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Who is Stephen Hubbard, imprisoned American released by Russia?

Russia on Wednesday released American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was serving a seven-year prison sentence after prosecutors accused him of working with Ukraine as a mercenary following the Russian invasion that launched the war between the two countries. President Trump announced the development on Truth Social after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff…

Sources (2)· Oct 21, 12:50 PM to Oct 21, 2:36 PM

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Democratic Congressional Candidate Brad Lander Detained by IsraelDemocratic nominee for Congress and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was detained by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank Wednesday morning. “I’ve been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank,” Lander posted on X with a picture from a…

The New Republic14h agoWhole story →

Warren warns of ‘enormous risk’ if Musk is ‘dictating our foreign policy’Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) says there needs to be an investigation of who ordered the limit on Ukraine’s access to the Starshield satellite-based internet network and warned there is an “enormous risk” if Elon Musk is “dictating our foreign policy” by deciding what tools Ukraine has on the battlefield. “We’d like to know exactly who...

The Hill14h agoWhole story →

New York congressional candidate Brad Lander says IDF detained him in the occupied West BankLander later said Israeli authorities released him after they detained him and dozens of other volunteers for harvesting olives near a settlement.

NBC News14h agoWhole story →

Poland Blasts Ukrainian City’s Honor for World War II FightersTensions between Poland and Ukraine flared up after a major city council voted to dedicate the year 2027 to the memory of controversial World War II-era Ukrainian fighters.

Bloomberg14h agoWhole story →

Headlines for October 19, 2026Hundreds of Thousands March in Over 140 Cities in France on Saturday, Millions of Protesters Participate in “No Kings” Demonstrations on Saturday in the U.S., Thousands March in Tunisia Against President Kaïs Saïed, Protests Continue to Roil Albania, as Demonstrators Call for Prime Minister to Resign, Brazil’s Lula Holds First and Only Debate with Flávio…

Democracy Now!14h agoWhole story →

Economy ukraine russia conflict

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U.S. reducing troop footprint in Middle East, sources sayThe U.S. military has been quietly reducing its footprint at posts in the Middle East due to ongoing regional threats from the Iran-backed Houthis and direct threats from Iran, sources tell CBS News.

CBS News3h agoWhole story →

Greene says El-Sayed could win Senate seat if Trump attacks Iran againFormer Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (D-Ga.) lashed out at President Trump’s military operations against Iran on Wednesday, warning a further escalation could cost Republicans in the November elections. “If Trump is dumb enough to attack Iran again before the midterms, @AbdulElSayed will win the senate seat in Michigan,” Greene wrote on social media…

The Hill2h agoWhole story →

AIPAC halts endorsements and direct contributions to candidatesThe pro-Israel lobbying group and influential political funder announced it would no longer endorse candidates or give directly to campaigns. AIPAC's affiliated super PAC, though, will continue.

NPR2h agoWhole story →

Mike Rogers' debate attack on El-Sayed instantly blows up in his face: 'Shameful!The Michigan Senate debate on Wednesday turned fiery, as Republican Mike Rogers effectively accused Democrat Abdul El-Sayed of dual loyalty to a foreign Islamic group — and El-Sayed turned it right back on him. The exchange came during a question about law enforcement, during which Rogers tried to portray El-Sayed as anti-police. "This guy has got new…

Raw Story2h agoWhole story →

Stephen Hubbard's son after his release from Russian prison: "I want to embrace him"Retired Michigan teacher Stephen Hubbard was a wrongfully held prisoner in Russia for more than four years before his release on Wednesday. Margaret Brennan reports on the details.

CBS News2h agoWhole story →

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Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talksRussia frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin, wanted by ICC as war criminal, as a ‘humanitarian’ Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American man from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close…

The Guardian1h agoWhole story →

Witkoff faces backlash after calling Putin a 'humanitarian'Special envoy Steve Witkoff is facing criticism from lawmakers after calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” for releasing an American who has been held in Russia for years. President Trump had made a direct appeal to Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard, a teacher who was accused of being a Ukrainian mercenary. Hubbard...

The Hill12h agoWhole story →

Stephen Hubbard release from Russia gives detainee families hopeRussian President Vladimir Putin this week released American Stephen Hubbard.

NewsNation2h agoWhole story →

Trump Envoy Gives Nauseating Praise of Putin as Russia Frees AmericanTrump administration envoy Steve Witkoff thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “humanitarian.” The comment came after Russia on Wednesday released 74-year-old Stephen James Hubbard, an American who spent four years locked up under accusations of being a Ukrainian mercenary. “He’s a 75-year-old man. You talk so much about my president, President…

The New Republic13h agoWhole story →

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff praises Putin as ‘humanitarian’ as Ukraine peace talks hang in the balanceUS special envoy Steve Witkoff complimented Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” during their meeting in St. Petersburg -- as President Trump desperately tries to get Russia back to the negotiating table to end the Ukraine war.

New York Post7h agoSources (2)Whole story →

10/21: The Takeout with Major GarrettAmerican Stephen Hubbard released by Russia after four years of wrongful detention; special envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Putin in Moscow.

CBS News5h agoWhole story →

US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia as Trump envoy meets PutinThe 74-year-old former teacher, who was captured in 2022, has been released without any "swap" required, Trump says.

BBC News6h agoWhole story →

Trump teases release of Stephen Hubbard, American man jailed in RussiaPresident Trump on Tuesday said he’s asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release jailed American Stephen Hubbard, teasing that a resolution could happen within a few days. “Remember that question for a couple of days from now,” Trump said when asked about reports claiming the U.S. was closing in on a deal for Hubbard's release. ...

The Hill1d agoWhole story →

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