Connect with us

International News

Russia, US Swap Prisoners In Push For Closer Ties

Published

on

Spread the love
FILE: US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. AFP

 

A Los Angeles-based ballet dancer released by Russia as part of a prisoner swap landed safely in the United States Thursday night, the second swap under President Donald Trump as Moscow and Washington push to rebuild ties.

Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian dual national convicted in Russia of “treason” over a one-time donation worth around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity, landed at Joint Base Andrews just before 11:00 pm local time Thursday (0300 GMT).

Karelina descended the stairs of the jet plane where she was greeted by several loved ones — including her boyfriend, South African boxer Chris van Heerden — who applauded and shouted “welcome home!” before embracing her.

 

TOPSHOT – US-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina and her boyfriend South African boxer Chris van Heerden embrace as she arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, following her release from Russia on April 10, 2025. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

In return, Washington freed Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German national accused of illegally exporting US-made electronics to manufacturers supplying the Russian military.

The exchange took place at an airport in Abu Dhabi, where a dozen people wearing suits were present, video posted by Russia’s FSB security service showed.

Trump has sought to reset ties with Moscow since taking office, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago plunged bilateral relations to their lowest point since the Cold War.

Trump said Karelina’s case was brought to his attention by the president of the UFC mixed martial arts league and that the United States then asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to free her.

“She is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that,” Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting.

“We hope that we’re going to be able to make a deal relatively soon with Russia and Ukraine to stop the fighting. It’s so senseless,” Trump said.

The FSB video showed Petrov seated on a plane after he was freed, telling an unseen interviewer that he had not slept for two days but otherwise had no complaints.

Petrov, arrested in Cyprus in 2023 and extradited to the United States, was facing 20 years in a US jail.

US director Peter Berg (R) watches US-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina greet friends as she arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, following her release from Russia on April 10, 2025. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

‘Positive’ step

CIA Director John Ratcliffe was the key negotiator with Russian intelligence and foreign partners, the CIA said.

Ratcliffe in a statement thanked the UAE “for enabling this exchange.”

“Other Americans remain wrongfully detained in Russia,” a CIA spokesperson said.

“We see this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work for their release.”

The State Department said that the United States has raised the particular case of Stephen Hubbard, an English teacher living in eastern Ukraine who was taken away by Russian troops during the invasion and accused of being a mercenary.

“We continue to work to free Mr. Hubbard and all other Americans unjustly detained,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

As the prisoner swap took place, US and Russian delegations were meeting in Istanbul on restoring embassy staffing levels after years of diplomat expulsions.

The State Department said after the meeting that Washington renewed concern about Moscow’s prohibition of its citizens working at US missions in Russia.

The two sides also moved to formalize an agreement on banking access for their diplomats, despite the US sanctions on Russia, the State Department said.

(FILES) This grab from a handout footage taken and released by Sverdlovsk regional Court press service on June 20, 2024, shows US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina sitting in a cage at The Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg. (Photo by HANDOUT / Sverdlovsk regional Court press / AFP)

 

Prisoner swaps

Karelina, 33, was serving a 12-year prison sentence for having donated around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity.

She was arrested in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in January 2024 while on a trip to visit her family and charged with “treason.”

Russia’s Federal Security Service accused her of contributing to “equipment, weapons and ammunition” for Ukraine’s army — charges she denied. Her supporters say she donated to a US-based organization that delivers humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Petrov was accused by US authorities of illegally exporting electronic components to Russia for military use, in violation of Washington’s sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on March 18, 2025 shows President Donald Trump (L) on the phone on January 28, 2017 in Washington, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) on the phone Moscow on December 27, 2023. (Photo by Drew ANGERER and Gavriil GRIGOROV / various sources / AFP)

 

In mid-February, following a call between Putin and Trump, Russia released Kalob Wayne Byers, a 28-year-old US citizen arrested at a Moscow airport for transporting cannabis gummy sweets.

Washington and Moscow also exchanged US teacher Marc Fogel for Russian computer expert Alexander Vinnik in early February.

The largest US-Russia prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War took place on August 1, 2024. It involved the release of journalists, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, and dissidents held in Russia in exchange for alleged Russian spies held in the West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFP

International News

JUST IN: Museveni Sworn In For 7th Term At 81 As President Of Ugand

Published

on

Spread the love

Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for his seventh term as President of Uganda on May 12, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, following his victory in the January 2026 elections.

 

Recall Museveni won with 71.65 percent of the vote, defeating his main challenger, 43-year-old Bobi Wine, who received 24.72 percent of the vote, according to the official results.

 

The 81-year-old leader took his oath for another five-year term, continuing his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

Museveni, born 1944 in Mbarra district area of Uganda has served as president since 1986.

He started his education in 1953 at Kyamate Boys School, then joined Mbarara High School in 1959.

 

After his family’s migration from Ntungamo in 1960s, then within the British Protectorate of Uganda, he was admitted to Ntare School in 1961.
He studied political science from the University of Dar es Salaam where he initiated the University Students’ African Revolutionary Front.

Continue Reading

International News

Tragedy as Nigerian Boy Drowns in Canadian Lake

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The family of a 12-year-old Nigerian boy, Damilola Afolabi who drowned in a Canadian lake, has been thrown into mourning after the tragic incident occurred barely two months after they relocated abroad in search of a better life.

 

Damilola reportedly drowned at Mahogany Lake in Calgary on Sunday after jumping into the water while playing with friends

According to reports, the boy did not know how to swim and failed to resurface after entering the lake.

He was later pulled from the bottom of the lake and rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The deceased was buried on Wednesday at the Muslim Cemetery of Calgary as relatives and members of the community gathered to mourn him.

Speaking on the tragedy, family spokesperson Patrick Adda said the family had only recently moved from Ghana to Canada and were still trying to settle into their new environment.

“They came in here,” Adda said. “They have no one. And all of us here. We’re like angels that came in their lives to see how best we can help them migrating to the best place to live and work, which is in Calgary.”

According to the family, Damilola had been trying to make new friends and adapt to life in Canada. He was said to enjoy riding bicycles and spending time outdoors in his neighbourhood.

His grieving father, Jubreel Afolabi, said his son had returned from church on the day of the incident before asking to go outside and play.

“On Sunday, my son just came from the church, and he wanted to play a little at the front of the house,” he said.

“That’s the end. I would never see my son again, when I see my son, I saw his body lying there.”

The distraught father added that the family relocated abroad hoping to secure a brighter future for their children.

“When we were about to leave Ghana Dami said, ‘Daddy, thank you for the good life you are going to give us in Canada,’” Jubreel recalled emotionally.

“I didn’t know that my son would never be with me at this moment anymore.”

Damilola was one of four children in the family. Adda revealed that his younger sister has continued asking about him since his death.

“His little sister calls him Da,” Adda said. “And the little sister, who is just a few years old, had Da changing her diapers and everything, and she was asking,

‘Where is Da?’”

The incident has also reignited concerns over safety at Mahogany Lake, where several drowning cases have been recorded over the years.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas reacted to the tragedy, saying it raises serious questions about public safety infrastructure around the lake area.

“It does make a bigger question, though, in terms of the type of supports and infrastructure and equipment we provide for our Calgary police and county fire departments,” he said.

Still overwhelmed by grief, the boy’s father said burying his son was a painful experience no parent should endure.

“I wish my sons would be the ones to bury me and not the other way around,” Jubreel said.

Reports added that a crowdfunding campaign has since been launched to support the bereaved family.

Continue Reading

International News

Arsene Wenger Tackles Rooney Over Arsenal Win Celebration Comment

Published

on

Spread the love

Arsene Wenger made his feelings clear on Arsenal’s celebrations after the win over Atletico Madrid – and they were different to Wayne Rooney’s

 

Arsene Wenger has leapt to Arsenal’s defence over their Champions League celebrations, insisting they were ‘deserved’ and ‘normal’ after Wayne Rooney’s brutal criticism. The England icon immediately took aim at Mikel Arteta and the players by claiming the jubilant scenes at the end were over the top.

Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal just before half-time to clinch a 2-1 aggregate win and set up a final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners celebrated wildly after the final whistle, drawing criticism from Rooney, who was at the Emirates as a pundit for Prime Video. The Manchester United legend said: “They deserve to be in this position but they haven’t won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win.”

Legendary former Gunners boss Wenger disagreed with that stance, insisting the Gunners had every right to enjoy the moment. Speaking on beIN Sports, the Frenchman said: “They celebrate well tonight, which is normal, but you want to focus already on the final and the next games.

“The celebration is deserved and happiness is normal – absolutely normal – but the next step is to go to the final and win in.”

Wenger felt that the Gunners were worthy winners, saying: “I think Arsenal wanted it a bit more than Atleti and they were more decisive in the duels.

“We said before the game that to go to the final, they needed to be strong defensively and they didn’t concede a goal tonight. They played a team who for 45 minutes absolutely needed to score a goal and they didn’t give them a chance.

“I believe it shows how strong Arsenal are defensively and how disciplined they are, as well as the limitations of Atletico, who were not good enough in the final third.

“In the end, it’s a well-deserved win for Arsenal, there’s no doubt they were the better team over the two legs.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 TheColumn NG