News

A couple from Rotorua, New Zealand — Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride — got an unexpected surprise during their wedding celebration on the Hobbiton Movie Set. Actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in «The Lord of the Rings» trilogy, unexpectedly showed up at the ceremony.

According to the newlyweds, the day had been rainy, but the skies cleared for exactly half an hour, just long enough for them to hold their ceremony. As the couple finished signing their marriage documents, Wood walked down the aisle to congratulate them in person.

Several people were injured in a stabbing attack on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening. Amid the chaos, passengers and staff acted with remarkable bravery, with one rail worker credited by police for saving multiple lives, the BBC reported.

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that a 32-year-old man from Peterborough remains in custody as the sole suspect. A knife was recovered at the scene, and officers said they are not treating the incident as terrorism-related.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed that an LNER staff member, now in...

Kazakhstan experienced a dramatic reversal in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, shifting from a net inflow of $2.8 billion in the first quarter to a net outflow of $1.9 billion in the second quarter. Economist Ruslan Sultanov attributed the decline primarily to U.S. companies reinvesting profits into production rather than bringing in new capital.

Notably, Kazakhstan recorded a $893.6 million net FDI inflow in the first half of 2025, primarily driven by strong investment in the first quarter.

By country, the largest declines in investment were from the U.S. (-$1.65 billion) and China (-$486 million). In...

On Nov. 1, the official closing ceremony of the third season of Kazakhstan’s youth football championship, the Freedom QJ League, took place. One of the highlights was a charity auction featuring Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé’s jersey as the main lot.

The winning bid was placed by Kairat Boranbayev, chairman of the supervisory board of FC Kairat, amounting to 3 million tenge (approximately $5,646).

«All proceeds from the auction will be donated to charity,» the organizers said.

The event was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Astana, bringing together...

Using AI tools such as ChatGPT to look up «how to be environmentally sustainable» might actually be working against that goal, according to politics writer Lex McMenamin.

That’s because ChatGPT and other large language models carry an environmental cost. Training and operating these systems require massive computing power, and the servers that keep them running must stay cool — often through extensive water use.

More electricity and more water

Notably, the energy demand is also substantial. Although estimates vary, the International Energy Agency reported in 2024 that generating a single ChatGPT response can use nearly...

The private Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow has acquired «Falling Nazarbayev,» a sculpture by Kazakh artist Yerbossyn Meldibekov consisting of five bronze figures, National Business reported.

The installation was first unveiled in February 2024 at an exhibition in Almaty.

The work is a series of exact replicas of a monument to Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president, that once stood in Taldykorgan. The original statue was toppled by protesters during the January 2022 unrest.

Meldibekov’s sculpture captures the monument’s fall — from the moment it begins to lose balance to its impact with the ground...

A man was arrested in Japan for reportedly possessing toy guns with the capabilities of real weapons, NHK World reported.

Osamu Ebara, from Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, was found to have two plastic toy handguns capable of firing real bullets strong enough to kill a human, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Officials added that the suspect had around 30 of these toy guns at home, as well as several listed for auction. Ebara is suspected of violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law.

Police also said they found toy bullets but no real ammunition. Reportedly...

After a cross was installed on the central tower of the Sagrada Família, the renowned basilica in Barcelona, Spain, has become the world’s tallest church, the BBC reported. It now stands 162.91 meters high, surpassing Ulm Minster in Germany, which had held the record since 1890.

Construction of the church in central Barcelona has continued for more than a century. The project was designed and initially overseen by Antoni Gaudí, the celebrated Catalan architect. By the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, only one of the planned 18 towers had been completed.

The main...

An accident occurred during the Rallye National de Saint-Joseph in France, claiming the lives of two children, Le Parisien reported.

The tragedy happened on Oct. 26, when a 22-year-old driver lost control of his car and went off the course, hitting spectators. As a result, a nine-year-old girl and her 12-year-old brother were killed. Their father sustained multiple injuries.

Following the accident, the seventh stage of the rally was canceled.

According to the prosecutor, drug and alcohol tests for both the driver and co-driver showed no trace of any substances.

Spectators were reportedly standing in an...

Apple Inc. posted robust financial results for the third quarter, surpassing expectations. The growth was driven by strong demand for its latest iPhone 17, despite challenges from the global trade war and increasing competition.

«Today, Apple is very proud to report a September quarter revenue record of $102.5 billion. This includes a September quarter record for iPhone and an all-time revenue record for Services,» Euronews reported, citing CEO Tim Cook.

As a result, Apple’s quarterly profit rose to $27.5 billion, nearly double the figure from a year earlier. The strong performance...

Founder and CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg trained with Brazilian athlete Alex Pereira, a UFC light heavyweight champion (93 kilograms).

Zuckerberg visited the new gym of Pereira’s coach, Plinio Cruz, in New York. Later, he posted photos from the training session on Instagram.

Zuckerberg and Pereira can be seen practicing both stand-up and ground techniques.

The Brazilian champion also posted photos with the Meta CEO. The...

Kazakh startup Call2action.ai, founded by entrepreneur Yersultan Jussakinov, has raised $500,000 in funding, mostly from U.S. investors, at a $6 million valuation, Digital Business reported.

Call2action.ai describes itself as the first generative AI-powered platform designed to help companies hire employees faster and at lower cost.

The system conducts automated interviews, analyzes candidates’ responses and skills, and compiles a list of the most suitable specialists — such as drivers, mechanics and dispatchers.

«We’re addressing a major challenge in a massive but underserved market that employs more than 9 million people,» Jussakinov said...

A historic moment may be unfolding in the Netherlands. Rob Jetten, leader of the centrist Democrats 66 (D66) party, is on track to become the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister at just 38 years old.

According to preliminary exit polls, D66 has gained an advantage over far-right parties, positioning Jetten as a central figure in forming a potential governing coalition.

Notably, beyond politics, Jetten’s personal life has also drawn public attention. He is engaged to Argentine field hockey player Nicolás Keenan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s handbag has become a hit among women in Japan.

Social media users have noticed that Takaichi is often seen carrying the Grace Delight Tote by Japanese brand Hamano Inc. The leather goods company, which has a 145-year history, is known for its craftsmanship and has long been favored by members of Japan’s imperial family.

According to media reports, the bag — priced at ¥136,000 (about $900) — quickly went viral, leading to a surge of orders that flooded the company’s factory in Nagano.

A classic design

The Grace Delight Tote is a classic...

Latvia’s parliament has voted to leave the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, a treaty focused on fighting violence against women. After a 13-hour debate, 56 lawmakers voted in favor of withdrawal from the agreement ratified by Latvia in November 2024, 32 voted against and two abstained, according to Euronews.

Latvia will be the first EU country to leave the convention if the parliament’s decision is supported by President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

The Istanbul Convention sets out practical standards for preventing domestic violence and ensuring victim support. It requires countries to provide services such as shelters and hotlines...

Following the Louvre heist, a photo of «suspects» who immediately charmed social media users went viral. Kursiv LifeStyle explains why the people in the photo probably have nothing to do with the crime.

The photos allegedly depicted two suspects in the recent Louvre robbery. On Oct. 28, The Lamented — a satirical Facebook page — posted photos of two «robbers» with model-like looks.

«Two suspects arrested over Louvre jewel heist BREAK the INTERNET as housewives across France encourage robbers to steal theirs next,» the post read.

However, not all users paid...

In Brussels, the iconic Manneken Pis statue is frequently dressed in themed costumes, often reflecting cultural events or anniversaries. For example, it has appeared as Dracula and in many other themed outfits.

Recently, to honor Kazakhstan Republic Day, organizers dressed the statue in a traditional Kazakh shapan, a national coat featuring distinctive patterns. Designers created the custom-made garment especially for the occasion.

This symbolic gesture demonstrates Kazakhstan’s commitment to sharing its cultural heritage and fostering mutual understanding between nations.

This marks the second time Manneken Pis has worn a Kazakh outfit. In the summer of...

King Charles III has stripped Prince Andrew of all royal titles and ordered him to leave the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, Reuters reported, citing a statement by Buckingham Palace. This move is intended to distance the royal family from the controversies associated with Andrew’s alleged past connections to the infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and accusations made by Virginia Giuffre.

Andrew, who is 65, will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and is no longer considered a working royal or a titled member of the royal family. He is expected to relocate...

World-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen has voiced his support for fellow countryman Gennadiy Golovkin, head of the Kazakhstan Olympic Committee, who is running for president of World Boxing.

On Instagram, Qudaibergen shared a photo with Golovkin and wrote that he admires the boxing legend’s determination, strength of spirit and dedication to their country.

«For many years, he has brought glory to Kazakhstan on the world stage, and now he intends to work to strengthen the image of boxing worldwide. Let’s support our champion!» Qudaibergen wrote.

Notably, on Oct. 24, Golovkin...

Alexander Bublik (World No. 16) defeated Taylor Fritz (No. 4) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 in the Round of 16 of the ATP 1000 Rolex Paris Masters, paving his way to the quarterfinals.

A light dispute initiated by Corentin Moutet (No. 32) quickly faded after the Kazakhstani won his match against the Frenchman. The only aftershock at the event was that the audience split into two groups: Moutet’s fans, who chanted «Go, Taylor, go!» while Bublik’s fans — along with neutral spectators — did not stop applauding the Kazakhstani’s successful plays.

Up...

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 an intriguing 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...