News

What was once a last resort for accident victims and people with severe leg deformities has taken an unexpected turn. More and more people are willingly signing up for grueling surgeries to make themselves taller or, in some cases, shorter. It’s no longer just a fringe trend; both men and women are spending tens of thousands of dollars and undergoing months of recovery to gain a few inches or lose some height, Euronews reported.

These aren’t simple procedures — we’re talking about surgeons literally cutting into leg bones and slowly stretching them apart or removing sections entirely. The recovery...

Kazakh social media users on Threads are highlighting the growing hardship of rising food prices, especially meat, as more families are forced to cut dietary variety. An informal poll reveals that many now rely on the cheapest staples, resulting in restricted nutrition nationwide.

Posts that drew the strongest reactions mentioned giving up chocolate bars (including locally made brands), glazed curds, chips and seafood, especially salmon.

One commenter quipped that «soon Kazakhstanis will stop eating beef altogether,» as prices for the national staple continue to rise. Many households, in response, are shifting to chicken as a more affordable...

Described by The Washington Post as “one of the most prominent voices on the right,” Charles Kirk, best known as Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot, was born on Oct. 14, 1993. He was recognized as one of the most prominent conservative political activists in the U.S. and a loyal ally of President Donald Trump.

Kirk is famous for co-founding Turning Point USA, which calls itself «the largest conservative movement.» The organization, founded by Kirk in 2012 when was just 18, promotes itself as a nationwide student movement that identifies, organizes and empowers youth to champion free...

China reviewed two draft laws on Monday to increase the standard Chinese use among ethnic minorities, according to the South China Morning Post. These proposals reflect Beijing’s wider campaign to promote spoken and written Mandarin.

The government aims to promote the standard Chinese language in areas such as education, public administration, international exchanges and online platforms. These fields have increasingly become areas for language policy enforcement.

Barry Sautman, an expert and professor emeritus at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, stated that the revisions advocate for the national language in documents, packaging and signage. He also...

Europe’s carmakers face pressure from all sides: shrinking sales, rising energy costs and fierce international rivals. Mercedes-Benz boss Ole Källenius, who heads the European car industry association ACEA, warns that the EU’s green agenda risks undermining the auto industry unless it adopts a more pragmatic approach to reaching zero emissions.

In an interview with Euronews, Källenius emphasized his commitment to electric cars, pointing to the significant investments by carmakers and the availability of hundreds of EV models. Yet, he urges policymakers to ground climate targets in current market and infrastructure realities, not just ambition.

He says the transition...

Machines are increasingly encroaching on our books and voices, warns Adam Verner, a veteran audiobook narrator who has voiced more than 800 titles for major publishers and independent authors. His body of work spans literary heavyweights like Marilynne Robinson and Joyce Carol Oates, as well as pop-culture staples such as George R. R. Martin, Danielle Steel, Tim Ferriss, and even Disney’s Finding Nemo.

A childhood shaped by storytelling

Verner’s connection to storytelling began early. His parents separated when he was just a toddler, and his father moved to California.

A performer and radio DJ, his dad was quick to...

On Sept. 10, American right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, a notable supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University that was part of the American Comeback Tour. Kirk often used these events, which typically drew a lot of students, to invite attendees to engage in debates with him, Reuters reported.

The BBC, citing Utah authorities, reported that two people were arrested but later released, as they were found to have no current ties to the fatality.

Officials believe the activist was shot from a campus rooftop while...

A retired Kazakh woman has gone viral on social media with her impressive fitness routine, earning comparisons to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 67-year-old became an internet sensation after her daughter posted a video of her workouts, which helped build on her growing popularity. The clip quickly went viral, garnering over a million views on TikTok within three days.

@192.168.192

♬ оригинальный звук – Шварц Апа

In the comments, fans affectionately nicknamed her «Schwarz-apai,» or «Granny Schwarzenegger.» This surge of...

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo recently met with Ruben, a young boy from Armenia.

Ruben, an aspiring footballer with hearing and speech difficulties, realized his dream by joining Ronaldo on the field before the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Portugal, according to News-Armenia.

Following their meeting, Ronaldo called Ruben his friend and shared their moment on Instagram.

«I made a new friend yesterday...

Japan Airlines has received attention after one of its pilots consumed alcohol in Hawaii, leading the airline to issue a public apology on Sept. 10, according to CNA. The pilot’s late-night drinking on Aug. 28 meant he was unable to fly the next day, causing delays for three flights. This is the second time in a year that Japan’s transport ministry has acted regarding the airline’s alcohol-related incidents, prompting concern for one of the country’s largest carriers.

Mitsuko Tottori, JAL’s president, held a news conference to apologize for the incident, pledging that the airline would implement stricter checks on...

A clinical trial in the U.K. is evaluating a new blood test that could reshape how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, according to The National.

Participants showing early signs of dementia are being recruited through NHS memory clinics to evaluate the test’s effectiveness. Researchers expect to have conclusive results within the next three years.

The project, led by University College London, focuses on whether measuring levels of the protein p-tau217 in blood samples can lead to faster and more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Early studies indicate that the test can identify individuals with cognitive decline with about 80 percent...

Extended periods of looking down at smartphones have become commonplace in modern life. Reports frequently highlight “text neck” as a rising issue, linking extended phone use to neck and upper back pain. Given the prevalence of smartphone use, averaging nearly five hours a day, it is reasonable to consider potential health impacts, according to Euronews.

Biomechanical principles indicate that tilting the head forward increases strain on cervical structures, comparable to carrying a significant weight. Correlational data indicate an increase in reports of neck and upper back pain among frequent smartphone users and young individuals following prolonged device use...

At a press conference held in Seoul on Sept. 10 commemorating the official launch of OpenAI’s office in South Korea, Jason Kwon, the company’s chief strategy officer, mentioned that the company could further establish a data center in the country, The Korea Times reported.

The potential plans also included expanding cooperation with Korea’s major conglomerates, including Samsung and SK. The spokesman also pledged to support the government’s ambitions to achieve sovereignty in the artificial intelligence industry.

“When it comes to the hardware chip side, I think we have a lot of good partnerships in motion...

We all encounter challenging personalities, but some individuals exhaust our energy in ways more harmful than typical disagreements. These toxic people, often called energy vampires, thrive on causing turmoil, eroding confidence, and exploiting others’ emotions. Recognizing the behaviors of toxic people and developing effective psychological defenses are crucial for preserving mental health.

Psychological portrait: 7 types of toxic people

Identifying distinct toxic personality types enables faster recognition of their patterns. Though traits can overlap, most toxic people fit into seven main groups:

Eighty years ago in Fruita, Colorado, a farmer’s axe created one of the strangest animal legends. The bird — Mike the Headless Chicken — survived 18 months without a head, baffling scientists and entertaining crowds nationwide, Euronews reported.

Beheaded on Sept. 10, 1945, Mike didn’t die. He stood up and walked, his brainstem and jugular vein intact and a blood clot preventing fatal bleeding. Fed through an eyedropper into his esophagus, Mike thrived.

Farmer Lloyd Olsen quickly realized he had a miracle. He toured Mike across the U.S., charging admission to see the «Headless Wonder Chicken.» At the...

Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office reported a Gmail data leak affecting up to 2.5 billion accounts worldwide, including users in Kazakhstan. Investigators said the ShinyHunters hacker group tricked a Google employee by social engineering.

How the breach happened
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office criminal threat forecasting center, the attackers posed as IT support staff and contacted a Google employee by phone. They persuaded the employee to authorize the malicious Salesforce Data Loader application, giving them access to a database containing Gmail user contact information and company names linked to the accounts.

Passwords were not compromised, but the stolen data...

Charlie Sheen, a former Hollywood star, has released a memoir revealing the highs and lows of his turbulent life. «The Book of Sheen» traces his rise, public downfall and journey to sobriety in 2017, according to the Associated Press.

Born Carlos Irwin Estévez in 1965 to actor Martin Sheen and Janet Templeton, Sheen was immersed in film sets and creative ambition from an early age. His breakout roles in “Platoon” (1986) and “Wall Street” (1987) revealed his talent. Years later, he starred on CBS’s “Two and a Half Men,” which made him the highest-paid actor on...

On Sept. 9, Apple held its «awe dropping» event, presenting new Apple Watches — Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE; new iPhones — 17 in regular, Pro, and Pro MAX versions, alongside the extremely slim iPhone Air; and a pair of enhanced AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.

According to Wired, the event centered on hardware rather than software, with a strong focus on the company’s work to integrate artificial intelligence into its devices.

Here are some highlights from the presentation:

Apple once again announced four iPhone models this year, but with one notable alteration: the Plus option has been...

Speculation is mounting as the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement approaches in early October. Unofficial shortlists, compiled by experts and observers, highlight leaders and groups addressing today’s pressing challenges, ranging from conflicts and humanitarian crises to democratic movements.

One of the most talked-about contenders is Yulia Navalnaya, who has become a leading voice of democratic resistance in Russia after the death of her husband, opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Supporters cite her ongoing advocacy for political prisoners, her calls to the international community for targeted sanctions against human rights violators, and her role in coordinating civil society efforts as...

On Tuesday, Israel launched airstrikes in Qatar, targeting Hamas political leaders. The attack drew strong reactions from around the world and signaled a significant shift in the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to Reuters.

U.S. President Donald Trump quickly moved to distance the U.S. from the operation, expressing apparent frustration with Israel’s decision. «Look, we all want the hostages back, but this isn’t the way,» Trump told reporters, clearly caught off guard by the strike. «I’m not happy about how this went down today.»

Qatar’s response was swift and fierce. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani

Prime Minister of Nepal Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, commonly known as K.P. Sharma Oli, resigned on Sept. 9 amid escalating anti-corruption protests. Demonstrators flouted an indefinite curfew and clashed with police in Kathmandu and other cities, with unrest intensifying on Sept. 8. The resignation came after at least 19 people were killed in protests triggered by a social media ban, according to Reuters.

When the protests escalated on Sept. 8, Nepalese authorities lifted the social media ban that had been imposed on Sept. 4, citing the platforms’ failure to register with the government. The restrictions had affected major platforms...

Thailand’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to prison, ruling his year-long stay in a hospital was unjustified and amounted to evading jail, Reuters reported.

Thaksin, now 76, came back to Thailand in 2023 after spending 15 years in self-exile. When he arrived, he spent just a few hours in jail before being moved to a VIP hospital room because of chest pain. His eight-year sentence for abuse of power was reduced to one year by a royal pardon, and he was released on parole after six months.

However, the court said Thaksin’s...

Raushan Kudaibergen, the younger sister of famed Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen, has delighted fans by sharing her official wedding photos for the first time. Weeks after the celebration, the 24-year-old posted a series of 18 images with her husband, actor Ermakhan Aymakhan.

The bride wore a classic gown with long sleeves, lace detailing, and a veil for the European-style photo shoot, while the groom complemented her in a light jacket and black bow tie. With an intimate, romantic tone, the couple held hands, exchanged tender glances, and, in one photo, Ermakhan kissed his bride on the forehead.

Contemporary Kazakh theater is making its way onto the European stage with the play «Sun Line,» which has been included in the main program of the JULA Festival, an international youth theater and music festival held annually in Munich. The play will be performed on Nov. 28, 2025, as one of the festival’s key events.

Why exactly «Sun Line»?

The project was created by colabalab, an independent company recognized for its experimental work at the intersection of theater, cinema and contemporary art. It was produced by Mira Shapayeva and Aisulu Azimbaeva, who also stars alongside actor Askar Ilyasov. The...