News

Police in Thailand used a creative approach to catch a suspected serial burglar who had eluded arrest several times. Officers dressed in traditional lion-dance costumes during Lunar New Year celebrations to get close to and arrest the suspect, the Associated Press reported.

A video from Bangkok police shows two officers hidden inside a red-and-gold lion costume blending in with the crowd at a temple fair in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. As the event progressed, the officers in disguise moved closer to the 33-year-old suspect. When the time was right, the officer at the front of the costume lunged...

Political tandems are often born from a need for stability during periods of transition. But in centralized systems of power, there is ultimately room for only one dominant leader.

The political trajectories of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia suggest that dual-leadership arrangements are inherently temporary — fragile bridges that tend to collapse under the pressures of centralization and the pursuit of a single monopoly on authority.

Kyrgyzstan: Collapse of the tandem

The political alliance between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and powerful security chief Kamchybek Tashiev — once described as an «inseparable tandem» — fractured in early...

Satbayev University in Almaty has officially allowed its students to sleep on campus. The university has set up designated rest areas where students can lie down and take power naps between classes, journalist Polina Shimanskaya said in a post on Threads.

She said the university held a local «referendum,» after which students were granted the right to take short rests or power naps between classes.

Shimanskaya noted that the university offers not only these rest areas but also modern laboratories, lecture halls and several museums.

The post quickly went viral in the Kazakh segment of the...

On Feb. 18, the Ykhlas Museum of Folk Musical Instruments in Almaty opened the exhibition «Dimash: One Voice – Thousand Nations,» honoring renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen.

Read also: Dimash reveals his message for Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat.

The artist attended the grand opening with his parents, Kanat and Svetlana Aitbaev. Hundreds of fans also gathered for the event.

Crowds fill the museum space

The venue proved too small for the turnout, with halls and corridors packed with visitors. Organizers appeared unprepared for the level of excitement...

No new sporting venues are planned in Almaty for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports Serik Zharasbayev said during a Senate briefing.

He said that before approving the bid, authorities conducted monitoring and analysis. It was determined that the existing sports facilities in Almaty meet international standards and are suitable for the competition program.

«There is no need to construct additional sports facilities to host the Asian Games. The 2011 Asian Winter Games and 2017 Winter Universiade demonstrate this,» Zharasbayev said.

Meanwhile, several facilities...

The New Mexico Department of Justice says it is looking into a claim that two foreign girls were buried near Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, Reuters reported.

The claim comes from a redacted 2019 email included in the latest batch of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The email, sent to New Mexico radio host Eddy Aragon a few months after Epstein’s death, said two girls had been buried «somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro.» The sender also offered videos proving Epstein’s unlawful behavior with minors in exchange for one bitcoin.

A spokesperson for the...

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the BBC reported.

Police declined to identify the suspect, in line with national guidance, but said in a statement that «a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested on Feb. 19 and remains in custody.»

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said police opened an investigation after a «thorough assessment» of the allegation. He said updates would be provided at an appropriate time, noting the significant public interest in the case.

According to the BBC, the arrest relates to allegations involving documents...

An Almaty court has sentenced an unidentified man to 100 hours of community service for persistently stalking his ex-girlfriend, Polisia.kz reported.

According to police, the man repeatedly followed the woman, threatened her and forced his presence on her. The victim eventually reported the incidents to the police, who opened a criminal case.

«Stalking is not a minor offense but a criminal act that poses a real threat to a person’s life and safety. We urge citizens not to ignore such risks, as promptly reporting them to the police makes it possible to stop illegal behavior...

A dog unexpectedly ran onto the course during the women’s team sprint qualifying race in the cross‑country skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The extraordinary incident, in which an animal resembling a wolf began following the athletes, occurred on Feb. 18.

The dog appeared in the final stretch of the course, running close behind the skiers. It could be seen crossing the finish line just after two athletes and even appeared in the photo finish.

DOG AT THE OLYMPICS FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

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— Rodger Sherman (@rodger.bsky.social...

The Italian fashion brand Miu Miu has opened its first boutique in Kazakhstan — and in Central Asia — marking a long-anticipated debut for the label in the region.

The new store is located in Almaty’s Esentai Mall, where it joins other luxury brands, including Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Language dispute emerges on social media

Despite the celebratory opening, the launch quickly became the subject of controversy online, centered on language use.

A woman identified as Olga Kolesnikova shared a post about the boutique’s opening on Threads.

The post soon went...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare has outlined recommendations to help believers observe the Ramadan (Oraza) fast while conserving energy and avoiding potential health complications during the holy month.

«During Ramadan, diet, sleep, and physical activity patterns change. Therefore, it is especially important to consider all factors affecting the body to conserve energy and prevent possible complications,» the ministry said in a statement.

Doctors’ recommendations for fasting safely

Health officials offered several practical tips:

Kazakhstani videographer Dastan Mukhamedrakhim has been named the world’s best travel blogger by the WIBA Awards 2026.

According to Mukhamedrakhim, he received an invitation to the awards ceremony in France, which is being held alongside the Cannes Film Festival. The invitation stated that he had been recognized as the world’s best travel blogger.

The blogger shared the news on his social media accounts, noting that WIBA (the World Influencer and...

On Feb. 19, the Seoul Central District Court convicted South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol for attempting an insurrection by trying to impose martial law in December 2024 and sentenced him to life in prison, Yonhap reported.

Initially, the prosecution sought the death penalty for the former official in the case.

Previously, on Jan. 16, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison over charges that include obstructing investigators’ attempt to detain him in 2025.

On Jan. 28, South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee was...

Ramadan in 2026 began Feb. 19. The Spiritual Administration of Kazakhstan’s Muslims published guidance explaining the procedure for making up missed fasts, known as qada.

Fasting as an act of worship

Ramadan is a holy month in which Allah’s mercy is believed to be abundant and spiritual rewards are multiplied. Fasting during this month is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman who has reached the age of maturity. Like daily prayer, fasting is considered an individual act of worship.

When missed fasts must be made up

According to SAKM, a person who was...

All Japanese airlines are set to restrict the use of power banks and in-flight charging on flights departing from and arriving at the country’s airports from April 2026, NHK World reported, citing Japan’s transport ministry.

The upcoming ban will apply to passengers using external batteries to charge their devices, as well as charging power banks through seat power outlets. However, passengers will still be permitted to carry up to two power banks in the cabin per person.

According to The Japan Times, current Japanese regulations already prohibit passengers from placing external batteries...

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev explained Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Board of Peace, an international initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. In the article «Reliability Is the New Power,» published in The National Interest on Feb. 18, he said the organization differs from other dialogue platforms.

According to Tokayev, the Board of Peace is fully endorsed by the United Nations and represents a significant step forward in efforts to end multiple conflicts, particularly in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

Peace through sustainable economic development

Tokayev said the White House has proposed an innovative approach: peace through sustainable...

An unusual service – “big sister for an hour” – is being discussed on social media. A woman from Almaty has offered to help other women with a variety of everyday and emotional situations, from style advice to support during a difficult day.

The poster introduced herself as a certified “big sister” with 24 years of experience and clarified that she is referring to life experience, as she has two younger sisters, ages 24 and 15. She says she can be reached for an English lesson, help with shopping, wardrobe selection, or makeup tips.

Take a closer look at the rules and habits of the world’s richest people — perhaps some of them will find a place in your life. Ultimately, success is not just about big ideas, but also the result of daily choices that truly lead to your goals.

The rule of spending less than you earn

Investor Warren Buffett built his fortune by buying stakes in companies that make everyday products, from Coca-Cola and Duracell batteries to Apple devices.

Read also: Kazakhstan’s richest people and their assets visualized.

Buffett bought...

Johan Eidhagen will assume the role of president of FlyArystan — a low-cost carrier subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana — on March 1, 2026, Air Astana Group said in a statement. He will replace Richard Ledger, who will stay in the group but in a different area.  

Ledger will be appointed as the vice president of partnerships and alliances. He will lead efforts to expand the group’s global presence through agreements with other airlines, including the recently signed codeshare agreements with Air India and China Southern Airlines.

Johan Eidhagen: Who he is

Eidhagen is an experienced senior...

Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi after its representative was accused of presenting the Unitree Go2, a commercially available robotic dog made by China’s Unitree Robotics, as a university-developed product, according to The Times of India.

The situation escalated after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a clip featuring comments by a Galgotias University communications professor on his official social media account. The post was later deleted following backlash.

As of Wednesday morning, the university’s stall remained open, with officials responding to media inquiries. A representative said the university...

South Korea is set to send its representative to the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, scheduled for Feb. 19, The Korea Times reported, citing the country’s Foreign Ministry.

Kim Yong-hyun, a former ambassador to Egypt, will represent the country as a nonmember observer and serve as the special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Notably, South Korea has been invited to the organization but has not yet made a final decision on membership. According to The Korea Times, several other nations that had been invited but have not finalized their status are also...

In April 2025, Scott Atkins, a 22-year-old resident of Glasgow, decided to leave a paid work-and-study design engineering program at the University of Glasgow to focus full-time on selling secondhand clothes online, reflecting a broader interest in this among Gen Z, according to Reuters.

Atkins’ business model is simple: he finds vintage and secondhand clothes from wholesalers across Britain, chooses items he likes, photographs each piece and posts them on Vinted, an online marketplace where sellers can list items without extra fees.

He first entered the resale market in 2024 as a student, hoping to earn extra money to...

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a working visit to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 18-19, the Akorda reported.

During the visit, Tokayev is scheduled to take part in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace. According to Axios, the meeting is planned for Feb. 19.

In a statement, the Akorda said that the parties are expected to discuss ways to stabilize the situation in Gaza and focus on developing practical steps to ensure peace, security, and sustainable humanitarian support in the region.

Tokayev also has meetings planned...

Humanoid robots performed coordinated dances, martial arts moves and acrobatics at China’s Spring Festival Gala this week. Their display drew widespread attention and showed how quickly the country’s robotics developers are advancing, according to The Guardian.

Several Chinese robotics firms developed these robots, which performed complex, synchronized routines without falling. This marks a clear improvement over past performances that had more limited movement. Analysts said that controlling many nearly identical humanoids with steady balance and coordination showed real progress in how these robots move and work together.

However, experts warned that stage performances do not mean the robots are...