Latest by
-
U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Stalled as Key Figure Ashim Munir Visits Tehran As U.S.-Iran peace negotiations remain stalled, Ashim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, is set to visit Iran on August 24.On August 23, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced Munir's upcoming visit to the Iranian capital, Tehran.Baghaei described Munir's trip as part of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and security.Munir, regarded as a key figure in Pakistan, played a crucial role in facilitating the June signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran.Notably, Munir's visit coincides with the day the Trump administration is expected to unveil plans for what it calls "the strongest sanctions in history" against Iran.Munir has previously communicated directly with President Trump, relaying various proposals during the mediation process between the U.S. and Iran, based on their established rapport.Among the Iranian negotiators, Masoud Pezeshkian, a prominent figure, reiterated the MOU as the best means to end the war. In a speech commemorating 'Doctor's Day,' Pezeshkian stated that members of Iran's Supreme National Security Council deemed the MOU a dignified and wise agreement based on national interests.Pezeshkian asserted, "This agreement contains no clauses that equate to Iran's surrender; all compliance measures are on the other side." He emphasized that the Supreme Leader makes policy decisions, and the country will follow that path, highlighting that Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei approved the MOU.While Pezeshkian stated that Iran has no intention of retreating against hostile nations, he linked the agreement to Iran's economic outlook, noting that the current stalemate of "neither war nor peace" hinders foreign investment.He remarked, "Capital and money are very sensitive to risk; we must eliminate these risks in our country."On August 21, Pezeshkian also claimed that the world recognizes Iran's victory, stating, "It is better to end the war now that we possess strength and dignity."The MOU signed in June set a 60-day deadline to reach an agreement to end the war and address Iran's nuclear program.As the deadline expired, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vezant announced on August 20 during an interview with CNBC that the U.S. would impose "the strongest sanctions in history" against Iran.He is scheduled to hold a press conference on August 24 to outline the economic pressure plans aimed at destabilizing the Iranian regime.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 21:32:00 -
New Investigation Guidelines for Special Judicial Police Ahead of Prosecutorial Authority Changes As the abolition of prosecutorial investigative and directive authority approaches in October, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is drafting new investigation guidelines and soliciting feedback from special judicial police (SJP).According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office sent a draft of the guidelines, which define the relationship between prosecutors and SJPs, to major SJPs nationwide on the 21st, requesting comments by the 24th.SJPs are public officials responsible for investigating and enforcing laws related to specific crimes in various administrative agencies, including labor, customs, national tax, and food and drug safety. As of 2024, there are approximately 20,000 SJPs active across the country.Due to the nature of their work, which does not focus on criminal investigations, many SJPs often lack investigative experience and legal knowledge. Until now, prosecutors have directed SJPs to correct illegal or inadequate investigations.The revised Criminal Procedure Act changes the relationship between prosecutors and SJPs to one of 'mutual cooperation,' allowing prosecutors only to provide guidance and advice during the initiation and progress of investigations.Consequently, all content related to the previous directive authority of prosecutors has been replaced with 'guidance and advice.'The draft includes a provision stating that SJPs must comply with the guidance and advice of prosecutors.However, there are currently no established methods for enforcing compliance from SJPs, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the new guidelines.Critics argue that the absence of prosecutorial directive authority may lead to inadequate investigations or concealment of cases.The draft also includes provisions for the prosecution to analyze and evaluate the operational status of SJPs.Previously, legal experts expressed concerns about a potential gap in judicial oversight over SJPs due to the abolition of prosecutorial directive authority, suggesting the need for minimum safeguards such as job exclusions and performance evaluations.Under the revised Criminal Procedure Act, SJPs will be subject to requests for supplementary investigations and corrective actions from prosecutors, and these provisions are reflected in the draft guidelines.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 21:16:00
-
Baiterek tower, Kazakhstan Visitors stand at the observation deck of Baiterek Tower in Astana, Kazakhstan, August 22, 2026. 2026-08-23 21:15:54 -
Baiterek tower, Kazakhstan Visitors place their hands on a handprint cast of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, at Baiterek Tower in Astana, Kazakhstan, August 22, 2026. 2026-08-23 21:14:48 -
Baiterek tower, Kazakhstan Baiterek Tower is seen in Astana, Kazakhstan, August 22, 2026. 2026-08-23 21:13:52 -
The National museum of Kazakhstan A mannequin dressed in traditional Kazakh attire, including a ceremonial headdress, is displayed at the Kazakhstan National Museum in Astana. 2026-08-23 21:11:03 -
The National museum of Kazakhstan A close-up view of an ornately decorated horse bridle with gold and bronze embellishments is displayed at the Kazakhstan National Museum in Astana. 2026-08-23 21:08:51 -
People of Kazakhstan vote for future ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Aug. 23 (AJP) — Kazakhstan is holding its first parliamentary election today for the newly launched unicameral legislature, the Kurultai, which replaces the country's former bicameral parliament. The morning in Astana, Kazakhstan, looked much like any other. But outside polling stations scattered across the capital, an unusual tension hung in the air. It was Aug. 23, election day for the Kurultai. A group of young athletes in matching yellow tracksuits filed through the entrance of a polling station. The venue, a converted sports facility, had been transformed for the day into a space for citizens' voices. Beneath its high ceilings, blue voting booths stood in a numbered row. Beside them sat a transparent acrylic ballot box bearing the emblem of Kazakhstan. Inside, the polling station was busy but orderly. Voters lined up before officials checking identification, received their ballots and stepped into the booths. Behind drawn curtains, each person had a brief moment alone. Those who emerged folded their ballots and carried them toward the clear acrylic box . The box was already filling with folded papers. Ballots bordered in blue piled one atop another, a quiet record of choices made throughout the day. Some voters slid their ballots in carefully. Others lifted their hands high and let the paper drop from above. On the walls hung boards outlining the platforms and policies of the country's political parties. One citizen paused there for a long while, reading closely. The scene repeated itself throughout the station. No one seemed to be in a hurry. Elsewhere, a child waited for his father. His eyes followed the curtain of the booth, watching for it to part, quietly observing a world that belonged to adults. What this space would mean to him later, in memory, was impossible to say. Election officials sat behind empty tables, waiting for the next voter. Even in the quieter moments, they remained composed. Large screens, signage, the vests worn by volunteers — every element of the space had been carefully arranged for a single procedure. As the afternoon wore on, people kept arriving. Athletes in yellow uniforms, families dressed casually, individuals who came alone and quietly. Whatever brought them there, each followed the same steps and stood before the same ballot box. The papers gathering inside it had come from many different hands, yet they had all arrived in the same place. For one day, this polling station in Astana became a site where countless individual choices converged. 2026-08-23 21:07:40 -
The National museum of Kazakhstan Ancient human remains found alongside gold artifacts are displayed at the Kazakhstan National Museum in Astana. 2026-08-23 21:07:31 -
The National museum of Kazakhstan Visitors enter the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana. 2026-08-23 21:05:39