News

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...

Jackie Chan has been appointed ambassador for Expo 2027 in Belgrade. He will promote the internationally recognized event, which is endorsed by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), according to Euronews.

The Belgrade Expo will showcase sport, music and culture, with an emphasis on Serbia’s achievements in technology and science. It also highlights the country’s position as a bridge between Eastern and Western societies.

For Chan, who’s no stranger to goodwill missions through his work with UNICEF and various humanitarian causes, this role feels like a natural fit.

«These themes — sport, music...

Attaullah Baig, who served as head of security for WhatsApp from 2021 to 2025, filed a lawsuit against Meta — the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram — alleging that it overlooked internal vulnerabilities in data protection and compromised billions of users, The Guardian reported. However, according to France 24, Meta asserted that he was not the head of security but rather a lower-level engineer. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in San Francisco on Sept. 8.

According to Baig, around 1,500 engineers had full access to user data, and the company failed to address the...

On Tuesday, Google announced it would honor the South Korean government’s request to blur certain sensitive sites on its mapping platforms. This decision could improve the U.S. tech giant’s ability to compete with domestic navigation apps, as reported by TRT World.

Under South Korean regulations, companies are required to store essential geospatial data within the country — a rule that Google had previously resisted. Because of this, homegrown services like Naver and Kakao have dominated the market, leaving foreign travelers at a disadvantage when using navigation tools.

The statement marked the first time Google publicly confirmed its...

Dwayne «The Rock» Johnson has revealed that his recent weight loss is linked to a film project, according to Independent.co.uk.

The 53-year-old actor appeared at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month to promote The Smashing Machine, a biopic directed by Benny Safdie in which he portrays MMA legend and UFC trailblazer Mark Kerr.

Photos from the event quickly circulated online, highlighting Johnson’s slimmer appearance, and fans humorously dubbed him «The Pebble.» Reports indicate that he shed about 60 pounds (27kg), reducing his weight to roughly 240 pounds (109kg) from his usual 300 pounds (136kg).

Johnson has...

Harvard University has welcomed a new teacher from Kazakhstan. Assel Amangeldi, a graduate of the Ivy League institution, has been invited to join the teaching team at the world’s oldest and wealthiest university.

Amangeldi shared the news on social media, reflecting on the academic journey that brought her to this milestone.

«Last year, one of my favorite classes was Innovations in Education, led by Michael Horn, a leading figure in educational technology. I had the privilege of serving an official academic role as his Teacher Fellow. Now, I’ll be part of the teaching process myself...

The South Korean government is preparing to send a special charter flight to Atlanta this week to repatriate several hundred of its nationals detained during a large-scale U.S. immigration raid, officials confirmed Tuesday, according to Reuters.

A Korean Air representative said a Boeing 747-8i, with capacity for 368 passengers, is scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport as early as Wednesday to bring home workers who were swept up in the operation.

Roughly 300 South Korean nationals were among 475 people arrested last week at a massive construction site in Georgia, where Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution...

The fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train has renewed concerns about crime and repeat offenders in U.S. cities, according to CBS News.

Police say Zarutska was randomly attacked on Aug. 22 by 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., who has a long criminal record and a history of psychiatric issues. He was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder.

Recently released surveillance video shows Brown suddenly slashing Zarutska with a pocketknife as passengers fled in panic. Court records reveal he had 14 prior cases in Mecklenburg County, including prison time...

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...