News

Global tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google may be considering Kazakhstan as a location for data centers, amid rising geopolitical risks in other regions.

Shifting focus after Middle East disruptions

Speaking at the Kursiv Ecosystems Forum on April 17, Vladislav Minkevich, head of the AKASHI Data Center project in Astana, said recent attacks on infrastructure in the Middle East have prompted companies to reassess location strategies.

He claimed that several data centers in the region had been destroyed, including facilities linked to Amazon, highlighting the vulnerability of such assets. As a result, companies are...

Elena Rybakina delivered a dominant performance to defeat Karolína Muchová in the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, winning 7-5, 6-1.

In addition to the title and prize money, the Kazakhstani player also received a new Porsche 911 Carrera S, a tradition of the tournament.

Match turns after tight first set

The opening set was closely contested, with both players exchanging breaks. After the score reached 5-5, however, Rybakina took control and closed out the set.

Her performance echoed her semifinal win over Mirra Andreeva, where she also surged late after an even start.

Second-set dominance

Rybakina...

A troubling pattern is emerging in Kazakhstan’s academic community: Researchers linked to ethical violations are still receiving state honors, leadership roles and even international recognition, according to a recent report by the T-invariant outlet.

Award and retraction collide

In November 2025, Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics publicly congratulated Prof. Artem Kozlovskiy on receiving the «Best Elsevier Reviewer» award, praising him and wishing him «creative success and new scientific achievements.»

At the same time, editors at Chemical Papers retracted a paper he co-authored, citing major falsification of experimental data. Kozlovskiy now has 34 retracted publications — the...

Classic super apps with «tiled» interfaces are becoming outdated, according to Timur Shalekenov, head of Yandex Qazaqstan.

He said the market is shifting toward voice assistants and AI-driven interfaces. Shalekenov made the remarks during a panel discussion at the Kursiv Ecosystems Forum 2026.

Shift toward AI-driven interaction

«I sincerely believe the entire internet will be reinvented in the near future,» Shalekenov said. «If we’re talking about a ‘tiled’ interface, that’s already in the past.»

Instead, he pointed to the rise of «live or near-live assistants» capable of performing tasks directly or delegating them...

Kazakhstan has been included among the world’s 20 leading countries in aviation safety. This was announced at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS 2026), where international experts described Kazakhstan’s aviation strategy as a model of partnership.

Chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee Saltanat Tompiyeva presented figures that impressed ICAO’s top leadership: the aviation security compliance rate jumped from 62% to 95.7%, while the flight safety rating rose to 82% — well above both the global (69.3%) and European (76%) averages. Kazakhstan’s 2025 passenger traffic also exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 80%.

President of the ICAO Council Toshiyuki Onuma highlighted that...

Madonna makes a comeback — the singer has announced the release date of her new album “Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II” on Instagram.

This marks the continuation of Madonna’s iconic 2005 album “Confessions on a Dance Floor” and her first studio album in seven years since “Madame X.” It also marks her return to Warner Records for the first time in twenty years.

Madonna is again working with producer Stuart Price, who is behind the original album and such hits as “Hung Up” and “Sorry.”

Kazakhstan has seen an increase in the number of legal entities with foreign capital, rising 10% year over year to 65,952 companies, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.

Regional neighbors drive growth

The main drivers of this growth over the past year have not been Western countries, but Kazakhstan’s immediate neighbors — particularly Uzbekistan.

The number of companies with Uzbek capital surged 57.4% year over year, exceeding 9,600. The increase suggests that economic integration between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has reached a new level, with stronger logistics and trade ties.

According to Kazakh economist Ruslan Sultanov, the structure of foreign investment in Kazakhstan has shifted. By the end of 2025, the manufacturing sector attracted more investment than mining for the first time.

Gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows reached $20.4 billion, up 14.4% from $17.9 billion in 2024. The growth was driven primarily by non-resource sectors.

Investment in manufacturing rose to $4.4 billion, while mining attracted $3.4 billion. Investment in oil and gas production declined sharply to $0.6 billion, down from about $12.1 billion annually in 2018 and 2019.

In addition to manufacturing, investment increased in trade ($3.3 billion...

Apple may enter the segment of genuinely affordable personal computers. According to MyDrivers, the company plans to launch a new desktop model Mac Neo, which could be priced at around $299.

The device is expected to be a simplified version of the Mac mini, equipped with the A19 Pro chip, which is also anticipated to power the next generation of MacBook Neo. The standard configuration may have 12 gigabytes of RAM, which should be enough for routine tasks and work.

To reduce the price, Apple could replace conventional aluminum with plastic for...

On April 17, Freedom Holding Corp. announced the acquisition of ChessBase, one of the world’s oldest and largest providers of chess software, analytics and data.

The company aims to strengthen its market position by expanding AI use and integrating the platform into its digital ecosystem, with planned investments of around €5 million.

Ecosystem integration and team retention

According to Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov, ChessBase is a strong brand with a rich history.

«Our collaboration will not only strengthen the platform’s position among professional chess players but also open up new opportunities, as more...

After nine days on the run, a two-year-old wolf named Neukgu that escaped its enclosure at the O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, was safely captured on April 17 following multiple failed attempts, according to the BBC.

According to a Facebook post by Daejeon city authorities, the wolf is recovering after treatment at a veterinary hospital. It also lost some weight and appeared to have fed on something. Moreover, a fishing hook was discovered and removed via endoscopy. The animal will be monitored for about a week for infectious diseases.

Authorities...

More than four months after a devastating fire struck a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, former residents are preparing to return briefly to their homes to recover personal belongings, Reuters reported.

The blaze, which occurred in late November, destroyed multiple high-rise towers, killed 168 people and displaced over 4,000 residents. Many have not been able the opportunity to visit their damaged apartments until now, but will soon be granted access. Between April 20 and May 4, all residents will be given a three-hour window to recover essential items such as cash, family photographs and other...

The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding, may finance two rare earth metal mining projects, Baiterek Managing Director Aidyn Akan told reporters on the sidelines of the MINEX Kazakhstan 2026 forum.

Read also: US moves to counter China on minerals with new Kazakhstan pact.

Akan said Baiterek financed $2.5 billion in mining projects in 2025, out of a total loan portfolio of approximately $20 billion.

Read also: The US and Kazakhstan eye billions in landmark tungsten deal.

He...

Belarus has adopted a law introducing administrative penalties for what it describes as the «propaganda» of LGBT+ people, gender reassignment and voluntary childlessness. The measure was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Alexander Lukashenko, according to state news agency BELTA.

What the law says

The legislation adds Article 19.16 to the Code of Administrative Offenses. It establishes liability for what authorities define as the «propaganda of homosexual relations, gender reassignment, childlessness and pedophilia.»

The ban covers the dissemination of information that presents such topics as attractive.

Penalties

Individuals can face fines...

The Republic of Moldova will officially withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States on April 8, 2027 — 12 months after notifying the organization’s secretariat in Minsk, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.

Reasons for withdrawal

The ministry said that, in practical terms, Moldova has long functioned as only a nominal member of the CIS, having avoided participation in political and other activities that do not align with its interests for several years.

Officials added that the decision reflects concerns that key CIS principles — including respect for territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders...

Berlin could reward tourists for picking up litter or supporting city initiatives, according to Die Welt.

The project is called BerlinPay and is planned for launch this summer. The idea is simple — visitors receive rewards for doing something beneficial for the city. These could include perks from partner businesses or special local experiences.

The focus is on activities in and around waterways. Tourists are encouraged to collect litter, help with beautification, and participate in social projects.

The initiative is currently seeking partner businesses connected to Berlin’s waterways, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural and educational institutions...

After reports of a possible visit by Shakira and Eminem to Almaty circulated online, concert organizer Alexey Puchkov shared details about the artists’ requirements and the status of negotiations.

Read also: J.Lo’s Almaty diary: Locusts for me, beshbarmak for the band.

According to Puchkov, talks with Shakira have been ongoing for some time, but no confirmed offers have been made. He shared a screenshot of correspondence with Tony Goldring, indicating that the singer’s performance fee for Kazakhstan is estimated at $7.5 million.

Shakira’s management also requires a venue with...

Japan is preparing to relax its long-standing restrictions on arms exports, drawing interest from countries seeking alternatives to U.S. weapons supplies, Reuters reported.

The policy shift, expected to be formally adopted soon, is part of efforts by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government to strengthen the country’s defense industry and expand its role in global security cooperation. Although Japan has largely stayed out of international arms markets since World War II, it produces advanced military equipment, including submarines and fighter jets, and has increased its defense budget this year.

The move comes as U.S. allies look to...

Residents of the Khorazm and Bukhara regions have shared videos of a powerful dust storm. The footage shows strong winds lifting dust into a fog-like layer along the ground. The sky is completely obscured and visibility is severely reduced.

A dust storm was also reported in the city of Urgench. A driver showed footage of his vehicle moving through a brown haze. Notably, Uzbekistan’s Hydrometeorological Service forecast

Citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will no longer be able to enter one of Europe’s most well-known military museums.

Read also: Kusama in Kazakhstan: New Almaty museum unveils modern art Mecca.

The Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung museum in the German city of Koblenz has imposed strict entry restrictions on residents of several countries.

The museum administration said the decision is not based on discretion but on legal requirements. According to an official statement, the ban is tied to military security rules and applies to citizens of countries included on a designated list.

A social media trend dubbed «becoming Chinese» is drawing global attention, as young people share videos showcasing elements of Chinese culture in their daily lives. Posts featuring habits such as drinking hot water, eating traditional foods, or praising China’s infrastructure have gained millions of views online, The Associated Press reported.

The trend reflects a broader rise in China’s soft power, though it differs from long-standing government-led efforts. Instead, the recent online phenomenon appears to be more organic, spreading through entertainment, consumer products and everyday cultural practices.

Air New Zealand is set to make its long-haul flights more comfortable, allowing passengers to sleep not just in seats but in beds. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at when the new option will be available on board and how much it will cost.

The sleeping accommodation, called Economy Skynest, resembles bunk beds on a sleeper train. The facility is planned to debut in November 2026 aboard the company’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with bookings available starting May 18.

Skynest features six lie-flat pods and is located between the economy and premium economy...

Two men from New Jersey have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a scheme that helped North Korean operatives infiltrate U.S. companies and generate around $5 million, according to CNN.

Zhenxing «Danny» Wang, 39, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison, while Kejia «Tony» Wang, 42, received a nine-year sentence from a federal court in Boston for their involvement in a large-scale fraud operation. Both men facilitated overseas technology workers in securing jobs at major U.S. companies through so-called «laptop farms» operated from their homes.

These setups involved company-issued computers that allowed remote workers to...

At a Senate briefing, reporters asked Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov about losses suffered by Kazakhstani businessmen due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. He said that many business projects are currently on hold.

Issetov said that Kazakhstani entrepreneurs are currently in a wait-and-see approach but did not name specific projects.

«We had grain supplies. There were projects on mutual exchange of food products. These are likely on hold,» the deputy minister said in general terms.

In response to a question about financial and investment losses due to the war, Issetov said there...