The Thai government has promised to strengthen gun laws and enforce them more strictly after two deadly shootings near Bangkok in early August 2026. Officials aim to reduce the number of guns in daily life and make society safer by tightening rules and increasing penalties.
Key Facts
Two recent shootings in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok caused multiple deaths and injuries within one week.
One shooting involved a student who killed at least eight people before apparently taking his own life.
A former lawmaker was arrested after a separate shooting that killed one person and wounded another.
The Thai government plans to crack down on illegal guns and improve awareness about responsible gun ownership.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a review of gun laws, suspending new gun permits and reviewing existing ones.
Proposed legal changes will focus on better tracking of guns, stricter controls on sales, and tougher punishments.
Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership in Asia, with about 15 guns per 100 people.
Current penalties for illegal gun possession include prison time up to 10 years and fines up to $600.
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At least 15 people died and 27 are missing after an overloaded ferry overturned on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with helicopters, speedboats, and divers searching for survivors.
Key Facts
The ferry capsized after hitting strong waves in bad weather.
The boat was carrying more than 114 adult passengers and 5 crew members, exceeding its 90-person capacity.
There may have been additional children on board who were not recorded.
At least 77 people were rescued from the ferry.
Rescue teams include local boats, a helicopter from Matusadona National Park, the army, and underwater divers.
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The ferry travels between the town of Kariba and nearby islands and fishing camps.
Rescue operations faced delays due to bad weather conditions.
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A boat carrying around 95 people sank on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, during bad weather, and rescue operations are ongoing. There are concerns the boat was overloaded, with some reports saying more than 114 adults plus children might have been on board.
Key Facts
The boat had 90 passengers and 5 crew members officially, but ticket sales suggest 114 adults were on board.
There may have been additional children who did not have tickets.
The boat capsized after possibly being hit by a wave in bad weather.
Lake Kariba is a large man-made lake on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The lake is important for transport, fishing, and hydropower for both countries.
Rescue efforts are currently underway to find survivors and victims.
Local officials are calling for a clear explanation of how many people were on the boat.
Police plan to release more information about the number of casualties and rescues soon.
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The UK government is holding a special emergency meeting to deal with extreme heat causing wildfires and drought across the country. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 38°C (100°F), and many parts of England and Wales are experiencing severe water shortages and wildfire risks.
Key Facts
The UK prime minister will chair a Cobra emergency committee meeting about the heatwave on Wednesday.
Temperatures are forecast to hit 33°C on Wednesday and up to 38°C on Thursday in some areas.
This is the second Cobra heatwave meeting this year, involving ministers and agencies like Defra, the Home Office, the NHS, and the Environment Agency.
The Met Office has issued rare amber “extreme heat” warnings for London, the southeast, Midlands, and South Yorkshire.
Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are under drought conditions due to very dry weather and heat.
Firefighters have dealt with nearly 1,000 wildfires across England and Wales this year, with July as the busiest month on record.
Southern Water might ban businesses from using water for non-essential tasks because of supply threats affecting up to 165,000 people.
The Environment Agency reports that 71.3% of England is in “flash drought,” a fast-developing drought caused by little rain and high heat.
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Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy said Ukraine has sent new peace proposals to the United States to help end the war with Russia. Meanwhile, he warned that Russia may use upcoming parliamentary elections to begin a large military mobilisation. Also, US President Donald Trump announced the release of a detained American Marine from Russia.
Key Facts
Ukraine has given new peace proposals to the United States to help end the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy asked the US to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and increase pressure on Russia to stop the war.
Talks to end the war have mostly stalled since early 2024.
Russia wants Ukraine to give up control of four regions and address the conflict’s root causes to reach a settlement.
Zelenskyy said Russia plans to use the September elections to justify a large new military mobilisation.
Russian officials have denied plans for a new mobilisation.
US President Trump said Russia released Robert Gilman, a former US Marine detained in Russia for four years, without any prisoner exchange.
Gilman will be evaluated medically on his return flight and then taken to a rehabilitation center in Texas.
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A large peatland fire is burning at Holme Fen Nature Reserve near Peterborough, covering about half of the 660-acre site. Firefighters face extreme heat and difficult conditions as they try to put out the blaze, which may burn for several more days.
Key Facts
The fire started on Saturday and is the second peatland fire at the reserve in two weeks.
Around 50% of the 660-acre (270-hectare) nature reserve has been burned.
Temperatures near the fire reached up to 60°C (140°F), creating dangerous conditions for crews.
Peat fires are hard to detect and extinguish because they burn underground and may not show obvious flames or smoke.
Firefighters use protective gear to handle the heat and risk from falling trees.
Emergency crews from several counties across East England are helping to fight the fire.
The first fire is being investigated as possible arson by police.
Firefighters expect to remain at the site through the rest of the week to control the blaze.
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A government survey in Guernsey found that many young people worry about their future on the island. They are concerned about housing, costs, job opportunities, and feel unsure if they will stay after finishing their studies.
Key Facts
Only about 27% of young people aged 16 to 24 said they feel confident they will stay in Guernsey.
36% said they are sure they will leave due to limited career options, few social activities, and poor weather.
Another 37% are unsure about staying or leaving the island.
Young people value the island’s safety, community, natural beauty, and beaches.
The biggest worries are road transport issues and a lack of affordable activities, especially in winter.
Some students expressed concerns about education quality, teacher shortages, and school building conditions.
Many young people feel the government does not listen to their concerns or involve them in important decisions.
Public health officials emphasize the importance of acting on young people’s feedback to help shape Guernsey’s future.
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This disagreement reveals some tension between the two leaders.
Key Facts
Israel’s Prime Minister is Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Donald Trump proposed a peace plan for Gaza.
Netanyahu has rejected this peace plan.
The rejection shows some conflict between the leaders.
The article questions if this is just about the Gaza plan or a bigger disagreement.
Gaza refers to a region involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Tension between two leaders can affect diplomatic relations.
The peace plan aims to address conflict issues in Gaza.
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A leaked Ministry of Defence report found serious problems in a military unit set up to investigate serious crimes like rape and sexual assault. The review showed that the unit still struggles with delays, poor investigations, and lack of support for victims, despite efforts to improve.
Key Facts
The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) was created in 2022 to independently investigate serious crimes in the military.
The unit was formed after the death of 19-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck, where the Army's poor handling of her sexual assault complaints was linked to her suicide.
An internal review from August to November 2025 found the DSCC risked poor performance if judged like civilian police forces.
Problems include slow and inconsistent investigations, gaps in victim help, unclear procedures, and staff shortages.
The Ministry of Defence has accepted the review and started improving victim support, leadership, and training for investigators.
Victims still face fears about reporting crimes because of worries about being believed, career harm, and lack of trust in military channels.
Jaysley Beck’s mother criticized ongoing problems and fears for other service members wanting to report crimes.
Experts and victims say the military justice system still has serious weaknesses despite recent reforms.
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Israeli forces have increased raids and house demolitions in the occupied West Bank, arresting at least 23 Palestinians, including children. The United Nations warned that the situation in the West Bank is at a critical stage due to rising violence and displacement.
Key Facts
Israeli forces arrested at least 23 Palestinians during raids in various West Bank areas.
Several Palestinian homes and commercial buildings were demolished by Israeli forces.
The demolitions included homes of relatives of Palestinians involved in attacks on Israelis.
Settlers have attacked Palestinian villages, damaging property and injuring people, including children.
The UN reported that Israeli forces and settlers killed 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, so far this year.
Israel demolishes about 122 Palestinian structures each month on average this year.
Many Palestinian lands have been confiscated, and illegal settler outposts have been established.
The UN described the situation as nearing a “breaking point” with concerns of worsening conflict and displacement.
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Naveed Akram stands accused of killing 15 people at a Hanukkah event in Sydney. Prosecutors have collected over 800 witness statements and are still reviewing more evidence, including data from electronic devices and reports on a homemade bomb.
Key Facts
The accused, Naveed Akram, is 25 years old and faces 78 charges including murder and terrorism.
The attack happened on December 14 at Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
Authorities say the attack was inspired by the Islamic State group.
Prosecutors have examined more than 800 witness statements, videos, ballistic evidence, and data from 7 electronic devices.
Additional data from 12 more electronic devices and a report on testing an improvised explosive device (IED) are still under review.
Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, allegedly threw four pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb that did not explode.
Police described the bombs as capable of detonating and containing gunpowder and steel ball bearings.
Sajid Akram died in a gunfight with police, and Naveed Akram was injured and has not yet pleaded to the charges.
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Typhoon Dolphin caused heavy rain and flooding in northern and central China, leading to mass evacuations in Beijing and other areas. Authorities closed tourist sites, moved vulnerable people to safety, and suspended transportation to protect residents from floods and landslides.
Key Facts
Thousands were evacuated in Beijing due to risks of flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Dolphin.
Beijing received heavy rain, with some areas expecting over 200mm in 24 hours, which is a large amount compared to the city’s usual yearly rain.
An orange rainstorm warning was in place for Beijing, signaling serious weather.
Over 1,300 tourists were evacuated or turned away from closed attractions; more than 5,000 elderly people and around 1,800 residents near risky areas were relocated.
Public transport was disrupted, with 250 bus routes stopped and slower trains on 10 metro lines in Beijing.
Typhoon Dolphin hit Zhejiang province but its leftover moisture caused heavy rain far inland.
Hebei and Henan provinces also faced severe weather threats, including floods and landslides, with Henan on the highest alarm level and expecting up to 350mm of rain.
China is experiencing more extreme weather events, linked to climate change and the El Niño pattern, which increases temperatures and typhoon activity.
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A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia, killing at least 181 people and injuring over 2,500. The new Colombian government, led by President Abelardo de la Espriella, is struggling to manage rescue efforts and provide aid in areas also affected by poverty and armed conflict.
Key Facts
The earthquake struck cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo.
At least 181 people died and about 2,595 were injured; around 195 to 4,000 remain missing.
Rescue teams are working urgently to find survivors within the critical first 48 to 72 hours after the quake.
Some survivors, including a baby and a woman, were pulled alive from rubble.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an emergency to speed up emergency funding and recovery efforts.
The response is complicated by long-standing issues like poverty and ongoing armed conflicts causing displacement.
A 2016 peace accord has helped aid groups maintain a presence in conflict zones, improving delivery of emergency aid.
Aid organizations such as the Norwegian Refugee Council and the U.N. are involved in the humanitarian response.
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A passenger ferry caught fire near Bali, Indonesia, while traveling to the nearby island of Lombok. Rescue teams and passing boats saved 106 people and were working to rescue 25 others amid rough seas.
Key Facts
The ferry named Putri Yasmin caught fire early in the morning while traveling from Bali to Lombok.
The fire began around 4:15 a.m., and rescue teams were notified about 30 minutes later.
The ferry was carrying 114 passengers, 17 crew members, 44 vehicles, and 53 motorcycles.
Rescue efforts involved Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats, rescue vessels, and a helicopter for aerial search.
Waves up to 4 meters (13 feet) high made the rescue more difficult.
So far, 106 people have been rescued from the burning ferry.
Indonesia relies heavily on ferries for travel between its many islands.
Ferry accidents happen often in Indonesia, sometimes due to weak safety rules.
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Kosovo has started digging up newly found mass graves linked to its 1998-99 war, where around 1,600 people remain missing. The excavation near Kalluder aims to find the remains of intellectuals and others who disappeared during the conflict between ethnic Albanians and Serbian forces.
Key Facts
Excavations began in late July near Upper and Lower Kalluder in northern Kosovo.
The mass graves may contain victims who went missing during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.
About 1,600 people are still missing from the war, including ethnic Albanians, Serbs, and Roma.
Erblin Ademi’s father, a surgeon and one of 23 intellectuals who disappeared in April 1999, may be among the victims.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated the victims could be those caught fleeing forces trying to round them up.
Kosovo’s war caused roughly 13,000 deaths and led to Kosovo declaring independence in 2008.
Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
The search aims to bring closure to families who have waited decades for answers.
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Millions of people in Somalia are facing severe hunger due to a long drought combined with conflicts and economic challenges. Many are fleeing their homes and living in displacement camps as international aid decreases, while warnings of possible flooding may worsen the situation.
Key Facts
About 2 million people in Somalia face emergency food shortages, more than double compared to last year.
Families are leaving rural areas and moving to cities like Baidoa to escape drought and hunger.
Displacement settlements around Baidoa now house hundreds of thousands of people affected by the crisis.
Aid organizations have helped over 200,000 people but say more support is urgently needed.
Somalia is at high risk of extreme weather, with droughts followed by possible heavy rains from El Nino expected later in 2026.
The drought has lasted four years in some regions, destroying crops and killing livestock.
The combination of drought, conflict, and economic problems is causing many people to lose their homes and livelihoods.
Humanitarian groups and Somalia's government are calling for increased international aid to prevent further suffering.
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A drone attacked a power station in Zawiya, a city in western Libya. This power station is close to Libya’s largest working oil refinery, which has faced multiple attacks recently.
Key Facts
The attack involved a drone hitting a power station in Zawiya, Libya.
Zawiya is located in western Libya.
The power station is near Libya’s biggest operational oil refinery.
The oil refinery has been attacked several times in the past few days.
Due to ongoing attacks, the Libyan government is thinking about shutting down the refinery.
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British driver Andy Green set a new land speed record by driving a hydrogen-powered car at 406 mph (654 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. This is the fastest speed ever recorded for a hydrogen-powered vehicle and more than double the previous record from 2004.
Key Facts
Andy Green is a 64-year-old retired Royal Air Force pilot and the first person to break the sound barrier on land.
He reached 406 mph in a hydrogen-powered car called the JCB Hydromax.
The JCB Hydromax uses two hydrogen internal combustion engines delivering a total of 1,600 brake horsepower (bhp).
Green previously set speed records with jet-powered and diesel-powered cars, including a 763 mph run breaking the sound barrier in 1997.
The new hydrogen car record more than doubled the previous 2004 hydrogen speed record of 185.5 mph.
The Hydromax car was developed by JCB, a British engineering company, which also created a diesel-powered record car 20 years earlier.
Testing for the Hydromax car reached 208 mph in May 2024 before the record-breaking run.
Lord Anthony Bamford, chairman of JCB, highlighted the achievement as a milestone for British engineering with hydrogen power.
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Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon say the Israeli military has been starting wildfires by dropping flares and using drones to drop incendiary materials. These fires have damaged large areas of woodland and farmland since a ceasefire in June 2023 mainly ended fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.
Key Facts
Firefighters say Israeli military actions have caused fires in about 30-40% of forested land near the Lebanon-Israel border.
Israeli drones have been dropping incendiary devices that start fires in olive groves, woodlands, and agricultural land.
Firefighters sometimes had to stop fighting fires because drones attacked near them.
The Lebanese army coordinates firefighting efforts and communicates with an Israeli-led “deconfliction” group to allow firefighters to work safely.
Environmental groups claim this is a repeated Israeli tactic to damage Lebanon’s natural environment.
The fires harm important ecosystems that support trees like stone pine and oak and migratory birds.
These environmental attacks are described as "ecocide," meaning they destroy ecosystems to disrupt people’s lives and control the land.
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in October 2023 and has included damage to south Lebanon's woodlands.
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A 74-year-old British man with dementia who has lived in Sweden for 25 years must leave the country after losing a migration court case. The court ruled that Sweden's immigration rules are more important than his need for full-time care in Sweden.
Key Facts
Horace Mason is 74 years old and has advanced dementia requiring round-the-clock care.
He has lived in Sweden for 25 years, near his son and grandchildren.
Swedish courts ruled that immigration control is more important than his personal situation.
His application for a residence permit was rejected because of missing documents.
Appeals based on medical evidence and human rights were also denied in July.
Mason cannot care for himself or move independently to the UK.
The UK government is aware and supporting Mason and his family.
This case is similar to another British dementia patient facing deportation in Sweden after Brexit.
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