Good morning! Today is Tuesday, the 21st of July, 2026, and this is the Tuesday Edition of GEORGE. GEORGE continues the week with a concise briefing on the global stories shaping the day, providing the reporting, commentary, and context curious readers need this morning. The United States has shelled Iran for the 10th straight night, while the Houthi terrorist group has enacted a blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer has resigned as prime minister, leading the King to ask Andy Burnham to form a new government. Additionally, the automotive world is poised for a shift as the first production electric vehicle with a sodium-ion battery will soon be available. These stories and more are among the top headlines GEORGE is covering today.
In the Middle East, tensions have escalated significantly following Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militant group announcing a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. This move stops the Land of the Two Holy Mosques from transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the Houthis stating the action is with immediate effect and serves as retaliation for a recent Saudi bombing at Sanaa International Airport and the siege of Yemen’s capital. The group aims to stem the flow of oil from the Red Sea via the strait, particularly as Saudi Arabia has increased oil shipments since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This closure threatens to reduce the world’s energy supply by 7%, given the strait’s role as a critical connection between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Meanwhile, Iran attacked yet another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, forcing the crew to abandon ship. This incident occurred as the United States conducted its tenth night of airstrikes during the conflict over control of the key waterway, which typically sees one fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas traded pass through it in peacetime.
Significant political shifts have occurred in the United Kingdom, where Sir Keir Starmer officially resigned as prime minister. He traveled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to King Charles III, having delivered his farewell address outside 10 Downing Street with the words, “My work is done.” The king accepted the resignation, clearing the way for a new government in a process constitutionally known as “kissing hands.” Although the term implies a literal act of loyalty, no hand-kissing actually takes place; the phrase is merely a historical anachronism. While incoming prime ministers in the 18th and 19th centuries were expected to kiss the monarch’s hand, the practice had quietly disappeared by the early 20th century, replaced by a bow or curtsy and a formal handshake. Nevertheless, the official Court Circular will still record that the new prime minister “kissed hands” upon appointment. Andy Burnham accepted the king’s invitation to form a government and took office before heading to Downing Street. Mr. Burnham has announced unexpected cabinet appointments, including John Healey as chancellor of the exchequer, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet last month over a shortfall in military spending. Ed Miliband was named foreign secretary, while Shabana Mahmoud remains home secretary.
Turning to sports, Spain has become world champions for the second time, duplicating their 2010 feat by defeating Argentina in extra time on Sunday. A goal by substitute Ferran Torres in the 106th minute made the score 1-0, stopping Lionel Messi and his team from winning back-to-back World Cups. Argentina, known for aggressive and highly physical play, failed to disrupt Spain’s rhythm effectively. The match saw Argentina lose midfielder Enzo Fernandez to a red card in the second half after he sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi catapulting into the air. With a player advantage in extra time, Spain played true to form, even having one goal ruled out for a soft foul on Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi. In stark contrast to Spain’s composure, members of the Argentina national team disgraced themselves by seeking to prod and provoke opponents. As the World Cup winners assembled on the podium, the thoroughly beaten Argentine team turned their backs and made a hasty exit. While Mr. Messi’s presence on the pitch did not influence the final, he had unquestionably driven his team to the final with fantastic late comebacks. However, arguments can also be made for Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, whose outstanding passing and pressing were key to the semi-final against France.
Related: Europe Eclipse: US Claims Iran Strait Control; AI Misses Flights Before Passengers Do
The conflict in Ukraine remains intense, with Ukraine hitting four fuel-infrastructure facilities in southern Russia, oil tankers in the Stavropol Krai region, and three “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials stated that the Security Service and armed forces executed these drone operations to disrupt Russian military logistics and degrade war-financing capabilities. These strikes followed a major Russian offensive on Kyiv at dawn on Sunday, the largest since the war began. Ballistic missiles rained down on the capital in one of the largest assaults of the conflict, killing one person and injuring at least 15 others. The broader barrage across the country included at least 41 ballistic missiles and 125 drones of various types. Domestically, Ukrainians continued to protest the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, the country’s defense minister, in a rare show of wartime public anger. Mr. Fedorov was closely associated with the drone revolution and digital-government reforms, and his removal has exposed a rift between civilian reformers and the traditional military establishment, including tensions with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Climate records continue to be shattered as, on Bastille Day, the surface temperature of Earth’s tropical and mid-latitude oceans was higher than on any previous 14 July in modern records. This extends a run of daily record ocean temperatures that began in June. Europe has already endured three heatwaves since May, the United States celebrated Independence Day under a sweltering “heat dome,” and powerful Typhoon Bavi drew strength from unusually warm ocean waters before prompting the evacuation of over one million people along China’s coast. Scientists believe this year could become the hottest on record, with El Niño expected to add further warming. An unexpected decline in Earth’s albedo—the measure of how much sunlight the planet reflects—has allowed darker oceans to absorb more solar energy, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that accelerates warming.
In economic and regulatory news, Mr. Trump announced the United States will impose a new 50% tariff on many Canadian goods in response to “discriminatory treatment of American products.” The levies take effect in 30 days under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an obscure provision not previously used for tariffs, though products like steel already subject to tariffs will be exempt. In the media sector, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked Vital’s plans to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Attorneys general from 12 states sued to stop the $110 billion merger, arguing it violated antitrust laws and would lead to higher prices for consumers; the judge issued a two-week pause and scheduled a hearing for August. Meanwhile, the European Commission issued a record €550 million ($628 million) fine to AliExpress for selling illegal and harmful goods like counterfeit clothing and unsafe toys, citing a breach of the Digital Services Act.