• Live Updates: Russia Hammers Ukraine’s Capital in Deadly Attacks — New York Times World - 15:53
• Russia Bombards Ukrainian Capital With Deadly Wave of Attacks — New York Times World - 15:53
• U.S. Restarts Shipments of Dollars to Iraq, Pausing Pressure — New York Times World - 15:45
• Vatican excommunicates hundreds of thousands of splinter sect followers — BBC World - 15:44
• Ryanair warns of 'queue chaos' from new EU border system — BBC World - 15:34
• Novice climber rescued after surviving 1,500ft fall down California mountain — The Guardian - 15:33
• Iran Prepares to Bury Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Killed at Iran War’s Outset — New York Times World - 15:32
• Aid Workers in Venezuela Fear Disease Outbreaks After Twin Quakes — New York Times World - 15:29
• AOC endorses progressive Democrat in closely watched Michigan race for US Senate seat — The Guardian - 15:26
• 'Most massive' Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 20 — BBC World - 15:16

Massive Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv have resulted in numerous casualties, prompting Ukraine to emphasize its strategy of taking the war to Russia, amidst charges of pipeline sabotage against a Ukrainian national and ongoing concerns over Russian drone surveillance of European nuclear sites.

• 'Most massive' Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 18 — BBC World -
• Live Updates: Russia Hammers Ukraine’s Capital in Deadly Attacks — New York Times World -
• Russia Strikes Ukraine as Explosions Rock Capital of Kyiv — New York Times World -

• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• At least 18 dead as Russia launches massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv — The Guardian -
• Kyiv attacks death toll rises to 17 as Russia warns it will ‘continue to increase pressure’ on Ukrainian capital – Europe live — The Guardian -
• Ukrainian Charged With Sabotaging Pipelines Between Russia and Germany — New York Times World -
• Russia ‘mounted drone surveillance of European nuclear sites over 18 months’ — The Guardian -
• Drones Over Europe Raise Concerns About Russian Activities — New York Times World -
• Russia Strikes Ukraine as Explosions Rock Capital of Kyiv — New York Times World -
• Ukraine Takes the War to Russia — New York Times World -

The UK government has issued a formal state apology over the historic forced adoption scandal, while inquiries into major public safety failures (Southport attack, Rochdale grooming gang) are progressing, and discussions are ongoing regarding deportation of a convicted people smuggler, new powers for mayors, and economic policies under a potential new Labour government.

• ‘Stain on our history’: Starmer issues government apology over forced adoption scandal – UK politics live — The Guardian -
• Convicted people smuggler reportedly living in UK should be deported, Tories say — The Guardian -
• No 10 accepts all recommendations in Southport attack inquiry, Mahmood says — The Guardian -

• ‘The shame is ours’: Keir Starmer issues formal state apology over forced adoptions — The Guardian -
• Fans in short supply as next UK heatwave approaches, says Currys — The Guardian -
• Release of Rochdale grooming gang leader ‘really scary’, says whistleblower — The Guardian -
• Bankers and unions set for clash over possible Burnham tax raid on UK banks — The Guardian -
• England’s mayors should be given sweeping new powers, says devolution expert — The Guardian -
• Stephen Hough to lead relaunched Leeds piano competition — The Guardian -
• People smuggler convicted in France found by BBC living in UK and seeking asylum — BBC World -
• Andy Burnham urged to be radical on economy to help Labour win next election — The Guardian -

A congressional report alleges Donald Trump hijacked the US 250th anniversary celebrations for political gain, as the FBI investigates potentially legitimate extortion demands in a high-profile disappearance case, and global perceptions of the US are explored.

• Anger as report says Trump hijacked US anniversary to serve own agenda – US politics live — The Guardian -
• Trump hijacked US’s 250 anniversary to serve ‘political ideology and pet projects’, congressional report says — The Guardian -
• 'Beautiful and terrible' - the world's thoughts on the US at 250 — BBC World -

• Watch: Couple scale Empire State Building, get engaged and are arrested — BBC World -
• Zohran Mamdani plans ‘major address’ to mark US’s 250th anniversary ahead of Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Nancy Guthrie: FBI clarifies it is investigating some extortion demands as legitimate — The Guardian -
• Trump sees bond with ‘great he-man’ Theodore Roosevelt at lavish library opening — The Guardian -

Forecasters warn of record-breaking US summer heat intensified by El Niño, while West Africa faces deadly floods and experts stress understanding Ebola's wildlife origins to prevent future outbreaks, alongside new research indicating pesticide effects on brain development and the impact of statins on obesity-related health metrics.

• Forecasters warn of record-breaking US summer heat amid intense El Niño — The Guardian -
• Côte d’Ivoire floods kill 59 as west Africa endures torrential rains — The Guardian -
• Understanding Ebola’s wildlife origins is crucial to preventing next big outbreak — The Guardian -

• Statins helping people with obesity match those of healthy weight on key metrics, study finds — The Guardian -
• EU-approved pesticide found to have potential effects on brain development — The Guardian -
• ‘Exploratory and curious animals’: mysterious rise in orca sightings off Northumberland coast — The Guardian -
• Canadian boy, 11, dies of rabies after waking to bat on his face — BBC World -
• The US deported them to Venezuela - hours later earthquakes struck — BBC World -

Iran prepares for the funeral of its Supreme Leader amid speculation about future US relations, the Vatican has excommunicated an ultra-conservative rebel group, China's new ethnic unity law faces international denunciation, and regional political developments unfold in Germany and France.

• For Congo Fans, the Thrill of Victory Was So Close, Until It Wasn’t — New York Times World -
• Vatican excommunicates all members of ultra-conservative rebel group SSPX — The Guardian -
• Far-right French mayor causes outrage after cancelling play about migrant — The Guardian -

• Imprisoned Chinese Journalist Seeks Medical Parole for Lung Tumor — New York Times World -
• As Far Right Rises, German Leaders Look to Jump-Start the Economy — New York Times World -
• Young Indonesian couple publicly caned after kissing on TikTok — The Guardian -
• Mass Mournings,6 Days and 2 Countries: Iran Prepares to Bury Supreme Leader — New York Times World -
• U.S. Says Iran May Swap Ideology For Investment. History Shows Otherwise — New York Times World -
• Albanese trashes Taylor’s Midwinter Ball speech – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Gaza patients face agonising delays for medical evacuation — BBC World -
• Trump Suggestion of a Syrian Crackdown on Hezbollah Confounds Many in Mideast — New York Times World -
• U.S. Resumes Dollar Transfers to Iraq After Monthslong Suspension — New York Times World -
• ‘Obviously disturbing’ if Christian Brothers’ $1 property sales deprive abuse survivors of pay, government tells court — The Guardian -
• China’s ethnic unity law denounced as ‘forced assimilation’ by rights groups — The Guardian -
• Melbourne stabbing: teenagers arrested after boy left outside Craigieburn hospital dies — The Guardian -
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: What to Know at It Faces the US — New York Times World -
• Aunt of Venezuelan boy pulled from rubble tells BBC she will give him 'mother's warmth' — BBC World -

**OpenAI is reportedly in talks to give a 5% stake to the US government, companies like SAP are exploring AI integration without layoffs, EU airports warn of summer border delays, and cybersecurity concerns are highlighted by a hacker's arrest, alongside an incident where a Chinese pilot intentionally crashed a plane into a skyscraper** due to personal reasons.

• China Releases Details About Pilot Who Crashed Plane Into Beijing Skyscraper — New York Times World -
• EU border delays 'not bearable' over summer, warns airport boss — BBC World -
• KPMG appoints chair who claimed leak allegations were ‘completely false’ and called senator’s actions ‘inappropriate’ — The Guardian -

• Alleged Scattered Spider hacker arrested in Finland — BBC World -
• OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’ — The Guardian -
• Can the World’s Largest Stadium Explain the Global Economy? — New York Times World -
• Can Companies Embrace A.I. Without Layoffs? This One Says It Is Trying to. — New York Times World -
• Did this AI anti-drug video make drugs look appealing? — BBC World -