News for July 21, 2026
Good grief: 7.4 million households can't afford essentials
Seriously? Millions of households are struggling to purchase basic items like food, clothing, and heating. Andy Burnham has pledged to provide some relief, but many are still feeling the financial strain.
Good grief: Apes use hugs to build trust before stress!
Seriously? Researchers found that great apes kiss and cuddle to maintain peace. This behavior may be an ancient method of fostering trust before facing stressful situations.
Seriously? Judge orders Trump to release records in BBC defamation case
Good grief, a judge has ruled that Donald Trump must provide documents requested by the BBC. This decision comes as part of a defamation lawsuit involving the former president. The records are held by the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust.
Good grief: Death of Moroccan man in Italy leads to protests and unrest
Seriously? The death of Abderrahim Fakir while in police custody has ignited protests across Italy. Many are drawing comparisons to the death of George Floyd, highlighting ongoing concerns about police treatment of individuals in custody.
Good grief: Iran war costs US $37.5 billion, Hegseth testifies
Seriously? The ongoing war in Iran has already cost the U.S. $37.5 billion. Some senators expressed concerns about Hegseth's funding request during his testimony at a critical moment in the conflict.
Seriously? Tokyo pushes for shorts at work, but women call it 'leg hair harassment'
Good grief, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is encouraging men to swap suits for shorts and casual wear. However, some women are pushing back, claiming this initiative amounts to 'leg hair harassment.' The debate highlights ongoing discussions about workplace dress codes and gender equality.
Good grief: Chelsea signs Morgan Rogers for record £117m!
Seriously? Chelsea has made a stunning move by signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £117 million. This unexpected transfer raises questions about the implications for the team's current lineup and future strategies.
Good grief: Zelensky removes military commander amid ongoing shake-up
Seriously? President Zelensky has dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky just days after firing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. This move marks a significant shift in Ukraine's military leadership.
Good grief: Zelensky fires Ukraine's top military commander amid protests
Seriously? President Zelensky has dismissed the country's leading army commander. This decision follows the recent ousting of the widely supported Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Good grief: Trump backs Lebanon's peace efforts amid ongoing clashes with Israel
Seriously? President Trump has expressed support for Lebanon's attempts to achieve peace with Israel. This comes during a meeting with Lebanon's president, who is working to regain control over southern regions affected by conflict with Hezbollah.
Good grief: Burnham urges cabinet to address living costs in first meeting
Seriously? The new prime minister held his inaugural cabinet meeting today. He emphasized the need to tackle rising living costs following his announcement of a VAT cut on household electricity.
Good grief: Burnham's whirlwind first day as PM
Seriously? The new prime minister has hit the ground running at Number 10. However, he is already facing pressure for a snap election.
Good grief: Amazon rainforest experiences record low land burned in 2025
Seriously? The area burned in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has reached its lowest point since 1985. This significant decline marks a hopeful trend for the world's largest rainforest.
Good grief: Ann Widdecombe attacked with hammer, suspect charged with murder
Seriously? Ann Widdecombe was reportedly struck on the head multiple times with a hammer. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has been charged with her murder and appeared in court.
Seriously? Argentina's Fernandez defends team after World Cup final loss
Good grief, what a mess! Enzo Fernandez insists that Argentina showcased their nation honorably despite the ugly scenes during the World Cup final against Spain. He believes the team's performance was commendable.
What a mess: Ryanair plane window may have been broken by foreign object
Seriously? A passenger, Ljubisa Karović, was partially sucked out of a cabin window on a Ryanair flight. The airline's boss suggests a foreign object could be to blame for the incident.
Good grief: Protests demand change in Ukraine's military leadership
Seriously? Protesters are calling for the removal of army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. They want former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov back in his position by Friday.
Good grief: La Liga president demands Infantino's resignation from FIFA
Seriously? La Liga president Javier Tebas is urging FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down. He argues that FIFA is harming the football industry.
Good grief: Civil servants in London offered relocation to Manchester
Seriously? London-based civil servants can now receive relocation packages if they move to No 10 North in Manchester. This initiative aims to encourage staff to make the transition.
Damn it: Lebanese army to deploy after Israeli withdrawal
Damn it. The Lebanese army announced that troops will be sent to a 'pilot zone' following the withdrawal of Israeli forces. This move comes after a US-brokered agreement regarding the occupied area.
Damn it: Thames Water imposes hosepipe ban for millions
Damn it. Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban affecting millions. The decision comes after three heatwaves led to water shortages.
Damn it: Thames Water lenders offer 'golden share' to avoid nationalisation
Damn it. Lenders for Thames Water are proposing a 'golden share' to stop the company from being nationalised. This move comes as the Burnham government considers taking control.
Damn it: Red Sea blockade escalates U.S.-Iran tensions
Damn it. After ten nights of U.S. airstrikes, Iran launched new attacks in Jordan and Bahrain. The situation is intensifying as the blockade in the Red Sea raises concerns about a broader conflict.
Damn it: Starmer's ally criticizes Burnham's VAT cut plan
Damn it. Darren Jones, a close associate of Sir Keir Starmer, claims that Andy Burnham's proposal for a VAT cut lacks proper funding. This statement raises concerns about the viability of Burnham's policy.
Damn it: UK government borrowing lower than expected in June
Damn it. The UK's public finances showed improvement last month, exceeding expectations. However, the country still faces significant debt challenges.
Damn it: Man charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe to appear in court
Damn it. Joshua Kerry from South Yorkshire is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. He faces murder charges related to Ann Widdecombe.
Damn it: Cull of Starmer allies as new chancellor faces tough spending choices
Damn it. The appointment of John Healey has raised eyebrows among political analysts. His role comes at a critical time as tough spending decisions loom.
Damn it: VAT cut on household electricity bills starting in October
Damn it. The government has announced a reduction in VAT for household electricity bills. This decision follows the appointment of Burnham as the UK's seventh prime minister since 2016.
Damn it: Burnham to unveil cost of living support at first Cabinet meeting
Damn it. The prime minister is set to announce new policies on Tuesday. This will also mark his first Cabinet meeting.
Damn it: Ferry capsizes off Guyana, leaving 27 dead and 83 missing
Damn it. An investigation is underway following the ferry disaster. The prime minister expressed hope that more survivors will be found.
Damn it: UK faces drought concerns for second summer in a row
Damn it. Central England is experiencing its longest dry spell in over 30 years. This situation raises worries about potential drought and the timing of upcoming rainfall.
Damn it: Bumblebees are struggling in UK heatwaves
Damn it. Bumblebees in the UK are having a tough time due to rising temperatures. Their bodies are designed for cold weather, making heatwaves particularly challenging for them.