live from london. this is bbc news. free at last — three americans and a kremlin critic — imprisoned in russia — arrive on us soil — part of the biggest prisoner swap deal since the cold war. my myjob is to make sure that they don't get there and if they do we get them back. i don't buy this idea that you will let these people rot in jail. the deal sees 2a prisoners and 2 minors held in seven countries set free, including hit man vadim krasikov, a member of russia's security service. key landmarks across merseyside will be lit up in pink tonight and over the weekend — in tribute to the three victims of the southport knife attack. the body of the hamas political leader, ismail haniyeh — is now in qatar where a special

prayer service has been held before his burial north of doha. a north korean defector tells the bbc kim jong—un wants donald trump back in power and there's continuing controversy over two athletes who've been cleared to compete in the women's boxing events at the olympics despite previously failing to meet gender eligibility criteria in other competitions. hello, i'm annita mcveigh, welcome to bbc news now, 3 hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin with that historic prisoner swap. russian dissidents released in a prisoner swap with the west are expected to speak publicly in the coming hours. posting on his x account, vladimir kara—murza shared this image of himself,

along with ilya yashin and andrei pivovarov, saying there would hold a news conference in bonn shortly. kara—murza, on the right, is a dual russian—uk citizen and prominent opposition politician. yashin, in the centre, and pivovarov are also well—known kremlin critics. the prisoners released by the west include convicted hit man vadim krasikov. a russian agent with the fsb security service, krasikov was serving a life sentence in germany for the murder of a former chechen rebel commander, whom he shot dead in broad daylight in a berlin park in 2019. he was returned to moscow, along with seven other released russian prisoners and two children. at an airbase outside washington, presidentjoe biden and vice president kamala harris greeted the returned americans. the plane carrying the two us journalists, evan gershkovich and alsu kurmasheva, and former marine paul whelan landed late at night. president biden said he was grateful for the diplomatic co—operation that

led to the swap. 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. will grant, bbc news, washington. our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford is in berlin and i asked her about the details emerging about some of the released prisoners. there has been a lot of focus initially on the american prisoners who were released, those names that were mentioned in the report. as part of this massive deal, we have seen prominent russian political prisoners being released. one is a veteran of human rights campaigns, he was one of the co—founders of the extremely respected group supporting

human rights in russia, set up in the dying days of the soviet union, an organisation which has won the nobel prize but is banned in its own country. he was serving two and a half years for discrediting the russian military by condemning the war in ukraine. he has made a call to his wife and lawyer, he is in germany undergoing medical checks. his wife has said that his voice is cheerful and lively, his health is ok, he apparently hadn't understood how far he is from russia because he was not told anything about the exchange before it happened. he was simply taken from his prison cell. the first thing he guest is when he was on board the bus and heading for the airport. he has also underlined in the first comments made to the family that he never asked president

putin for a pardon and never signed any papers. that is meant to underline the fact he has been released but he never admitted guilt. he has always maintained that he was innocent, he also underlined it was important not to forget those left behind. you would expect that for him and the organisation there are 400 prisoners in russia because of their politics. deborah ball, the wall street journal's asia editor told us how she thinks evan gershkovich will cope and reintegrate after his period in prison. he will go through a period where he will decompress from everything that has happened. he will want to spend a good amount of time with family

and friends in the states. as we wrote yesterday, he has already indicated that he wants to get back and one of his wishes is to interview vladimir putin, which tells me everything we need to know about his intentions. i think she will have some time to think about what he wants to do next. he has a treasured place here and we can't wait to get him back and have his byline in the paper as opposed to writing about him. out of venezuela, the disute writing about him. out of venezuela, the dispute presidential _ writing about him. out of venezuela, the dispute presidential election, - the dispute presidential election, nicolas maduro has claimed he has returned to office as president but opposition claims that there is evidence that the opposition candidate won that election. a number of countries in the region and elsewhere have failed to recognise the results of the election and have called for him to

release data from the voting stations. we are now seeing a statement from the foreign minister saying that the united states is at the forefront of a coup attempt against venezuela. the us has questioned the result and some of the language coming from secretary of state antony blinken has hardened recently. he is now talking about overwhelming evidence that the opposition candidate actually won the vote. the venezuelan opposition movement is also saying their headquarters was invaded by hooded men with no id. no other details on that line at the moment. let me check if there is anything else... not that i can see but those two new details as the situation in venezuela continues to be pretty volatile in the wake of that presidential election.

here in the uk buildings and landmarks across the north west of england will be lit up pink this evening and throughout the weekend, in memory of those killed in southport. 6 year—old bebe king, 7 year—old elsie dot stancombe, and 9 year—old alice dasilva aguiar were killed during a taylor swift—themed dance class on monday. 17 year—old axel rudakubana has been charged with murdering the three girls, and attempting to murder 10 other people. our correspondentjohn maguire has spent the day in southport it should have been the perfect start to summer for southport. sunny days, school holidays, carefree days ahead. but then monday's knife attack changed everything. this community has been severely tested but is showing resolved. where rioters hurled bricks at police on

tuesday night, there are now ice cream vans. a local family business doing whatever it can. just cream vans. a local family business doing whatever it can.— doing whatever it can. just for the community. _ doing whatever it can. just for the community. the — doing whatever it can. just for the community, the children, - doing whatever it can. just for the community, the children, to - doing whatever it can. just for the community, the children, to put l doing whatever it can. just for the l community, the children, to put the smile back on their faces. it is a devastating time, we have all been very upset about what happened and those three little girls, they didn't deserve... they didn't deserve that. the families, sorry i'm getting emotional. businesses, local services _ i'm getting emotional. businesses, local services and _ i'm getting emotional. businesses, local services and places _ i'm getting emotional. businesses, local services and places of - i'm getting emotional. businesses, j local services and places of worship are supporting each other and the families of those caught up in the violence. ~ ., families of those caught up in the violence. ~ . . . , ., violence. what the churches and a . encies violence. what the churches and agencies are _ violence. what the churches and agencies are here _ violence. what the churches and agencies are here to _ violence. what the churches and agencies are here to do - violence. what the churches and agencies are here to do is - violence. what the churches and agencies are here to do is to - violence. what the churches and | agencies are here to do is to help southport — agencies are here to do is to help southport was a place where something horrible happened and something horrible happened and something beautiful came out of it. the stand _ something beautiful came out of it. the stand up for southport website has become a focus for people. people want to know how they can donate _ people want to know how they can

donate and — people want to know how they can donate and help _ people want to know how they can donate and help so _ people want to know how they can donate and help so it _ people want to know how they can donate and help so it is _ people want to know how they can donate and help so it is great - donate and help so it is great platform _ donate and help so it is great platform to _ donate and help so it is great platform to say _ donate and help so it is great platform to say to _ donate and help so it is great platform to say to people - donate and help so it is great . platform to say to people come and see how _ platform to say to people come and see how you — platform to say to people come and see how you can _ platform to say to people come and see how you can make _ platform to say to people come and see how you can make a _ platform to say to people come and see how you can make a differencel platform to say to people come and i see how you can make a difference at this time _ see how you can make a difference at this time. , , ., see how you can make a difference at this time. , , . , . ., ., this time. jenny, a musician and teacher has _ this time. jenny, a musician and teacher has written _ this time. jenny, a musician and teacher has written this - this time. jenny, a musician and teacher has written this charity i teacher has written this charity song. she has been contacted by musicians including 12 choirs, all keen to be involved. i musicians including 12 choirs, all keen to be involved.— keen to be involved. i put a post out and the _ keen to be involved. i put a post out and the response _ keen to be involved. i put a post out and the response has - keen to be involved. i put a post out and the response has been l out and the response has been overwhelming. the next step is to get those musicians involved. the local choirs and vocalists to record it. hopefully raise some money and have some kind of anthem to bring people together for this tragedy. this people together for this tragedy. as well as fund—raising and practical support there are symbolic gestures to pay tribute to the gills and the families. significant buildings will be illuminated in pink, shining light where there has been so much

darkness. around the world and across the uk, this bbc news.

the funeral ceremony has been held in qatar for the hamas political leader, ismail haniyeh who was assassinated in iran on wednesday. hundreds of mourners attended the funeral prayers at the state mosque. officals from a number of arab and muslim countries have been attending, as well as prominent figures from fatah, the main rival palestinian faction to hamas.hamas and iran have both vowed revenge on israel, which hasn't confirmed that it carried out the attack. our middle east correspondent orla guerin told us what she is hearing about the likely nature of a retaliation. i think we can very possibly see that, iran will want to do something

different, it will want to signal clearly that this is a response of a different order because of the nature of what happened at 2am on wednesday morning at the heart of the iranian capital when israel, as is believed, was able to assassinate not just a is believed, was able to assassinate notjust a geranium allied but the political head of hamas who had been meeting the supreme leader of iran who, the day after, was saying funeral prayers over his casket. i think the iranians will want to do something that looks and feel different, i think there is ever the possibility they will engage regional allies, we have had hezbollah promising revenge, hamas promising revenge, there are attacks on international shipping going through the red sea. the key

question, we don't know at this point is what was raised, will these attacks be lethal or will this be a range of attacks that demonstrate what iran can do? but does not significantly increase the body count. back in april when iran directly targeted the israelis after another assassination in damascus, there was a huge number, about 300 cruise missiles and ballistic missiles fired at israel. the vast majority were intercepted and we knew for days beforehand that the iranians were planning something. and when israel decided to respond, its response was limited, it hit a military installation. the question is now, further down the line, are we still at that point where each

side will carefully calibrate its response to try and continue to avoid all out war? it seems that is what everybody has been doing so far. a senior north korean government official — who recently defected — has told the bbc that north korea is hoping donald trump becomes president, so it can restart negotiations with the united states. in his first interview with an international news broadcaster, he's been speaking to our seoul correspondent jean mackenzie. for this north korean elite, turning his back on the regime was a life or death gamble. ri il kyu raced to the airport in the middle of the night, giving his familyjust six hours notice. sick with fear about what would happen if they were caught. translation: either i would have been executed or sent to a political

prison camp. i been executed or sent to a political prison camp-— been executed or sent to a political prison camp. i could accept my own death but the _ prison camp. i could accept my own death but the fear _ prison camp. i could accept my own death but the fear of _ prison camp. i could accept my own death but the fear of my family - death but the fear of my family being killed was overwhelming. the most high—ranking person to escape north korea in eight years. he has a rare insight into what the most secretive state once. despite the recent dalliance with vladimir putin, the former diplomat says that the ultimate goal for north korea is to cut a deal with the us. for that, it is hoping to see donald trump backin it is hoping to see donald trump back in the white house. translation: iii back in the white house. translation:— back in the white house. translation: , , . translation: if trump is elected this would be _ translation: if trump is elected this would be a _ translation: if trump is elected this would be a once _ translation: if trump is elected this would be a once in _ translation: if trump is elected this would be a once in a - translation: if trump is elected j this would be a once in a thousand year opportunity for north korea, they believe they can negotiate with him and use the personalfriendship between them to their advantage. that between them to their advantage. at a recent rally, the presidential

hopeful said he wanted to reignite this friendship. i get hopeful said he wanted to reignite this friendship.— this friendship. i get along with him, he would _ this friendship. i get along with him, he would like _ this friendship. i get along with him, he would like to _ this friendship. i get along with him, he would like to see - this friendship. i get along with him, he would like to see me l this friendship. i get along with i him, he would like to see me back too, _ him, he would like to see me back too, i_ him, he would like to see me back too, ithink— him, he would like to see me back too, i think he misses me.- too, i think he misses me. while talks between — too, i think he misses me. while talks between them _ too, i think he misses me. while talks between them collapsed i too, i think he misses me. while talks between them collapsed in | talks between them collapsed in 2019, ri il kyu says that if matt hope to convince trump to lift sanctions in return for freezing the nuclear weapons programme. you have met kimjong—un nuclear weapons programme. you have met kim jong—un seven times, what is he like? met kim jong-un seven times, what is he like? g ., ., , ., he like? the kim jong-un i met was a ordinary human _ he like? the kim jong-un i met was a ordinary human being, _ he like? the kim jong-un i met was a ordinary human being, but— he like? the kim jong-un i met was a ordinary human being, but turning - ordinary human being, but turning him into god has made him a monster. he would do anything for the survival of his regime, he would kill all 25 million north koreans. the systems of control that mr kim has created is now so fierce, it will be impossible to topple this

brutal dictatorship, he believes. change must be pushed slowly, persistently, from outside and from within. there's growing controversy over two athletes who have been cleared to compete in the women's boxing in the paris olympics, after having been disqualified from last year's world championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria. yesterday algerian boxer imane khelif qualified to the quarterfinals after her opponent, italy's angela carini, abandoned the bout in 46 seconds. taiwan's lin yu—ting, who was stripped of a bronze medal at last year's world championships, is due to fight later. our reporter, matt grave—ling has more. the fight which lasted just 46 seconds on the biggest stage which has now thrust one of its biggest challenges into the spotlight. in blue the italian fighter stopped the

bout, later saying she abundant to preserve her life. the algerian's win was overshadowed by months of controversy after imane khelif was disqualified from last years world championship. the boxing association said this was due to failing to meet eligibility criteria. it said this was due to failing to meet eligibility criteria.— eligibility criteria. it was an incredibly _ eligibility criteria. it was an incredibly comfortable - eligibility criteria. it was an i incredibly comfortable watch, eligibility criteria. it was an - incredibly comfortable watch, i know there's a lot of concern about women competitors, about if we are getting the balance right. there is a role for government to see if they have the guidance and support to make those decisions correctly. the the guidance and support to make those decisions correctly.- those decisions correctly. the ioc sa that those decisions correctly. the ioc say that all _ those decisions correctly. the ioc say that all boxes _ those decisions correctly. the ioc say that all boxes comply - those decisions correctly. the ioc say that all boxes comply with - those decisions correctly. the ioc| say that all boxes comply with the competition's eligibility. share say that all boxes comply with the competition's eligibility. are these athletes women? _ competition's eligibility. are these athletes women? the _ competition's eligibility. are these athletes women? the answer - competition's eligibility. are these athletes women? the answer is i competition's eligibility. are these l athletes women? the answer is yes according _ athletes women? the answer is yes according to — athletes women? the answer is yes according to their— athletes women? the answer is yes according to their passports, - according to their passports, history _ according to their passports, history a_ according to their passports, history. a test _ according to their passports, history. a test which - according to their passports, history. a test which may . according to their passports, l history. a test which may have happened _ history. a test which may have happened overnight _ history. a test which may have happened overnight was - history. a test which may have happened overnight was a - history. a test which may have i happened overnight was a made history. a test which may have - happened overnight was a made up test, _ happened overnight was a made up test. i_ happened overnight was a made up test. idon't— happened overnight was a made up test, idon't think— happened overnight was a made up test, i don't think we _ happened overnight was a made up test, i don't think we should - happened overnight was a made up test, i don't think we should give . test, i don't think we should give it test, idon't think we should give it any— test, i don't think we should give it any credence. _

test, i don't think we should give it any credence. if _ test, i don't think we should give it any credence. if we _ test, i don't think we should give it any credence. if we start - test, i don't think we should give| it any credence. if we start acting on every— it any credence. if we start acting on every issue. _ it any credence. if we start acting on every issue, allegation - it any credence. if we start acting on every issue, allegation that i on every issue, allegation that comes— on every issue, allegation that comes up. _ on every issue, allegation that comes up. then— on every issue, allegation that comes up, then we _ on every issue, allegation that comes up, then we start- on every issue, allegation thatl comes up, then we start having on every issue, allegation that - comes up, then we start having the kind of— comes up, then we start having the kind of witchhunts _ comes up, then we start having the kind of witchhunts we _ comes up, then we start having the kind of witchhunts we are _ comes up, then we start having the kind of witchhunts we are having i kind of witchhunts we are having now~ _ kind of witchhunts we are having now. . , kind of witchhunts we are having now. ., , ., ., now. imane khelif is not a new boxer, now. imane khelif is not a new boxer. she _ now. imane khelif is not a new boxer, she fought _ now. imane khelif is not a new boxer, she fought in _ now. imane khelif is not a new boxer, she fought in the i now. imane khelif is not a new boxer, she fought in the tokyo olympics, she has lost nine times in her career, the algerian olympic committee has condemned what they call baseless attacks. nicola adams who won gold disagreed. saying that after years of fighting for women's boxing to exist in the olympics and all the training they go through, it was hard to watch another fighter be forced to give up on her dreams. anotherfighter, lin yu—ting forced to give up on her dreams. another fighter, lin yu—ting will also compete in paris and she was also compete in paris and she was also disqualified from last years world championship forfailing also disqualified from last years world championship for failing to meet eligibility criteria. the international boxing association which organises the world championships is currently suspended

by the ioc which is running boxing competitions itself. it is said that the pair did not undergo a testosterone test but was subject to another test. we testosterone test but was sub'ect to another test.— another test. we took action which was ritht another test. we took action which was right and _ another test. we took action which was right and proper— another test. we took action which was right and proper for— another test. we took action which was right and proper for our- another test. we took action which | was right and proper for our boxing family— was right and proper for our boxing family and — was right and proper for our boxing family and now the ioc are applying different— family and now the ioc are applying different rules and regulations. while _ different rules and regulations. while imane khelif will fight tomorrow, lin yu—ting is due to fight later today. this fight is being seen as controversial even before the bell has rung. 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.�* the festival gets under way today, it was an event with thousands of performances, we get people coming

from 58 different countries to take part. what a location, this is in the shadow of edinburgh castle. these kinds of views from all different parts of the city. we have a couple of artists performing with us today. this is the tinderbox orchestra. sir we are a 20 piece band of rappers, singers, and instruments. all locals, we are based in edinburgh, we are part of a collective charity.— collective charity. people talk about the _ collective charity. people talk about the challenges - collective charity. people talk about the challenges of i collective charity. people talk. about the challenges of coming collective charity. people talk- about the challenges of coming to the festival, but it can be quite challenging, can't it to perform? iotofe challenging, can't it to perform? we are challenging, can't it to perform? - are lucky, we have a library project where we get musical instruments from public libraries. we have been working with edinburgh at libraries and they are helping us out by letting us use them as a venue this year.

letting us use them as a venue this ear. ., ., , ., , letting us use them as a venue this year. performing in a library? books and music it — year. performing in a library? books and music it doesn't _ year. performing in a library? books and music it doesn't get _ year. performing in a library? books and music it doesn't get better- year. performing in a library? books and music it doesn't get better than| and music it doesn't get better than that. let's cut across and have a quick word with marie, your first time at the festival? sign up second time at the festival? sign up second time at the festival, first time performing. i came to watch and i wasn't a performer and then i came back to put on my own show. you have been a successful businesswoman, how do you feel about forming? it is startint do you feel about forming? it is starting from — do you feel about forming? it is starting from scratch all over again which _ starting from scratch all over again which has — starting from scratch all over again which has been very fun. suddenly i am naive _ which has been very fun. suddenly i am naive and clueless. what which has been very fun. suddenly i am naive and clueless.— am naive and clueless. what an outfit! my _ am naive and clueless. what an outfit! my show _ am naive and clueless. what an outfit! my show is _ am naive and clueless. what an outfit! my show is one - am naive and clueless. what an outfit! my show is one a - am naive and clueless. what an i outfit! my show is one a chameleon,. good luck with _ outfit! my show is one a chameleon,. good luck with your _ outfit! my show is one a chameleon,. good luck with your show. _ outfit! my show is one a chameleon,. good luck with your show. thank i outfit! my show is one a chameleon,. | good luck with your show. thank you. just a taste of some of the shows here at the fringe. we have everything from clowns to comedians

and music. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. i thought i'd start off with a look back at the enormous thunderstorms that developed yesterday across central and southern england. the storms that went across fairford in gloucestershire dumped 35mm of rain in the space ofjust one hour. i think that's the heaviest downpour i've seen all year. the result of those massive storms was some quite severe localised flooding problems that we had. today it's all changed weather—wise really. for the north and west of the country we've got a band of rain edging in here. for northern ireland and western scotland it's a wet afternoon. holding on to a reasonable amount of dry weather for east scotland for most of the day. for most of england and wales things are looking fine, with some sunny spells breaking through. it's still very humid across eastern england and that humidity could bring a few showers near to the east coast of east anglia and kent as we go on through the afternoon. there is an outside chance of a rumble of thunder, but the storms won't be as severe as the ones we had on thursday.

overnight tonight we'll see that band of rain push its way southwards and eastwards into parts of england and wales, but as the front continues to push eastwards it will weaken. we've got the fresh air behind the front across scotland and northern ireland, but another quite warm and humid night for england and wales. we pick up on that front on saturday morning, draped across east anglia and south—east england, with outbreaks of patchy rain. most of it is going to be quite light, but there could be a few this heavier bursts mixed in. eventually that clears through the afternoon. what follows for most of the uk is a fresher feeling day, with sunny spells widespread and just a few showers running into the north and west of scotland. heading into the second half of the weekend, it's not a bad start to the day really. most areas dry with variable cloud and there should be some sunny spells coming through that as the day goes by. however, we end the day in northern ireland and western scotland with the next area of rain moving its way in. that rain is associated with the next area of low pressure that's going to be bringing rain across these north—western areas of the uk into the early part of next week. the rain could turn out to be really quite heavy across these areas,

so there is a risk of seeing some localised flooding. even beyond that, as the rain clears through, we'll be left with quite a few showers around, temperatures generally running into the high teens to low 20s across western areas. the east and south—east of the country fares a bit better. closer to an area of high pressure, at times the weather could become quite warm with some sun.

this is business today, live from new york — where at the opening bell us markets are lower after growth fears spark a global stock slump. more fuel for the fire? us employers add 114,000 jobs injuly, as cracks emerge in america's ultra strong labor market. and the tech sell—off felt around the world — japan's financial markets plunge, suffering historic falls to stock prices. plus feeling a bit hot under the collar? try one of the hottest acsessories seen at the paris olympics — a neck fan! we find out what all the "fuzz" is about. welcome to business today,

i'm michelle fleury. in the last hour, one of the biggest reports