Slovenia

Two pivotal meetings held in Istanbul and Ankara have laid the groundwork for a major prisoner swap between the United States, Russia and other countries, according to security sources.

The earlier meetings, involving representatives from all relevant countries, were crucial in coordinating the exchange of 26 individuals at Esenboğa Airport in Ankara, the sources told Turkish media.

BELGRADE - Serbian football club Partizan Belgrade suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Swiss side Lugano in the first leg of the two teams' UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

Mattia Zanotti scored the winner for the visitors in the 70th minute.

The price of renting student accommodation continue to rise.

The new academic year that is just around the corner is causing extra stress for households and parents who are being asked to find accommodation for their children.

Over 407,000 individuals in Bulgaria have turned to digital assets for investment, according to data from Singaporean fintech company Triple-A. This represents 6.15% of the population who are engaged with crypto wallets.

Eight European Union member-states, including Greece, have launched a diplomatic initiative to establish informal communication channels between the EU and Bashar al-Assad's Syrian administration.

The historic prisoner exchange agreement between Russia and the West is the result of secret negotiations held under tense conditions between Moscow and the outgoing U.S. President.

Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Evan Gershkovich are now on American soil following the largest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed them at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Türkiye on Thursday reaffirmed its dedication to international peace and stability after leading a landmark prisoner exchange operation.

"Türkiye will continue to offer every possible contribution to the establishment of peace and stability in the international arena," Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden walking across the tarmac after greeting reporter Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following their release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

The prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, which took place on Thursday in Istanbul, resembled moments from the Cold War, complete with the dramatic setting of an isolated airport area.

From Russia, 16 people were released: four to the U.S. and 12 to Germany, one of whom was Belarusian.