US officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

A federal appeals court has ruled that Pedro Hernandez, convicted of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979, should either be retried or released due to flawed jury instructions regarding his confessions. The court emphasized that the trial's reliance on these confessions, combined with Hernandez's mental health issues, constituted a manifestly prejudicial error. Want More Context? 🔎

A 148-year-old logistics company, KNP, collapsed after hackers accessed its systems by guessing a weak password, leading to a ransom demand from the gang known as Akira. With an estimated 19,000 UK companies affected by similar cyber attacks, KNP's closure highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures in businesses facing rising ransomware threats. Want More Context? 🔎

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep regret after an Israeli strike mistakenly hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza, resulting in three deaths and injuries, including the parish priest. The incident, which the IDF is investigating, drew criticism, with Pope Leo XIV urging for a ceasefire as the church served as a sanctuary for those fleeing violence. Want More Context? 🔎

Italy’s Royal Palace of Caserta canceled a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, a supporter of President Putin, following backlash from politicians and Kremlin critics, including Ukraine. While critics welcomed the decision, Moscow’s ambassador denounced it as a “scandalous situation,” asserting that Italy is succumbing to external pressures against Russian culture. Want More Context? 🔎

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," has died at 54 from an accidental drowning in Costa Rica. Warner, who also directed and starred in various TV shows and won a Grammy for music, was pulled out to sea by a current and was pronounced dead despite attempts to assist him. Want More Context? 🔎

Fifteen people were injured when a double-decker bus collided with a bridge in Eccles, Greater Manchester, tearing off its roof. Emergency services responded promptly to the incident, which occurred around 3:10 PM at the junction of Barton Lane and Trafford Road, with reports indicating that this was not the first collision involving the low bridge. Want More Context? 🔎