Desmond Morris, the British zoologist, writer, broadcaster and surrealist painter who wrote the 1967 bestseller The Naked Ape, has died at the age of 98, his son Jason confirmed on April 20, 2026. Born January 24, 1928, Morris combined academic training in zoology at the University of Birmingham and a doctorate in animal behaviour at Oxford with a high-profile media career. He presented ITV’s Zoo Time from the 1950s and later BBC programmes including Life in the Animal World and The Human Zoo, and served as curator of mammals at London Zoo and director at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. The Naked Ape, which argued for an evolutionary view of human behaviour, sold an estimated 18–20 million copies and sparked debate and controversy on science, sex and society. Morris continued to publish books and exhibit his surrealist art for decades, leaving a mixed but enduring legacy as a populariser of behavioural science and a public figure in British cultural life.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as U.S. Labor Secretary on April 20, 2026, the White House said, stepping down amid a months-long inspector general probe into allegations of professional misconduct. The inquiry, which Reuters and other outlets reported was nearing completion, examined complaints including an alleged affair with a member of her security detail, use of department resources for personal travel, reports of drinking on the job and inappropriate texts sent to young staffers. Several senior aides had already left or been placed on leave as the probe unfolded. Chavez-DeRemer said she will take a private-sector position; White House communications director Steven Cheung praised her record protecting workers. Her deputy, Keith Sonderling, will serve as acting secretary. Chavez-DeRemer, a former one-term congresswoman from Oregon confirmed as labor secretary in March 2025 by a 67-32 Senate vote, had unusual union support when nominated. The inspector general review also touched on messages involving family members and prior complaints that prompted internal probes; police and prosecutors previously declined to bring charges in at least one matter. Her departure follows recent exits of other cabinet officials and leaves questions about leadership and policy continuity at the Labor Department.

King Charles delivered a recorded tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 100th birthday, April 21, 2026, calling her his “darling Mama” and pledging renewed service. The broadcast, filmed earlier at Balmoral, was the centrepiece of a two‑day programme of events that began April 20 with the royal couple visiting “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” at the King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace — the largest-ever exhibition of the late monarch’s wardrobe. On April 21 the royals viewed final designs for a national memorial in St James’s Park, featuring statues of the Queen and Prince Philip and a glass “unity” bridge; sculptor Martin Jennings is producing the principal statue and the memorial team is led by architect Lord Foster. Princess Anne opened the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park and the family hosted an evening reception at Buckingham Palace for charities and centenarians. A newly created Queen Elizabeth Trust, backed by £40 million, will fund community spaces and a digital archive will invite public memories. Polling shows continued strong public affection for the late monarch.

On April 20, 2026, a gunman opened fire from the Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacán archaeological site about 50km (30 miles) north of Mexico City, killing a Canadian tourist and injuring dozens of visitors, Mexican authorities said. Officials reported the shooter, later identified by some local authorities as 27‑year‑old Julio Cesar Jasso, died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Security forces recovered a firearm, a bladed weapon and ammunition. Local statements said at least six people suffered gunshot wounds and that a wider tally of as many as 13 people were hurt overall — some from falls and in the panic — including tourists from the United States, Colombia, Brazil, Russia and Canada; victims ranged in age from children to older adults. The National Institute of Anthropology and History closed the site pending investigation. President Claudia Sheinbaum said federal and state security forces were deployed and the government was in contact with foreign embassies; Canada’s foreign minister called it “a horrific act of gun violence.” The attack comes weeks before Mexico co‑hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has prompted scrutiny of security at major tourist sites.

Britain’s government announced plans on April 21, 2026, to reduce household exposure to volatile global gas prices by moving older renewable electricity generators on to long-term fixed-price contracts within about a year. Officials said the measure would “delink” wholesale electricity prices from gas, which currently sets the market marginal price and can push bills higher when gas spikes. The package includes raising an existing electricity generator windfall tax (electricity generator levy) from 45% to 55% on excess profits for legacy projects that remain on market-linked deals, as an incentive to sign up to contracts for difference (CfDs). The measures, framed by ministers including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Labour leader Keir Starmer as part of a clean-power push prompted by recent Middle East tensions, also propose planning law changes to speed EV charger and rooftop solar installations. Government estimates of consumer savings remain unspecified; analysts and the UK Energy Research Centre have previously suggested potential annual savings of £4bn–£10bn if market prices stay high. Northern Ireland operates a separate market. Opposition parties warned of higher costs and industry pushback.

Associated British Foods (ABF) said on April 21, 2026 it will separate its Primark fashion chain from its food operations in a planned demerger intended to be completed by the end of 2027. Primark, which operates 486 stores across 19 markets and generates around £9.5 billion of annual revenue while contributing more than half of group profit, will be listed separately alongside the remaining food business that owns Twinings, Ryvita, Kingsmill and sugar and ingredients units. The Weston family’s Wittington Investments will retain majority stakes in both companies. ABF flagged one-off separation and transaction costs of about £75 million and estimated the loss of synergies at below £45 million. The group reported weaker first-half results, with adjusted pre-tax profit down 19% to £663 million, and said Primark had seen softer trading in April amid consumer caution tied to the Middle East conflict. ABF’s market value has slid over the past year to about £13.3 billion, and management said distinct listings should sharpen investor understanding and value of each business.