The Russian defense ministry reported that 150 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for an equal number of Russian troops. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 189 Ukrainians had returned home, including defenders of key sites such as Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and Snake Island.
Among the Ukrainians released were soldiers, border guards, National Guardsmen, and Navy personnel, many of whom had endured over two-and-a-half years in captivity. Some returned with severe injuries and illnesses.
On the Russian side, the defense ministry stated that the released soldiers had been transported to Belarus, where they received medical attention and contacted their families.
In northern Ukraine, families braved the harsh winter cold outside hospitals, awaiting the return of their loved ones.
Photos shared by Zelensky on social media showed the released Ukrainian soldiers holding yellow-and-blue flags, a symbol of hope amid ongoing turmoil.
While this swap has brought relief to many families, thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity in Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian officials estimate that over 8,000 of their citizens are still held as prisoners of war.
Negotiations for further exchanges have become increasingly challenging as Russian forces gain ground on the battlefield. Despite the obstacles, Zelensky reaffirmed his commitment: “We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone.”
News
El Salvador Offers to House U.S. Criminals in Its Mega-Prison
El Salvador has proposed taking in criminals deported from the United States—including those with U.S. citizenship—and detaining them in its massive prison facility, President Nayib Bukele confirmed.
The announcement came after a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bukele during Rubio’s visit to the Central American nation. Bukele described the proposal as an opportunity for the U.S. to “outsource part of its prison system,” a move that has sparked both praise and controversy.
Rubio expressed gratitude for the unprecedented offer, stating, “No country has ever made an offer of friendship such as this.” He added that El Salvador would accept not only deported criminals but also individuals linked to transnational gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
Bukele later elaborated on the offer via social media, clarifying that El Salvador would only take in convicted criminals—including U.S. citizens—at its mega-prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), in exchange for a fee. He emphasized that while the cost to the U.S. would be relatively low, it would provide crucial funding to sustain El Salvador’s prison system.
Bukele’s tough-on-crime policies, which have significantly reduced gang violence in El Salvador, have been widely popular domestically. However, human rights groups have criticized his methods, citing mass arrests and harsh prison conditions. The proposal, if accepted, could mark a significant shift in U.S.-El Salvador relations and the handling of deported criminals.
News
Second Woman Confirmed Dead as Devastating Floods Grip Northern Australia
A second woman has been confirmed dead as catastrophic floods continue to wreak havoc across northern Queensland, leaving communities grappling with destruction and uncertainty.
The body of an 82-year-old woman was found in a cane paddock near Ingham on Tuesday, a day after she was last seen at her home. Her death follows that of a 63-year-old woman, who perished on Sunday when a rescue dinghy capsized in raging floodwaters.
The region has been inundated with nearly 2 meters (6.5 feet) of rain since Saturday, submerging homes, destroying roads, and cutting off power. While flood levels have started to recede, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned that the disaster would continue to challenge affected communities.
In Townsville, residents breathed a sigh of relief as predicted flood levels did not materialize. Local authorities said the city had “dodged a bullet,” sparing thousands of homes from the worst-case scenario.
However, further north, the situation remains dire. In Ingham and Cardwell, power outages and impassable roads have made it difficult to assess the full scale of the devastation. Ingham remains almost entirely without electricity, and long queues have formed outside supermarkets and petrol stations as residents scramble for supplies.
Local MP Nick Dametto described the flooding as “something I have never seen before.”
With homes, farms, and businesses inundated, recovery efforts are underway, but the damage is extensive. Emergency services continue to work around the clock, but many areas remain inaccessible due to floodwaters and debris.
News
Canadian Fans Boo US Anthem as Tariffs Ignite Nationalist Backlash
Canadian sports fans have expressed their frustration over newly imposed US tariffs by loudly booing the American national anthem at multiple events, signaling growing discontent with President Donald Trump’s economic measures.
The protests first erupted at a National Hockey League (NHL) game in Ottawa, where fans jeered throughout The Star-Spangled Banner before a matchup against a visiting US team. The sentiment carried over to a Toronto Raptors basketball game, where spectators drowned out a 15-year-old singer’s performance of the anthem with prolonged boos.
The reaction reflects mounting anger over Trump’s 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports—with a 10% levy on energy—set to take effect on Tuesday. The move threatens to disrupt trade between the two tightly connected economies, with economists warning it could push Canada into recession if the measures persist for months.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump has revived his controversial call for Canada to become the 51st US state, a proposal that was initially dismissed as a joke but has now been repeated with serious intent.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the nation on Saturday, urging citizens to stand together in response.
“Many among us will be affected by this, and we will have some hard times. I ask you to be there for each other. Now is the time to choose Canada,” Trudeau declared.
The call for national solidarity has sparked a “Buy Canadian” movement. Social media users have begun circulating guides on avoiding US-made products, while a Toronto grocery store has started labeling Canadian-made yogurt to encourage local purchasing. Others have pledged to cancel travel to the US, further deepening the divide between the two allies.
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