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International news, diplomacy, Geneva-based organisations.

World

Thailand: school shooting in Nonthaburi kills at least 4, wounds 15

A 14 or 15-year-old carried out a series of deadly attacks on August 7, 2026 in Thailand. He first killed his two grandparents, then went to a high school in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, where he killed six more people. A total of eight people died and 23 were wounded. The shooter also died during the incident. Thailand faces recurring school shootings in a country where approximately 10 million firearms are in circulation.

7 August 2026 at 06:26

World

Cuba: United States Sanctions Defence Minister and Arms Supply Network

On August 6, 2026, the United States sanctioned General Alvaro Lopez Miera, Cuba's defence minister, as well as an arms supply network, according to Le Monde. These measures also target the chief of staff of Cuba's armed forces, officials responsible for external relations and economic affairs of the military, and Cuban military attachés stationed in China and Russia.

6 August 2026 at 19:02

World

Leipzig airport: Armed semtex drone found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft

On the night of August 4-5, 2026, a Leipzig airport employee discovered an armed drone on the cargo apron between two Ukrainian Antonov Airlines planes. The drone, a modified quadcopter, carried up to 800 grams of semtex but an explosion was prevented only by a faulty detonator. The airport's detection system had failed to identify the device during its hours-long presence on the tarmac. A second drone was struck by an inbound DHL cargo plane, forcing an emergency landing. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a "professional hybrid threat" from unnamed foreign powers, while CDU parliamentarian Roderich Kiesewetter directly accused Russia. Moscow denies involvement.

6 August 2026 at 16:44

World

Yan Diomandé signs at Real Madrid: Ivorian becomes history's most expensive African player

Ivorian international Yan Diomandé signed at Real Madrid on August 6, 2026, according to an announcement reported by Le Monde. The Spanish club reportedly spent €125 million for the transfer—a figure not officially confirmed by the clubs. This transfer makes Diomandé the most expensive African player in football history. Just a year ago, in August 2025, he was still unknown to the general public.

6 August 2026 at 16:37

World

War in Ukraine: Sweden to Hand Over Russian Shadow Fleet Ship to Kyiv, Ukraine Strikes Two Russian Refineries

On August 4, 2026, Sweden's Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from the owner of a Russian shadow fleet ship, confirming its handover to Kyiv along with its cargo. The vessel, seized in early March 2026, reportedly carried Ukrainian grain stolen from occupied territories. On August 6, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed strikes on two Russian refineries located over 1,300 km from the front: Bashneft-Novoïl in Bashkortostan and Slavneft-YaNOS in Yaroslavl region. Ukraine also reported targeting military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels in the Black Sea. However, exact damage to the targeted refineries remains unconfirmed independently.

6 August 2026 at 12:17

World

Constitutional Council validates French military programming law without reservations

The French Constitutional Council validated the military programming law (LPM) on August 6, 2026, without any reservations, according to Le Monde. The high court upheld all provisions of the legislation. Deputies from La France insoumise, the Greens, and the Communist party had challenged the law, particularly opposing the creation of a "national security alert status." The military programming law, which establishes government spending on armed forces over multiple years, also increases France's defense budget.

6 August 2026 at 12:14

World

Munich: Farhad N. sentenced to life imprisonment for 2025 car ramming attack

Munich's court sentenced Farhad N., a 25-year-old Afghan national, to life imprisonment on August 6, 2026, for a car ramming attack carried out in 2025 against a trade union march in the Bavarian city. The attack killed two people and injured around forty others. The court found the crime had "particular gravity," a legal determination that makes any future parole for the convicted man extremely difficult.

6 August 2026 at 12:10

World

German industrial orders surge 3.1% in June, ten times forecast

German industrial orders increased 3.1% in June 2026 compared with May, according to Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis), the German federal statistics office. This result far exceeded the median forecast of +0.3% from Reuters-polled economists—more than ten times higher. Mechanical engineering (+12.7%) and electronics (+22.7%) led the expansion, driven by several large one-off orders. Excluding these major orders, incoming orders actually declined 0.5%. Domestic orders surged 7.8%, while Eurozone demand plummeted 14%. Real revenue in manufacturing fell 1.3% in June.

6 August 2026 at 09:55

World

Jason Arday, youngest Black professor at Cambridge, resigns after plagiarism allegations

Jason Arday, regarded as the youngest Black professor in the history of the University of Cambridge, resigned on August 6, 2026, following plagiarism accusations and controversy. The University of Cambridge simultaneously opened a new investigation into the academic. Arday stated that speculation has had a profound impact on him and his family. Questions about his competence and instances of racism, reportedly never reported to police, have also been raised.

6 August 2026 at 09:43

World

HRW, Amnesty and Legal Agenda declare Israeli strike on journalist a war crime

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Legal Agenda concluded on August 6, 2026 that an Israeli strike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in April 2026 constitutes a war crime. The 42-year-old journalist worked for Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar; 21-year-old freelance photojournalist Zeinab Faraj was with her. The organizations say Israel deliberately targeted both women as civilians. Khalil may have remained alive hours after the strike, suggesting rescue delays contributed to her death. The UN reports Israel has killed at least 210 journalists in Gaza and 15 in Lebanon since 2023. Israel disputes the war crime designation.

6 August 2026 at 06:52

World

Rolex Loses Ground in the Luxury Watch Secondary Market

Rolex's market share on Chrono24—a platform claiming to be the world's largest digital marketplace for luxury watches—has plummeted from nearly one watch in every two to fewer than one in three over four years, according to a study published on August 6, 2026, by Handelsblatt. Cartier and Omega are the principal beneficiaries, driven by younger buyers' appetite for dress watches. Notably, the GMT-Master II "Pepsi" surged 24% year-over-year to approximately €23,000.

6 August 2026 at 06:43

World

Rheinland-Pfalz: Students Reject General Smartphone Ban at Schools

As the new school year approaches in Rheinland-Pfalz, a state in Germany, stricter rules governing smartphone use in schools are expected. However, students in the state oppose a total ban. Their representative body argues that a blanket prohibition does not go far enough and cannot replace appropriate pedagogical approaches.

6 August 2026 at 04:22

World

Mexican Avocados: US Suspends Government Activities in Michoacán

The United States suspended its government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacán on August 5, 2026, according to Bloomberg. This decision jeopardizes American avocado imports from this region. Michoacán is Mexico's largest avocado-producing region and the primary source of supply for the United States. The extent of the consequences for import volumes and market prices remains to be determined.

5 August 2026 at 21:50

World

Guatemala's Fuego volcano eruption ends with no casualties or damage

The eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala ended on August 5, 2026, without causing any casualties or material damage, according to Le Monde. Volcanic activity had intensified during the night of August 4-5 before subsiding. Authorities reported no victims or structural losses.

5 August 2026 at 21:12

World

Irish Open 2026: McIlroy, Rahm and Reed set for Doonbeg 9–13 September

The Irish Open 2026 will take place from 9–13 September at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland. Defending champion Rory McIlroy and two-time major winner Jon Rahm lead the field, which also features Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and the Hojgaard brothers. Patrick Reed, who departed LIV Golf in January, competes following two DP World Tour victories this year. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend Doonbeg during an official visit to the Republic of Ireland. The tournament precedes the PGA Championship at Wentworth by one week.

5 August 2026 at 19:30

World

Lara Gut-Behrami Announces End of Career at 35

Swiss alpine skier Lara Gut-Behrami, 35, announced the end of her career on August 5, 2026, in an open letter published by RSI, the Italian-language service of Swiss public broadcasting. Seriously injured to the knee in November 2025 during what was supposed to be her final season at the highest level, she will not return to World Cup competition. Speculation had suggested a possible comeback, fueled by the seriousness of her rehabilitation efforts. The open letter definitively rules out any return to competitive skiing. She concludes: 'I can't wait to ski, and I'm happy this way.'

5 August 2026 at 19:27

World

Lausanne tram terminus to have no trees: neighborhood residents voice concerns

The terminus of Lausanne's tram line will remain without trees, according to information reported on August 5, 2026. This decision has raised questions among residents of the affected neighborhood. The specific reasons for excluding trees and the identity of the responsible authority have not yet been clarified.

5 August 2026 at 07:29

World

Armed Man Arrested at Trump Golf Club in California, Two Days Before Presidential Visit

A 38-year-old man was arrested on August 5, 2026, at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, a luxury golf complex located in Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County, California. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a loaded pistol and an additional magazine containing ammunition were discovered in his vehicle. The arrest comes two days before a planned visit by President Donald Trump to the same facility, scheduled for Tuesday.

5 August 2026 at 07:26

World

Portable foldable washing machines for camping: lightweight and budget-friendly, according to El País

According to El País, portable, foldable, and budget-friendly mini washing machines are available for camping use. These devices are claimed to wash clothes quickly while reducing water and electricity consumption and taking up minimal space. However, all information comes from a single media source; no independent sources have verified the claimed performance.

5 August 2026 at 07:20

World

Todd Blanche Overcomes Key Congressional Hurdle to Become U.S. Attorney General

On August 4, 2026, Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney General, cleared the primary hurdle to Senate confirmation after Republican senators pledged their backing, according to El País. Their support came following an agreement to eliminate a multi-million-dollar compensation fund that had been intended for Trump allies and associates. Blanche's path to confirmation has faced significant scrutiny, but this congressional vote represents a critical milestone in the confirmation process.

4 August 2026 at 21:11

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