News

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg will step down on Friday, handing the crown to his eldest son, Guillaume. Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest states, will thus see its first change of monarch in 25 years, ABC News reported

Henri, now 70, is known for his reserved demeanor and tall stature. His education took him across Europe, including studies in France and Switzerland, as well as military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. Guillaume, 43, mirrored much of that path — attending schools in London, Switzerland and France, training at Sandhurst, and later gaining...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the first person to surpass a net worth of $500 billion. His wealth briefly hit $500.1 billion Wednesday before edging down to just above $499 billion, according to the BBC.

Musk’s wealth primarily rose from Tesla’s stock gains as he owns over 12% of the company. His other two companies, SpaceX and xAI, also reported increased valuations. On Wednesday, Tesla shares rose 3% in New York trading and are up over 20% this year.

Musk remains the world’s richest person, far ahead of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth is about...

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the Philippines on Sept. 30 killed 72 people, up from 69 reported Oct. 1, Reuters reported, citing a civil defense agency.

All deaths were recorded in the central Visayas region. A report issued on Oct. 2 by the agency indicates 294 injured.

This was a shallow earthquake, occurring at a depth of about 10 kilometers. Authorities reported nearly 800 aftershocks, including one that reached magnitude 6. Located on the Pacific «Ring of Fire,» the island country is highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

The White House announced that mass furloughs of U.S. federal workers would start within two days amid the government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, triggered by the failure of Democrats and Republicans to agree on a new spending bill, the BBC reported.  

A vote to end the shutdown also failed, hours after it began.

The point of contention is healthcare funding. Democrats are seeking assurances on healthcare funding before agreeing to a spending deal, whereas Republicans prefer a temporary stopgap to keep the government running at current funding levels until mid-November.

Analysts, cited by the media outlet...

AI platforms such as ChatGPT can instantly provide information on illnesses, diets and medications. However, as technology becomes more accessible, rising concerns about misinformation and limited oversight have pushed governments around the world to consider restricting AI from dispensing medical advice. The debate has drawn sharp opinions from physicians, technologists and patients alike, writer Kavitha Yarlagadda noted in a recent commentary.

Risks of self-diagnosis

Reports from Asia highlight a surge in self-medication as people rely on chatbots and AI tools for health advice. This trend is dangerous; some individuals have been hospitalized after following unverified recommendations...

The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan issued a statement amid the U.S. government shutdown.

«Due to the lapse in appropriations, this account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,» a statement on the embassy’s social media said.

At the same time, scheduled passport and visa transit services will continue during the lapse, as circumstances allow.

By Oct. 1, the U.S. Congress had failed to pass a funding bill, triggering a government shutdown. The operations of several U.S. federal agencies were suspended. Hundreds of...

Munich’s Oktoberfest beer festival will remain closed until at least 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The closure comes after police responded to an early-morning fire caused by an explosion in a northern residential building, where explosives were found and one person died, according to Reuters.

Officials stated that the fire started during a family dispute that occurred earlier on Wednesday. Special forces entered the building to remove booby traps following the explosion. One person died, and another is missing but not thought to be at risk. Police stated that there is no immediate danger to the public, but they...

Selena Gomez shared photos of her September wedding to Benny Blanco at Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara, California.

Viewers see a lush garden, the couple’s genuine smiles and joy, and Selena in three Ralph Lauren looks: a bridal lace gown with a sheer skirt, a long dress with a train for portraits, and an off-the-shoulder midi dress for the reception.

Fans were especially taken with the heart-shaped wedding cake and Gomez’s bouquet of lily of the valley, a symbol of purity and tenderness.

The couple’s journey from friendship in 2021 to marriage culminated in a celebration...

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has instructed an increase in penalties for crimes against children and women following the murder of 17-year-old Aisuluu Mukasheva. He proposed reintroducing the death penalty for killing women and for the sexual assault of children.

«Specifically, the point at issue is introducing a clause on the death penalty for the rape of children, as well as for rape combined with the murder of women. President Sadyr Japarov believes that crimes, especially against children and women, must not be left unpunished,» presidential press secretary Askat Alagozov said.

He added that Japarov...

At least 69 people have died after a strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippines late Tuesday. Officials say the number could increase as rescue teams keep searching. This is one of the region’s most powerful quakes in a decade, according to Reuters.

The earthquake was shallow, about 10 kilometers deep, and caused widespread panic. It knocked out power, damaged buildings and caused several collapses. Over 150 people were injured, and officials are still checking how many are missing.

Hospitals near the epicenter, such as those in Bogo City, struggled to handle the large number...

Today, Oct. 1, 2025, is Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navaratri (nine nights), one of the most significant Hindu festivals, marking the climax of Goddess Durga’s battle against Mahishasura and the impending victory of good over evil.

On Maha Navami, devotees venerate Durga as Mahishasuramardini, or «slayer of Mahishasura.» A central ritual, Shastra Puja (also known as Astra Puja), involves the formal worship of tools, weapons, and instruments of trade to sanctify and seek blessings for implements used in daily work. Many families also observe Kanya Puja, in which nine young girls are ceremonially worshipped as...

The Freedom Holding Corp. Kazakhstan Manufacturing PMI® (Purchasing Managers’ Index™) posted 49.2 in September, up from 47.9 in August but still below the 50.0 no-change mark. The latest reading signaled a slight deterioration in business conditions, extending the current sequence of decline to four months.

According to Erlan Abdikarimov, head of the Financial Analysis Department at Freedom Finance Global PLC (a 100% subsidiary of Freedom Holding Corp.), September showed mixed dynamics in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector.

«While new orders returned to growth, output declined at a faster pace. The situation was driven by depleted inventories, weak procurement...

Almaty’s Kairat suffered a devastating 5-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Sept. 30. The La Liga club’s coach Xabi Alonso recapped the game’s outcome.

Alonso stated that the club had come with the goal of winning, so he was satisfied with the result.

«We came here with the clear objective of winning the match. It’s the Champions League and we wanted to make a good start. We’ve got six out of six [points]… We scored five goals, achieved our objective and played well. The players have been committed and doing things well,» he said.

On Sept. 30, Real Madrid defeated Almaty’s Kairat with a stunning 5-0 score on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League. Kairat’s head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin commented on the game’s outcome.

He said the result directly reflects the gap between the teams’ levels. Kairat can only learn a lesson from this defeat and keep developing.

«What is there to comment on? We are in different weight classes. We have to accept this. We received invaluable experience against such a rival. It’s always upsetting to lose — this is hard for any team. We have...

Car imports to Kazakhstan surged 59% in the first seven months of 2025, driven primarily by Chinese vehicles, which took the dominant share. Imports from China nearly tripled, reflecting a dramatic shift in sourcing, according to Finratings.kz.

More than 134,300 new and used cars were imported between January and July, a 59.4% rise from 2024, the Bureau of National Statistics reported. Notably, while imports from the U.S. declined, Chinese automakers significantly increased its shipments, signaling a shift in market dynamics.

Top car exporters to Kazakhstan (January-July 2025):

Spotify founder Daniel Ek will step down as CEO to become executive chairman, the company said Tuesday. After the announcement, Spotify’s shares fell by more than 5% in afternoon trading, according to the Associated Press.

With the leadership shift effective Jan. 1, Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström will assume responsibilities as co-CEOs. Both currently serve as copresidents, reporting to Ek.

Spotify explained that the move «formalizes» the company’s operating structure, which has been in place since 2023. Since then, Söderström and Norström have overseen strategic development and daily operations...

After Real Madrid defeated FC Kairat in yesterday’s Champions League match, goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza quickly became a social media sensation. Videos of Sherkhan’s stunning saves circulated on Threads, where users praised his performance and thanked him for preventing an even bigger loss.

Since the match, Sherkhan’s Instagram following has grown by 81,000, reaching 149,000 at the time of publication.

In the aftermath of the match, posts featuring Sherkhan on Threads received thousands of likes. Some users quickly calculated that he made seven saves during the game.

Almaty’s Kairat suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat against Real Madrid in their Champions League group stage match.

Eduardo Camavinga scored Madrid’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute, before Brahim Díaz added a fifth in the third minute of stoppage time.

The match was officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

Earlier, the starting lineups were announced.

On matchday one, Kairat lost 4-1 away to Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon, while Real Madrid defeated Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappé.

At the 83rd minute of the Real Madrid vs. Kairat UEFA Champions League match, the visitors scored the fourth goal and took a 4-0 lead. The goal was scored by Eduardo Camavinga. The previous three goals were scored by Kylian Mbappé.

The teams are facing off at Central Stadium in Almaty on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

The match is being officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

Earlier, the starting lineups were announced.

On matchday one, Kairat were defeated 4-1 by Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon. 

In the 74th minute of the Real Madrid-Kairat match, Kylian Mbappé scored the third goal.

The teams are facing off at Central Stadium in Almaty on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

The match is being officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

Earlier, the starting lineups were announced.

On matchday one, Kairat were defeated 4-1 by Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon.

At the 52nd minute of the Real Madrid vs. Kairat UEFA Champions League match, the visitors scored the second goal and took a 2-0 lead. The goal was scored by Kylian Mbappé.

The teams are facing off at Central Stadium in Almaty on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

The match is being officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

Earlier, the starting lineups were announced.

On matchday one, Kairat were defeated 4-1 by Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon. 

At the 25th minute of the Real Madrid vs. Kairat UEFA Champions League match, the visitors opened the scoring and took a 1-0 lead. The goal was scored by Kylian Mbappé.

The teams are facing off at Central Stadium in Almaty on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

The match is being officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

Earlier, the starting lineups were announced.

On matchday one, Kairat were defeated 4-1 by Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon.

The match between Kairat and Real Madrid has started at Central Stadium in Almaty. The teams are meeting at the matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

The match is being officiated by a refereeing team led by Marco Guida.

The starting lineups are available here.

Read the match preview here.

On matchday one, Kairat was defeated 4-1 by Portugal’s Sporting in Lisbon.

Anticipation fills Central Stadium in Almaty as Kairat hosts Real Madrid in an imminent Champions League clash.

Today’s game is significant for at least two reasons. First, it is historic for Kairat: the Almaty club is playing its first home match as a Champions League group-stage participant. Second, Real Madrid, one of the most decorated clubs in the world, is visiting Kazakhstan for the first time in its history.

Central Stadium’s 23,804 seats sold out online in hours, with demand far exceeding availability.

The stands are filled with supporters of both Kairat and Real Madrid. Among...