Franklin the Turtle, a gentle cartoon hero from Canada known for kindness and everyday life lessons, recently featured in an image shared online by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, portraying the turtle attacking boats labeled as drug traffickers, according to the BBC. The image drew immediate criticism from the…
An unusual new product from H&M has stirred up conversation among fashion fans. The retailer introduced a pair of brown pumps completely covered in faux fur. Priced at $60, the shoes nearly sold out within days. The pumps, designed with a narrow heel and rounded toe, include a satin lining…
Speed dating has long been part of urban culture in the West and is now gradually taking hold in Kazakhstan. Interest in the trend is growing rapidly in Almaty, the nation’s largest city, as more residents seek face-to-face communication away from screens and algorithms. Offline format Speed dating is a…
The last weekend of November became a true celebration for dog owners in China, as several movie theaters across different cities held special screenings of «Zootopia 2,» allowing audiences to attend with their pets. Adorable photos from the events quickly went viral on social media, sparking a wave of affection…
An aquarium in central Japan has set up an unusual attraction — a Christmas tree with lights powered by electric eels, NHK World reported. Until Dec. 25, Toba Aquarium is offering visitors the chance to admire the five-meter tree lit by three eels in a tank near the attraction. The…
The video by travel content creator Nikolai Gladkov showing frozen Song Kul — one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in Kyrgyzstan — is going viral. Users compare its azure ice texture to that of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, and note that the landmark is definitely worth visiting.…
Rolan Anatoly, a resident of Shymkent in southern Kazakhstan, cycled roughly 8,000 kilometers to reach the holy city of Medina. The journey took him 44 days — the time it took to travel from Central Asia to Islam’s second-holiest city. His route passed through several countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia,…
The influence of innovative anti-obesity drugs (GLP-1 drugs) such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other so-called «slimming shots» has clearly moved far beyond the pharmacy. The impact of these game-changers is now visible in mass-market retailers, on red carpets, and even on restaurant menus. Notably, the share of U.S. adults taking…
In October, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that iconic thrash metal band Megadeth could perform in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstani Kaisar Zhuman told Kursiv that the group’s frontman Dave Mustaine personally shared that the band planned to hold a concert in Kazakhstan during a meet and greet session at the concert in London. Today,…
The painting «The Survivors» by Russian marine artist Ivan Aivazovsky set a new price record at Sotheby’s after being sold for £4.188 million, the highest price ever paid for a work by the artist. Dated to 1878, «The Survivors» is the largest painting by Aivazovsky ever offered for public sale.…
For years, the Maldives has been a symbol of luxury vacations, with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The island nation is still known for its overwater villas, private islands and prices reserved for the ultra-wealthy. However, the paradise islands are no longer just for the rich and honeymooners with…
Chinese tech giant Huawei has presented Smart Hanhan — an emotional-support AI plush companion. The toy was showcased alongside the Mate 80 smartphone line, with all three models selling out shortly after sales began, Gizmochina reported. Smart Hanhan is a compact plush toy standing 8 centimeters and weighing 140 grams.…
Rikhi Ram, a man from a small village in the Sirmaur district, India, had lost his memory in a car accident and hadn’t been in touch with his family for 45 years. However, not so long ago, he ended up in another accident that helped him recover his memories, NDTV…
Almaty offers more ice rinks for lovers of active winter holidays. Renowned mountain resort Shymbulak welcomes visitors on a new open-air ice rink. The official opening is scheduled for Dec. 6, with free entry and presents for visitors included. Organizers are promoting the ice rink as the world’s most high-altitude…
As the year draws to a close, Brazil’s iconic floating Christmas tree was inaugurated on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro’s Botafogo Cove. Although this is a relatively new tradition, it has already become one of the city’s highlights during the Christmas and New Year holidays, Euronews reported. Positioned about 100…
Dimash Qudaibergen, a world-famous singer from Kazakhstan, performed his first solo concert in Egypt. The show took place on Nov. 30 as part of «The Pyramids Echo Festival,» according to DimashNews. The concert not only introduced Dimash to his African audience but also set a new milestone as the first…
PR manager and content creator Sergey Avakyan-Rzhevskiy showcased a little-known site in Almaty — Kazakhstan’s only cave chapel concealed beneath the Kazan Cathedral in the Medeu district. At first glance, this is a typical 19th-century church. It was built in 1871 and had served as one of the city’s key…
In Slovakia’s High Tatras, one of the region’s main winter attractions — an ice dome — has once again opened ahead of Christmas, the region’s tourism portal reported. The Tatra Temple of Ice lies on Mt. Hrebienok. This year, the temple pays tribute to two popes — the late Pope…
Once dominated by men, hair transplant surgery is now increasingly popular among women seeking treatment for hair loss. Experts say that growing awareness, social media and the expansion of clinics have rapidly increased women’s interest in recent years. However, doctors caution that results for women are often less predictable than…
Hong Kong braces for Central Asian cuisine. The city’s first nomadic cuisine restaurant is scheduled to open in December in SoHo — the dining and entertainment district. The restaurant, called Yurt, is being established by a team founded by members from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and the flavors of their…
Cats may be one of the most familiar animals in human homes today, but new scientific research suggests their close relationship with people began far more recently than previously thought. Instead of becoming domesticated alongside the first farming communities about 10,000 years ago, cats appear to have formed lasting bonds…
Hard rock legend Deep Purple will return to Almaty for the first time in almost 20 years — on April 22, 2026, the group will perform a major live concert at Almaty Arena. Tickets will be available soon on Freedom Ticketon. Deep Purple is the band that set the rock…
American FX TV channel has ordered a series based on Ubisoft’s iconic video game franchise «Far Cry.» Each season, akin to the original games, will be a separate installment with different characters and locations. Trusted and iconic, FX producers are behind the project — Rob Mac, the creator of «It’s…
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Interior will raise entry fees for international tourists at many of the country’s most popular national parks. The agency says this new «resident-focused fee structure» is meant to keep park access affordable for U.S. citizens, according to CNN. Under this plan,…
