Reuters

Russia freed U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan on Thursday as part of the biggest prisoner exchange of its kind since the end of the Cold War.

The White House said the U.S. had negotiated the trade with Russia, Germany and three other countries. The deal, negotiated in secrecy for more than a year, involved 24 prisoners, including 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight prisoners held in the West being sent back to Russia.

New professions emerge amid China’s digitalization drive

CGTN

The options for Chinese jobseekers are growing increasingly diverse, with 19 new professions added recently to the country’s list of officially recognized occupations.

China’s self-developed general-purpose humanoid robot “Tiangong” meets the public at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, China, April 27, 2024.

Over half of the new professions involve digital and smart technologies, such as operators of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems, smart-vehicle testers and industrial-internet maintenance workers, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

Kerala rain: Schools closed in 7 districts; reports say Wayanad landslides death toll now 290

Hindustan Times

All educational institutions, including schools, colleges and tuition centres, in Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasragod districts will remained closed on Friday, August 2, in view of heavy rain predictions.

Rescue operation underway after a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains, in Wayanad district. (PTI)

The holiday announcement comes even as the India Meteorological Department of Kerala has issued an ‘orange’ alert in the Wayanad district until Saturday that has already been affected by massive landslides reportedly claiming more than 290 lives.

Overwhelming evidence Venezuela opposition won election – Blinken

BBC

The US secretary of state has said there was “overwhelming evidence” Venezuela’s opposition won the recent presidential election. In a statement Antony Blinken said it was clear Edmundo González, had won the most votes – despite incumbent president Nicolás Maduro declaring a disputed victory.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado claims her party’s candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won by a landslide

“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s 28 July presidential election,” Mr Blinken said.