Tipping remains a deeply rooted part of U.S. restaurant culture. According to Wikipedia, Albania might be another nation where tipping is expected to a similar extent as in the U.S. In many other countries, gratuities are either not expected (though they may be welcomed) or even considered an insult. The…
Sometimes even animals that normally keep their distance from one another meet at a watering hole. This was precisely the scene captured by a camera trap in Kazakhstan’s Altyn-Emel State National Park. A wolf and a group of wild asses known as kulans arrived at a watering hole almost simultaneously.…
Globalization has made it possible to find almost identical products all over the world. In some markets, though, the word «almost» carries particular weight, because the same brand name doesn’t always mean the same ingredients or the same production standards. It worked well for «Mexican Coke» in glass bottles, which…
Australia’s official music charts are introducing new rules that will exclude music created primarily by artificial intelligence (AI). However, this won’t completely prevent artists from using AI in human-made recordings, the BBC reported. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said the changes are intended to preserve the role of human…
Almaty is once again in the South Korean spotlight. On Aug. 14, MBC aired an episode of the popular reality show «I Live Alone.» The city’s appearance on the show could attract new tourists and spark greater interest in Almaty as a travel destination. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at…
An unusual tourist attraction is being developed in Japan — a double-decker bus equipped with a real conveyor belt for sushi. The project, called SUSHI BUS, is expected to start operating in Tokyo this fall. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at how this unusual sushi restaurant on wheels works —…
India’s Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has become an unlikely celebrity after launching a major crackdown on food safety violations across the state and its largest city, Mumbai, Reuters reported. While many consumers have praised his bold approach and reported improvements in India’s notoriously inconsistent street food…
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced plans to introduce legislation restricting children under 16 from using social media, Reuters reported. Under the proposed bill, social media companies would be required to take reasonable measures to confirm users’ ages. Possible verification methods include existing account data, facial age estimation technology…
Gaming has shed its retro roots to become a global entertainment giant that makes traditional media look small by comparison. A recent ranking by World Population Review highlights how video gaming, now a roughly $200 billion industry, is being shaped by national cultures and rapid technological change. With more than…
Kanye West, now known as Ye, drew 31,000 spectators to his concert in Almaty, including around 7,700 tourists from more than 50 countries and territories. Organizers estimated the economic impact of the tourist influx at approximately 5 billion tenge ($11 million). Kursiv LifeStyle looks at how one of the year’s…
For over 60 years, a museum has been operating in the very center of Almaty, yet it is easy to pass by without even noticing it. Most people hear about it only from cultural heritage experts and those living nearby. Kursiv LifeStyle visited the museum to show you where to…
On Sept. 8, the Almaty Museum of Arts will open a new exhibition, «Musinder: Sculpture of Kazakhstan from the 1950s to the Present.» The show is expected to be a highlight of the new season and will mark the museum’s first anniversary. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at what visitors…
Almaty will host a new event, the SPOT Film Festival, which will screen films from major international festivals. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at which films are on the program. The SPOT Film Festival will run from Sept. 16 to 20 at the Forum cinema and the Tselinny Center of…
Starting Jan. 9, 2027, direct flights will connect Almaty and Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific, the territory’s flag carrier, is set to operate three flights weekly. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at the details of the new route. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The flight from…
A pair of «golden shoes» dating back approximately 1,500 years has been discovered in the grave of a noblewoman on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The find was made at the Karakabak necropolis on the Mangyshlak Peninsula, near Aktau. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on what archaeologists have learned about this…
A laser-based mosquito killer from Chinese startup Photon Matrix Lab has entered mass production. The company plans to ship the first batch of its Photon Matrix devices to customers by the end of August. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at how this futuristic device works. Photon Matrix monitors flying insects…
A Kanye West fan in Almaty created joke merchandise after the rapper’s concert was postponed. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at how a design conceived in a bar in just five minutes helped him recoup the cost of his concert ticket. Oleg, an advertising professional from Almaty, saw an opportunity after the…
According to a new ranking of the world’s best cities for digital nomads — people who work remotely while traveling and living abroad — the top 10 includes cities in Asia, Europe and South America. Kursiv LifeStyle reveals the best places for remote workers to combine work, daily life and…
Kazakhstan is classified as generally a safe travel destination by the U.S. State Department. American tourists are advised to exercise normal precautions when traveling to the country. For travel guidance, U.S. authorities divide countries into four advisory levels: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions;Level 2: Exercise increased caution;Level 3: Reconsider travel;Level…
The editorial team of renowned gastronomic travel magazine Food and Travel has arrived in Almaty to explore the local food scene. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at the locations and venues on the team’s itinerary. The team has already visited several restaurants, markets and local concept-driven venues. They are sampling…
Many foreign travelers visiting the Golden Horde centuries ago later wrote about being stunned by the appearance of steppe horsewomen. From a distance, they looked like stern warriors wearing helmets and carrying spears above their heads. In reality, this was how noble women looked in their traditional tall headdresses, which…
Poorly made animated film «Niu Lai» (English: «Here Comes the Cow») has unexpectedly emerged as one of the main phenomena in Chinese cinema distribution. Following its failed debut, viewers began actively discussing the movie on social media, boosting its box office from several thousand yuan to millions within a few…
Johnny Depp could return as Captain Jack Sparrow in the sixth installment of «Pirates of the Caribbean.» Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that the filmmakers are in talks with the actor. At the same time, the project is still at the script stage. Kursiv LifeStyle explores why the sixth «Pirates of…
American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the TV series «Heroes» and «Nashville,» has died at the age of 36. Kursiv LifeStyle explores what is known about the actress’s death and her career. The actress’s father, Skip Panettiere, was the first to announce her death. The family has…
