Saudi Arabia intercepts drone over Riyadh amid rising Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fight...
Almaty is set to enhance its air connectivity with China by introducing new flight routes in 2025, aiming to boost tourism and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Almaty will increase its air links with China in 2025, following a new agreement between Almaty Mayor Yerbolat Dossayev and Air China. The deal includes additional flights on the Almaty-Beijing route starting in June 2025, as well as a new direct flight to Chengdu. Currently, the city offers direct flights to five destinations in China.
The expansion is part of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to attract more Chinese tourists. With 2024 designated as the Year of Tourism of Kazakhstan in China, the country saw a 78% increase in Chinese visitors last year, reaching over 600,000 arrivals. Officials aim to attract 500,000 Chinese tourists in 2025 and generate $300 million in tourism revenue.
To support this growth, the government has introduced a comprehensive action plan, including 37 cultural and business events to promote Kazakhstan in the Chinese market. This has helped Kazakhstan rise from 40th to 29th in the ranking of popular destinations for Chinese travelers.
Daniel Serganuly, Deputy Chairman of the national Kazakh Tourism company, noted that Kazakhstan has the potential to welcome at least 1 million Chinese visitors per year. However, he emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements, though steps like adding Chinese-language signposts at major airports are already underway.
Kazakhstan’s visa-free policy, expanded flight options, and tourism promotions have also increased interest in cities like Turkestan and Aktau. Officials hope these initiatives will further strengthen bilateral ties and open new opportunities for cultural and economic exchanges.
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. No casualties were reported.
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public records, a Kabul Institute report released on 22 October said. The United Nations says its oversight systems ensure accountability.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
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