A Thai government official said the cabinet has decided to extend the value-added tax (VAT) at 7% for an additional year.

Yemen's Houthi movement said on the 26th it attacked three Saudi oil tankers in the past 48 hours and is enforcing maritime blockade measures against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis announced a maritime blockade of Saudi targets on the 20th and warned international shipping that vessels trading with Saudi ports could face military strikes. Lebanese Al Mayadeen reported on the 26th that 16 Saudi vessels were denied passage and forced to turn back in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

On July 27 the foreign ministry said China-Africa goods trade in 1H reached 1.41 tln yuan, a record for the period, and is likely to climb to a new level this year. The ministry said trade composition continues to improve and African export potential to China is being increasingly unlocked.