News

Zhongjian Hengxin Mining, a new company with Chinese capital, has been registered with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). According to its profile, the company will engage in geological exploration, surveying and services supporting mineral extraction.

The company was founded by Chinese citizen Jian Zheng, who contributed $5 million in equity capital, a relatively large investment for a newly registered AIFC company.

Interestingly, the company’s registered address — 56 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Block B, Yesil District, Astana — is the same as that of several other Chinese companies operating in the mining sector.

Among them is Tianshan Resources, a...

A video showing popular streamer IShowSpeed meeting members of K-pop group BTS became the most-viewed Instagram Reel in history within its first 24 hours after being uploaded. It garnered 300 million views within a day. Kursiv LifeStyle explains what happened.

The meeting took place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. IShowSpeed performed during the closing ceremony before kick-off, while BTS performed during the halftime show.

During the second half, the streamer learned that the BTS members were in a corridor near his box...

Anuar Utemuratov, a Kazakh businessman, has joined the board of directors of British fintech company Pockit. In his new role, he will serve alongside other investors in the company, including former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Revolut Chairman Martin Gilbert, Forbes Kazakhstan reported, citing City AM.

Founded by Virraj Jatania in 2014, Pockit provides banking services to people who struggle to open traditional bank accounts in the U.K. This is often due to a lack of credit history, a permanent address or a low credit score. Through its digital checking account, prepaid cards and mobile app, customers...

More than 172,000 Kazakh citizens have officially registered their decision on posthumous organ donation through the government’s online services portal eGov. Of those, about 156,100 registered a refusal, while around 16,100 gave consent, according to the Ministry of Healthcare.

According to the ministry, 150 organ transplants were performed in Kazakhstan during the first half of 2026, including 108 kidney transplants, 31 liver transplants, five heart transplants, two lung transplants and four corneal transplants. Of those, 121 were performed using organs from living donors and 29 from deceased donors.

In addition, 108 potential deceased organ donors were...

Since the beginning of 2026, there have been 200 attempts to enter Kazakhstan using forged passports or passports belonging to other people, Kazakhstan’s Border Service of the National Security Committee reported.

Most violators used forged visas and document forms with other people’s data.

Such cases are most frequently detected along the southern sections of the border and at international air border checkpoints.

In 2025, 661 similar offenses were recorded.

“The Border Service of the National Security Committee informs that crossing the border using forged or someone else’s documents carries criminal liability,” the agency said.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement said it would prevent ships from loading or unloading at Saudi ports, threatening to disrupt Saudi oil exports equivalent to about 7% of global oil supply, Reuters reported.

Although Saudi Arabia has not requested U.S. military assistance, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would respond if the group interfered with shipping in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, some U.S. officials are concerned that any Houthi attempt to disrupt Red Sea shipping linked to Saudi Arabia could open a new front in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Such a scenario would likely require the U.S...

Astana will host the international Comic Con Astana festival from Aug. 6 to 9. One of the festival’s headline guests will be British-Spanish actor Taz Skylar, best known for playing Sanji in Netflix’s live-action series “One Piece,” the Astana mayor’s office announced.

Skylar gained widespread recognition through his role of Sanji, a cook and martial artist, in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime “One Piece.”

Beyond “One Piece,” Skylar has also appeared in the film and TV series “Boiling Point,” the action thriller “Cleaner,” the war drama “The Kill...

Dimash Qudaibergen will embark on a major Latin America tour in November 2026. His new concert program, DiMENSIONS, will visit four cities in Mexico, along with the capitals of Colombia and Chile.

Dimash’s new tour will place a stronger focus on Mexico following the overwhelming response to his two concerts in Mexico City last year. Tickets for both performances sold out within hours.

Tour schedule

Between January and May 2026, Kazakhstan exported 7,990 tons of chilled beef worth $56.7 million.

Uzbekistan was by far the largest destination for Kazakhstan’s chilled beef exports. According to TradeReport, the country accounted for about 91% of Kazakhstan’s total chilled beef exports during the period, highlighting the sector’s heavy reliance on the neighboring Central Asian market.

Tajikistan ranked second, importing 717 tons of chilled beef valued at $4.9 million. The United Arab Emirates imported just 9 tons, worth $160,000. Overall, Kazakhstan’s chilled beef exports remain concentrated in a small number of markets, with most shipments destined for...

Kazakhstan’s National Bank is evaluating several models for integrating confiscated cryptocurrency into the country’s financial system, including the possible creation of a National Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve.

In a statement, the central bank said it is working with other government agencies on arrangements for seizing, confiscating, storing and managing digital assets obtained through criminal activity. The proposal also calls for the Central Securities Depository (CSD) to establish a cryptocurrency custody service.

State crypto custodian

If implemented, the plan would effectively make the CSD the government’s official crypto custodian, responsible for safeguarding wallets containing confiscated

Millions of people recently cheered for their favorite teams during the FIFA World Cup, whether in stadiums or in front of their televisions. A new study by Japanese researchers suggests that these shared experiences may do more than bring people together — they may also trigger measurable physiological changes.

Watching sports together

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Tsukuba and published in the journal Translational Psychiatry. The researchers set out to examine what happens in the body when people watch sporting events together.

The study included 60 adults, including 21 women...

Meteorologists are forecasting heavy rain in the mountains around Almaty, which could trigger mudflows. Kursiv Lifestyle explains when it could be life-threatening to head into the mountains.

During the recent 40°C heat, residents found relief in the mountains. They shared videos on social media showing dozens of people relaxing there, especially near waterfalls and mountain rivers.

Now, however, as Kazhydromet, Kazakhstan’s national hydrometeorological service, forecasts temperatures...

Kazakhstan is set to scale up vehicle production and step up the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) at its automotive plants, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said at a government meeting.

According to him, 11 plants currently produce passenger cars, buses, trucks and special-purpose vehicles in the country. In 2025, two major plants — KIA Qazaqstan and Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan — began operations. Combined investment in their construction exceeded $735 million.

Kazakhstan intends to significantly expand the range of vehicles produced in the country by 2028. Following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev‘s state visit to...

Los Angeles is on track to record another increase in the number of animals found dead on city streets, while overcrowded animal shelters continue to face declining adoption rates, KTLA reported.

Data from the first half of 2026 show more than 13,600 dead animals were removed from public streets, exceeding the number recorded during the same period the previous year. Most of these cases involve roadkill, with cats representing the largest share, followed by dogs, raccoons and opossums.

Animal welfare experts suggest that limited access to spay and neuter services is one factor contributing to the problem. Animals that...

Spain’s national team became world champion for the second time in history, and Electronic Arts extended its unusual winning streak. The company’s football simulator once again correctly predicted the FIFA World Cup winner, making it five consecutive successful predictions. Kursiv LifeStyle explains how EA has managed to maintain its flawless prediction streak since 2010.

Ahead of the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, EA ran a simulation of the tournament and named Spain the main contender for the title. The prediction came true as Spain reached the final and won its...

One of the world’s brightest young football stars, Lamine Yamal, is rumored to own several high-end cars. However, the footballer has never publicly confirmed ownership of any of the vehicles linked to him, according to Syarah.

The 19-year-old FC Barcelona winger is widely regarded as one of football’s biggest rising stars. As a result, fans are interested not only in his performances on the field but also in the luxury cars he is reportedly associated with.

Audi RS 7 Sportback

The car most frequently linked to Yamal is the Audi RS 7 Sportback Performance, a...

Rapper Gunwest claimed he became a dollar millionaire overnight after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The artist said he wagered 100 million rubles (about $1.2 million) on Spain to win and later added another 10 million rubles to the bet. After Spain’s 1-0 victory, he claimed his total payout exceeded 180 million rubles (over $2.2 million).

Gunwest shared screenshots of his bets and videos from the bar where he watched the match on his social media accounts, celebrating the win.

The rapper also joked that he might buy singer Larisa Dolina’s apartment, which...

The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee started in Busan, South Korea on July 19.

One of the key events for Kazakhstan will be the examination of the application to include the Rock Mosques of Mangystau and Associated Sacred Sites in the World Heritage List.

According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the session is taking place from July 19 to July 29. It has brought together about 3,000 participants from 196 States Parties to the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as representatives of international organizations and...

A factory producing humanoid and educational robots will be built in Almaty, becoming the first overseas manufacturing facility for Chinese robotics company UBTECH Robotics.

Agreement signed in Shanghai

According to the Almaty akimat (mayor’s office), the agreement was signed during a business forum in Shanghai attended by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The document was signed by the Almaty akimat, Nero Robotics and UBTECH Robotics.

Almaty will become the first city outside China to host a UBTECH Robotics manufacturing facility. Construction is already underway, with operations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

At Pompeii Archaeological Park in Italy, one of the most unusual exhibits isn’t an ancient artifact but a collection of items returned by tourists. Over the years, visitors from around the world have mailed back stones, mosaic fragments and other objects they took from the archaeological site, often accompanied by letters expressing remorse.

Some say they were driven by guilt. Others claim the souvenirs brought them years of bad luck, insisting the so-called “Pompeii curse” is more than just a legend.

“I didn’t know about the curse. Please accept my apology and these pieces...

In 2025, China was the largest export market for nine of Kazakhstan’s regions, while Russia ranked first for seven. Italy, Switzerland and Uzbekistan were the top export destinations for the remaining regions.

Read also: Between giants: Kazakhstan’s deepening ties to China and Russia.

The map below shows the country to which each region of Kazakhstan exported the greatest value of goods last year. The visual was compiled by Nurasyl Abdrazakuly, a Kazakh data scientist and a frequent collaborator on our infographics.

CHINA

This fall, direct flights between Almaty and Chongqing, one of the world’s most populous cities, will launch. Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan will operate the route, the airline said in a statement.

Regular direct flights on the Almaty-Chongqing-Almaty route will begin on Sept. 23.

«The new service will become the airline’s fifth destination in China, complementing FlyArystan’s existing network to Urumqi, Yining (Ghulja) and Xi’an,» the company said in a release.

The service will operate twice a week, departing from Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Chongqing on Thursdays and Sundays.

Fans of Kazakhstani singer Dimash Qudaibergen created a 4.5-meter-tall sculpture of him. Kursiv LifeStyle found that the choice of the city where it was assembled was no coincidence.

Artist Olga Lidia Hernández and her team created a balloon sculpture of the singer. The installation was put on display at a shopping mall in Monterrey, Mexico, where Qudaibergen is set to perform on Nov. 14 as part of his world tour.

In Mexico, the events are also scheduled in Mérida, Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Previously, the singer’s fan clubs in Venezuela raised funds...

On July 19, Ricky Martin attended the Almaty Museum of Arts after performing his concert in the city. Kursiv LifeStyle explores which works impressed the singer the most.

The Puerto Rican performer received a private guided tour and left a note of thanks in the museum’s guest book.

The museum’s press service told Kursiv LifeStyle that Martin was most impressed by Richard Serra’s «Junction» sculpture and installation «Love is Calling» by Yayoi Kusama.

These were the same artworks the singer shared on Instagram. He also posted a photo on Instagram Stories of himself sitting in front of Anselm Kiefer‘s installation...