Hamas agrees to release US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and bodies of 4 others

A tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls crashed on the New York State Thruway, resulting in five fatalities and injuries to at least 47 passengers. The driver lost control after becoming distracted, leading to a rollover; many passengers were trapped or ejected, prompting a significant emergency response, including translators for non-English speakers. Want More Context? 🔎

France will summon the US ambassador, Charles Kushner, after he criticized the government's response to rising antisemitism in a leaked letter to President Macron, which coincided with the anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris. The letter, echoing Israeli concerns, claims antisemitism has surged since the Hamas assault on October 7, while France's foreign ministry refuted the allegations as unacceptable interference in internal affairs. Want More Context? 🔎

Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the U.S. brokering peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, citing recent concessions from both sides. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cast doubt on this possibility, alleging Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is obstructing negotiations and questioning his legitimacy for peace talks. Want More Context? 🔎

The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street party celebrating Caribbean culture, kicked off with vibrant costumes, music, and the J’ouvert celebration on August 24, 2025, and will continue through August 26. Despite the festive atmosphere, police reported 140 arrests, including for assaults on officers, and raised concerns over the use of live facial recognition technology during the event, which the Equality and Human Rights Commission claims breaches human rights law. Want More Context? 🔎

Canadian PM floats the possibility of ‘presence of troops’ from allied countries to protect Ukraine against Russia.During a visit to Kyiv, Canadian PM Mark Carney supported Ukraine's call for security guarantees, including potential troop deployments, as part of peace negotiations with Russia. He emphasized the need for military support and a ceasefire, while Ukraine seeks post-war protections akin to NATO's Article 5, amid ongoing hostilities and diplomatic tensions. Want More Context? 🔎

Wildfires in California and Central Oregon intensified, leading to hundreds of evacuations as firefighters battled the blazes amid extreme heat. The Pickett Fire in Napa County grew to over 10 square miles and was 11% contained, while Oregon's Flat Fire expanded to nearly 34 square miles, with thousands of homes under evacuation orders, complicating firefighting efforts due to challenging terrain and dry conditions. Want More Context? 🔎