News

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a strategic defense pact aimed at bolstering joint deterrence, according to Saudi state media.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finalized the agreement on Wednesday in Riyadh.

Under the deal, an attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both. Officials did not clarify whether the move was tied to ongoing regional tensions, though it comes amid heightened concern in Gulf capitals over Israeli military actions against regional actors, including a strike on Doha earlier this month. Riyadh and Islamabad have long had...

Egyptian authorities are investigating the disappearance of a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Once owned by Pharaoh Amenemope of the 21st Dynasty, it was last seen in the museum’s restoration lab, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, according to CNN.

Officials have alerted airports, seaports and border crossings to prevent smuggling. The museum stated that online photos claiming to show the missing bracelet actually display a different piece still on view.

Experts believe the artifact may have been stolen to be sold, melted down, hidden in a private collection, or left somewhere...

What happens when nonhuman intelligence surpasses humans in writing stories, drafting laws or producing scriptures (new religion)? Historian Yuval Noah Harari warns that religions have long claimed divine origins for sacred texts, and with AI now capable of mass-generating political and spiritual writings, this may soon become a reality.

Faith in AI

This concern was highlighted on Wednesday at the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, where scholars and clerics debated the potential risks of artificial intelligence in matters of faith.

During the congress, some theologians claimed that people may increasingly turn...

Social media is abuzz over Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. The actor has lost weight, grown out his hair and swapped his usual sporty style for a sharp, classic look.  

DiCaprio has once again been hailed as Hollywood’s sex symbol. Videos of the actor, who arrived in Los Angeles for the premiere of «One Battle After Another» in a minimalist black suit, are going viral on TikTok.

@varietymagazine #LeonardoDicaprio ♬ som original – diesper

A court in Atyrau has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life in prison for the killing of Bibigul Shpanova, a senior manager at the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), which develops Kashagan, Kazakhstan’s largest oil field located on the Caspian shelf.

What happened
On April 29, 2025, Shpanova, 46, was killed in her apartment at the French Quarter residential complex in Atyrau. She was the head of development planning department at NCOC and had worked in the oil and gas sector for over 20 years. The suspect, a plumber who serviced her building, was arrested soon after the...

The Israeli Film Academy’s Ophir Awards are under government scrutiny after the Arabic-language drama «The Sea» won Best Film and was chosen to represent Israel at the Oscars. Directed by Shai Carmeli Pollak and produced by Baher Agbariya, the film tells the story of a Palestinian boy from the West Bank who risks everything to reach the beach in Tel Aviv. The Sea also won awards for its screenplay, acting and original score, according to Variety.

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar condemned the decision, calling the film «defamatory» toward Israeli soldiers and announcing plans to cut government funding...

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s internet regulator, has restricted China’s largest technology companies, including ByteDance and Alibaba, from purchasing Nvidia’s AI chips, amid the nation’s efforts to strengthen its domestic industry and reduce reliance on U.S. technology, the Financial Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the report, the ban applies to ordering and testing the RTX Pro 6000D, a China-targeted graphics processing unit. Sources also told FT that several companies had already begun testing the equipment with Nvidia’s suppliers, but after receiving the CAC instruction, they asked the suppliers to halt...

Rivian has begun clearing and grading land for its $5 billion factory near Atlanta, Georgia. This significant step follows several previous delays. The new plant will eventually assemble up to 400,000 electric vehicles annually, according to TechCrunch.

Rivian hosted a groundbreaking ceremony with CEO RJ Scaringe and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Construction crews are installing utilities and building access roads. Major construction is scheduled to commence in early 2026, with vehicle assembly expected to begin in 2028.

Rivian states that the plant will create 7,500 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction roles, with local suppliers potentially adding 8,000 positions. To...

Pakistan-based Welt Konnect aims to establish a digital bank in Kazakhstan and participate in renewable energy and infrastructure projects, as revealed following a meeting between company executives and Kazakh Invest, the country’s investment promotion agency.

The company also signaled interest in tourism, real estate, construction, and educational programs.

Welt Konnect, headquartered in Islamabad, specializes in engineering and development. It has completed and ongoing projects in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany and China, with a focus on sustainable development and energy innovation.

South Korean vehicle manufacturer Kia launched sales in Kazakhstan of the limited Tulpar Sorento and K5 edition, inspired by the mythical winged horse in Turkic mythology that symbolizes speed, freedom and justice in the Kazakh literary tradition. According to the brand’s website, the models are equipped with unique design solutions, premium options, and contemporary technology. Kia representatives highlighted that the series combines Kazakh culture and traditions with car design.

Kia Sorento Tulpar

The limited Sorento is based on a popular trim level and comes with a number of exclusive features. The interior includes a suede headliner, dynamic...

As India celebrates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday today, curiosity grows about his wealth and background.

Born on Sept. 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Modi rose from humble beginnings to become India’s prime minister for three consecutive terms. His journey is often portrayed as one of determination, discipline and strong ambition.

In the Indian political system, the prime minister leads the government. To serve, one must be appointed by the president and be a member of either house of Parliament.

Modi’s monthly salary is ₹1.66 lakh, equivalent to approximately...

The Weeknd will not hold a concert in Almaty, organizers announced, relocating the event to another country amid frequent cancellations of artists in Kazakhstan.

Alexey Puchkov, producer and head of the ticket operator Topbilet.kz, confirmed that the performer will not be coming.

«Kazakhstan, I have not very good news for you. Not long ago, with much ado, we reached an agreement with The Weeknd about holding a concert in Almaty,» Puchkov wrote on Threads.

According to him, the artist had allegedly confirmed a concert in Kazakhstan for 2026.

«We have been...

Australia is set to ban teenagers from social media to protect mental health. Meanwhile, the Taliban in Afghanistan has cut off fiber-optic internet in a province to “prevent immorality,” according to the Associated Press.

The ban, the first of its kind since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, leaves government agencies, businesses, public organizations and households in the northern province of Balkh without Wi-Fi access.

A provincial government spokesperson said the measure aims to curb immorality, adding that authorities plan to develop a domestic alternative for essential needs. He did not specify why Balkh was targeted or...

Tyler Robinson, accused of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, appeared in court on Sept. 16 via video link from jail. The office of Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray charged Robinson with seven offenses, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice for disposing of evidence and witness tampering for asking his roommate to delete incriminating texts. Prosecutors have pledged to pursue the death penalty, Reuters reported.

According to court filings, Robinson sent a message to his roommate, who is not identified in the documents, instructing them to look under the keyboard. There, the roommate reportedly found a...

Technology professional Akhmad Hanan is asking a critical question: Can China with its DeepSeek model bypass restrictions by innovating in software while building its own chip ecosystem?

The country’s pioneering company in AI systems appears determined to prove it can. In late August, DeepSeek released version 3.1 of its large language model, featuring a new FP8 precision format optimized for China’s next-generation domestically produced chips.

Pushing forward under sanctions

Earlier this year, DeepSeek stunned the tech world with its R1 reasoning model, which demonstrated capabilities approaching those of Western leaders, such as OpenAI’s GPT series — a...

Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning director, actor and founder of the Sundance Institute, has died at 89, according to Reuters.

Redford became one of the most popular film stars of the late 20th century. He starred in romantic films like «Out of Africa,» political dramas such as «The Candidate» and classics including «Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid» and «The Sting.» His work helped define an era of American cinema.

While he never won an Academy Award for acting, his directorial debut, «Ordinary People» (1980), earned him Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. Beyond the screen, Redford reshaped...

Ford is set to slash up to 1,000 jobs at the company’s Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne, Germany. The move comes as a retaliatory measure to Europe’s demand for EVs being lower than anticipated, according to Investing.com.

Ford established the Cologne facility in 2023, when the company expected EVs to account for around 35% of the region’s new car registrations. However, by the end of this year, only 20% of new car registrations are expected to be electric. The single-shift operation at the facility is scheduled for January 2026.

The challenges at the facility reflect broader concerns in the...

Gwyneth Paltrow has introduced a new fashion label called Gwyn, which was unveiled during New York Fashion Week. The actress and Goop founder said the line reflects her personal style and focus on minimalism and elegance.

Vogue reports that Gwyn builds on Paltrow’s earlier venture, G. Label. She began it nine years ago with just four pieces before evolving it into a standalone brand. For the debut capsule, she partnered with designer Sofia Menasse, who previously worked at The Row and Maison Margiela. Menasse now holds the title of creative director at G. Label.

The inaugural fall...

Arnold Schwarzenegger urged Californians to reject Proposition 50, denouncing it as a plan that would let state lawmakers reclaim control over redrawing congressional districts — a power voters gave to an independent commission to keep politics out of the process, according to Associated Press.

Supporters, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, say the proposal is a response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas and could potentially result in more Democratic seats in California. Opponents argue it would undo previous reforms and give politicians greater influence over the process.

Calling the plan «insane,» the former Hollywood star and political...

China has debuted in the top 10 of the latest survey of innovative economies, the Global Innovation Index (GII), conducted by the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), against the backdrop of heavy investment in research and development. This advancement shifted Germany to 11th position, Reuters reported.

The recent GII covered 139 countries, assessing them on 78 indicators. Switzerland topped the ranking, maintaining this position since 2011, followed by Sweden, the U.S., South Korea, Singapore, the U.K., Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark and China.

According to the data, China is getting closer to becoming the biggest spender on...

The AYA Project art space recently opened in Tashkent, quickly becoming a popular spot among residents and guests of the Uzbek capital. According to the project developers, this is the only such art space in Central Asia created as an analogue of the famous Aya Universe in Dubai.

The concept of the immersive space, located within the Magic City entertainment park, is based on the combination of technology, light, and sound, which transform the space into unique installations.

Each of the seven halls is decorated in a certain way to reflect a specific theme. For example, Resonant Hall creates the...

A viral social media video is shining a spotlight on Gulsum (Ummi-Gulsum) Asfendiyarova, the first Kazakh woman to earn a medical degree. Some viewers might even call her «Central Asia’s Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.»

Building on this recognition, the video, created with the help of artificial intelligence, tells the story of how Asfendiyarova provided women in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with their first opportunity for safe, supervised childbirth.

During Asfendiyarova’s lifetime, Muslim women were barred from seeing male doctors, while no female physicians were available. As a result, most births took place at home, and roughly one in...

Washington and Beijing have agreed on a «framework» that could transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. If finalized, the deal could bring U.S. oversight and avert a nationwide ban, with Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping expected to sign off later this week, according to the BBC.

The move comes ahead of a looming deadline requiring TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban due to security concerns. If the deal is finalized, TikTok could avoid the ban by transferring ownership and control to U.S. interests...

A 24-year-old man in Mongolia has died of the plague after eating marmot meat, the country’s Health Ministry confirmed.

The man, from Khovsgol province, fell gravely ill shortly after consuming the animal. Despite emergency treatment, doctors were unable to save him. Lab tests later confirmed the infection was plague-related.

Hunting marmots is banned in Mongolia due to the grave risk they pose, as these animals carry deadly bacteria. Authorities urgently warn that eating marmot meat can have life-threatening consequences, yet these warnings are still frequently ignored.

According to the World Health Organization, plague is typically transmitted to humans...