live from london, this is bbc news. back home, three americans and a kremlin critic who were being held in russia arrive on us soil, as part of the biggest prisoner swap deal since the cold war. myjob is to make sure that number one, they don't get them, and if they do, we get them back. i don't buy this idea that you're going to let these people rot injail. the deal frees 2a prisoners and two minors held in seven countries, including convicted russian fsb hit man vadim krasikov. seven men have been charged with violent disorder after a riot broke out in hartlepool, linked to the mass stabbing in southport on monday. the body of the hamas political leader ismail haniyeh, who was assassinated in iran, is now in qatar where he'll be buried. these are the live pictures coming in from doha's largest mosque where a special

service will be held. the edinburgh festival is under way with hundreds of events in the city over the next month. we'll be live in the scottish capital. hello, i'm kylie pentalow. within the past couple of hours presidentjoe biden and vice president, kamala harris, have greeted american detainees at an airbase outside washington following their release from russia as part of a prisoner swap — the largest since the cold war. the plane carrying the two us journalists, evan gershkovich and alsu kurmasheva, ex—marine paul whelan and leading kremlin critic, vladimir kara—murza landed late at night. family members of those who'd been detained —

some for several years — were there amid emotional scenes on the tarmac. president biden said he was grateful for the diplomatic cooperation from many other countries involved in the negotiations. in total, ten russians — including two children — have been exchanged for 16 westerners and russians imprisoned in russia. our north america correspondent will grant sent this report from the andrews air force base. cheering. greeted by a presidential embrace. after more days behind bars than they'd care to remember, finally a night they'll neverforget. the arrival of the three americans at andrews air base marks the end of their ordeal in russia, and the defining image of the biggest prisoner swap since the cold war. this is a historic moment, however you look at it — politically, diplomatically or, for the families involved, just emotionally. some of the most high—profile us prisoners of modern times back on us soil.

on the tarmac to meet them, president biden and vice president harris. one soon to leave office, the other hoping to take over. myjob is to make sure, number one, they don't get them. and if they do, we get them back. i don't buy this idea that you're going to let these people rot injail. reached against the backdrop of a full—scale war in ukraine, this prisoner swap was uniquely complex. it involved 26 people in seven different nations. as well as wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich and ex—marine paul whelan, moscow freed a russian—american journalist, alsu kurmasheva. among several prominent kremlin critics released was vladimir kara—murza, while in return moscow got back this man, convicted assassin and fsb colonel vadim krasikov. the family of evan gershkovich echoed the position of all the relatives,

expressing heartfelt thanks that their son was free, saying, "we have waited 491 days for evan's release and it's hard to describe what today feels like. "we can't wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close." so even amid the glare of the world's media, this is also a uniquely private moment for the former prisoners and their families. a homecoming which at times they must have feared might never come. times they must have will grant, bbc news, washington. times they must have let's speak to our correspondent sarah rainsford who is in berlin. sarah, you have been following this story since those announcements were made yesterday about the prisoner release. there were scenes of jubilation as we saw there, but is this being seen as more of a window for putin rather than for biden? m0. for putin rather than for biden? no, i think this is _ for putin rather than for biden? iifr, i think this is seen as a deal in

which both parties get what they want. it's been an extremely complex deal to negotiate, led by the united states but engaging very directly with the regime of vladimir putin although not with him personally. it is clear that mr putin made it clear that there was one person he wanted backin that there was one person he wanted back in return for any american prisoners being returned to the united states and that was the convicted assassin who had killed here on the streets of berlin in 2019, and fsb hit man vadim krasikov. in the end putin has got his man in return he has had to give up his man in return he has had to give up some very big names in terms of us citizens in custody in russia, some of them serving extremely long prison sentences, like paul whelan and evan gershkovich. he has also handed over a large number of political dissidents from russia so

people who he had sent to prison for extremely long sentences again, up to 25 years, for criticising vladimir putin and condemning his full—scale invasion of ukraine. so it is a big deal in every sense and i think there are winners and arguments on both sides. germany -la ed a arguments on both sides. germany played a key _ arguments on both sides. germany played a key role — arguments on both sides. germany played a key role here, _ arguments on both sides. germany played a key role here, what - played a key role here, what concessions if any will germany get out of this deal?— out of this deal? germany has said uuite out of this deal? germany has said quite publicly _ out of this deal? germany has said quite publicly and _ out of this deal? germany has said quite publicly and openly _ out of this deal? germany has said quite publicly and openly that - out of this deal? germany has said quite publicly and openly that this | quite publicly and openly that this has been difficult deal for them quite publicly and openly that this has been difficult dealfor them in a way to stomach. we had from the chancellor yesterday, olaf scholz, saying it had been very hard, and it had been a complicated moral and legal decision to make because that in classical force in legal decision to make because that in classicalforce in prison serving a life sentence, he had been convicted —— because vadim krasikov was in prison serving a life sentence, but in return they have

secured the freedom for people who have stood up for democracy in russia and secured the release of five german citizens including a man who had been on death row in belarus until he was pardoned as part of this whole deal. he also said this was about an act of solidarity with the united states, it was about allies acting together. so big political decisions for germany but in the end it is germany's role who has secured this huge unprecedented prisoner swap involving so many people and 70 countries.- prisoner swap involving so many people and 70 countries. there have been concerns _ people and 70 countries. there have been concerns from _ people and 70 countries. there have been concerns from some _ people and 70 countries. there have been concerns from some corners i people and 70 countries. there have l been concerns from some corners that this could open the door to putin taking more people hostage in order to negotiate the release of more prisoners in future.— to negotiate the release of more prisoners in future. sure, there are no guarantees _ prisoners in future. sure, there are no guarantees whatsoever - prisoners in future. sure, there are no guarantees whatsoever when i prisoners in future. sure, there are| no guarantees whatsoever when you are dealing with vladimir putin, there is absolutely possible, we have seen it time and time again. this is not the first prisoner swap that has taken place and i think back to 2018, which is when i first

reported on the case of paul whelan back then, a former us marine who had been arrested and accused of espionage in russia and wasjust released five and a half years later as part of this deal, paul whelan always told me in so many conversations i had with him over the years in prison, in court in russia, he told me he was innocent and he had been told by the russian system, by the fsb who interrogated him, by thejudge system, by the fsb who interrogated him, by the judge who convicted him, he had always been told he was a political pawn, a hostage who would be traded. that did not happen for five and a half years. negotiations were very tough, but it was never agreed and he has only been released now. this pattern of taking hostages, seizing people for swaps, russia does it. on this occasion america has decided with the help of germany and many other countries that it was worth doing the deal to get people home and that is what they have done. it's notjust the americans, it's a lot of people, excuse me, political prisoners, in

russia as well.— excuse me, political prisoners, in russia as well. sarah raynsford in berlin, russia as well. sarah raynsford in berlin. thank _ russia as well. sarah raynsford in berlin, thank you. _ police forces across the uk are to co—operate more on tackling violent disorder, the prime minister has announced, after two nights of violence in parts of england following the killings in southport. sir keir starmer condemned far—right demonstrators saying the unrest was not a protest that got out of hand but caused by a group of individuals bent on violence. police have released the images of eight people they want to identify after objects were hurled outside a hotel housing migrants during a protest in aldershot. with more on this here's our political correspondent damian grammaticus. tuesday in southport, and the violence that followed the fatal stabbings. the riots were fuelled by misinformation on social media and outsiders intent on causing trouble. yesterday, it was quiet. for a second day, police were given temporary powers to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying a weapon or planning any criminal act. after southport, the

disorder had spread. this was hartlepool on wednesday. the prime minister said it was the work of the far right showing who they are. ii arrests were made here, and there was unrest, too, in london, manchester and aldershot. so, summoned to downing street yesterday, police chiefs, here for an emergency meeting with the new government. sir keir starmer promised a new national capability to tackle the violence. these thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a policing response that can do the same. shared intelligence, wider deployment of facial recognition technology and preventative action — criminal behaviour orders to restrict their movements. in london, more than 100 arrests were made. the police say they are now ready if more violence happens. what i committed to the prime minister to do today was to write to all those commanders to be very

explicit about new guidance and rapid learning from these events, about how we separate what might be legitimate protest from what is, frankly, downright violent crime. and so that we can intervene more quickly, we can arrest offenders, we can act to deter, and we can work with the criminal justice system to bring those people to very swiftjustice if people break the law. sir keir starmer also had a message for social media networks. he said whipping up disorder online was a crime and it was happening on their watch. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. let's speak to alison freeman in southport. alison, after what has been a week of some unrest across the country, what is the feeling there in southport?—

what is the feeling there in south ort? ~ , ., southport? well, here this morning, we have been _ southport? well, here this morning, we have been watching _ southport? well, here this morning, we have been watching as _ southport? well, here this morning, we have been watching as there - southport? well, here this morning, we have been watching as there is i we have been watching as there is still a steady trickle of people coming to pay their respects to those three young girls who died. there are flowers, balloons and soft toys. and now on the road there are chalk drawings with the names of those three girls who lost their lives. there are plans in place tonight for buildings to be lit up across the north west to remember the girls, and also show solidarity with all of those people who have been affected by these really terrible events. we known there are more protests planned for the region across the weekend. police in southport are still working under that special order they have been given, special and enhanced powers to carry out stop and search to try to carry out stop and search to try to prevent any more violent disorder. there is also a very visible police presence in the area and the police say that is all about reassuring the public and letting the people who live here know that they will be kept safe.—

the people who live here know that they will be kept safe. alison, what has been the _ they will be kept safe. alison, what has been the feeling _ they will be kept safe. alison, what has been the feeling after - they will be kept safe. alison, what has been the feeling after the - has been the feeling after the statement that we heard from the prime minister yesterday, particularly in coordinating police forces to share information about those who might cause unrest? yeah, that crisis meeting _ those who might cause unrest? yeah, that crisis meeting was _ those who might cause unrest? yeah, that crisis meeting was called - that crisis meeting was called yesterday by the prime minister. he met with the police chiefs just to talk about the introduction of a new national violence disorder programme, that is to clamp down on violent groups and allow police forces to share any information that would be able to help them tackle those and that has been welcomed by many of the police chiefs here involved in that meeting. keir starmer it was a necessary course of action to keep our streets safe, and he has called the disorder that has taken place a crime, and they should not be called protests. the prime minister also said that nobody involved in the rioting should

pretend to be speaking for grieving families. and people here have basically had to suffer twice in the wake of the stabbings because of the actions of those groups.— actions of those groups. alison, can ou tell actions of those groups. alison, can you tell us — actions of those groups. alison, can you tell us more _ actions of those groups. alison, can you tell us more about _ actions of those groups. alison, can you tell us more about the - actions of those groups. alison, can you tell us more about the people l you tell us more about the people who the children, the children who were killed in that attack, and have were killed in that attack, and have we heard any more from their families, and also those children who have been released from hospital more recently? we who have been released from hospital more recently?— who have been released from hospital more recently? we had a lot happened in the last 24 — more recently? we had a lot happened in the last 24 hours. _ more recently? we had a lot happened in the last 24 hours. let's _ more recently? we had a lot happened in the last 24 hours. let's remind - in the last 24 hours. let's remind you of the three victims, they were bebe king who was six years old, elsie dot stancombe who was seven—year—olds, and nine—year—old alice dasilva aguiar who had all been attending the tail at the —— taylor swift the dance class. ten

more people were injured, two of those children were released from hospital yesterday. we know that the two adults involved remain in a critical condition as well. in the past 24 hours a lot happened, we know that at midnight yesterday, we heard that 17—year—old had been charged with three counts of murder, and that ten —— and ten of attempted murder, and by lunchtime yesterday the name of the accused had been revealed, that was i7—year—olds axel rudakubana. it is unusual for somebody of that age to have their name revealed. thejudge decided he would lift reporting restrictions because the teenager is actually 18 next week. and he also said it was in the public interest and that goes back to what has been described as the misinformation that has been spread, and led to some of this violent disorder we have seen around

the country. an awful lot has happened in the past 24 hours. but people here are still coming, you can still see behind me, coming to pay their respects. a community coming together, people delivering cups of tea to the police working here. i look happening and people reacting in the best way they can, a community pulling together. —— there is a lot happening. community pulling together. -- there is a lot happening-— is a lot happening. alison freeman in southport. _ is a lot happening. alison freeman in southport, thank _ is a lot happening. alison freeman in southport, thank you _ is a lot happening. alison freeman in southport, thank you very - is a lot happening. alison freeman in southport, thank you very much | in southport, thank you very much indeed. let's speak to milo comerford, who's the director of policy and research on counter—extremism at the institute for strategic dialogue. the isd is an independent, not—for—profit organisation for combating polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide. thank you for your time here on bbc news. can you start by telling us

how you understand that information was spread about the person who was, who people thought had carried out this attack, when in fact it was a complete lie? {iii this attack, when in fact it was a complete lie?— this attack, when in fact it was a complete lie? of course, yes, this was a terrifying. — complete lie? of course, yes, this was a terrifying, terrifyingly - complete lie? of course, yes, this was a terrifying, terrifyingly fast . was a terrifying, terrifyingly fast mobilisation of online disinformation and falsehood, where in the immediate aftermath of the attack, we saw fulton names circulating around the attacker, pulls information claiming this ——. information claiming that this was an undocumented migrant from a muslim background and was on a watchlist of the security services and this information spread incredibly quickly online and was able to get considerable traction. within 24 hours we saw the impact of this immobilising in real—world violence on the ground in southport and across the uk. haifa violence on the ground in southport and across the uk.— violence on the ground in southport and across the uk. how on earth do ou sto and across the uk. how on earth do you stop this _ and across the uk. how on earth do you stop this happening? _

and across the uk. how on earth do you stop this happening? because l and across the uk. how on earth do you stop this happening? because i | you stop this happening? because i imagine that the people who are spreading this information are not necessarily those who are looking at the mainstream media, or indeed listening to sir keir starmer who is correcting some of that information. so how do you make sure that this information doesn't spread? it’s information doesn't spread? it's incredibl information doesn't spread? it�*s incredibly challenging, and there were unique circumstances around the desperate attacks that meant that there was an information void online in a way that mainstream media understands reporting restrictions, but it's not the case on social media where there is a huge gap in information really exploited by those with a range of incentives, those with a range of incentives, those who are looking to get clout through clicks by spreading misinformation, those looking to tighten —— target migrants are muslims with hate with a pre—existing agenda and there was a vacuum which is very difficult to fill. one of the challenges is not just there was inflammation there but it was algorithmically amplified

into users feeds. but there were recommendations in the search bar of certain platforms which were pointing to false names of the attacker, when it was such southport you got the name of the attacker recommended, so people who would not otherwise get this false information were encountering it on social media platforms. 50 were encountering it on social media latforms. , ., ., ,, platforms. so is it about making sure that there _ platforms. so is it about making sure that there is _ platforms. so is it about making sure that there is more - platforms. so is it about making sure that there is more of- platforms. so is it about making sure that there is more of the i platforms. so is it about making - sure that there is more of the human presence on social media companies, rather than algorithm deciding what people are fed?— people are fed? being able to understand — people are fed? being able to understand how _ people are fed? being able to understand how these - people are fed? being able to - understand how these algorithms operate and what they serve up is incredibly important. having increased transparency of what those systems are doing and how they are operating, and much more control over the impact of them, is going to be really important and is a part of new legislation which is coming into force with the online safety act. a big part of this is also being

prepared with these crisis situations. many of these platforms have scenario planning in place for a mass casualty terrorist attack where they put out authoritative information but this did not happen information but this did not happen in this case but it still led to incredibly damaging off—line violence. it is important that we recognise the role of platforms not just in removing harmful content but surfacing authoritative material which can shine a light into the darkness of these online spaces. we have to leave it there, thank you for your time on bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

a reminder of our top story. in the past couple of hours presidentjoe biden and vice president, kamala harris, have greeted american detainees at an airbase outside washington following their release from russia as part of a prisoner swap, the largest since the cold war. we can show you live pictures of newly released prisoners arriving

at us military base en route to a medical facility in texas. this is what we understand these pictures are. we will of course bring you any more information on that as we get it. the leader of the lebanon—based group hezbollah has warned israelis the group is considering retaliation for israel's killing of a top hezbollah commander in beirut and the political head of hamas. it comes as israel says it's received intelligence that confirms the head of the military wing of hamas was killed in gaza last month. the israelis targeted mohammed deif in a strike on a compound in the khan younis area onjuly 13th. another hamas senior figure, the group's political leader, ismail haniyeh, will be buried later in qatar, two days after he was killed in a strike in tehran. hamas' armed wing said the death of haniyeh will have major repercussions.

after months of planning, the edinburgh festival kicks off today with over 3,500 shows planned across the month. the world's biggest arts festival will showcase performers from 58 countries until the 26th august. the theme of this years festival is �*rituals that unite us.�* let's speak to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon who's in edinburgh. iare shaping i are shaping up, lorna? good morning, the festival gets under way today. what an event, thousands of performances, in terms of the friendship we get people coming from 58 different countries to take part in what a location, look at this. this is in the shadow of edinburgh castle, these views from all different parts of the city. we have got a couple of the groups and artists performing with us today. this is that tinderbox orchestra, tell me about that. we

are a 20 orchestra, tell me about that. - are a 20 piece band of rappers, singers, orchestra singers. find singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes. — singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes, we _ singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes, we are _ singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes, we are part - singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes, we are part of- singers, orchestra singers. and locals? yes, we are part of the| locals? yes, we are part of the tinderbox _ locals? yes, we are part of the tinderbox collective _ locals? yes, we are part of the tinderbox collective who - locals? yes, we are part of the tinderbox collective who are i locals? yes, we are part of the - tinderbox collective who are based in edinburgh. tinderbox collective who are based in edinburgh-— tinderbox collective who are based in edinburuh. , . ,, . in edinburgh. some people talk about the challenges _ in edinburgh. some people talk about the challenges are _ in edinburgh. some people talk about the challenges are coming _ in edinburgh. some people talk about the challenges are coming to - in edinburgh. some people talk about the challenges are coming to the - the challenges are coming to the festival in terms of performing, let alone paying to come and see it and paying for accommodation but it can be quite challenging to perform here. it be quite challenging to perform here. u, be quite challenging to perform here. , ~ . be quite challenging to perform here. , . . ., , here. it can be. we are really luc , here. it can be. we are really lucky. we _ here. it can be. we are really lucky, we have _ here. it can be. we are really lucky, we have an _ here. it can be. we are reallyj lucky, we have an instrument here. it can be. we are really- lucky, we have an instrument library project will beget musical instruments into public libraries across scotland, we have been working with edinburgh libraries for the past two years and they are helping us out by letting us use the edinburgh central library. fantastic, performing in a library. it is the loudest thing you will hearin it is the loudest thing you will hear in the library!— hear in the library! books and music, doesn't _ hear in the library! books and music, doesn't get _ hear in the library! books and music, doesn't get much - hear in the library! books and i music, doesn't get much better. let's have a word with marie foster, your first time at the festival? second time at the festival, first time _

second time at the festival, first time performing. you second time at the festival, first time performing.— second time at the festival, first time performing. you came to watch last ear. time performing. you came to watch last year- i — time performing. you came to watch last year. i wasn't _ time performing. you came to watch last year. i wasn't a _ time performing. you came to watch last year. i wasn't a perform - time performing. you came to watch last year. i wasn't a perform at - last year. i wasn't a perform at that point _ last year. i wasn't a perform at that point and _ last year. i wasn't a perform at that point and i _ last year. i wasn't a perform at that point and i got _ last year. i wasn't a perform at that point and i got so - last year. i wasn't a perform at that point and i got so inspired j last year. i wasn't a perform at - that point and i got so inspired and i that point and i got so inspired and i came _ that point and i got so inspired and i came back— that point and i got so inspired and i came back to put on my own show. you had _ i came back to put on my own show. you had been — i came back to put on my own show. you had been a successful businesswoman in a previous career, how do you feel about performing? it's starting from scratch all over again— it's starting from scratch all over again which is actually very fun. suddenly. — again which is actually very fun. suddenly, i am again which is actually very fun. suddenly, lam naive, and clueless, suddenly, iam naive, and clueless, every— suddenly, lam naive, and clueless, every day _ suddenly, i am naive, and clueless, eve da . �* . . ., suddenly, i am naive, and clueless, every day-_ my i every day. and what an outfit! my show is what _ every day. and what an outfit! my show is what a _ every day. and what an outfit! my show is what a chameleon - every day. and what an outfit! my show is what a chameleon and - every day. and what an outfit! my j show is what a chameleon and my outfit _ show is what a chameleon and my outfit has — show is what a chameleon and my outfit has been so good. good luck with our outfit has been so good. good luck with your show. — outfit has been so good. good luck with your show, you've _ outfit has been so good. good luck with your show, you've got - outfit has been so good. good luck with your show, you've got a - outfit has been so good. good luck with your show, you've got a good | with your show, you've got a good couple of weeks ahead?— with your show, you've got a good couple of weeks ahead? another ten da s. couple of weeks ahead? another ten days- thank — couple of weeks ahead? another ten days- thank you _ couple of weeks ahead? another ten days. thank you very _ couple of weeks ahead? another ten days. thank you very much. - couple of weeks ahead? another ten days. thank you very much. just - couple of weeks ahead? another ten days. thank you very much. just a i days. thank you very much. just a taste of some _ days. thank you very much. just a taste of some of _ days. thank you very much. just a taste of some of the _ days. thank you very much. just a taste of some of the shows - days. thank you very much. just a taste of some of the shows at - days. thank you very much. just a taste of some of the shows at the | taste of some of the shows at the fringe, from clowns to comedians to music as well. lorna, thank you very much, sounding good. you can keep up—to—date with all of our stories on the bbc news website, the latest is there aren't plenty of live pages to follow events as they

happen. you are watching bbc news. hello again. this morning's mist and fog across parts of southern and south—eastern england continuing to lift. if you have an allergy to pollen, today the levels are higher across more than of england and we have seen previously, they are low to moderate, and we are talking in nettle in particular. there is a chance of a few showers across eastern england but for most it will be dry, sunny and warm, but we have a cold front bringing in some rain, cloud and strengthening winds to the west. ahead of it the cloud will build with one or two showers. temperatures i6 build with one or two showers. temperatures 16 to 27, we could see 29 in the south—east and here it will still be muggy. as we had to be leaving on overnight, a weather front seats continues to sink southward and eastwards, breaking up

and becoming showery, head of it clear skies and feeling muggy. behind it clear skies and scattered showers but you will find it feel special behind the cold front, temperatures in scotland and —— it will feel fresher behind the cold front. still muggy further south. here is the weather front on saturday pushing towards the south—east, it could rejuvenate on the south—western end so although we will start with a lot of cloud and showers, we could see some heavier showers, we could see some heavier showers across the west country, the channel islands, through hampshire and dorset but of the north of that, dry with some sunshine and again scattered showers, especially across scotland and northern ireland. pressure for more of us tomorrow but still quite muggy across the south—east even though temperatures will be a little bit lower. saturday night and into sunday, eventually we say goodbye to the weather front, a ridge of high pressure building across us, but then the next area of low pressure coming in later in the

day. on sunday, a lot of cloud around, sunny breaks in eastern areas, we could catch one or two showers from the thickest cloud but that rain will start to arrive in the west through the day. temperatures i4 the west through the day. temperatures 14 to 24 but feeling fresher across the board. beyond that, into the new week, it still remains fairly unsettled, showers with some rain at time and still some sunshine, and temperatures where we would expect them at this stage in august.

this is bbc news, the headlines. back home — three americans and a kremlin critic who were being held in russia arrive on us soil as part of the biggest prisoner swap deal since the cold war. myjob is to make sure that, number one, they don't get them, and if they do, we get them back. i don't buy this idea that you're going to let these people rot injail. the deal frees 24 prisoners and two minors held in seven countries, including convicted russian fsb hitman vadim krasikov. seven men have been charged with violent disorder after a riot broke out in hartlepool, linked to the mass stabbing in southport on monday. the body of the hamas political leader ismail haniyeh, who was assassinated in iran

on wednesday, is now in qatar where he'll be buried later.