News

Violence in Kazakhstan after Russia sends troops

Published

4 years ago

January 7, 2022

Fresh violence raged in Kazakhstan’s main city on Thursday after Russia rushed in paratroopers overnight to put down a countrywide uprising in the former Soviet state closely allied to Moscow

Fresh violence raged on in Kazakhstan on Thursday (January 6), with police in the main city Almaty saying they had killed dozens of rioters overnight.

The interior ministry said at least 18 law enforcement officers had died so far in clashes, including two found decapitated.

And more than two thousand protesters were detained as Russia rushed in paratroopers to stop a countrywide uprising in the former Soviet state, as Western countries called for calm.

Footage from Almaty showed toppled vehicles and buildings – said to be a presidential residence and the mayor’s office – ablaze.

Reuters reporters heard explosions and gunfire as military vehicles and scores of soldiers advanced.

Internet access was also shut down across Kazakhstan.

And while the full extent of the unrest was not immediately clear, it was unprecedented in a country ruled firmly since Soviet times by leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.

He has held on to power despite stepping down three years ago as president.

The uprising originally began against a fuel price hike on New Year’s Day.

But a reversal of the price rise failed to mollify crowds who accuse Nazarbayev’s family and allies of amassing vast wealth from oil and minerals while the nation of 19 million remained poor.

On Wednesday, (January 5) when protesters stormed and torched public buildings in different cities, they chanted slogans against Nazarbayev, and in at least one city looped ropes around a statue of him, trying to pull it down.

Nazarbayev’s hand-picked successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called in forces from ally Russia overnight as part of a military alliance of ex-Soviet states, led by Moscow.

He blamed the unrest on foreign-trained terrorists who he said had seized buildings and weapons.

The swift arrival of Russian troops demonstrated the Kremlin’s strategy of deploying force to safeguard its influence in the ex-Soviet Union.

Via: Reuters

News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

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News

Ryan Routh receives life sentence for attempted Trump assassination

Ryan Routh sentenced to life for attempting to assassinate Trump; lawyer plans to appeal due to personal issues.

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ryan Routh sentenced to life for attempting to assassinate Trump; lawyer plans to appeal due to personal issues.

Ryan Routh, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, has been sentenced to life in prison. The 59-year-old was convicted on five criminal counts after representing himself during the trial.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon described Routh’s actions as a premeditated plot to take a human life. Prosecutors emphasised that his plan was aimed at disrupting American democracy.

Routh’s attorney plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that he is a troubled individual with a good core. Routh had been found hiding with a firearm near Trump’s golf course shortly before the 2024 election.

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News

Trump issues stark warning to Iran amid nuclear tensions

Trump warns Iran’s supreme leader amid escalating tensions and concerns over nuclear site strikes and potential program restart.

Published

6 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump warns Iran’s supreme leader amid escalating tensions and concerns over nuclear site strikes and potential program restart.

President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the country’s supreme leader should be very worried as geopolitical tensions escalate. His comments signal a hardening tone as rhetoric between Washington and Tehran sharpens once again.

In an interview with NBC, Trump addressed past strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and growing fears that Tehran could restart its nuclear programme. The remarks reignite debate over deterrence, diplomacy and the risk of further conflict in the region.

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