The Guardian

Keir Starmer issues formal state apology over forced adoption scandal

After decades of campaigning by those affected, PM says state ‘did not do enough to protect’ mothers and childrenKeir Starmer has formally apologised for the British state’s role in historic forced adoptions after decades of campaigning by mothers and children affected.The government said the “state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families”, that it “failed to prevent harm from continuing” and that it bore responsibility for funding and legitimising the system that allowed the

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

China Releases Details About Pilot Who Crashed Plane Into Beijing Skyscraper

City authorities said the pilot had suffered from insomnia and anxiety and had expressed a desire to end his life.

general  Jul 2, 2026

Washington Post World

Trump-backed ceasefire in Lebanon, key to Iran peace deal, risks new civil war

To reach a more durable peace agreement with Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump needs Israel to uphold the terms of a deal with Lebanon that Hezbollah says it will block by "any means necessary."

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Vatican excommunicates all members of ultra-conservative rebels SSPX

Schism caused by ordaining of four bishops without papal consent presents first crisis for Pope LeoEurope live – latest updatesThe Vatican has excommunicated a rebel group of ultra-conservative Catholics who defied Pope Leo by ordaining bishops without his consent, creating a schism in the Roman Catholic church.In a statement on Thursday, cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who heads up the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the group from the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX),

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Ukrainian Charged With Sabotaging Pipelines Between Russia and Germany

A man identified only as Serhii K. is accused of overseeing an undersea bombing in 2022 that cut off a key source of Russian gas revenues.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Far-right French mayor causes outrage after barring staging of play about migrant

Playwright says decision is warning of what may happen if National Rally runs country amid accusations of cultural censorshipIn Anglo-French playwright Alexis Michalik’s play Passeport, a young man has been beaten and left for dead in the notorious Calais refugee camp known as ‘the Jungle’.When he wakes up, he has no idea who he is – and his only possession is a blue Eritrean passport containing the name Issa. With two others from the camp he decides to leave, but not to take the perilous Channe

general  Jul 2, 2026

BBC World

EU border delays 'not bearable' over summer, warns airport boss

Holidaymakers face long waits under the EU's new Entry-Exit System, the head of Berlin's airport says.

general  Jul 2, 2026

WSJ World News

Massive Russian Strikes Pound Ukraine’s Capital, Killing at Least 17

Kyiv was hit with ballistic and cruise missiles as well as waves of drones over several hours.

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

As Far Right Rises, German Leaders Look to Jump-Start the Economy

An agreement between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his center-left partners bets on politically painful compromises in hopes of holding off hard-line rivals.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Anger as report says Trump hijacked US anniversary to serve own agenda – US politics live

Newly-released congressional report says president hijacked United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations to serve ‘political ideology and pet projects’Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Donald Trump hijacked the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations to serve “political ideology and pet projects”, a congressional report released today has revealed.I can’t, in my time here in Congress, remember anything even remotely like this: watching this trusted, venerable charity organisa

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Release of Rochdale grooming gang leader ‘really scary’, says whistleblower

Exclusive: Health worker Sara Rowbotham fears for women and girls because of ‘weak’ probation serviceThe impending release of the Rochdale grooming gang leader is “really scary” for local women and girls because of failings in a “weak” probation service and his lack of remorse, a former health worker who exposed the paedophile ring has said.Sara Rowbotham, whose team gathered evidence that led to the imprisonment of Shabir Ahmed and eight other men in Rochdale, said she is “terrified” by the pro

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Trump hijacked US’s 250 anniversary to serve ‘political ideology and pet projects’, congressional report says

House Democratic subcommittee report outlines web of alleged corruption, wire fraud and pay-to-play schemesDonald Trump staged a hostile takeover of the US’s 250th anniversary celebration to enrich political allies, harvest voter data and promote Christian nationalist ideology, according to a congressional investigation released on Thursday.The interim report, “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday”, outlines a web of alleged corrupt

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Live Updates: Russia Hammers Ukraine’s Capital in Deadly Attacks

At least 17 people were killed in the assault on Kyiv, the Ukrainian authorities said. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine had warned in recent days that Russia was preparing a “massive strike.”

general  Jul 2, 2026

BBC World

China says pilot crashed small plane into skyscraper for 'personal reasons'

The 66-year-old, who died in the crash, had anxiety and referenced "ending his life" in his diary.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Young Indonesian couple publicly caned after kissing on TikTok

Unmarried man and woman whipped 21 times each because they had violated province’s version of Islamic lawA young couple in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province have been publicly caned after a Sharia court convicted them of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream.The court ordered the couple, a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, to be whipped with a rattan cane 21 times each for kissing without being married. At least 100 people witnessed the caning, carried out by a

general  Jul 2, 2026

Washington Post World

Vatican excommunicates bishops of breakaway traditionalist sect

The sect, the Society of St. Pius X, defied a direct plea from Pope Leo XIV and sought to consecrate four bishops without the Vatican's approval.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Bankers and unions set for clash over possible Burnham tax raid on UK banks

City bosses say move would be economically disastrous, but union leaders urge likely new PM to ignore ‘vested interests’Battle lines are being drawn between City bosses and trade unions over a possible tax raid on UK banks to help fund Andy Burnham’s package for struggling households this winter.While bankers have warned the move would be “economic suicide”, union leaders have said Britain cannot afford to be “held hostage” by City lobbyists, given growing pressures to find money for defence and

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Understanding Ebola’s wildlife origins is crucial to preventing next big outbreak

If we don’t know the source, not only do humans remain at risk but wildlife can suffer needlessly via retaliationWhile virologists and public health departments were palpitating over the news of an Andes virus infectious disease outbreak on a cruise ship (13 cases, three deaths), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the Bundibugyo virus, the root of the current Ebola outbreak (currently more than 1,250 cases and at least 362 deaths), was smouldering under the radar.Bundibugyo virus is a horri

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Mass Mournings,6 Days and 2 Countries: Iran Prepares to Bury Supreme Leader

Long-delayed funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed during U.S.-Israeli strikes at the war’s outset, are set to begin Friday. For the regime, it is a critical moment to demonstrate that it has endured.

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

U.S. Says Iran May Swap Ideology For Investment. History Shows Otherwise

Senior U.S. officials have said Iran would be richly rewarded for changing its stance on the United States. Iran’s leaders have rejected such a bargain in the past.

general  Jul 2, 2026