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• A former Thai lawmaker has confessed to a shooting at a government office outside Bangkok on Monday, which left one official dead and another injured. • This incident follows a separate mass shooting in the same province days earlier, where a student killed at least eight people at a school and family home. • The violence highlights concerns over firearm prevalence in Thailand, which has a civilian gun ownership rate of 15.1 per 100 people, significantly higher than neighboring Malaysia.

• A gunman, identified as a former lawmaker, was arrested on Monday after opening fire at a local government office on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. • The attack resulted in the death of a local official and occurred in the same province where a 14-year-old boy allegedly killed eight people in a school shooting last week. • These consecutive violent incidents have reignited an urgent national debate regarding gun control and public safety in Thailand.

• PennantPark Investment (PNNT), PennantPark Floating Rate Capital (PFLT), and White Mountains Insurance Group (WTM) are all scheduled to provide business updates today. • The updates will focus on critical financial metrics, including middle-market credit liquidity, floating-rate portfolio performance, and insurance capital allocation. • These reports are significant as they provide insight into current sector conditions, competitive dynamics, and the broader economic context for listed financial businesses.

• Former Thai MP Chalong Riewrang shot and killed local government official Thongchai Yenprasert in Nonthaburi. • The fatal shooting was reportedly triggered by a financial dispute between the two men. • This incident highlights a violent escalation of a personal money row involving a former high-ranking political figure.

• Former Thai MP Chalong Riewrang was arrested by Nonthaburi police after allegedly shooting a local official and a driver. • The incident occurred in Nonthaburi province, located north of Bangkok, and was confirmed by police chief Dejrapee Kongdee. • This attack follows a recent school shooting in the same region, intensifying public debate and scrutiny regarding gun control laws in Thailand.

• A former Member of Parliament in Thailand opened fire on a senior provincial official and his driver, leaving both victims seriously injured. • The perpetrator admitted to the shooting, though the specific motive for the attack has not yet been detailed. • The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence in Thailand, which has one of the highest firearm death rates in Southeast Asia, second only to the Philippines.

• A former Thai Member of Parliament shot and killed a local government official on Monday during a financial dispute in Nonthaburi province. • The attack occurred in broad daylight outside a government building; the suspect was subsequently arrested and confessed to journalists at the police station. • The perpetrator claimed he did not aim to shoot the victim, though the incident resulted in a fatality.

• Former Thai MP Chalong Riewrang allegedly shot and killed a government official. • Following the incident, Riewrang used a YouTube livestream to publicly confess to the killing. • The event is expected to intensify national debates regarding gun control in Thailand, a country with the highest rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia.

• Former Thai lawmaker Chalong Riewrang was arrested on Monday for allegedly shooting a local government official and the official's driver. • The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody by the Nonthaburi police, according to police chief Dejrapee Kongdee. • This violent incident occurred shortly after a separate school shooting in the same region that left at least eight people dead.

• The BSE Sensex fell 455.59 points (0.58%) to close at 78,499.17 on Friday, August 7, 2026, ending a two-session winning streak. • The decline was primarily driven by selling pressure in the financial sector, specifically affecting non-banking financial companies and private-sector banks. • Market analysts indicate a shift toward sectoral rotation, where investors are prioritizing stock-specific earnings strength over broad index movements.

Rage-baiting efforts of Trump accounts silenced after posts such as a video linking her Red album to RepublicansSome of Taylor Swift’s songs have been removed from videos posted on social media by Donald Trump’s campaign and the White House, silencing efforts to mock the pop star.A video posted 3 August featuring the US president and the first lady, Melania Trump, watching fireworks was posted this month on TikTok with Swift’s song August. Continue reading...

• Former child actress and OnlyFans model Renee Olstead, also known as Renee Faust, is reportedly serving in a senior role for Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong's gubernatorial campaign. • Olstead is acting as the deputy campaign manager for Hong, a Democratic socialist, according to a report by The Heartland. • The appointment comes at a critical time as the campaign prepares for the upcoming Democratic primary scheduled for next week.

• Boris Pervushin argues that the current "coalition of willing" European politicians supporting Ukraine is operating against domestic public sentiment. • The support structure faces significant pressure in the coming year as voters in Italy, Poland, Spain, and Germany prioritize their own standard of living over the conflict in the East. • This shift is critical because the debate over funding Ukraine is evolving from a geopolitical strategic issue into a matter of electoral survival for European elites.

• Several official transfers were completed across Europe’s top five leagues on July 29, as reported by FootballTransfers. • Enzo Maresca's side signed an unnamed England midfielder from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee of €135m. • The club also secured young talents Mathys Detourbet, Jeremy Monga, and Pierce Charles to bolster their squad.

• Fast Track Entertainment has officially unveiled Launchpad, a new artist growth platform targeting South Korea and South-East Asia. • Developed in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, the platform integrates live showcase experiences, brand partnerships, and new media engagement to support emerging talent. • Kenny Ong, Sony Music's managing director for the region, stated that showcase editions will progressively roll out from late 2026 through early 2027.

Rescuers not yet able to reach scene of crash near Richfield in central Utah, prompting fears for two missing peopleA firefighting Sikorsky S64 helicopter with two individuals onboard crashed on Friday morning in central Utah, according to federal aviation authorities.The US Forest Service initially declined to comment on the condition of the helicopter’s passengers, asking the public for “patience while we focus on response efforts” in a statement. Continue reading...

• The BSE Sensex fell 456 points and the NSE Nifty slipped below the 24,600 mark during trading on Friday, August 7. • The market decline was primarily driven by heavy selling in financial stocks, with Bajaj Finance identified as the biggest loser of the session. • Investor sentiment was negatively impacted by concerns surrounding proposed regulatory changes within the financial sector.

• The Trump administration is developing a secretive framework to vet potentially dangerous AI models to prevent cybersecurity threats. • The initiative was prompted by the release of Anthropic’s Mythos model in April, which the company withheld from the public due to its potential to hack financial and IT systems. • Critics argue the plan lacks transparency, leaving significant open questions regarding how the government will oversee AI safety and security.

Disclosure comes after Conservative and Reform claims that French police refusing to intervene in crossingsThe French authorities have halted small boats at sea in the Channel on 10 occasions since the spring, officials said on Friday.Despite claims from the Conservatives and Reform that the French were refusing to intervene in small boat crossings, Maritime Prefect officers were using “intervention tactics” to board or control vessels at sea and take asylum seekers back to France. Continue reading...

• Record-breaking heatwaves across Europe are evolving from weather events into significant economic risks, impacting food prices and supply chains. • Investors are closely monitoring river levels, cooling demand, and catastrophe bonds as extreme temperatures pressure heavily indebted economies. • This environmental crisis is exacerbating existing financial instability and inflation risks already triggered by previous energy shocks.

• Saudi Arabia has issued a warning regarding imminent, coordinated attacks from Iraqi militias, Iran-backed Houthis, and the IRGC. • The anticipated strikes are expected to originate from the north, south, and east, specifically targeting civilian, economic, and energy infrastructure. • This escalation has put the Gulf region on edge and is influencing Asian trading markets on Friday, August 7, 2026.

• The International Association for Tibetan Studies seminar, scheduled for August 23-26 in Nepal, has been canceled following a request from government officials. • Hosted by the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies at Kathmandu University, the event was intended to bring together delegates from numerous countries. • While Prof. Sagar Raj Sharma confirmed the cancellation, the government provided no specific reason for the decision, though Nepal typically restricts pro-Tibetan activities to maintain relations with China.

• The European Commission is currently in discussions with Spanish officials to provide additional financial support for the city of Ceuta. • This funding is intended to bolster border security forces and increase humanitarian assistance following an unprecedented surge of migrant arrivals. • The measure is critical as Ceuta struggles to manage the logistical and humanitarian aftermath of the record-breaking influx of people.

• Google is facing a significant leadership shake-up as several senior engineers and leaders of the Gemini AI model depart the company. • Veteran engineers Jeff Dean and Sanjay Ghemawat are leaving to launch a new startup called Discovery Loop, which will focus on machine learning, science, and engineering breakthroughs. • These high-profile exits occur amid growing concerns that Google is falling behind its competitors in the global artificial intelligence race.

Judge issues temporary pause while he considers Trump’s request to revise his libel lawsuit against BBCA federal judge has temporarily halted an order requiring Donald Trump to turn over detailed financial information about his business empire to the BBC as part of an ongoing libel lawsuit.US district judge Roy Altman issued the temporary pause while he considers Trump’s request to revise and narrow parts of his lawsuit against the BBC over a 2024 documentary that aired in the UK. Continue reading...

Cases have passed 4,000 and health watchdog plans to go door to door to find patients in major response escalationThe virus causing a massive outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be mutating, health officials fear, as confirmed cases pass 4,000.Africa’s public health watchdog said the time for incremental action was over, as they announced plans to scale up every aspect of the response and go “door to door” looking for patients. Continue reading...

• Banco Santander and Webster Financial Corporation announced on August 4, 2026, that they have received official approval from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to proceed with the acquisition. • Upon closing, the majority of Webster's business operations will be integrated into Santander Bank, N.A., expanding Santander's banking footprint within the United States. • The deal is designed to accelerate Santander's financial goals, with the company targeting a return on tangible equity (RoTE) of approximately 18% by 2028.

As another summer of extreme heat rumbles on, warnings about excess deaths, ageing infrastructure and potential food shortages are growing louder. So how well prepared is the UK to cope, both now and in the years ahead? Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping examine why politicians have been so slow to act. Plus, Kemi Badenoch has distanced herself from the former neo-Nazi turned Tory council candidate Joshua Bonehill-Paine, only to offer him him an advisory role instead. What was she thinking?You can read Jessica Elgot’s interview with the health secretary on heatwaves hereYou can read about Kemi Badenoch’s action on Joshua Bonehill-Paine herePlease keep sending your comments and questions to [email protected] and subscribe to the Politics Weekly YouTube channel here Continue reading...