The first financial figures from an insurance settlement have become available following January 16^th’s tragic airplane crash in Kyrgyzstan. The causes of the crash, which killed 39 people, are currently being investigated by an insurance company in Kazakhstan. The company, called Eurasia, said that a preliminary estimate for payment comes out at $38 million dollars, to be paid to survivors. The case is still pending, as Eurasia has not had enough time to sufficiently examine all of the factors leading up to the crash and determine if the insurance policy covers the crash and its survivors.

 

 

A new reality show has caused a stir in Kyrgyzstan. The show, called “Kelin”, or bride, features young women competing in various tasks under the watchful eye of a “mother-in-law”. The tasks are representative of what a young married woman would usually be doing, such as cooking traditional Kyrgyz dishes. The show is broadcast on Kyrgyzstan’s main channel, KTRK.

 

The show has sparked debates about women and their roles in Kyrgyz society, and whether or not this show is appropriate. Some think that the show reinforces negative stereotypes about young brides, while others think that the show is respectful and showcases Kyrgyz culture. The directors of KTRK, politicians, feminists, and others have joined in the discussion about “Kelin”. A petition on Change.org calling for the show to be cancelled has gathered over 700 signatures. The head of KTRK Ilim Karypbekov has announced that the station will discuss the future of the show and announce their decision in the coming days.

 

 

A Chinese restaurant in the center of Bishkek was robbed this week. Eyewitnesses reported that armed gunmen in masks entered Tszi Sian restaurant at around 10 pm on Monday, February 6^th. They took around one hundred thousand som from the register, as well as gold and valuables from diners in the restaurant.

 

The restaurant is cooperating with police to apprehend the killers, who so far have not been caught.

 

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The northeastern corner of the United States has been hit by the winter’s biggest snowstorm. Over a foot of snow fell last night in New York and Massachusetts, causing power outages and transportation delays. Experts called the storm a true blizzard, with low visibility and high winds causing problems and damage.

 

While some schools are closed and flights are cancelled, things seem to be running somewhat as expected. Many businesses are open, and trains in Boston are running at close to their usual schedules.

 

Others are simple choosing to take advantage of the wintry weather by throwing snowballs and going sledding. A little more snow is expected to fall, but the worst of the winter weather seems to be over for New York and Boston.

 

 

In other news from Boston, the New England Patriots handily won the 51^st Super Bowl. The Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime, bringing quarterback Tom Brady his fifth Super Bowl ring. The Patriots were trailing for most of the game, but started to pull themselves back in the second half and eventually pulled into the lead in overtime.

 

To some it was a miraculous comeback, because it happened so close to the end of the game and against seemingly impossible odds. Although public opinion is divided, Brady won his fourth Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award, and many commented that the win would have been impossible without him.

 

Lady Gaga was the featured performer for the half time show, pulling off an entertaining and non-controversial performance.

 

The Super Bowl marks the end of the 2016 NFL season, with games resuming in Fall 2017.

 

 

The United Kingdom has amended their official policy regarding child refugees. The Dubs Amendment was written to ensure safe passage of unaccompanied child refugees already in the European Union, resettling them in the UK. The Dubs Amendment is named after Lord Alfred Dubs, himself a child refugee who fled Czechoslovakia before World War II.

 

Although there was no predetermined number of children to be resettled, Lord Dubs himself recommended that 3,000 children be helped through the bill. However, since the bill’s signing last March, only 200 children have officially entered because of the bill, with officials announcing that a mere 150 more will enter before the program closes this March.

 

This comes at a time when migration and refugees have become important points of discussion and controversy around the world.

 

 

Mount Everest will soon be home to the world’s highest free wifi. Before, wifi was expensive at Everest’s base camp, a startling 17,600 feet above sea level. Now, thanks to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and some tough fiber-optic cables, climbers will be able to use wifi to communicate in case of an emergency, and also to post videos and photos that will help promote tourism.