ASTANA — Kazakhstan opened more than 10,400 polling stations on Sunday for the first elections to its new 145-seat unicameral legislature, the Kurultai, marking the country’s first nationwide vote under its new constitutional system. Polling stations across the country opened at 7 a.m. local time and are scheduled to close at 8 p.m., while some stations at military facilities, shift-worker settlements, continuous-production facilities and specialized institutions opened an hour earlier. Kazakh citizens abroad can cast their ballots at 79 polling stations established at diplomatic missions in 61 countries. Voting abroad has been suspended in Iran and Ukraine due to security…
Author: Editorial Team
OTTAWA, 23rd August, 2026 (WAM) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will impose tariffs on certain US imports in response to new 50 percent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, following the collapse of trade talks between the two neighbouring countries. The new US tariffs target a wide range of sectors, including furniture, dairy products, cement, clothing, fishing equipment and hockey gear, covering around US$20 billion worth of Canadian exports across the southern border. Carney said at a press conference that Canada would respond to Washington’s new tariffs on a dollar-for-dollar basis to protect Canadian workers,…
AACHEN, GERMANY, 23rd August, 2026 (WAM) — UAE rising star Mabkhout Owaida Alkirbi celebrated his first victory at Aachen on Saturday, helping his international team claim gold in the Prize of Sparkasse inside the iconic Main Stadium. The 17-year-old and Diabla PS produced their second clear round in as many days, completing the course fault-free in 63.38 seconds. Mabkhout joined USA’s JJ Torano, Canada’s Fares Azouni and Great Britain’s Olivia Sponer in Team 2, with the international quartet finishing on a winning score of zero faults and a combined time of 190.53 seconds. The result follows Mabkhout’s seventh-place finish in…
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Saturday to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza or the occupied West Bank for as long as he remains in office. Netanyahu made the remarks in response to Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, who said a Palestinian state already exists and is recognized by most of the international community, while urging Israel and the United States to recognize it as well. “As long as I am prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state controlled by Iran, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu…
TOKYO — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring more than 20 people and disrupting train services across the region, according to local media citing authorities. No tsunami warning was issued following the quake, which originated in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of about 68 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The earthquake registered lower 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, as well as central Tokyo. More than 20 people were reported injured, including a young man and a woman in her…
AJMAN, 23rd August, 2026 (WAM) — Ajman Chamber recorded 21,324 memberships during the first half of the current year, including 2,681 new memberships. The value of certificates of origin issued exceeded AED3.9 billion across a total of 22,422 certificates, reflecting the growing economic activity, investment and trade in the Emirate. The membership indicators and increase in the value of certificates of origin affirm the business community’s confidence in Ajman Chamber’s services and its role in supporting the private sector and enhancing the Emirate’s competitiveness and investment attractiveness. This supports the objectives of Ajman Vision 2030 and its directions towards providing…
TEHRAN — Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday for talks with senior Iranian officials, as Islamabad steps up mediation efforts aimed at reviving stalled negotiations between Iran and the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei announced the visit on Sunday, saying Munir and an accompanying delegation would travel to the Iranian capital to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build on “Pakistan’s efforts to help strengthen peace and security in the region.” Munir is expected to hold talks with senior Iranian officials during the visit, Baqaei said in remarks carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA…
ADELAIDE — Australia on Sunday confirmed its first case of bird flu in a mammal after a long-nosed fur seal found in South Australia tested positive for the virus, according to local media. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the seal was found at Beachport, about 300 kilometers south of the South Australian capital, Adelaide. “Although this is a concerning development, it is not unexpected for us to start to see infection in other wildlife, particularly in marine mammals, particularly in areas where there are high infection rates in wild birds,” Collins said. She said the infection was likely caused…
ABU DHABI, 23rd August, 2026 (WAM) — Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Chairman of the UAE International Investment Council (UAEIIC), convened the third board meeting of the Council to review progress on key initiatives and advance the Council’s outward investment agenda for the remainder of 2026, including practical mechanisms for mobilising Emirati capital into strategically important markets. The meeting also highlighted two products developed by the UAEIIC to support its members operating internationally. The first is the Council’s FDI Dashboard, which provides a comprehensive overview of the global investment landscape and enables users to…
KYIV — Norway will provide Ukraine with 85 billion krone ($9.2 billion) in military and civilian assistance in 2027, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced Sunday during a visit to Kyiv. “Norway will continue to support Ukraine’s defense struggle,” Store said, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “Now we are sending a clear signal that Norway will continue to stand by, both civilian and military,” he added. Of the total package, 70 billion krone ($7.5 billion) will be allocated to military support, while 15 billion krone ($1.6 billion) will go toward civilian assistance. The 2027 commitment will mark the third consecutive…