News

Across the world, more governments are adopting or requiring homegrown messaging platforms to maintain tighter information control and achieve «digital sovereignty.» These apps enable authorities to monitor conversations, filter or block content, and store user data under domestic law, rather than subjecting it to the reach of foreign jurisdictions.

Information control and surveillance
One of the most prominent instances of these platforms can be seen in China. WeChat, the country’s dominant messaging and social media app, is deeply integrated with state monitoring systems. Authorities can track conversations, flag or delete politically sensitive material, and request access to...

South Korea is set to launch a visa-free entry program for Chinese tourists traveling in groups starting Sept. 29 to promote the country’s tourism market, Yonhap reported.

According to a joint statement made on Sept. 7 by the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministries of Justice, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Foreign Affairs, the new visa policy will allow groups of three or more Chinese tourists to enter South Korea without a visa for up to 15 days. The program will run from Sept. 29 until June 30, 2026, as reported by Korea.net.

The move was...

Brian Hugh Warner, better known as Marilyn Manson, is a world-famous musician whose artistic image many perceive as provocative, to the point that in the early 2000s, he was even branded a «satanist.» Nevertheless, in September 2025, his performance in Almaty generated significant buzz, drawing thousands of fans to the Park Live music festival.

Thousands gathered at the Pervomayskie Prudy resort outside Almaty, delighting festival organizers but frustrating local drivers stuck in massive traffic jams. Judging by the number of people dressed in «goth» style, it was evident that most had come for the American headliner.

On the third day...

Kazakh designer Daniyar Uderbekov is making waves on Instagram with UDRB sneakers —shoes defined by their striking 3D-printed soles.

Uderbekov calls the sneakers a blend of tradition and technology, continuing his focus on unconventional design.

“The idea came from an environmental perspective,” he said. “Most shoes on the market use glue, which prevents recycling. Plastic, leather, nubuck and textiles all end up as waste. With UDRB sneakers, every part can be separated, updated or recycled.”

The sneakers have three main parts:

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced an initiative to switch to a unicameral parliament during a national address on Sept. 8, 2025.

According to Tokayev, uniting the two houses of parliament will enhance the efficiency of legislative power. He emphasized that this is an important issue that requires careful consideration. The reform should be discussed within civil society, among experts and in the current parliamentary formation. The president suggested one year for these discussions, followed by a national referendum in 2027 on the proposal.

He added that all key matters determining the fate of the government must be decided with the...

Japan-based automaker Mitsubishi Motors is set to revive its iconic SUV, the Pajero, in 2026 in an effort to boost sales in the domestic market, according to NHK World.

The outlet reported that the new model is scheduled for release in December 2026 and will be produced in Thailand. Then the cars are imported to Japan.

The decision reflects the challenges automakers face in maintaining performance amid high U.S. tariffs on car imports from Japan. According to NHK, Mitsubishi Motors expects that measures introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump will reduce the company’s operating profit for this fiscal year...

In 2024, South Korea’s marriage landscape underwent a transformation: women entered their first marriages at an average age of 31.6, while men did so at 33.9. More women in their early 40s now wed than those in their early 20s — a reversal underscoring how financial realities and shifting cultural norms have fundamentally changed marriage choices within a generation, according to Eastasiaforum.org.

Rising living costs are central to this dramatic shift, as home prices climb, secure employment remains elusive, and wage growth stalls. For many, the financial foundation needed for marriage feels out of reach. University-educated women, in particular...

Russia launched its most intense bombardment since the war in Ukraine began, killing four people and damaging Kyiv’s main government building for the first time. Officials said the assault involved more than 800 drones and missiles, according to the BBC.

Speaking afterward, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was «not happy with the situation» and confirmed he was ready to escalate sanctions on Moscow. Washington has already imposed a 50% tariff on imports from India over its Russian oil trade, and Trump has suggested extending such measures to other countries.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe to...

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has taken a significant step toward digital transformation by announcing the creation of a new Ministry of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Development. He made the announcement on Sept. 8, 2025, during a national address.

According to Tokayev, the minister in charge will also serve as deputy prime minister. Establishing the Ministry aims to develop and regulate Kazakhstan’s digital technology and AI sectors, which the president emphasized as central to the country’s future growth.

The government has not yet released details on the ministry’s structure or the appointment of its first leader.

A travel influencer from South Korea has fallen to her death at Uran Togoo volcano in Mongolia, while taking photos, The Korea Times reported, citing Hankook Ilbo.

According to the Foreign Ministry on Sept. 7, the incident involved a woman, identified as Ms. A, who reportedly tripped due to strong winds while taking photos at the site on Aug. 28. The ministry official noted that the precise circumstances are under investigation in coordination with local authorities.

The influencer had approximately 90,000 followers and was traveling across the region at the time.

Uran Togoo is an extinct volcano in...

Erin Patterson, an Australian woman, received a life sentence for poisoning her estranged husband’s family with a mushroom-laced meal.

In July 2023, she hosted a lunch at her home in Victoria and served a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms, one of the most lethal fungi known. Within a day, her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, along with her aunt-in-law, Heather Wilkinson, became gravely ill and later died in the hospital.

A fourth guest, her uncle-in-law Ian Wilkinson, survived but required weeks of treatment and a liver transplant.

Following her conviction for murder at a July trial...

The Freedom Holding Corp. PMI Business Activity Index fell from 54.0 in July to 52.0 in August, signaling a solid but weaker increase in service sector activity — the slowest since April. Growth has nonetheless been recorded for eight consecutive survey periods.

According to Yerlan Abdikarimov, director of the Financial Analysis Department at Freedom Finance Global PLC, rising cost inflation is complicating demand conditions.

«Current business activity and 12-month expectations remain in the optimistic zone. At this stage, services are the key buffer supporting the economy, while manufacturing has fallen deeper into contraction. The sector’s outlook...

On Sept. 7, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. For the first time, the ceremony was broadcast on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+ and a simulcast on MTV. LL Cool J hosted the evening, which honored the best music videos and songs released between June 20, 2024, and June 18, 2025.

Lady Gaga led the winners, taking home four awards from 12 nominations, followed by Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande with three each. Two new fan-voted categories — Best Country and Best Pop Artist — debuted this year.

On Sept. 8, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will travel from California to London to take part in the 20th annual WellChild Awards, as reported by Hello! magazine.

Over the years, he has supported the charity as its patron for 17 years and has already attended the awards on 14 previous occasions.

The 2025 ceremony coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

During the event, Prince Harry will deliver a speech, spend time with children facing serious health challenges and their families, and personally hand an award to a young honoree between...

The Belgium national football team eliminated Kazakhstan with a 6-0 victory (Kevin De Bruyne 42’, 84’; Jérémy Doku 44’, 60’; Nicolas Raskin 51’; and Thomas Meunier 87’) in Brussels. It was Kazakhstan’s third loss under coach Ali Aliyev, leaving the team with no mathematical chance of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Previously, the Kazakh team lost to North Macedonia and Wales, both with a 0-1 score at the Astana Arena.

The result continues Kazakhstan’s pattern of early elimination in qualifiers, after which the team typically shifts focus to avoiding last place or developing younger players. The only exception...

Actress Mikey Madison has been tapped as the latest ambassador for Dior’s women’s line, marking the first appointment since Jonathan Anderson assumed creative control across all of Dior’s collections.

Anderson, who joined the brand earlier this year, praised Madison as a muse whose «empathetic approach perfectly reflects the House of Dior.»

According to RUSSH and other outlets, Anderson will unveil his first women’s collection for Dior at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1, 2025.

For his part, Anderson has noted Madison’s ability to channel sensitivity and elegance — traits that align with Dior’s refined identity.

A Blood Moon happens when the Moon is fully covered by Earth’s shadow during an eclipse. With sunlight blocked, only rays that pass through Earth’s atmosphere reach the Moon. The atmosphere scatters shorter blue light and lets the red tones through, giving the Moon its striking crimson color — the same process that paints our skies at sunset, according to the BBC.

When to watch

The eclipse begins on Sunday at 18:30 UTC and ends at 19:52 UTC.

The Independence Day fair in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan, turned into a scandal after the Khaidarkan mercury plant’s booth invited attendees to touch liquid mercury with their bare hands.

A video showing people touching the toxic liquid metal went viral. Mercury is extremely dangerous: its vapors cause poisoning, especially in children.

Actor Ramazan Amirgaliyev called the incident atrocious, emphasizing that mercury destroys the nervous system and organs, with consequences appearing only years...

Thailand’s legislature has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, as the next prime minister.

Anutin’s political career traces back to Thai Rak Thai, the movement established by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In 2004, he was appointed deputy health minister before moving to the commerce portfolio later that year, and he returned to the health ministry in 2005.

He rose to prominence as health minister during the COVID-19 crisis, directing lockdown measures, vaccine acquisition and patient care. His leadership was widely recognized for helping reopen Thailand to foreign visitors, a lifeline for the country’s economy.

More recently, Anutin has served...

Construction at Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia has been halted after a massive raid by U.S. immigration authorities, according to Reuters.

Hundreds of workers detained

Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that multiple agencies carried out a «judicially authorized enforcement operation» targeting unlawful employment practices. Officials stated that up to 560 workers were detained, including approximately 300 South Korean nationals.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern. «The economic activities of our companies and the interests of our citizens must not be unduly violated during U.S. law enforcement,» spokesman Lee Jae-woong said.

Project faces setback

The facility is a joint...

NASA is targeting the early 2030s for its first crewed mission to Mars, Acting Administrator Sean Duffy told Fox News.

Duffy explained that the program will follow a phased approach. First, NASA will deliver the supplies needed to build a base. Only then will astronauts be sent. The initial mission, Duffy noted, is expected to last about eight months.

Before attempting a Mars flight, NASA plans to test long-duration travel with a mission to the moon. In spring 2026, four astronauts are scheduled to orbit the moon. Afterward, they will land and spend eight to...

Japanese carmakers, including industry giants Toyota, Nissan and Honda, can breathe a sigh of relief, as U.S. President Donald Trump cut tariffs on Japanese car imports from 27.5% to 15% by signing an executive order on Sept. 4, thus formalizing an agreement announced in July which implied a 15% tariff for almost all of Japanese exports to the U.S. according to the BBC.

For its part, Japan agreed to gradually open its economy to American goods and invest $550 billion in the U.S. economy. The deal also includes Japan purchasing goods — including agricultural products, fertilizers and bioethanol...

Before wrapping up his four-day visit to China on Sept. 3, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Shen Yanfeng, head of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). This move was widely interpreted as Tashkent exploring alternatives should its tentative nuclear deal with Russia’s Rosatom stall, Eurasianet.org reported.

Russia’s Rosatom is facing financial strain, partly due to sanctions tied to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Mirziyoyev’s talks in Beijing may have aimed to secure CNNC as a potential fallback partner for building Uzbekistan’s nuclear facilities.

In June, Uzbekistan signed an agreement with Rosatom to conduct a feasibility study for up...

During a trip to Ecuador, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the U.S. will classify Los Lobos and Los Choneros — Ecuador’s two most powerful gangs — as foreign terrorist organizations, according to the BBC.

«This is what they really are,» Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa said earlier this year, urging Washington to make the move.

The new designation allows U.S. authorities to freeze assets, share intelligence freely and potentially launch lethal operations against affiliates.

Recent U.S. military strike

The comments come just days after a U.S. strike in the southern...