Large parts of Europe are preparing for yet another heatwave after repeated bouts of scorching weather. The previous extreme temperatures pushed rivers to record-low levels and sparked historic forest fires across the continent. They also contributed to thousands of deaths. The expected return of intense heat is renewing concern over Europe’s summer weather risks.

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A suspected shooter reportedly identified as a former Thai lawmaker fired several rounds at a senior official inside a government office. The former member of parliament was arrested after the incident. The shooting occurred only days after Thailand experienced its deadliest gun attack in almost four years. The sequence of incidents has renewed attention on gun violence in the country.

Thailandshootinggovernment officeformer lawmaker

A local government official was hospitalized after a shooting at a government office in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Thailand’s capital. The deputy provincial governor said the suspect had been detained. The incident occurred on Monday. It came only days after a mass shooting in the same province, adding to the recent sequence of gun violence reported there.

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Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei is set to become secretary of Iran’s top security body. His appointment comes as talks concerning the Strait of Hormuz are under way. The development raises questions about Rezaei’s background and the importance of placing him in the senior security post.

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Months into the war, Donald Trump is turning back to pressure on Iran’s economy. For now, he is choosing that approach instead of pursuing a military offensive. The shift raises questions about why the policy has changed and whether squeezing Iran economically can achieve the desired result. The focus is on the possible effectiveness of this strategy as the war continues.

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Thousands of students and job seekers have gathered in India’s Jharkhand state to demand reforms to examinations. Police fired tear gas at the protesters. The mobilisation came weeks after the “cockroach” protests in Delhi. The demonstrations highlight continuing anger among people seeking changes to the exam system.

IndiaJharkhandexam reformprotests

Gaza is marking one year since the death of journalist Anas al-Sharif. His voice came to represent the effect of war on civilian life. People are remembering his reporting and the perspective it gave to the suffering of civilians. The commemoration keeps attention on the human cost of the conflict.

GazaAnas al-Sharifjournalistwar impact

China’s Ministry of Commerce has preliminarily found that pecan imports from the United States and Mexico were dumped and materially harmed China’s domestic industry. It will impose interim anti-dumping measures through security deposits from August 11, 2026. Margins range from 17.8% to 51.6% for Mexican firms and stand at 54.3% for US firms.

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China has ordered steep anti-dumping deposits on pecan imports from the United States and Mexico. The measure adds another point of friction to trade relations between Washington and Beijing. It comes only weeks before an expected summit involving President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The action could therefore weigh on the atmosphere surrounding the anticipated meeting.

ChinaUnited StatesTrade frictionPecans

Several continental football confederations are calling for an inquiry into FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s proposed World Cup plan. The initiative envisaged creating a company that would control the commercial rights to FIFA’s major men’s and women’s competitions. The confederations have challenged the proposed arrangement and want it examined. The report does not specify which body would conduct the inquiry or whether the initiative will proceed.

FIFAWorld Cupfootball governance

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service says global ocean surface temperatures reached a July record of 20.96°C, driven partly by developing El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific. European waters were also unusually warm, while western Europe recorded its hottest June-July period, alongside intensified drought, low river flows and exceptional wildfire activity.

global warmingocean temperaturesEl Ninowestern Europe heat

High pressure has brought exceptional heat to central and eastern Europe in early August, with temperatures exceeding previous records in several countries. Austria reached 41.2C, Slovakia recorded 42.2C and Hungary climbed to 41.8C, overtaking a record dating from 1905. In some places, overnight readings stayed above 28C, producing what is known as a tropical night. A heat dome beneath the high-pressure system is trapping warm air near the ground. Drought and wildfires are intensifying across Europe, while tropical storms are causing heavy rain and disruption in east Asia.

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Repeated heat waves across Western Europe this summer have pushed temperatures to a new regional record. The average temperature for the June-to-July period surpassed the previous record set in 2022. The development highlights the intensity of the hot weather affecting the region. Western Europe has experienced sustained heat through the summer period.

Western Europeheat wavestemperature record

Heat waves sweeping across Western Europe this summer have broken the region’s previous average temperature record for June and July, set in 2022. Copernicus, the European climate agency, said the extreme heat began in May and has fueled major wildfires, prolonged drought and new national temperature records. Thousands of heat-related deaths are projected. Climate data show that globally, this year is so far the third hottest on record, behind 2024 and 2025.

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President Donald Trump indicated that the United States is prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to intensify instead of ordering new military strikes. He described the US position toward Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz as only “semi-negotiating.” His remarks point to an emphasis on economic leverage rather than an immediate fresh attack. The approach leaves pressure building while contact with Iran remains limited.

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Wayne Cole surveys the day ahead for European and global markets. The item highlights a sudden shift in how the United States views the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as having become “irrelevant” to Washington. It frames that change as the central market-related development under consideration.

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Donald Trump signals that the United States is shifting toward economic pressure on Iran following new military strikes. Washington is relying on sanctions and a naval blockade as key tools in the approach. Oil prices have stabilised, easing the economic burden on American consumers. The change points to a greater emphasis on restricting Iran through economic measures rather than relying solely on military action.

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The United States and Iran appear to be modifying their respective positions as uncertainty persists over the future of their confrontation. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains a central obstacle in the negotiations. Iran is also reshuffling important security posts. The US is meanwhile pursuing a deliberately low-key approach to the talks.

US-Iran negotiationsIran security postsStrait of Hormuz

Daniel Kinahan, described as one of Ireland’s most high-profile organised crime suspects, has been extradited from Dubai. He was charged in Dublin on Monday with directing a criminal organisation. The case ends years of efforts to bring the alleged leader of the Kinahan cartel before an Irish court.

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Daniel Kinahan, alleged to be an Irish crime boss, has appeared before a court in Dublin after being extradited from Dubai. His appearance followed his transfer from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland. The report retains the allegation surrounding his status, while noting that the matter has now reached Dublin’s court system. Kinahan’s appearance is the latest procedural step after the extradition.

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