Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of August, covering the latest developments.
A newly formed pro-government Adilet Democratic party has won Kazakhstan’s snap parliamentary election with around 70-72 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls. The election was the first held under Kazakhstan’s new constitutional framework and is expected to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s influence. Adilet was established earlier this year by figures close to Tokayev and absorbed Amanat, the country’s previously dominant political party.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have elevated their bilateral ties by signing a Treaty on Eternal Friendship during President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Tashkent on Sunday. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, transport and regional development, targeting $1 billion in annual trade. They also discussed major investment projects, including tourism and infrastructure, as well as expanding transport links through the Caspian Sea and advancing the Zangezur Corridor.
The U.S. is preparing sweeping new sanctions targeting Iran and its trade partners, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling them the “greatest financial offensive” against an adversary. Iran has threatened to halt all oil exports from the Persian Gulf if the economic pressure continues, further raising concerns over Strait of Hormuz shipping and global energy markets. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief is due to visit Tehran on Monday as regional efforts continue to promote diplomacy and de-escalation.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied Kyiv’s official involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Russia meanwhile reported fires at Ozon logistics hubs following drone attacks, including a major blaze in Krasnodar and another in Dagestan. Meanwhile, South Korea said North Korea was preparing for a possible additional troop deployment to Russia, although no imminent deployment had been detected.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his party will introduce a bill seeking to ban children under 16 from using social media. The proposal would require platforms to verify users’ ages and face fines of up to 10 per cent of their global revenue for non-compliance. However, coalition partner New Zealand First has said it will not support the bill, raising doubts over whether it can pass Parliament.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country&rsqu...
Foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday warned that renewed military strikes on Iran could deepen the regional conflict, urging diplomatic ...
Georgia’s Constitutional Court has extended hearings in a case seeking to ban five opposition parties, with proceedings now set to continue u...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country’s Christian minority that has raised fresh questions about security in the country.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
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