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El Salvador and US negotiate prisoner swap with Venezuela

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Bernd Debusmann Jr

BBC News, the White House

Will Grant

Mexico, Cuba and Central America correspondent

Embajada de los EE.UU., Venezuela Several men in jeans carrying a large American flag pose for photoEmbajada de los EE.UU., Venezuela

US embassy in Venezuela posted on X a photo of the 10 Americans who were released in a prisoner swap.

El Salvador is repatriating approximately 250 detained Venezuelans in exchange for US nationals held in Venezuela, the governments of the US and El Salvador have announced.

The Central American country exchanged the prisoners – migrants deported from the US and incarcerated in the notorious Centre for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot) prison – for the release of 10 US nationals from Venezuela.

The planeload of migrants leaving El Salvador is scheduled to arrive in Maiquetía, Venezuela later on Friday.

A senior US administration official told reporters that, with the release, there are currently no longer any US nationals being held by the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

In a post on X on Friday, Salvadorean leader Nayib Bukele said: “Today, we have handed over all the Venezuelan nationals detained in our country, accused of being part of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TDA).”

He said the exchange was done in return “for a considerable number of Venezuelan political prisoners” as well as the US citizens.

In a separate post, US Secretary of State Marc Rubio confirmed the exchange and thanked Bukele and American officials.

Citing privacy concerns, US officials have so far declined to publicly identify any of the US nationals released as part of the deal.

CBS, the BBC’s US partner, has reported that one of them is former Navy Seal Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, who was detained in Venezuela last year while on a personal trip.

The Venezuelans being repatriated had originally been deported by the US under the Trump administration to El Salvador earlier this year, under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which gives a US president power to detain and deport natives or citizens of “enemy” nations without usual processes.

Among the Venezuelans released is Oscar González Pineda, who’s mother Gertrudis lives in western Venezuela.

She told the BBC in a voice message she was “so happy my heart is overflowing”, adding: “I’m so thankful to God, to (Venezuelan) President Nicolas Maduro for fighting to free them, to the lawyers there in El Salvador.”

Oscar was working as a tile and carpet fitter when he was detained by immigration authorities in Dallas. Initially he understood he was going to a detention facility in Texas but was one of the 252 deportees to Cecot.

Gertrudis has always insisted Oscar had no link to the Tren de Aragua gang.

Courtesy of Gertrudis Pineda Gertrudis Pineda holds up a sign with a photo of her son, reading: "Oscar is not a criminal." Courtesy of Gertrudis Pineda

Gertrudis Pineda insists her son Oscar is not a criminal

A senior Trump administration official told reporters on Friday that El Salvador made the “independent decision” to release the Venezuelan prisoners – which it considers to be gang members – for humanitarian reasons.

Some of the families of the Venezuelan deportees have denied that they have gang connections.

The official added that the complicated deal was “down to the wire”, and was only confirmed to reporters once the aircraft carrying the US nationals left Venezuelan airspace on Friday afternoon.

“We’re dealing with a regime in which there is always a degree of uncertainty on their side, and a degree of uncertainty on our side,” the official said. “At the end of the day, everything worked out, everything is fine and everyone is safely on their way to be reunited with their loved ones.”

Relations between Bukele and US President Donald Trump have warmed significantly in recent months, especially as Bukele had agreed to detain deported US migrants.

The exchange facilitated by El Salvador highlights that strong relationship between Trump and Bukele – the self-styled “world’s coolest dictator”.

“This deal would not have been possible without President Bukele,” the administration official said. “We extend our deep, deep gratitude.”

The Salvadoran leader visited Trump in the White House in April, where the pair appeared friendly as they spoke to reporters, often laughing and cracking jokes together.

Bukele has backed the deportation of migrants from the United States to El Salvador’s Cecot maximum security jail.

Trump said at the time that Bukele is “really helping out” the US out by facilitating these detentions, as the Salvadoran president responded that his country is “very eager to help”.

Around the same time, Bukele first proposed swapping Venezuelan deportees for “political prisoners”, including family members of Venezuelan opposition figures, journalists and activists detained in a government electoral crackdown in 2024.

“The only reason they are imprisoned is for having opposed you and your electoral fraud,” he wrote to Maduro on X.

“However, I propose a humanitarian agreement that includes the repatriation of 100% of the 252 Venezuelans who were deported, in exchange for the release and surrender of an identical number (252) of the thousands of political prisoners you hold.”

While Maduro’s government rejected the deal, the administration official said they saw the proposal as a “critical opportunity” to potentially retrieve US nationals.

The senior administration official said that while the deal only pertained to US nationals kept in Venezuela, the Trump administration is still actively working on the release of “dozens” of political prisoners held by the Maduro government.

The US currently has no official diplomatic relations with Venezuela, on which the US has imposed heavy sanctions.

The administration official said the lifting of sanctions was not a part of the “conversation” about the prisoner swap.

The issue of deportations to El Salvador was starkly highlighted earlier this year by the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, where he alleged he was subjected to “severe beatings” and “torture” when detained in Cecot.

The Trump administration had previously alleged Mr Ábrego García – a citizen of El Salvador – was a member of the Salvadorian gang, MS-13, which his lawyers and family have strongly denied.

He was returned to the US in July to face human trafficking charges – to which he has pleaded not guilty



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Sources – Packers’ Micah Parsons has joint sprain in his back

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Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons has been dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back and he may receive a facet injection before Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions if needed to help him play, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

Before trading Parsons last week, the Dallas Cowboys prescribed him a five-day course of prednisone, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid to help him recover from back tightness. They also had him on a physical therapy program.

Parsons has been practicing this week, and he is trying to play Sunday, although one source told Schefter it still is not certain if he will.

The Packers traded two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys last Thursday to acquire Parsons. Green Bay then signed him to a four-year, $188 million contract extension that includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and $136 million in total guarantees, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, sources told ESPN.

The move occurred after a training camp hold-in when Parsons sat out of Cowboys practices because of back tightness.

Parsons flew to Green Bay on Friday, passed his physical and signed his contract. He picked No. 1 for his jersey, becoming the second Packers player to wear that number and first since Curly Lambeau in 1925-26.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.



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Chloe Grace Moretz is MARRIED: Star secretly weds Kate Harrison as unconventional wedding dress is revealed

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Chloë Grace Moretz is officially a married woman!

The Kick-Ass star, 28, and model Kate Harrison, 34, exchanged vows over Labor Day weekend.

The pair, who first began dating back in 2018, announced their engagement on January 1, 2025, when Moretz posted a New Year’s Day slideshow that included a photo of the newly engaged couple showing off matching diamond rings.

Ahead of the celebration, Moretz opened up to Vogue about how she and Harrison planned to personalize the festivities.

‘A big part of the wedding [is about] sharing things that Kate and I love with everyone that’s going to be there,’ she explained. ‘So there’s fishing, horseback riding and poker. Kate made a custom poker mat herself, so we’re going to kind of be leaning into it. Our second day is going to be line dancing and everything.’

Both brides turned to Louis Vuitton for their wedding-day ensembles, including their reception looks.

Chloë Grace Moretz and model Kate Harrison, 34, exchanged vows over Labor Day weekend

True to tradition, the pair didn’t get a sneak peek at each other’s dresses beforehand, even though they were in Paris at the same time for their fittings.

For their wedding, Moretz stunned in a blue dress inspired by her Old Hollywood vision.

‘I honestly don’t even know if words can put together how I feel,’ she admitted. ‘The birth of the color [blue] started when I went to the Academy Gala with LV, and I wore this blue leather dress. I remember immediately talking to [my stylist] Nell, and I was like, maybe we should think about doing this [color for my wedding].’

The actress said she never saw herself as a ‘white dress bride.’

‘It just feels like me,’ she said. ‘I knew I would do something non-traditional, and not wear white, and kind of have it feel different, and I think it really does.’

The couple, who have largely kept their romance out of the spotlight, celebrated their nuptials surrounded by family, friends, and plenty of personal touches.

After nearly seven years together, Moretz said what she cherishes most is the promise to keep choosing each other every day.

‘I think what I’m most looking forward to about getting married is just being together,’ she reflected. ‘Making this promise to each other in a new way, and exchanging these vows.’

The pair, who first began dating back in 2018, announced their engagement on January 1, 2025

The pair, who first began dating back in 2018, announced their engagement on January 1, 2025 

For their wedding, Moretz stunned in a blue dress inspired by her Old Hollywood vision

For their wedding, Moretz stunned in a blue dress inspired by her Old Hollywood vision 

The former child actress and the model were first romantically linked in December 2018, when they were spotted sharing a kiss after dinner at Nobu Malibu.

Three years later, The 5th Wave actress confirmed that she was ‘in a long-term relationship.’

Speaking to The i Paper in November 2022, she explained: ‘I like to keep my private life private. And I really enjoy that.’

The pair then made their romance Instagram official last year when Kate wished the Greta alum a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ and shared a sweet photo of the two.

The actress said she never saw herself as a 'white dress bride' (seen in 2022)

The actress said she never saw herself as a ‘white dress bride’ (seen in 2022)

After nearly seven years together, Moretz said what she cherishes most is the promise to keep choosing each other every day

After nearly seven years together, Moretz said what she cherishes most is the promise to keep choosing each other every day 

Chloe went on to re-share the photo on her own Instagram Stories.

Over the years, the couple have enjoyed numerous trips together, often sharing snaps from their adventures on Instagram.

Although, the lovebirds have posted each other on their Instagram accounts, they mostly keep their relationship low-key.

Harrison is the daughter of actors Gregory Harrison and Randi Oaks.

'I think what I'm most looking forward to about getting married is just being together,' she reflected. 'Making this promise to each other in a new way, and exchanging these vows'

‘I think what I’m most looking forward to about getting married is just being together,’ she reflected. ‘Making this promise to each other in a new way, and exchanging these vows’

Harrison is the daughter of actors Gregory Harrison and Randi Oaks

Harrison is the daughter of actors Gregory Harrison and Randi Oaks 

She is a model and photographer who has modeled for Topshop, Inez, and Lands’ End.

The beauty is signed to multiple agencies, including Elite NY, Freedom LA, and Modelwerk Germany.

She also has a separate Instagram account for her photography, where she often shares black-and-white portrait shots.

In 2017, Kate featured in a girl on girl photoshoot with fellow model Emily LaBowe for Playboy, which billed them as ‘newcomers.’

Harrison’s former romantic partners include Nick Simmons, the reality star son of musician Gene Simmons, who she dated in 2013.

Moretz previously dated Brooklyn Beckham (seen in 2016), Dylan O'Brien, Alex Roe, Cameron Fuller and Brazilian football player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Moretz previously dated Brooklyn Beckham (seen in 2016), Dylan O’Brien, Alex Roe, Cameron Fuller and Brazilian football player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Meanwhile, Moretz previously dated Brooklyn Beckham, Dylan O’Brien, Alex Roe, Cameron Fuller and Brazilian football player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior.

In early November, she described herself as a ‘gay woman’ as she opened up about her political beliefs, stating: ‘I believe in the need for legal protections that protects the LGBTQ+ community as a gay woman.

‘We need protections in this country and to have access to the care we need and deserve.’

After her relationship with Brooklyn, 25, ended in 2018, The Equalizer actress told The Sunday Times that dating someone not in the industry is ‘nearly impossible’ as someone in the public eye.



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Nestlé Board appoints Philipp Navratil as CEO following the

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[Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR]

This press release is also available in Français (pdf) and Deutsch (pdf)

………….

Vevey, 1 September, 2025

Nestlé Board appoints Philipp Navratil as CEO following the departure of Laurent Freixe

Nestlé’s Board of Directors today announces that Philipp Navratil has been appointed as CEO of Nestlé, S.A., following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe with immediate effect.

The departure of Laurent Freixe follows an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate which breached Nestlé’s Code of Business Conduct. In line with best practice corporate governance, the Board ordered an investigation overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director, Pablo Isla, with the support of independent outside counsel.

Paul Bulcke, Chairman, stated: “This was a necessary decision. Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé.”

He continued: “I am pleased to announce Philipp Navratil as CEO. Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Renowned for his dynamic presence, he inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style. The Board is confident that he will drive our growth plans forward and accelerate efficiency efforts. We are not changing course on strategy and we will not lose pace on performance.”

Philipp Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 as an internal auditor. After holding various commercial roles in Central America, he was appointed Country Manager for Nestlé Honduras in 2009. In 2013, Philipp Navratil assumed leadership of the coffee and beverage business in Mexico, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the Nescafé brand. In 2020, he transitioned to Nestlé’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit, where he was responsible for shaping the global strategy and driving innovation for Nescafé and Starbucks coffee brands. He assumed his position at Nespresso in July 2024, where he has accelerated growth and built strong momentum. Philipp Navratil joined the Nestlé Executive Board on January 1, 2025.

Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestlé, added: “I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me, and it is a privilege to take on the responsibility of leading Nestlé into the future. I fully embrace the company’s strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé’s performance. I look forward to working closely with the entire leadership of the company, in alignment with the Board, Chairman Paul Bulcke, and Chairman-Designate Pablo Isla, to accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity.”


Contacts:

Media:
Christoph Meier  Tel.: +41 21 924 2200
mediarelations@nestle.com

Investors:
David Hancock  Tel.: +41 21 924 3509
ir@nestle.com



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