Fresh attacks on commercial shipping have deepened concerns over the Iran war as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear to have stalled. On August 11, Houthi forces attacked the Egyptian-owned cargo ship Tihamah in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing four crew members and two Yemeni rescuers. Separately, U.S. forces struck a Panama-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman, saying it violated a blockade on Iranian ports. The incidents came after Pakistan and Qatar raised hopes of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran continues demanding concessions from Washington, leaving negotiations uncertain and global energy supplies at risk. (PC: Reuters)

Thailand has temporarily suspended the issuance of firearms licences following a deadly school shooting in Nonthaburi that left nine people dead, including the teenage attacker. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the interior ministry and police to halt new licences for possessing, purchasing and carrying guns, while existing licences will be reviewed. The 14-year-old allegedly killed his grandparents at their home before opening fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, killing six others and later taking his own life. As victims and the attacker’s grandparents were cremated, authorities called for tighter gun controls and stronger penalties for firearms offences. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he switched aircraft during a recent summit in Turkey because of a security threat. Trump said he follows the advice of the Secret Service and military and did not ask extensively about the specific threat. Reports said Trump initially switched from the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8 to an older Air Force One and later moved discreetly to a smaller C-32A aircraft. The Washington Post reported that he was secretly transferred from the older aircraft in a catering container before boarding the C-32A. Trump said he receives numerous threats that are not publicly known, adding that consequential presidents face many threats. His comments confirmed the previously unacknowledged security-driven aircraft changes. (PC: AP)

At least six people were killed after suspected Houthi strikes hit the Egyptian-owned cargo vessel Tihamah near Yemen’s southern coast, close to the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, according to Yemen’s coastguard. Four crew members, including three Pakistani and one Indonesian national, were killed in the initial strike, while two rescuers died during an evacuation operation. Ten people were injured. The first strike reportedly caused a fire and extensive damage to the vessel, while a second strike hit during the rescue operation. Yemen’s internationally recognised government and Transport Ministry blamed the Houthis, though the group has not claimed responsibility. If confirmed, the deaths would be the first fatalities from a Houthi shipping attack since the Iran war began. (PC: X)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in recent strikes on Ukraine, saying Moscow increasingly depends on Pyongyang for military support. Zelensky did not provide evidence for the claim. Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia killed 7 people and injured at least 24, while attacks also hit Kyiv, Sumy, Kherson and Kharkiv. Russia also faced Ukrainian drone strikes, including an attack on Wildberries facilities in Voronezh. The latest escalation comes after deadly Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s Tatarstan region. Both sides continue to launch overnight drone and missile attacks as the war continues. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump’s secret departure from Turkey has revived memories of a similar security deception used by Bill Clinton during his 2000 Pakistan visit. Trump was reportedly moved from a presidential Boeing 747 to a smaller C-32A military aircraft using an airport catering truck, following an alleged Iranian assassination threat. The larger aircraft remained as a decoy while reporters aboard apparently believed Trump was still travelling with them. Clinton’s 2000 operation also involved a decoy Air Force One, but a White House reporter had been briefed about the plan beforehand. The key difference was how the press pool was informed. (PC: India Today)

Lebanon’s parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, a move that could make the country the first in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment. A majority of lawmakers in the 128-seat parliament supported the legislation, while Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc opposed it. The bill will now go to the cabinet before being sent to President Joseph Aoun for approval. Lebanon has not carried out an execution since 2004, although courts have continued to issue death sentences. Under the proposed law, capital punishment would be replaced with life imprisonment with hard labour. Rights groups welcomed the move after decades of campaigning. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump reportedly made a secret plane switch after leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month. According to US media reports, Trump boarded Air Force One in front of cameras before being moved to a smaller military aircraft. A catering truck was reportedly used to hide the transfer. The move came after US intelligence detected a possible Iranian missile threat against his plane. Journalists and some White House staff on Air Force One were reportedly unaware of the switch. Trump later returned to the presidential jet in the UK. The White House has not confirmed the reported operation but said security measures protect the president.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia’s coffee-growing heartland on Monday, killing 224 people and leaving more than 3,000 missing, while over 900 were injured. More than 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed, with deaths concentrated in Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo. Rescue operations entered a second day as emergency teams searched collapsed buildings using excavators and bare hands. Cali reported at least 85 deaths, while Pereira recorded 66. Parts of a hospital in Cali collapsed, trapping patients and forcing around 600 people to receive treatment outdoors. Tremors were also felt in Venezuela. The disaster has revived memories of the devastating 1999 earthquake, which killed more than 1,000 people in the region.

The UK Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the Al-Khair Foundation following allegations that the prominent Muslim-registered charity and some of its partners may have links to Hamas. The regulator said it received a complaint last month alleging connections to Hamas and possible funding for the group. The commission initially assessed the concerns and gathered additional information before escalating the matter to a formal investigation. The development follows the arrest of a senior figure in a US terror-related case, raising further scrutiny around the charity. The inquiry will examine the allegations and the organisation’s activities and partnerships. The claims remain allegations, and the Charity Commission’s investigation is ongoing. (PC: Times Now)