U.S., Canada fail to reach trade deal
The United States and Canada failed to reach a trade deal on Friday, and the White House said that it would impose 50-percent tariffs on certain imports from Canada on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada would retaliate on the new tariffs.
Carney said Canada has suspended trade negotiations with the United States and recalled its negotiators to Ottawa, following new tariff threats from Washington.
Israeli army says strikes militant in S. Syria
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it fired toward a militant who was in the final stages of preparing an attack in southern Syria.
In a statement, the IDF claimed that the militant's activity posed an immediate threat to Israeli soldiers, adding that it would continue to operate to remove threats to its soldiers and Israeli civilians.
Also on Saturday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that a civilian was injured when an Israeli drone targeted a car in the town of Beit Jinn in southwestern Damascus. The injured person was transferred to a hospital.
Iran says received messages from neighbors about shaping new security arrangements
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Saturday that Iran has received "numerous" messages from neighboring countries about "shaping new security arrangements and economic cooperation" in the region.
In a post on social media platform X, Qalibaf said the United States "put the security of every single one of its allies at such risk through bullying and pure disregard for their interests for the sake of Israel."
"A homegrown, independent (regional) order is what will actually deliver peace and security," he added.
Thai army issues warning after multiple attacks in southern Thailand
Thailand's Fourth Army Region has advised the public to stay vigilant following the occurrence of multiple violent incidents in its southern border provinces.
According to Thai media reports, successive violent incidents, such as arson and explosions, occurred in the Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces starting from 8 p.m. local time on Saturday evening.
The attacks included setting fire to administrative offices, burning car tires, and blowing up power poles and convenience stores. At least 11 incidents occurred in Narathiwat Province, while one car explosion caused two injuries.
DR Congo receives 1st batch of Ebola vaccine doses
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Friday received the first batch of Ebola vaccine doses as it stepped up efforts to contain the ongoing outbreak that has infected more than 5,000 people and killed over 2,500.
A total of 16,520 doses of the Ervebo vaccine arrived at the N'djili International Airport in the capital Kinshasa, according to the DRC health ministry.
A total of 50,120 doses are expected to arrive between Aug. 21 and 24, the ministry said.
Russia shoots down 250 Ukrainian drones within 12 hours
Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 250 Ukrainian drones within 12 hours, said the Russian Defense Ministry on Saturday.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Moscow time, Russian air defense systems shot down 250 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones across 19 regions, including Moscow, according to a statement released by the ministry.
Additionally, the number of drones flying toward the Moscow region over the past week has exceeded 2,600, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said, adding most of them were neutralized by air defenses on the distant outskirts.
Panama Canal to reduce daily ship transits amid El Nino
The Panama Canal Authority has said it will reduce daily vessel transits through its locks as part of measures to mitigate the effects of El Nino.
The authority said on Thursday that lower rainfall in the watershed that feeds Gatun and Alhajuela lakes had affected water availability for canal operations.
Starting Sept. 3, 2026, the number of daily slots at the Neopanamax locks will be adjusted to nine, while daily slots at the Panamax locks will be set at 25. From Sept. 15, daily Panamax slots will be further reduced to 23, the authority said in a statement.■
