News

A newly released video tour of Russian restaurateur Alexander Orlov’s apartment in Tashkent impressed viewers with its lavish décor and traditional furnishings. The film crew’s biggest surprise was the restaurateur’s «family heirloom» — a walrus penis, described as a decorative curiosity.

Fossilized artifact

The object, a white bone with intricate carvings, surprised the presenter, who identified it as a fossilized walrus organ. Orlov explained its bone-like nature stems from walruses’ cold habitats — otherwise, “they would freeze and lose vitality.”

This unusual discovery naturally raises a curious question: why do people collect human or animal genitals?

Unusual collections

Haggis, a pygmy hippopotamus born at Edinburgh Zoo in October 2024, is now part of an international breeding program at Wingham Wildlife Park dedicated to protecting this endangered species. This marks a significant milestone in global conservation efforts, the BBC reported.

Pygmy hippos, native to West Africa’s forests, are declining due to mining and logging. The Zoological Society of London estimates that only 2,000 to 2,500 remain in the wild.

Haggis was born at the Edinburgh Zoo to Otto and Gloria and now plays a key role in securing her species’ future. Wingham Wildlife Park is currently...

On Oct. 29, Arsenal shut out Brighton in the fourth round of the English Football League (EFL) Cup, allowing the Gunners to set an all-time record in English football, Opta reported.

English Football League Cup

Fourth round, Oct. 29

Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: 2-0

Goals: Ethan Nwaneri 57’, Bukayo Saka 76’

According to Opta, Arsenal became the first club in England’s top division to win all six matches played without conceding a single goal.

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka stood out with their goals. Brighton created several good chances, but goalkeeper...

Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, is piloting a digital «board member» called SKAI (Samruk-Kazyna Artificial Intelligence), sparking debate amid the country’s lack of specific AI regulation.

However, as MP Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva recently noted on the sidelines of parliament, SKAI lacks voting rights and legal personality.

AI has no say

Smyshlyaeva explained that the artificial intelligence law adopted by parliament explicitly states that AI is not a legal subject. This means digital systems cannot hold office, sign documents or vote.

She emphasized that only humans have subjectivity and legal capacity, essential for board duties. AI lacks these and...

At least 130 people died during what authorities described as Brazil’s most lethal police operation targeting drug gangs, carried out this week in Rio de Janeiro, the Guardian reported.

For more than two months, authorities planned raids targeting members of the Comando Vermelho gang, according to Rio state security chief Victor Santos. He said the operation resulted in a high number of deaths, which was expected but not wanted, and that all claims of police misconduct would be investigated.

Four police officers were among the dead.

Residents in the Penha neighborhood reported recovering bodies from nearby forests and...

On Oct. 29, Liverpool suffered a devastating 0-3 defeat to Crystal Palace at home in the English Football League (EFL) Cup, marking the first time in over 91 years that the Reds had fallen behind by three goals without scoring in a domestic cup match, Opta reported.

English Football League Cup

Fourth round, Oct. 29

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace: 0-3

Goals: Ismaïla Sarr 41’, 45’, Yeremy Pino 88’

Near the end of the first half, Crystal Palace’s Senegalese winger Ismaïla Sarr stood out with a brace, while the team’s Spanish player Yeremy Pino capped...

According to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Kazakhstan could play a larger role as an oil exporter as Europe continues reducing its dependence on Russian energy.

«Now that Europe is detaching itself from Russian energy, both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil, we have reduced it by over 80%, we need alternative sources of energy. That’s where Kazakhstan comes into play as an important player,» Stubb said in an interview with Kazinform during his official visit to Astana.

He emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev‘s geopolitical insights are valuable for Finland and Europe, noting Kazakhstan’s long...

Alexander Bublik (world No. 16) confidently defeated Corentin Moutet (No. 32) in the second round of the ATP 1000 Rolex Paris Masters (6-3, 7-5). Moutet had declared his intent to teach the Kazakhstani player a lesson and «send him home.» The outcome turned out to be the exact opposite.

Moutet only managed to anger Bublik. He forced the French opponent to play his own fast, sweeping and powerful game, which proved too much for Moutet. Over two sets, Bublik allowed his opponent just one break point, which Moutet failed to convert.

Bublik himself made two breaks — in the...

The inclusion of the SKAI neural network on the board of directors of Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, has raised legal and ethical concerns, according to political analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev.

Illegal appointment?

Ashimbayev said that SKAI’s (Samruk-Kazyna Artificial Intelligence) participation in the fund’s management violates current Kazakh law.

Notably, SKAI officially joined the Samruk-Kazyna board of directors in early October. Later, the fund’s AI director even delivered a report to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

Ashimbayev highlighted that it is legally impossible to appoint an AI to a company’s board of directors, as Kazakhstan’s law on joint-stock...

On Oct. 29, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik (World No. 16) will face France’s Corentin Moutet (No. 32) in the round of 32 at the ATP 1000 Rolex Paris Masters tournament.

Ahead of the match, Moutet said he is determined to «send Bublik home.»

“We know he is very provocative with the other players, disrespects other tennis players. We have had disagreements in the past because he does not represent my values as an athlete. I will be super motivated to send him home with the help of the crowd,” Punto de Break cited Moutet as saying.

Kim Nam-joon, known as RM, the leader of the South Korean band BTS, delivered a speech at a business event held alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Seoul, emphasizing the importance of cultural openness and diversity, Reuters reported.

Addressing global leaders and executives, the 31-year-old rapper and songwriter said that removing cultural barriers helps creativity and innovation flourish. He explained that K-pop’s worldwide popularity comes from uniting people and breaking down barriers through music.

Continuing his remarks, RM said Korean culture is like a river that flows freely and described K-pop as bibimbap, a traditional...

Daisy Ptak, 39, set a Guinness World Record by knitting a scarf nearly 300 meters long.

Daisy began knitting in 2022, hoping to spend less time on her phone. What started as a casual hobby became a record-breaking challenge within a year. She spent the following 12 months knitting the scarf, using 250 skeins of yarn.

When she finished, the scarf measured 299.3 meters — nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower without its antenna. To reach that goal, the woman knitted wherever and whenever she could.

Daisy said she had knitted at the movies, during her children’s...

A$AP Rocky and Margaret Qualley were spotted filming a romantic scene in New York City. In front of an astonished crowd, the rapper knelt and presented the actress with a ring.

It later turned out that the 37-year-old artist and the 31-year-old star of “The Substance” were working on a new project. The proposal scene was filmed near a subway station to add a touch of realism.

Although some onlookers may have thought the moment was real, it wasn’t, as both stars are happily taken. A$AP Rocky has been in a long-term relationship with Rihanna, with whom...

A pedestrian suspension bridge has opened near the Aktas Plateau near Almaty. The new landmark has already attracted outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. The attraction spans 50 meters from pylon to pylon, with the gorge beneath estimated at 35 meters deep.

The Aktas Plateau is located along the crest of a ridge between the Belbulak and Left Talgar Gorges. From this point, light-colored rock formations create picturesque scenery that forms the landscape known as the «Stone Garden.» The new bridge offers even more breathtaking views.

According to the project’s author, the bridge’s cable system is capable of carrying up to...

Nike has revealed its new concept shoe featuring motorized propulsion designed to reduce exertion for everyday runners and walkers. Project Amplify is also referred to as «an electric bike for feet,» as Nike intends for the shoe to help users cover longer distances with less strain, Euronews reported.

The shoe integrates a compact, lightweight motor, a drive belt system and a rechargeable cuff battery, all engineered into a carbon-fiber reinforced design. Wearers may choose to use the powered system or not. The device supports natural leg and ankle movement, simulating additional calf muscle power to assist the wearer.

More...

The Almaty Prosecutor’s Office has arrested 20 people in connection with a large-scale drugs smuggling operation involving shipments from the U.S. to Kazakhstan.

Among those detained are two officers from the National Security Committee (KNB) and three from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who allegedly assisted in the trafficking scheme.

Prosecutors said 25 packages containing drugs, totaling 43 kilograms, were seized at a city customs post.

«A convict serving a prison sentence organized a route for delivering packages containing marijuana and cannabis extract from the U.S. to Almaty,» the prosecutor’s office...

Sixteen-year-old Almaty resident Narminakhon Imangalieva turns one of her city’s biggest problems — air pollution — into eco-friendly ink.

Narminakhon was inspired after learning that Almaty was ranked the world’s most polluted city. While researching smog’s causes, she found that it contains black carbon particles.

«I thought, why not make paint from it?» she said. «I consulted various experts and chemists. Some said it was impossible to grind smog so finely. Online, I found professors and scientists from abroad who helped me develop the formula.»

Turning pollution into paint

She explained her...

On Oct. 28, Al-Nassr FC suffered a defeat to Al-Ittihad, resulting in its knockout from the Saudi Arabian King’s Cup at the Round of 16 stage. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the opportunity to earn his first trophy in 13 tournaments since joining the team in January 2023, Sports Illustrated reported.

King’s Cup

Round of 16, Oct. 28

Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad: 1-2

Goals: Ângelo 30’; Karim Benzema 15’, Houssem Aouar 45+2’

Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 15th minute of the match. The hosts leveled the score through a goal...

Saudia Airlines has unveiled its first-ever clothing brand, introducing a collection inspired by the aesthetics of air travel. The line includes tracksuits, dresses and varsity bombers in shades of green and blue — the airline’s signature colors. The debut took place during Riyadh Fashion Week.

According to FashionNetwork, each piece features the airline’s code, SV, prominently displayed on the garments. Saudia plans to release seasonal capsule collections in the future.

Germany has agreed to allocate more than $1 billion for home care assistance to Holocaust survivors worldwide in 2026, according to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), the Associated Press reported.

The organization, which negotiates compensation for Jews persecuted under the Nazi regime, said the $1.076 billion package represents the largest annual budget ever dedicated to survivor home care. The agreement was reached with Germany’s finance ministry.

According to Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor, the increase reflects the growing health needs of the aging survivor population. He said that as survivor numbers shrink...

Kazakhstan has launched Law and Order, a digital service enabling citizens to quickly reach police and receive assistance through banking apps and eGov Mobile.

How the service works

Users can report offenses — such as road accidents, domestic violence, traffic violations and incidents involving children — through the Law and Order tab.

The service also lets users file complaints against police officers. Users include text messages, photos, videos and voice recordings in their reports. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ system automatically registers all submissions, and users receive real-time status updates on their complaints, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

Australian authorities are investigating the death of an 80-year-old woman who was left behind on Lizard Island, a remote part of the Great Barrier Reef, after a cruise ship departed without her, the BBC reported.

The woman had joined a guided hike to Cook’s Look — the island’s highest point, known for its panoramic views — from the Coral Adventurer, which was cruising around remote coastal regions of Australia, on Saturday. She fell behind the group during the hike, and the ship departed after sunset. Several hours later, the crew realized she was missing and returned to search...

A growing trend among Western gaming bloggers involves playing video games while adhering to Islamic norms. These creators impose religious restrictions on themselves within virtual worlds.

Minecraft

For example, a blogger named GuyBordo completed Minecraft while strictly adhering to Islamic principles. He began by writing the shahada (the declaration of faith) in the chat. Then, he sought to obtain food in accordance with halal rules. Before slaughtering animals, he made sure to type the traditional phrase «In the name of Allah» in the chat and killed with a single blow to prevent suffering. Naturally, he refused to consume pork.

South Korean carmaker Kia reported that its PV5 Cargo — the company’s first electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) — earned a Guinness World Record for the longest driving range in its class, Yonhap reported.

The company’s press release stated that the PV5 Cargo Long Range four-door variant, carrying the maximum payload of 665 kilograms and equipped with a 71.2 kWh battery, drove 693.38 kilometers on a single charge to set the record.

The run was recorded on a public road north of Frankfurt, Germany, under real-world conditions on Sept. 30.

The company also highlighted that the record attempt...