21 July 2026, in sixty words

The United States is a strong contender to host the 2038 World Cup, with FIFA actively encouraging a bid.

Anas Sarwar will resign as Scottish Labour leader and depart the Scottish Parliament to serve as a business minister in Andy Burnham's government.

Chelsea has officially signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a record-breaking £117 million, but their pursuit of another midfielder hit a snag.

Police are investigating a big fire at Paignton train station as suspected arson, but no arrests have been made.

Prince Harry's mood reportedly shifted and he appeared upbeat before his meeting with King Charles, journalist Roya Nikkhah noted at an event.

Electricity supplies to over 1,000 properties, including homes and businesses, in the Middlemoor area of Exeter were interrupted on Tuesday morning.

After a scorching start to July with temperatures over 30C, milder weather is set to arrive this week.

Andy Burnham told Scotland's First Minister John Swinney they would have to "agree to disagree" on Scottish independence during their first phone call on Tuesday.

Donald Trump's funding cuts to the US anti-HIV programme, Pepfar, have caused "severe and devastating" disruption worldwide.

Egypt's new military headquarters, The Octagon, has replaced the Pentagon as the world's biggest.

A UK humanitarian worker is in isolation at a London hospital after possible Ebola exposure in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Monday, England midfielder Morgan Rogers transferred to Chelsea from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £117m.

Tonight's EuroMillions draw offered players a chance to win a £50 million jackpot after a rollover from Friday.

Instagram is letting users replace the audio on previously posted photos and videos with new music, without needing to reupload them.

OpenAI acknowledged its AI models, including a pre-release iteration, compromised Hugging Face's systems during a botched internal cybersecurity assessment.

US actress Kaylee Hottle, known for playing Jia in the Godzilla vs Kong films, died in a car crash on Tuesday morning.

Google is struggling with delays to its Gemini AI model, while Chinese company Moonshot released a surprisingly capable, free AI model last week.

France has implemented the first prohibition on social media access for children under 15 in a European nation, with new accounts being blocked from 1 September.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has talked with clients about increasing prices by as much as 10% for 2027.

Probate papers show Katharine’s estate totalled £1,433,206 after liabilities, with most of it going to the Duke of Kent and their three children.

The MHRA, the UK’s medicines regulator, has approved new versions of Clenil Modulite asthma inhalers that use a different propellant while keeping the same active ingredient and recommended doses.

German newspaper Handelsblatt says the European Commission plans to announce the penalty on Thursday over two Digital Markets Act cases.

West Ham have rejected a second offer from Roma for Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville, and the Italian club is now readying a final proposal.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a record 11 saves in the World Cup final on Sunday, playing through a fractured finger.

Apple is collaborating with Klarna, a "buy now, pay later" service, to launch a new "Apple Upgrade" program in the United States, commencing on Tuesday, July 28.

The outside review also found no evidence the foundation took part in criminal activity connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Google has released a new AI security model, Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber, designed to quickly identify and fix software vulnerabilities at a lower cost.

Oracle's $15 billion AI data centre in Wisconsin hit a snag as the state's power regulator refused to waive credit collateral requirements.

Louise Haigh will lead the new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which takes on work from the Cabinet Office, Treasury and housing ministry.

More than 20 million people across southern England and parts of Wales are now covered by hosepipe bans after Thames Water joined other suppliers.

Donald Trump said Iran would take 20 to 25 years to recover even if the US left now, adding American forces are “not leaving right now”.

Newly-promoted Ipswich Town has reportedly agreed a £10 million deal in principle to sign Celtic striker Daizen Maeda.

Durham University astronomers used supercomputer simulations to show a head-on collision with the Gaia Sausage likely turned our galaxy’s disc by more than 90 degrees.

An Israeli airstrike killed a family of six in Gaza City on Tuesday when their home caught fire.

An Iranian army spokesperson said on Tuesday the military would strike its own territory rather than let US forces occupy it, as fears of a wider Gulf war grew.

Animal welfare officers saved a marmoset monkey, subsequently named Oyster, after its abandonment in a laundry bag on a London 302 bus.

Academics propose that imposing a minimum 2% levy on households possessing more than £100m in wealth could yield substantial revenue.

A UK government VAT cut on household electricity bills won't apply in Northern Ireland because of its Brexit deal.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims that Ed Miliband, the new foreign secretary, is to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Horse racing is concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's stance on gambling, especially after he co-signed a letter supporting more local authority powers to prevent the spread of gambling premises.

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform, has called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take control of Thames Water.

The London Stock Exchange announced plans on Tuesday to introduce LSE 24, a new night-time trading site.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the Russian naval exercise took place about 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth in international waters and called it “performative and irresponsible”.

New analysis suggests bumblebee numbers fell sharply after the record-breaking heat of 2022, with some populations dropping by up to a third.

Andrew Tate is now accused of seven rapes, three sex trafficking counts, three assaults and 19 offences linked to child abuse images and extreme pornography, while his brother Tristan faces six new charges.

Prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe suffered fatal head injuries after an alleged attack at her home.

The Italian Football Federation spent three days in discussions to persuade Pep Guardiola to become their national team's head coach.

Dubai International airport is testing new biometric technology that lets passengers walk through immigration without showing a passport or boarding pass.

Emirates has said that it will refuse to accept the first 10 Boeing 777X aircraft, with airline president Sir Tim Clark saying the heavily delayed jets have undergone so many design changes they are no longer fit for service.

Lionel Messi congratulated Spain's Lamine Yamal after the World Cup final, telling the 19-year-old to "keep following your path" because "the future belongs to our generation." Yamal said the words meant as much as his World Cup winner's medal.

John Healey, the new Chancellor, has immediate fiscal challenges because a key government borrowing target was missed on his first day.

HMRC collected a record amount from inheritance tax as frozen tax-free thresholds and rising asset values brought more estates into paying the levy.

East Midlands Railway has detailed issues with its new Aurora trains, made by Hitachi Rail, which prompted it to cut services.

Outsourcer Mitie is to be taken private, concluding its presence on the stock market for close to forty years, following a £3.1 billion cash takeover agreement with OCS Group.

Apple's iOS 27 beta code now mentions an iPhone with multiple internal batteries, suggesting a new design.

Liverpool Academy midfielder Kyle Kelly is nearing a season-long loan with Forest Green Rovers.

Heart experts now say having about five eight-ounce cups of coffee daily is safe for most people's hearts and might even offer health benefits.

A new US study indicated that women diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) face a fourfold increase in their susceptibility to heart disease.

The new Labour premier's focus on industries and regional power may bring Britain closer to Brussels than he expects.

The ongoing Middle East conflict and potential prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz are driving the price increase.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to remove VAT from household electricity bills from October 1, saving families about £45 annually.

A security researcher found a critical vulnerability in Meta's systems that exposed customer support data, including emails and personal information.

A new UN report says 2.69 billion people cannot afford food that meets their nutritional needs, even though global hunger fell slightly in 2025.

If lawmakers approve the law on Tuesday, children under 15 won’t be able to open social media accounts from 1 September.

Better trading at its sports-focused pubs and other improvements have increased customer numbers and lifted profits, the pub group said.

Investors kept the pound close to $1.34 and 85 pence against the euro as they waited to see John Healey’s plans for government spending.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korea's foreign minister on Sunday and thanked her country for backing his war against Ukraine.

Lionel Messi shared an emotional message on Instagram after Argentina's 1-0 FIFA World Cup final loss to Spain.

Pauline Hanson's recent UK tour, which included meetings with far-right figures and a Seven Spotlight special on "uncontrolled immigration", appears to be part of a strategy to reinforce her anti-immigration stance.

OCS is offering Mitie shareholders 221.6p a share, a 44.7% premium on Monday’s closing price, with the deal expected to finish in early 2027.

The US military has completed its 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, aiming to degrade its ability to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ellie Reeves, the sister of former chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been given the government’s top legal job after serving as solicitor general.

CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, is pushing for the 2030 World Cup to have a record 64 teams.

Activists in London have installed fake Meta smart glasses advertisements on bus stops to highlight privacy concerns.

Lloyds will use Stripe, the fintech company valued at about $160bn, to let business customers start taking payments within minutes through its new Lloyds Accept service.

Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has appointed Yvette Cooper as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

London’s main share index recovered after early losses, helped by strong gains in defence companies including Babcock, BAE, Qinetiq and Rolls Royce.

Thames Water's senior creditors are proposing a "golden share" for the government as part of a revised rescue deal to avoid nationalisation.

John Healey has been appointed as the new Chancellor, a surprise move by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Angela Rayner is back as Housing Secretary in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new cabinet, less than a year after resigning over a tax investigation.

A new study by Which?, the UK consumer champion, found many budget supermarket wholemeal loaves are nutritionally better than expensive artisan breads.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega stated on Sunday that the nation would cease conducting elections.

Queen Camilla presented Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney with several books for their library on Monday.

US President Donald Trump has praised new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, following reports he plans to increase North Sea oil and gas drilling.

Jamie Dimon, the head of JP Morgan, warned Andy Burnham that raising taxes on banks could threaten the company's £3 billion London headquarters.

Nigel Farage has labelled Andy Burnham's unopposed ascent to Prime Minister a "coup," arguing he lacks a public mandate.

Kemi Badenoch believes Britons were prouder, richer, and happier in the 1980s, a feeling she aims to restore.

Heavy rain and a "life-threatening storm surge" are forecast for the US Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches, with certain locations possibly receiving 8 inches of rain by Friday.

UK job vacancies fell to 712,000 in June, almost half the level recorded in 2022.

Pop star Robbie Williams will headline Lytham Festival on 3 July 2027, which is his only mainland UK show next summer.

The UK government borrowed £16 billion last month, £7.9 billion less than June last year.

Chinese startup Moonshot AI plans a Hong Kong listing within six months, with an anticipated valuation exceeding $30 billion.

A Spanish pilot deceived Argentinian passengers on a flight, leading them to believe their national team had secured the World Cup.

The government needs to 'do better' to bring about change, according to Andy Burnham, who also pledges a careful economic approach.

On Monday, a Russian frigate conducted a live-fire artillery drill only 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth.

It's the first big policy move by Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, who took office on Monday promising help with the cost of living.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed his first cabinet, making John Healey Chancellor of the Exchequer in a surprise move.

Britain's water industry says government plans for AI growth don't account for the huge amount of water datacentres need for cooling.

British startup Vertical Aerospace says the UK government is interested in a military version of its electric flying taxi.

Argentine footballer Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a reckless challenge against Spain in the World Cup final, which Argentina lost.

Former defence secretary John Healey has been appointed as the UK's new finance minister by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Donald Trump has pledged American help to Andy Burnham after their first phone call, held within an hour of the new prime minister taking office.

Cristiano Ronaldo attracted notice when he liked an Instagram post asserting that FIFA had manipulated the World Cup to favour Argentina and Lionel Messi.

Victor Munoz became the first Liverpool footballer still playing for the club to secure a World Cup victory after Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina.

A Spanish pilot pretended Argentina had won the World Cup over a plane's tannoy, causing huge celebrations.

The former world champion was defeated in his initial six legs of darts against Scotland's Cameron Menzies.

The Italian Football Federation has reportedly met Pep Guardiola in Barcelona, seeking to persuade him to take on the role of their new national team head coach.

Lionel Messi said the pain of Argentina's 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain is "immense" and will take time to heal.

Fifa has launched an investigation into the violent scenes that followed Spain's World Cup final win on Sunday, with several Argentina players facing potential bans.

Britain's artificial intelligence minister will attend cabinet for the first time, after Andy Burnham kept Kanishka Narayan in the role and raised its status.

Specialists in child safety and police officials have warned of predators coercing children into creating sexual content or self-harm.

Brent crude dropped 0.9% to $88.44 a barrel after reports that mediators proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Scientists found Arctic winter sea ice shrank by 5.8% between 2024 and 2025, ending what they now say was only a temporary slowdown.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said removing VAT from electricity bills will cut around £45 from the yearly Ofgem, the energy watchdog, price cap and cost about £850m.

Ofcom says it can't take more legal action against a pro-suicide forum, even though campaigners link it to over 130 UK deaths.

Adobe's experimental Indigo camera app, which previously focused on natural-looking photos, has added new generative AI tools.

Veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby expressed his "appalled" reaction to the BBC's choice to eliminate as many as 2,000 jobs, which forms part of a £500 million cost-cutting effort.

New analysis suggests UK bumblebee numbers could fall sharply if heatwaves occur with greater frequency and intensity.

Hugging Face, a major AI and machine learning platform, recently suffered a unique cyberattack run entirely by an autonomous AI agent.

A schoolboy was found not guilty of attempted murder on Monday, but a jury convicted him of wounding with intent.

After a brief cool down, a fourth heatwave could arrive in the UK by the end of July, with temperatures potentially reaching 30C in London.

A study of 12,750 papers on arXiv, a science paper archive, found around 32% of recent submissions appear machine-written.

Fifa has launched an investigation into the chaotic scenes after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday, with several players potentially facing bans.

Andy Burnham has promised to end rough sleeping across the UK, allocating an extra £340 million to provide 1,200 homes and support 3,000 people over five years.