News for August 25, 2026
Damn it: Ukraine hits Russia's refineries, Russia targets Ukraine's petrol pumps
Ukraine reportedly hit Russia's refineries, and Russia is targeting Ukrainian petrol stations. Fuel companies are urging customers not to linger at the pumps after a wave of deadly attacks.
Damn it: Dolly Parton tells her life story through six iconic songs
Dolly Parton is spotlighted in this piece, showing how six iconic songs trace the arc of her life. The songs explore love, loss, female empowerment, and spirituality.
Damn it: Nicotine vapes offer the best shot at quitting, major review finds
A major review finds nicotine vaping products are more effective than patches, gum, or pills for quitting. The latest evidence suggests vaping provides the best chances of quitting smoking.
Damn it: Pride faces backlash from within and beyond the LGBT community
Pride used to receive broad corporate backing. Now many brands show hesitation and worry about backlash. The piece notes the friction comes from both inside the LGBT community and external critics.
Damn it: Yellow warnings as rain and storms hit parts of the UK
Yellow weather warnings are in force as rain and thunderstorms sweep across parts of England and Wales. Forecasters expect torrential downpours in affected areas. The wet weather could be among the heaviest seen in weeks.
Damn it: Winter energy prices set to three-year high
Ofgem has announced an increase to the winter energy price cap. Millions of households will be affected by higher bills. The rise will push winter energy costs to a three-year high.
Damn it: China bids for leverage as U.S.-Canada trade war unfolds
Beijing is seeking leverage amid the U.S.-Canada trade tensions. It casts itself as a global champion of free trade.
Damn it: Spain apologizes to Ceuta over migrant crisis
Spain apologizes to Ceuta's residents for the migrant crisis. Several thousand migrants remain in the enclave after a mass crossing from Morocco in late July.
Damn it: Seriously? The U.S. escalates its economic war on Iran
Iran's key trading partners are China, Iraq, Turkey, and the UAE. The administration has not said who would be targeted by new sanctions or how they would be enforced.
Damn it: Dolly Parton dies at 80
Dolly Parton, the iconic country musician, has died at age 80, according to a family post on social media. The family announced the news on her social channels.
Damn it: Dolly Parton, the country legend who sang from the heart
Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter and actress. Her enduring songs include Jolene and I Will Always Love You.
Damn it: Canada hits back with tariffs on U.S. goods as trade war deepens
Canada announced tariffs up to 50% on hundreds of U.S. products in retaliation for Washington's duties that began last week. The measures take effect September 8 and will double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. About 700 additional items will be hit with new duties, expanding the trade dispute between the two countries.
Damn it: Canada hits US with dollar-for-dollar tariffs up to 50%
Canada announced retaliatory, dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. imports, with rates up to 50%. The measures cover steel, furniture, tuna and makeup. The move marks another escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade dispute.
Good grief: Trump claims all mines cleared from Strait of Hormuz
Damn it! Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began, blocking a vital waterway. Trump says all mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has contributed to wild fluctuations in global oil prices.
Damn it: CIA director makes rare, unannounced trip to Moscow
The CIA director is in Moscow for a rare, unannounced trip. The visit comes as Ukrainian forces have stepped up attacks inside Russia, including in the capital.
Damn it: Trump floats renaming Lake Ontario amid Canada trade war
In a social media post, the president referenced his tariff fight. He said the United States does not expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer. The post also floated renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America as part of the broader dispute with Canada.
CIA chief in Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports
US media report the CIA director is in Moscow for unannounced talks. Flight-tracking data shows an American military aircraft traveled from the United States to Russia, routing via Latvia, on Tuesday.
Damn it: Who Iran trades with and what Trump's 'economic D-Day' could mean
Under ongoing US sanctions, Iran remains economically constrained. It has developed deep ties with several countries beyond the United States. The piece considers what Trump's 'economic D-Day' could mean for Iran's trading partners.
Damn it: Inspectors to review police actions in Henry Nowak murder case
Inspectors will assess the police handling in the Henry Nowak murder case. Hampshire Police officers reportedly arrested the student and handcuffed him as he lay dying.
Damn it: U.S. judge rejects Maxwell's frivolous appeal of conviction
A federal judge rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal against her conviction. Maxwell, a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, remains in prison. The court described the bid as frivolous and denied any relief.
Damn it: Five more arrests in wrong-way crash investigation
Five more arrests were made in the investigation into the wrong-way crash that killed seven people. The total number of arrests now stands at 17.
Good grief: Trump may hope sanctions will pressure Iran, but its leaders bet otherwise
The United States calls the new sanctions an economic D-Day. Tehran's leaders have weathered restrictions before.
For crying out loud: Tate denies owning supercars in photos; prosecutors call him a flight risk
Tate's lawyers say he did not own the luxury cars shown in photos. Prosecutors argue that he and his brother Tristan are flight risks and should not be released on bail. The sides clash over credibility and risk as the case moves forward.
Damn it: Brain disease among ex-NFL players higher than thought
A new study finds that at least 25% of ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had a degenerative brain disease. The researchers say the true share could be much higher. The findings add to concerns about brain health risks linked to football.
Damn it: Kate Hudson may reunite with Matthew McConaughey for How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days sequel
Hudson and McConaughey, the stars of the 2003 rom-com, are reportedly in talks to revisit How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. There is no official confirmation yet. If true, the sequel would come 23 years after the original.
Damn it: Care leavers dying young called a national tragedy
A new review finds that care leavers have a death rate about four times higher than the general population. The figure underscores a serious disparity between care leavers and their peers.
Damn it: China vows to safeguard its interests as US widens Iran sanctions
The United States widened sanctions on Iran and warned countries that trade with Tehran could face isolation. Iran supplies a large portion of its oil to China. China says it will safeguard its own interests amid the sanctions dispute.
Damn it: Three-year-old returns home after crocodile attack
A three-year-old boy injured in a crocodile attack has returned home after seven surgeries. His family says he is happy to be home.
Damn it: Man dies in crash after police pursuit
A man died in a crash after a police pursuit. A woman was seriously injured and remains in hospital in critical condition.
Damn it: OnlyFans owner paid out over $700 million before his death
OnlyFans hosts subscription content ranging from cooking to fitness. The platform is best known for adult material. The owner reportedly paid out more than $700 million before his death.
Damn it: Yellow weather warnings as thunderstorms head north across UK
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms. The system is forecast to move northwards across the UK on Wednesday. Forecasters say more updates will follow as the outlook develops.
Damn it: U.S.-Canada tensions rise as Republicans face political fallout
The threat of higher prices for gas, cars, hockey sticks and other goods is being used to argue that the president is destabilizing the economy. Those price concerns come amid rising U.S.-Canada tensions and are fueling Democratic attacks on the administration. Republicans could face political consequences as voters weigh the economy and foreign disputes.
Good grief: Russian stadium says it won’t host Kanye West gigs
One Russian stadium has declined to host Kanye West performances. Two scheduled concerts are now in question. Promoters in Russia say the events will proceed despite the stadium's decision.
Damn it: Burnham refuses to rule out tax rises in autumn Budget
Burnham does not rule out tax rises in the autumn Budget. Analysts warn there will be little room for manoeuvre for him and Chancellor John Healey in their first Budget.
Damn it: Putin warns UK drone factories could face attacks from unknown sources, BBC Newsnight
Putin told BBC Newsnight that UK drone factories could face attacks from unknown sources. The remarks come after Britain announced it would hand over blueprints for British-made missile components to Ukraine.
Damn it: Tornado hits Pomas, France, leaving dozens injured
A tornado struck the south-western village of Pomas in France. Hundreds of homes were damaged in the area. Fifteen people were taken to hospital for treatment.
Damn it: Tornado tore through southern France, injuring more than 40 people
A tornado tore through southern France. Officials say more than 40 people were injured. Homes were destroyed in several villages.