Thailand finance minister plans to cut the consumption tax on domestically produced cars.

On Aug. 6, Venezuela’s and Chile’s foreign ministries said they exchanged diplomatic notes to formally restore consular relations, will open consulates-general in each other’s capitals and agreed to progressively normalize bilateral ties.

A Saudi official said multiple intelligence reports indicate Houthi forces, Iraqi militias and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are coordinating plots to attack Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has observed drone and missile movements suggesting potential coordinated strikes from both the south and north that could target civilian and economic sites, including energy infrastructure, ports and airports. The official said the intelligence is particularly concerning as talks toward de-escalation were reportedly making progress, and that Saudi Arabia would take all necessary measures to respond to any aggression. Saudi-US security cooperation remains close at all levels, including operational collaboration with CENTCOM.