News

After a successful streak of four victories in the group stage of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam, Kazakhstan’s national women’s volleyball team was swept by the Philippines with a 0-3 scoreline (21-25, 15-25, 19-25).

Yesterday, the Kazakh team performed well in a match against Iran (winning 3-1), securing a spot in the semifinals before the end of the group stage — but losing the team’s leader Sana Anarkulova to injury.

Even though Kazakhstani athletes did their best, it wasn’t enough to win a single set. As in the previous match, Tatyana Nikitina delivered the most...

A neural network-generated reimagining of the «Harry Potter» saga has surfaced, offering a fresh perspective on what the characters might look like if they were Kazakh. The images have sparked buzz online, with some commenters saying the new cast looks even better than the original movie characters.

The project gained traction after Kazakh blogger Damir Murzagulov shared a video on Instagram featuring AI-rendered versions of the beloved characters. While Murzagulov is no stranger to experimenting with neural networks, this particular video quickly went viral, racking up more than 120,000 views in a single day.

Dmitry Dubovitsky, a popular Kazakhstani blogger and owner of the «Chto po dengam?» (What about the money?) podcast, recently explored why some Kazakhstanis like current U.S. President Donald Trump, whether he might run for a third term and what the potential consequences of that move could be.

Together with his guest economist Eldar Shamsutdinov, he broke down Trump’s domestic and international policy and the kind of impact it could have on Kazakhstan. The podcasters suggested that the U.S. president has earned respect among some Kazakhstanis, especially those born and raised in the Soviet Union, who often believe that charismatic...

British singer Robbie Williams, the headliner on the first day of the Park Live Almaty 2025 festival, addressed his Kazakh audience in a short video. The artist shared that he’s looking forward to performing in Kazakhstan this fall.

«Salam, Kazakhstan! Robbie Williams here. I can’t wait to entertain you in Kazakhstan on September 4th. And, strictly between us, I think, when I’m there, I might try kumis,» said Williams, who released his album “Britpop” and the single “Rocket” this year.

The recently concluded U.S.-China trade talks, which resumed on June 9 in London, focused on easing tensions over rare earth elements and advanced technology. These developments could place Kazakhstan and Ukraine at the forefront of the search for alternative sources of critical minerals.

President Donald Trump has authorized his trade team, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, to relax certain export restrictions on U.S. goods to China that were originally imposed over national security concerns. In exchange for easing or halting some of those restrictions, the U.S. wants China to release high volumes of rare earth materials, as...

The new World Bank (WB) forecast for Kazakhstan’s GDP growth is 0.2 percentage points lower than the January estimate. The decline was the most significant among Central Asian countries, according to the organization’s report. More generally, the WB expects Kazakhstan’s GDP growth in 2025 to reach 4.5%.

Nevertheless, expectations for GDP growth this year increased by 0.1 percentage points, reaching 3.6%. In 2027, the WB expects the country’s key economic indicator to grow by 3.5%. The bank’s estimates for 2027 were published for the first time.

On the other hand, the 2025 GDP forecast for Uzbekistan increased by 0.1 percentage...

Kazakhstan’s UrbanTech company Qala AI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nippon Koei, a prominent Japanese engineering consulting firm, to collaborate on the development and introduction of digital solutions for sustainable urban development. The partnership includes a focus on seismic risk analysis of Almaty’s infrastructure, as reported by Digitalbusiness.kz.

«This collaboration marks a strategic step toward developing and implementing digital solutions for smart city planning and seismic risk analysis in Almaty. As the city faces growing seismic risks, our joint efforts will focus on enhancing urban resilience and sustainable infrastructure development,» Dana Shukirbayeva, co-founder...

All players and coaching staff of Uzbekistan’s national football team were gifted cars following their victory in the final match against Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The game took place in Tashkent, with the hosts winning 3-0 (Turgunboev 28’, Shomurodov 86’, Sergeev 90+2’).

One round before the end of qualification, Uzbek players secured their spot at the World Cup for the first time in history by drawing with the UAE. The achievements of the team, led by Timur Kapadze — who replaced Slovenian coach Srečko Katanec — were duly recognized. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree...

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on June 16-17 at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The visit will include high-level talks focused on strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries. On June 17, Astana will host the second Central Asia-China summit, with the participation of regional leaders.

Central Asia-China vs. C5+1 platform

The first Central Asia-China summit was held on May 18, 2023, in Xi’an. The format mirrored the ministerial-level C5+1 diplomatic platform established in 2015 between the U.S. and the five Central Asian nations but included heads...

Last July, two male staff members at a mental health facility in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, were convicted of repeatedly raping two patients — one of whom was a minor incapable of resistance. Both men were sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay approximately $20,000 in damages to each victim, plus $1,180 in legal fees. The court cited a specific article of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code addressing sexual violence against minors by individuals in positions of authority.

This case is part of a broader, deeply troubling pattern of sexual abuse by medical professionals worldwide. In May, a court in Trondheim...

Freedom Broker has officially launched operations in Kyrgyzstan, marking its entry with a grand opening ceremony in Bishkek.

The event was attended by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov, Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov and representatives of Kyrgyz public agencies, development funds, banks, major local companies and investors.

«Freedom Broker has come to Kyrgyzstan not just as an international player, but as a reliable partner for local investors, businesses and individuals. The company aims to build long-term relationships within the Kyrgyz market and create the conditions necessary to attract investment to the country,» the...

Wearing niqabs (face veils worn by some Muslim women), burqas (veils that cover the entire face and body) and other garments that conceal the face may soon be prohibited in Kazakhstan. On June 10, the upper house of parliament, the Senate, reviewed amendments to legislation aimed at preventing legal violations.

The amendments, however, include exemptions. The prohibition will not apply in cases where face-concealing clothing is worn in compliance with the law, such as for medical reasons, civil protection, specific weather conditions or during participation in mass, sporting or cultural events.

Notably, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed support for traditional...

A new container terminal called Zhetysu has opened in Almaty. The project was developed by a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) in collaboration with the dry port of Xi’an.

With an annual capacity of 115,000 twenty-foot containers, the terminal will facilitate cargo transport via rail and road between Kazakhstan and China, enhancing connectivity while reducing costs.

«Kazakhstan aims to become a key transport and logistics hub in Central Asia and the Caspian region. We are steadily moving in this direction by developing logistics along international corridors and implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, such as dry ports in...

The most expensive item of clothing ever sold from a pop star’s wardrobe was stitched from a tea towel. This fun fact was revealed by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, who wore the now-iconic dress. The fashion item even earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

«It was a normal black dress. It was a Gucci dress,» Halliwell recalled during “The Scott Mills Breakfast Show” on BBC Radio 2 on April 16. It was so plain, she said, that she decided to customize it with a British flag. The solution came from the kitchen: a...

Mikhail Sheremet, a member of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has proposed banning the Renault logo by equating it to fascist symbols. His initiative follows media reports suggesting that Renault might begin producing drones in Ukraine for the country’s armed forces.

The company has confirmed discussions with the French government on the matter, but stated that no decisions have been made.

In an interview with the RIA news agency, Sheremet argued that if Renault starts manufacturing drones for Ukraine, its logo should be banned in Russia as a fascist symbol. He emphasized that under such circumstances...

India and Kazakhstan are exploring opportunities for cooperation in healthcare, machine building and investments. Potential projects were discussed in New Delhi during the visit of a delegation from Kazakhstan’s MFA, as reported by the agency’s press service.

Among the initiatives, Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre expressed its intent to establish a multi-specialty hospital in Kazakhstan worth $30 million and accommodating 100 beds, whereas Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to ensure a favorable business environment, including state aid, provision of land, tax incentives and investor visas.

Meanwhile, Ashok Leyland, claimed to be the country’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, stated its willingness...

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are rapidly expanding beyond their domestic market, reshaping the global automotive landscape, according to the BBC. Leading players such as BYD, Xpeng, Geely/Zeekr and Leapmotor are leveraging competitive pricing, advanced technologies and strong state backing to challenge established Western brands.

At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, these companies showcased innovations including ultra-fast charging systems, autonomous driving features, and sleek, high-end EVs, reinforcing China’s growing influence in the global EV market. In the U.K., EVs accounted for nearly 47% of all car sales in May, while Chinese car exports rose by approximately 13.5%.

China’s dominance...

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who also serves as the supreme commander-in-chief of Kazakhstan’s armed forces, has called for a significant boost in the military’s combat readiness, morale and recruitment standards.

During a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, the president instructed the military to improve the command system both within the ministry and among the troops. He also emphasized the need to establish a military reserve system, further develop the Special Operations Forces and territorial defense units, and expand the digitalization of the armed forces, including the use of artificial intelligence.

President Tokayev also stressed the importance of...

When planning a trip to Kazakhstan, usually two cities come to mind: Almaty and Astana — both top-notch destinations and widely recognized as the best in Central Asia. However, the country’s potential goes far beyond that, and even smaller, less glitzy cities like Kostanay have something to offer.

For many, Kostanay is a grain-growing and industrial region, with much of its economy relying on wheat and the automotive industry — and that image is actually quite accurate. As soon as you leave the airport, you’re greeted by an ad for a domestically manufactured tractor, setting the tone for...

This week marks the anniversary of the Salem witch trials. On June 2, 1692, Bridget Bishop, a midwife, was found guilty of «witchcraft and sorcery» and was sentenced to death by hanging. Salem was not the first witch hunt in history (the practice dates back to the 14th century). It wasn’t even the first in New England, where a woman was executed for witchcraft 45 years earlier. Nor was it the last; persecutions continued in parts of Europe well into the 18th century. Yet Salem has endured in the popular imagination as a symbol of the era’s misogyny, religious...

Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, is exploring the possibility of supplying uranium to Bulgaria’s nuclear power plant (NPP) and is already in talks with the Bulgarian side, according to Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, which controls the uranium company.

Zhakupov noted that Bulgaria’s NPP operates two reactor units, offering opportunities for potential cooperation in uranium supply.

Bulgaria is not the only European country Kazatomprom wants to establish or expand cooperation with. In early May, the company held talks with Romania’s SN Nuclearelectrica S.A. regarding an expansion of natural uranium supplies under a 10-year contract...

RG Brands JSC, a leading Kazakhstani producer of non-alcoholic beverages, has published its interim consolidated financial statements for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025 (Q1 2025), prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS 34). The Group continues to demonstrate stable operational performance during a transitional period marked by a focus on implementing its proprietary “7 Stars” strategy. RG Brands maintains sales growth and expands its geographical reach, strengthening its positions in key export markets. Despite macroeconomic volatility, the Group succeeded in maintaining revenue stability, improving operational metrics, and reaffirming its long-term strategic investment direction.

Kashagan, Kazakhstan’s largest oil and gas field on the Caspian shelf, is scheduled for an equipment upgrade in 2026, according to the North Caspian Operating Company N.V. (NCOC), the field’s operator.

Holding production steady

The planned upgrade will enable additional lines to be connected to the existing process pipeline system at the Integrated Oil and Gas Treatment Plant (IOGTP), also known as the Bolashak onshore processing facility, without interrupting production.

A memo from NCOC, reviewed by Kursiv.media, states that the primary goal of the project is to eliminate bottlenecks at the IOGTP. The upgrade will include minor modernization of the...

Tucked between Europe and the Far East, Central Asia remains one of the world’s least understood regions, not because it lacks stories, but because it rarely demands to be heard. Spread across the vast territories of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, this part of the world offers a rare blend of natural beauty, deep-rooted tradition, and sincere human connection. It’s a place that doesn’t market itself loudly — it simply invites those willing to listen.

Here’s what makes Central Asia uniquely compelling:

Nature: Where mountains meet the steppe

Central Asia is a landscape of...