Russia released an American named Stephen Hubbard, who had been in prison for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The release happened while a top U.S. envoy was visiting Russia, and President Donald Trump said he personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard, an American, was jailed in Russia for more than four years.
He was accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
The release took place during a visit by a senior U.S. envoy to Russia.
President Donald Trump said he requested Russian President Putin to free Hubbard in a recent phone call.
Trump stated the release did not require the U.S. to exchange any prisoners.
Hubbard has now returned to the United States.
The news was shared by President Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social.
This event occurred amid other actions taken by President Trump that could benefit Russia.
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Stephen Hubbard, an American who was held in a Russian prison since 2022, has been released. The news was confirmed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard was jailed in Russia starting in 2022.
He has now been released from Russian custody.
The release was announced by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Donald Trump also confirmed Hubbard’s release.
The article briefly mentions Elon Musk limiting Ukraine’s access to Starlink satellite internet service, according to sources.
The main focus is on Hubbard’s release after years in prison in Russia.
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CBS News bought vials being sold as experimental weight loss drugs from different sellers and tested what was inside. The report shared the findings to show whether these vials contained the claimed weight loss chemicals or something else.
Key Facts
CBS News purchased vials advertised as experimental drugs for weight loss.
The vials came from various sources, not from official medical channels.
Testing was done to identify the actual contents of the vials.
The investigation aimed to verify if the products were safe or effective.
The report was shared on the CBS Mornings show by Adam Yamaguchi.
Such unapproved drugs can pose health risks if their contents are unknown.
The story highlights concerns about black market weight loss products.
Health officials typically warn against using untested experimental drugs.
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Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay criticized the U.S. sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a surprising and unacceptable interference with justice. The sanctions started soon after she received the award, and she defended the ICC's investigation into Israel's actions in Gaza.
Key Facts
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court shortly after Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pillay called the sanctions a violation of international law and said politicians should not interfere with judges.
She chaired a UN inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Pillay rejected the idea that the ICC unfairly targets African countries, saying the court is impartial.
She traveled to the ICC headquarters in The Hague to support its staff amid the sanctions.
The sanctions were announced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Pillay is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
The U.S. had already targeted top ICC personnel before expanding sanctions.
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Pakistani authorities arrested Faheem Akram, who is accused of running a fake online stamp business that caused over $125 million in losses to the US Postal Service. He faces charges in the US for producing and selling counterfeit postage stamps and wire fraud.
Key Facts
Faheem Akram, 33 years old, was arrested in Pakistan after a large search and raids.
US prosecutors say he sold over 5.1 million fake stamps through a website since August 2023.
These counterfeit stamps cost about $2 each and let customers ship parcels cheaper than official rates.
The US Postal Service lost more than $124 million because of this fraud.
Akram used 16 bank accounts, including his family members', to manage the operation.
He faces multiple charges: conspiracy to defraud the US, making and selling fake stamps, and four counts of wire fraud.
Each wire fraud charge could mean up to 20 years in prison, and conspiracy could add 5 years.
It is not yet decided if Akram will be tried in Pakistan or sent to the US for trial.
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The documentary *You Can See Everything* about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is showing strong demand in UK cinemas before its official release. This follows a very successful $15 million opening in the US, with theaters adding extra showings because tickets are selling out quickly.
Key Facts
*You Can See Everything* is a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos founder.
The film made $15 million in its opening weekend in the US, one of the largest openings for a documentary in over 20 years.
UK cinemas have seen high demand, with tickets selling out and extra screenings added at many locations.
Picturehouse Cinemas, Cineworld, and Vue all report strong interest from audiences, especially younger viewers under 35 years old.
The film was co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, and features a unique approach, including Fielder spending a month with Holmes.
The documentary received critical praise for its storytelling and its blend of documentary and performance elements.
The film taps into a growing trend of audiences seeking cinema experiences that offer something different from watching TV or streaming at home.
Elizabeth Holmes has participated in online discussions about the film, responding to social media posts about it.
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A Belfast comedian, Vittorio Angelone, made a joke about rape involving Rebecca Goodwin, a sexual assault survivor, during a podcast episode. The joke caused public criticism, and Angelone apologized both publicly and directly to Goodwin, but the comments remain in the paid version of the podcast.
Key Facts
Vittorio Angelone made a rape-related joke about Rebecca Goodwin on a 2025 podcast episode.
Rebecca Goodwin had previously reported a rape to police and spoken publicly about her assault.
The joke was recorded months before it was published, and Goodwin only learned about it recently when clips appeared on social media.
Angelone apologized on social media and personally to Goodwin after criticism.
Some other comedians from the podcast have also apologized to Goodwin.
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre criticized the joke for making rape seem less serious.
The joke was removed from Angelone’s social media but remains in the paywalled podcast episode.
Angelone is set to appear in a BBC sitcom later this year.
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Photos show events from around the world on one day. These include protests in Albania and Serbia, rescue efforts in Ukraine and South Korea, political rallies in the US and Serbia, cultural ceremonies in India, and images related to leaders and public figures.
Key Facts
Protesters in Albania demonstrated against corruption, high living costs, poor services, and unemployment.
In Ukraine, emergency workers rescued a cat from a damaged building after Russian air strikes.
Serbian students marched from Novi Sad to Belgrade to oppose the current government ahead of elections.
President Trump held a campaign rally in North Carolina supporting a Republican Senate candidate.
In Tehran, a billboard mock prison cell depicts Donald Trump, attracting public attention.
In India, people marked the Hindu festival Dussehra by burning an effigy representing evil.
South Korean officials helped guide an 11-foot shark trapped in an artificial waterway back to the sea.
Pope Leo made his first public appearance after lung cancer surgery at the Vatican.
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An experimental weight-loss drug called retatrutide is being sold online and even in stores without approval or proper medical checks. Tests showed that some products bought this way contain unsafe ingredients and bacteria, which could make people sick.
Key Facts
Retatrutide, a peptide drug for obesity, is still in clinical trials and not approved by the FDA.
The drug can be easily bought online or at local shops without any medical consultation.
Some products labeled as retatrutide actually contained harmful fillers and bacteria.
Injecting contaminated drugs can cause serious infections.
Medical experts warn that buying unapproved drugs is risky because their safety and dosage are not guaranteed.
Eli Lilly, the company studying retatrutide, says unregulated products are dangerous and inconsistent.
Regulators have not yet taken strong action against the black market selling these drugs.
Experts hope for better rules to control the sale of such unapproved medications online and offline.
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New York City unveiled a monument called Al Qalam, honoring the poets from Little Syria, an early 20th-century Arabic-speaking immigrant community. The monument sparked protests from Lebanon because it referred to Kahlil Gibran and others as Syrian, which Lebanese officials said erased their Lebanese identity.
Key Facts
The monument Al Qalam is located in Elizabeth H Berger Plaza, Manhattan, near the old Little Syria neighborhood.
It honors the Pen League, a group of Arab-American writers led by Kahlil Gibran, who wrote "The Prophet."
The artist Sara Ouhaddou designed the monument and expressed a personal connection to immigration.
Lebanese officials and cultural groups objected to the monument's sign, which called Gibran and others "Syrian" instead of "Lebanese."
Lebanon’s foreign minister instructed diplomats to ask New York authorities to change the sign’s wording.
The conflict reflects Lebanon’s deep concerns about its cultural identity, especially amid recent political and economic crises.
Kahlil Gibran himself identified as Syrian during his lifetime despite being born in the Mount Lebanon region.
The monument was unveiled under New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration.
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Gen Z voters are moving away from the Republican Party and are more open to supporting Democrats. Both major parties previously did not pay close attention to Gen Z’s concerns, but now Republicans are facing the consequences.
Key Facts
Gen Z voters feel their votes have been overlooked by both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Recently, Gen Z has been shifting away from the Republican Party.
Democrats are gaining more support from Gen Z as a result.
This change reflects a warning from Gen Z that their votes should not be ignored.
The political shift shows possible consequences for Republicans in future elections.
Both parties need to engage more with young voters to earn their trust.
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Democrat Xavier Becerra is leading Republican Steve Hilton by 27 points in the race for California governor, according to a recent poll. The survey shows 60% of likely voters support Becerra as the election approaches.
Key Facts
Xavier Becerra is the Democratic candidate for California governor.
Steve Hilton is the Republican candidate opposing Becerra.
A poll by Emerson College was released on Wednesday.
The poll shows Becerra with 60% support among likely voters.
Becerra leads Hilton by 27 percentage points in the poll.
The election day is only a few weeks away.
Becerra previously served as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The current governor of California is leaving office, prompting this race.
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President Donald Trump praised Russia for releasing American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was imprisoned for four years. Trump said the U.S. did not have to give anything in return for Hubbard’s release. Also, attorney general candidate Joe Vance is planning to campaign with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard, an American teacher, was held in Russia for four years.
Russia released Hubbard recently, and he is returning to the U.S. to be with his family.
President Trump praised Russia’s action and noted that the U.S. made no concessions to secure the release.
Joe Vance is running for attorney general in Ohio.
Vance plans to campaign alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman and political figure.
The article provides live updates on these events.
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French President Emmanuel Macron said people who want to cause trouble during protests about high living costs will not be allowed to. After riots in some places led to many arrests and damage, Macron promised to take all needed steps to keep peace and security in France.
Key Facts
Macron spoke from Doha, where he met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He planned to meet French intelligence before protests set for Saturday.
Over 500,000 people protested across France about school conditions and cost of living.
At least 2,500 people were arrested after some protests turned violent, with looting reported.
Macron said there was no clear foreign interference during the protests but warned of foreign spread of false information afterward.
He criticized foreign leaders, including President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for making unsupported claims about the protests.
France’s Yellow Vest movement set plans for a large protest in Paris despite recent curfews.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised heavy police and military presence for future protests but said there is no state of emergency yet.
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A woman named Pippa Boardman was told she had cancer by a hospital employee who accessed her medical records without a proper reason before her official test results. The hospital apologized and took action after investigating the incident, which caused Boardman distress and a loss of privacy.
Key Facts
Pippa Boardman was told she had cancer by someone she barely knew who worked at the Royal Cornwall hospital.
This employee accessed her medical records days before her scheduled appointment with a consultant.
Boardman officially learned she had breast cancer two days after the unauthorized call.
The hospital trusts that the staff member had some legitimate access to records but was not authorized to contact patients or discuss diagnoses.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust apologized and investigated the issue after being contacted by reporters.
The hospital reminded staff about patient privacy rules and is reviewing its policies based on new NHS England guidelines.
Boardman said the experience caused her trauma and distress due to the invasion of her privacy.
The hospital said it treated the matter very seriously and took appropriate employment actions without revealing details.
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President Trump said that not applying sanctions on Russia helped keep talks open with President Vladimir Putin to free Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher arrested by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. He mentioned that some people who wanted sanctions at once later apologized to him.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard is a retired schoolteacher arrested by Russian authorities.
Russia arrested Hubbard during its invasion of Ukraine.
President Trump waived sanctions on Russia.
Trump said this waiver helped keep negotiations open with Russian President Putin.
Some people who wanted immediate sanctions later apologized to President Trump.
The talks aimed to secure Hubbard’s release from Russia.
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A fake polling company called Wedgewood Polls admitted it made up survey results as part of a test to see if the media and polling groups would report false data. Several news outlets, including Newsweek and others, shared Wedgewood’s fake polls before the deception was revealed by election researchers.
Key Facts
Wedgewood Polls started in June 2026 and claimed to be an independent polling firm.
The company’s polling data was published by multiple news outlets and polling databases.
Researchers from FiftyPlusOne found evidence that Wedgewood’s data was fake in October 2026.
Wedgewood admitted the polls were mostly fabricated and called it a social experiment.
The fake polls influenced coverage of election races, including a Louisiana Senate primary.
Newsweek retracted three articles after discovering they used Wedgewood’s false data.
Wedgewood did not share its staff names or locations and avoided public interviews.
One Wedgewood survey about Nebraska’s Senate race was the only real poll, funded by crowdfunding.
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A university student, Zack Coughlan, was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his housemate, Jamie Collins, 30 times in Gloucestershire. Coughlan attacked Collins after waiting for him to return home, then tried to hide evidence and later called emergency services pretending to have found the body.
Russia released Stephen Hubbard, an American teacher who had been jailed for seven years after being accused of fighting with Ukraine as a mercenary. President Donald Trump announced Hubbard’s release following confirmation from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard is an American teacher.
Russia accused him of working as a mercenary with Ukraine.
He was sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison.
Russia released him on Wednesday.
The release was confirmed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Donald Trump shared the news on Truth Social.
The accusations relate to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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The UK government has approved new gas drilling projects in the North Sea. Climate activists have protested, expressing concern about the environmental impact of this decision.
Key Facts
The UK government gave permission for new gas drilling in the North Sea.
The drilling aims to extract more natural gas resources.
Climate activists held protests against this decision.
Activists are worried about the effects on the environment and climate change.
The North Sea is an important area for the UK’s energy production.
The approval reflects the UK’s ongoing energy policies.
The protests highlight public debate over energy and climate goals.
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