News

Luxury sales in the Middle East have fallen sharply, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the Iran conflict disrupts one of the industry’s key growth regions, Reuters reported.

In March, sales at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates dropped by 30% to 50% compared with the same period last year, while foot traffic declined by 15%. At the larger Dubai Mall, visitor numbers fell by around 50%, suggesting an even steeper sales downturn. In Abu Dhabi, performance was more resilient but still showed a roughly 10% decline at the Galleria mall.

The slowdown reflects the impact of...

The sowing campaign is in full swing in the Turkestan region, in southern Kazakhstan, which is a challenging time for local wildlife — thousands of tortoises, lizards and snakes end up at risk in the steppe due to heavy machinery.

Volunteers from the Tasbaqa environment fund came to the animals’ aid. They collected the animals by hand directly in the fields where machinery was about to operate. All the tortoises found were placed in buckets and carried to safe areas. The injured ones were examined and given necessary care.

Pope Leo XIV has said he will continue to «speak out loudly» against war following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over his positions on immigration and the conflict involving Iran, the BBC reported.

Trump described the Pope as «weak on crime» and «terrible for foreign policy» in a social media post, later telling reporters he was «not a big fan.» He also suggested the pontiff was ineffective in addressing global security concerns, particularly nuclear threats.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to Algeria, the Pope declined to engage directly with Trump’s remarks. He emphasized that his role is...

Kazakhstani Counter-Strike 2 player Danil «molodoy» Golubenko came into the media spotlight after arriving in Brazil. Fans gave the player an enthusiastic reception.

The video posted on Instagram shows dozens of fans surrounding the player at an airport terminal. The caption reads, «They’ve arrived!» Numerous comments in Portuguese suggest that molodoy has already been embraced by the local community.

However, the main hype...

An Osh businessman approached Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov with an unusual request. He asked the head of state to provide the city with 2 to 3 tons of gold as compensation.

What happened

During his trip to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley, Japarov met with local residents and answered their questions. One of those who spoke was Aidar Bakyev, an entrepreneur and former adviser to the mayor of Osh. Citing the difficult situation that local entrepreneurs have faced due to the former mayor’s actions, he asked the president for gold. He said the...

Australia has announced that a woman will lead its army for the first time, as part of broader changes to the country’s defense leadership, Reuters reported.

Lt. Gen. Susan Coyle, currently serving as chief of joint capabilities, is set to take over as chief of army in July. She will succeed Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, according to a government statement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the appointment as historic, noting it marks the first time in the Australian Army’s 125-year history that a woman will hold the position. Defense Minister Richard Marles also highlighted the significance of the move...

Shanghai Construction Group, one of China’s largest construction companies, plans to build a new EXPO center in Almaty. The city’s Akimat (mayor’s office) confirmed the project to Kursiv.media.

Preliminary conceptual design for the EXPO center is underway, with a focus on modern standards and integration into the city’s business and events ecosystem.

Immersive 360-degree sphere also proposed

Officials also announced plans for a 360-degree sphere. The venue is envisioned as a multifunctional space offering fully immersive experiences for visitors.

The sphere would support ultra-high-definition panoramic visuals, with flexible configurations for cultural and entertainment events, educational programming and interactive...

Britney Spears has voluntarily entered a treatment facility, following a recent arrest for driving under the influence, NBC News reported.

In early March, the California Highway Patrol stopped the singer’s black BMW 430i after observing her driving «erratically at a high rate of speed» on a highway. After a series of field sobriety tests, Spears was taken into custody and later released with an order to appear at Ventura County Superior Court on May 4.

At the time, her representative described the incident as «completely inexcusable» and expressed hope it would mark the beginning of necessary changes in...

Deputy Governor of the Aktobe region Abzal Abdikarimov met with a delegation from Shell Kazakhstan to discuss investment projects, further cooperation and the launch of geological exploration at the Zhanaturmys oil and gas block under a project implemented by the company as part of a contract with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy signed on March 5, 2026.

The block covers the Mugalzhar and Alga districts of the Aktobe Region. The project includes seismic surveys, the collection of geological data and their technical assessment.

The Governor’s Office also presented current indicators of the region’s oil and gas sector...

Péter Magyar, president of the Tisza Party and Hungary’s incoming prime minister, has pledged to restore democratic checks and balances and strengthen the country’s ties with the European Union and NATO following a decisive election victory on Sunday, Euronews reported.

Speaking to supporters in Budapest, Magyar said Hungary would «once again be a strong ally» in Europe and announced plans to visit Warsaw, Vienna and Brussels. In Brussels, he aims to negotiate the release of billions of euros in EU funds currently frozen. He also committed to joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to address financial oversight and...

The Almaty Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into a new leak of personal and medical data involving students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

A university adviser told Ulysmedia that documents containing the personal data of female students and staff — including highly sensitive medical information — have been circulated among faculty advisers.

Such disclosures violate personal data protection laws and basic ethical standards, and could cause serious psychological harm. The documents reportedly include information about students hospitalized for miscarriages and uterine bleeding.

Second major data breach in two years

This is the second high-profile incident of its...

The Astana Ballet responded to an inquiry from Kursiv.media regarding a recent onstage photo shoot by Assel Issabayeva, the second wife of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, which drew widespread attention on social media. However, most of the outlet’s questions went unanswered.

Background from Nazarbayev’s memoir

Nazarbayev publicly acknowledged Issabayeva in his memoir, «My Life,» released Dec. 1, 2023. In the book, he discussed his personal life, revealing for the first time that he has a second wife and two sons with her, and that his first wife, Sara Nazarbayeva, had forgiven...

The North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), operator of the Kashagan oil field, has lost its appeal of a 2.3 trillion tenge environmental fine in Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court.

Oil and gas industry expert Nurlan Zhumagulov said on his Energy Monitor channel that the company is delaying payment pending a decision by an international arbitration tribunal.

Collection efforts may face delays

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology can now move to enforce the fine and begin collection. However, NCOC may still challenge the fine itself, as earlier proceedings focused only on the procedures used to verify the violations.

Experts say...

A stampede at Citadelle Laferrière, one of Haiti’s most iconic landmarks, has left at least 30 people dead, Le Nouvelliste reported.

The tragedy occurred in northern Haiti during national celebrations, when large crowds gathered at the historic fortress.

Jean Henri Petit, head of civil defense for the Nord department, said the site had become overcrowded with visitors, leading to panic and a deadly crush.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to determine the exact circumstances.

Officials warned that the death toll could rise as more information becomes available.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has concluded a working visit to Uzbekistan, where he held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

During the visit, the two leaders met and toured several historical and industrial sites in Bukhara.

Mirziyoyev said the visit reflects the centuries-old friendship and close ties between the two nations, as well as the continued strengthening of their strategic partnership.

The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation. They agreed to enhance coordination between their governments to boost trade and industrial output, support businesses and encourage economic activity.

They also discussed joint projects...

On April 8, a two-year-old wolf named Neukgu broke free after digging a hole from its enclosure at the Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, and has been on the run for three days, prompting concern in the area and drawing attention on social media, Reuters reported.

The incident prompted an elementary school to close and mobilized over 100 firefighters, police officers and military personnel, as well as drones, to search for the animal on the run. Even South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X, expressing hope for...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned of prolonged damage to the global economy from the Iran war. The institution plans to downgrade its global growth forecasts due to the conflict, Euronews reported.

Georgieva said that even in the best-case scenario, higher energy costs, infrastructure damage, supply disruptions and weaker market confidence will weigh on global growth. IMF research shows that output in war-affected countries initially fell by about 3% and continues to decline for years.

The IMF is prepared to provide between $20 billion and $50 billion in emergency balance-of-payments support to affected countries, depending...

In 2027, Kazakhstan plans to place three new Earth observation satellites into orbit using a SpaceX launch vehicle, Chairman of Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary Kaiyrzhan Kozhayev said, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported.

Current stage

He said the satellites have already been assembled and tested in Astana. All required systems have been procured, and final equipment checks and firmware updates are underway. The trials are scheduled to begin in the middle of this year.

«Looking ahead to 2029 to 2030, we plan to launch three spacecraft to establish a constellation of six satellites,» Kozhayev added.

SpaceX rockets

The new...

Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen described music as a powerful diplomatic tool during an interview at the Freedom Inside 2026 forum in Astana.

«Music is an indispensable diplomatic tool. I will continue my work in this direction. Our arms are always open to anyone who wants to be friends with our people and Kazakhstan,» he said.

«Music is a magical phenomenon. I don’t have enough words to describe its power,» he added.

AI’s growing role in music

Dimash also addressed the increasing use of artificial intelligence in...

According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, elections to Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, will be held in August.

«As head of state, I consider it extremely important to provide advance notice of events of great significance to our country. Therefore, immediately after the new constitution takes effect, I will sign a decree to hold elections for the unicameral Kurultai. The elections will take place this August,» the president said in a statement.

Authorities believe that five months before the elections is sufficient time for political parties to present their programs to voters.

The Senate of Kazakhstan has approved an agreement with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to create a shared corridor for green energy. The project aims to link Central Asia’s energy systems with Europe.

Under the plan, electricity will initially be transmitted via a cable across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, then routed through Georgia and across the Black Sea to Romania, and onward to European Union countries.

Questions about capacity and competition

On the sidelines of Parliament, journalists asked whether Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan might compete for the cable’s capacity.

Vice Minister of Energy Sanzhar Zharkeshov said he does...

Freedom Telecom International and e&, a telecommunications company from the United Arab Emirates, have reached an agreement on strategic cooperation. Under the document signed on April 2, the parties will create a joint platform to explore commercial opportunities worldwide and attract a wide range of telecommunications operators. Both organizations will maintain full operational independence.

Synergy of technology and experience

The Emirati company e& has extensive experience in international markets, offering customers cutting-edge solutions in commercial optimization, digital transformation and large-scale operational management. In turn, Freedom Telecom International provides clients with its parent company’s expertise in building a diversified digital...

Japan-based vehicle maker Honda announced plans to launch its compact electric vehicle (EV), marketed as delivering an engine-powered car-like driving experience, the Honda Super-ONE, in late May 2026 in Japan, the company said in a release.

The carmaker also announced that pre-orders will start on April 16 at dealerships across the country. The Honda Super-ONE is described as the lightest in its class in the Japanese market, weighing 1,090 kilograms, achieved through a dedicated chassis with a widened tread and a thin floor-mounted battery that concentrates heavy components and lowers the center of gravity. The declared...

Joseph Baena, the youngest son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, took first place at the Iron Gladiator bodybuilding competition hosted by the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA). By earning his professional card, he also qualified to compete for a spot at the Natural Olympia championship, the Los Angeles Times reported.

He debuted as an amateur at the National Physique Committee Natural Colorado State Championships last month, winning first place in three divisions: Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice and Men’s Classic Physique Novice.

By winning in Classic Physique at the INBA-organized Iron Gladiator competition, Baena earned...