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 — a title traditionally held by the Medeu Alpine Skating Rink.
Nevertheless, the facility is already...
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 meters from the shore, the illuminated 80-meter floating Christmas tree is visible along a wide stretch of Botafogo Beach. Surrounded by the iconic scenery of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, the glowing installation attracted large crowds at its opening, which was marked by a fireworks...
On Nov. 28, Ryanair announced that people can no longer sign up for its Prime membership loyalty program, according to Euronews.
The company decided to roll back its loyalty initiative eight months after the launch in March due to high costs. The airline reported that the program brought in over €4.4 million from membership fees but it gave out more than €6 million in fare discounts, so it was not financially sustainable.
The program was designed for frequent travelers and offered perks like free reserved seats, travel insurance and monthly special seat deals for €79 per year.
As...
The legendary former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has resumed his hockey career. The ex-footballer signed with Haringey Huskies — an ice-hockey club playing in the NIHL 2 South East Division, which is effectively the fourth tier of the National Ice Hockey League in the U.K.
«I am absolutely delighted to announce the signing of Petr Cech! He’s a top-class ice-hockey goalie with valuable experience on the ice with the Belfast Giants, as well as a cabinet full of major football honors. We’re confident he is going to raise standards across the entire...
A painting depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, attributed to Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, and believed to have been lost for over 400 years, was sold for €2.3 million at an auction in Versailles this weekend.
The artwork, created by the renowned Flemish painter who lived from 1577 to 1640, was uncovered earlier this year inside a private residence in Paris, where it had remained hidden for centuries.
Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said he suspected the painting’s importance as soon as he saw it. He worked persistently to secure its authentication, which was ultimately confirmed by the...
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 solo show by a CIS performer at the Giza Pyramids.
«Welcome to our show! Thank you for coming! Thank you for your precious time!» Dimash greeted the audience at the beginning of the concert.
The magical atmosphere of the ancient plateau, illuminated by...
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 holy shrines. However, the church’s walls hide dramatic and mystical stories.
The cathedral went through difficult times in history. In 1919, on its porch, unknown people assassinated priest Parfeniy, demanding that he publicly reject God. He refused and continued praying in front of the congregation, for...
Al-Nassr and Portugal national team forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become a co-owner of the Spanish fighting promotion Way of Warrior FC (WOW FC). Ronaldo said he identifies with the organization’s values and intends to help elevate mixed martial arts to a new level of global development.
Partnership with UFC Champion Ilia Topuria
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is one of the promotion’s key shareholders and ambassadors. The Spanish fighter joined WOW FC in 2024, a move widely credited with boosting the league’s visibility. Reacting to Ronaldo’s involvement, Topuria said the football star represents the highest standard...
Actress Reese Witherspoon’s debut novel, «Gone Before Goodbye» — co-written with bestselling crime author Harlan Coben — has already become a sensation in the U.S. Readers are talking not only about the «Legally Blonde» star’s literary debut, but also about the book’s surprising setting: nearly the entire story takes place in Russia, specifically Moscow’s wealthy Rublyovka district.
A thriller set in Russia’s elite circles
The novel follows Maggie McCabe, a military surgeon who loses both her husband and her medical license. Desperate, she accepts a risky job in Russia, where she is hired to perform plastic surgery on...
Espace Gabrielle Chanel, described as the first public library of its kind, has opened in Shanghai. The roughly 1,700-square-meter space was designed by Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto and is located on the third floor of the Power Station of Art museum.
A collection of more than 50,000 works
The library holds more than 50,000 books and audiobooks, including over 10,000 titles accessible to visitors. It will also host an archive dedicated to Chinese contemporary art.
Theater and exhibition space planned
A 300-seat public theater is planned as part of the project. The site also includes an...
Argentine President Javier Milei has canceled his trip to the U.S. Milei had been expected to attend the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5 as a high-ranking representative of the reigning world champion and as a special guest of Donald Trump.
A signal to the AFA
The Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Milei is sending a clear message by withdrawing from the event: He is distancing himself from the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The apparent trigger may have been the AFA’s Nov. 27 decision to impose a six-month suspension on Juan Sebastián Verón, president...
Nineteen-year-old Kazakh national team goalkeeper Damira Zhaparova scored against Norway in front of her idol, 45-year-old handball legend Katrine Lunde. Kazakhstan lost 41-16 in their second-round match of the IHF Women’s Handball World Championship preliminary group stage in Trier, Germany.
A dream moment against a childhood hero
Before the start of the World Championship, Zhaparova — the energetic goalkeeper for Astana and the national team — told the tournament’s press service that Lunde was her role model. Lunde, a three-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion and seven-time European champion, scored only three goals in 365 appearances for Norway.
Turkmenistan has adopted a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining and the operation of crypto exchanges and exchange services. The new regulations will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, as reported by Rbc.ru, citing the newspaper «Neutral Turkmenistan.»
The law governs the creation, issuance, storage and circulation of virtual assets. Cryptocurrencies will be recognized as civil property but not as legal currency or securities. Both secured and unsecured digital assets are permitted.
Mining will be allowed for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities, all of whom must register with the country’s central bank. Unauthorized or hidden mining using someone else’s computing...
Millions of people around the world admire Dimash Qudaibergen for his extraordinary voice and creative energy, which bring together fans from many countries. Based on testimonials collected from devoted fans in Belgium and Switzerland, he could be described as an exceptionally effective «cultural therapist.»
More than a voice
His impact goes beyond music. Many fans say his performances helped them through difficult times, eased depression and loneliness, and strengthened their confidence.
A recent survey of Dimash’s fan clubs gathered responses from his followers in Belgium. While the core group of Belgian «Dears» includes only 27 members, their...
The name of Rakhat Aliyev, former son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev, appears in recently released correspondence linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein. In the documents, Aliyev sought help securing safe relocation to the U.S. and recovering roughly $2 billion that he said his family lost after their business assets were confiscated in Kazakhstan.
Asking for help
According to the files, Aliyev fled to Europe after losing influence in Kazakhstan in 2007-2008. He reportedly hoped that the circumstances surrounding his seized assets would damage Nazarbayev’s standing in the West. Aliyev also hired the Washington firm RJI Government Strategies...
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 Francis and his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
The head of the project is sculptor Adam Bakoš, who led a team of ice artisans from Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Germany.
The ice dome reflects the style of the famous Roman Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, recognized as...
Freedom Bank has received permission from Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market to open a subsidiary bank in Georgia, the bank said in a statement.
«The next step is the registration of FBG Company JSC, a special-purpose vehicle that will be authorized to obtain a digital bank license from the National Bank of Georgia,» the statement read.
At the first stage, FBG Company is expected to obtain a banking license. Upon receipt of the document, the company will be transformed into a commercial bank and renamed Freedom Bank Georgia...
The board of the world’s most visited museum — the Louvre in Paris — voted on Nov. 27 to increase entry ticket prices for citizens of non-European nations, the BBC reported.
According to the museum’s official site, the current general admission fare is €22. For visitors from outside the European Economic Area — which includes EU nations, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein — the updated price will be €32 starting Jan. 14, marking a 45% increase.
In 2024, the Louvre said it welcomed 8.7 million visitors, 77% of whom...
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 for men, CNN reported.
According to some estimates, about one in three women experiences hair loss. Unlike men, female pattern hair loss is often linked to genetics and hormones and usually causes thinning across the entire scalp. It can also be triggered by pregnancy...
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 homelands will form the foundation of the menu. The main dish will be beshbarmak with horse meat.
The comment section has united people from around the world, most of them expressing enthusiasm, with users admitting their curiosity to try horse meat.
The restaurant will operate in...
Stephen King’s novel «It» may be rewritten after Russia’s AST publishing house announced it is considering changes following a complaint about «inappropriate content.»
The publisher said its editors launched an internal review after receiving a complaint alleging the book contained «depictions of nontraditional relationships.» As a result, the current print run has been pulled from sale. AST did not disclose who filed the complaint.
Pennywise redacted
AST General Director Tatyana Gorskaya said the review will determine whether the novel complies with Russian law. If experts conclude that edits are required, the publisher plans to contact the copyright holder...
Demand for Louis Vuitton and Gucci products remained strong in 2025, with more than 13 Louis Vuitton items added to the eBay marketplace every minute, according to analysts at the online platform. Prada, Burberry, Armani, and Dior followed, underscoring continued interest in iconic fashion houses.
New names and growing popularity
Alongside established brands, emerging designers also saw a notable rise in attention. Jonathan Anderson’s debut at Dior drove a 390% increase in searches for the brand, while Demna Gvasalia’s appointment at Gucci boosted interest by 87%.
How pop culture shapes demand
Major pop-culture moments in 2025 had...
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool and England defender and football expert for Sky Sports and other outlets, believes that Arne Slot has only one week left to retain his role as the club’s coach.
«Arne Slot has a week to save his job. No matter how much goodwill the manager has, Liverpool Football Club cannot sustain the drop in standards witnessed over the past three months,» Carragher wrote.
At the same time, the former player noted that he was surprised by the fans’ discussion of Slot’s potential dismissal...
A Soyuz spacecraft successfully delivered two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut to the International Space Station on Thursday, even as damage was reported at the launch facility in Kazakhstan following liftoff, Deutsche Welle reported.
Roscosmos confirmed that several components of the launch complex at the Baikonur Cosmodrome were damaged during the morning launch. The agency said repair work would begin immediately and expressed confidence that operations could resume quickly. However, some Russian space analysts cautioned that restoring the site could take longer than officials anticipate.
According to Vitaly Egorov, a Russian space enthusiast who runs «Zelenyikot i...