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Rapid advances in artificial intelligence could render some university-trained professions obsolete, Kazakh lawmaker Askhat Aimagambetov said during a recent government hour session in Parliament.

Mismatch between education and labor market

Aimagambetov said universities in Kazakhstan continue to enroll thousands of fee-paying students in fields that are already losing relevance. At the same time, he noted that 56% of new jobs by 2030 are expected to be in medium- and low-skilled occupations.

He also pointed out that only about 31% of IT graduates in Kazakhstan currently find jobs in their field, highlighting a disconnect between education and labor market demand.

Impact of...

Tengizchevroil (TCO), one of Kazakhstan’s leading oil and gas producers, has been fined $117,182 for exceeding emission standards, according to the Department of Ecology of the Atyrau region.

TCO operates the Tengiz field, the country’s largest oil field. Authorities said the company exceeded permitted pollutant emission levels, violating administrative regulations.

The case was heard at the Zhylyoi District Court on April 20. The court found TCO guilty and imposed an administrative fine of 53.7 million tenge (about $117,182).

TCO is a joint venture between Chevron (50%), ExxonMobil (25%), KazMunayGas (20%) and Lukoil (5%).

Earlier this month, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of...

Chinese investors planning to build a locomotive plant in Atbasar, northern Kazakhstan, have failed to secure the necessary funding, prompting the government to search for a new investor.

According to Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov, construction of the plant in the Akmola region has been delayed due to the investor’s financial difficulties. His comments came in response to questions raised during a cabinet meeting about why work on the project has not progressed.

«The investor is facing funding issues. As a result, all work at the site has been suspended and we are currently looking for...

A Kyrgyz lawmaker has called on the country’s National Investment Agency to follow the example of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in attracting foreign investment.

Speaking at a meeting of parliament’s Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security and Migration, MP Zhyldyz Sadyrbaeva said the two neighboring countries account for about 95% of all investment in Central Asia. She added that investment levels in Kyrgyzstan have remained largely unchanged over the past five years.

«Over the past five years, according to your data, about $1.5 billion has been attracted at best,» she said. «Therefore, I believe the agency should...

Police in the Mangystau region, western Kazakhstan, have launched preventive outreach efforts to inform residents about restrictions on clothing that obscures facial recognition in public places.

Read also: Niqab outlawed: Kazakhstan becomes latest nation to ban face-covering garments.

Officers from units combating extremism and public safety are visiting crowded areas to explain current legal requirements related to personal appearance in public.

Authorities say the measures are intended to improve public safety and the effectiveness of surveillance systems. Officials emphasized that the campaign is not directed against any religion or specific beliefs.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to start on June 11, is drawing football fans to Mexico while also reshaping how they travel, Euronews reported.

In cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, a growing number of visitors, especially from Europe, are arriving months before the tournament. Instead of short match-day trips, these digital nomads are choosing to immerse themselves in the local atmosphere and anticipate the matches alongside locals.

Mexico will host only 13 matches, but its appeal goes beyond the stadium. For many, the World Cup is no longer just 90 minutes on the pitch. It...

The Little Aresha daycare center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is under investigation after authorities uncovered alleged abuse involving dozens of young children, the BBC reported.

The case came to light after a childcare center’s former employee reported inhumane treatment of children, including toddlers. Soon after, police raided the facility and found children tied up, some unclothed except for diapers, along with others showing signs of injury.

Officials said the center housed 103 children, with at least 53 believed to have suffered physical abuse or neglect. Many of the victims were under two years old. Police also described cramped rooms measuring...

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering her voice and likeness, a move seen as an effort to guard against misuse through AI, Euronews reported.

The American singer has submitted three applications, including one featuring a photo of her performing during the Eras Tour and two containing audio clips of her introducing herself while promoting her album «The Life of a Showgirl.»

Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, who first reported the filings, said registering phrases linked to Swift’s voice could allow her to challenge not only exact copies but also imitations that are «confusingly similar,» a key standard in...

Kyrgyz lawmakers Nurjamal Torobekova and Marlen Mamataliev have proposed amendments to family legislation that would require mandatory medical examinations for people planning to marry.

Public health concerns cited

The MPs said infectious diseases — particularly viral hepatitis B, C and D, as well as HIV — remain a serious issue in the country. These viruses are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, they noted.

«If left untreated, they can lead to chronic illness, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and immune system disorders. Many citizens are unaware of their infection...

Jay Bryant, 52, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, the BBC reported.

Bryant admitted in a New York court that he helped others gain entry to the Queens recording studio where Mizell was shot and killed. Prosecutors said he opened a rear fire door, allowing the attackers to enter undetected. Authorities also found his DNA on a hat recovered at the scene.

Bryant had previously denied the charges after being indicted in 2023. Two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, were convicted...

A laser-based driver assistance system has been introduced on the Usharal–Dostyk highway in the Zhetysu region, southern Kazakhstan, to help prevent accidents and improve driver concentration, particularly in low-visibility conditions, regional police said.

The system is currently operating at the 13th kilometer of the highway. Laser lines projected onto the roadway create clear visual cues, helping drivers maintain lane position and stay focused during long trips.

Officials added that the...

Kazakhstan increased exports to France, Turkey and the United Kingdom early this year, while its trade share with Italy and Russia declined, economist Ruslan Sultanov said on his Tengenomika channel.

At the same time, the country is becoming increasingly dependent on industrial imports from China and Russia, he noted.

Strategic vulnerability concerns

Despite greater diversification in exports by product and geography, imports remain highly concentrated, Sultanov said.

«While the export basket is shifting from oil to metals such as uranium, copper and silver, and agriculture is expanding into markets like France, Turkey and the...

A Kyrgyz lawmaker has suggested that an alleged attempted coup lies behind the high-profile dismissal of former State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev.

In an interview with a Kazakh journalist, member of parliament Elvira Surabaldieva claimed that individuals linked to Tashiev had been preparing to seize power for an extended period, but the attempt was ultimately thwarted.

Claims of presidential leniency

Surabaldieva said Tashiev’s continued freedom may be due to what she described as President Sadyr Japarov’s «exceptional magnanimity.»

«The president is a magnanimous man. Perhaps he...

Large businesses in Kazakhstan are more likely to need workers with technical training than those with traditional higher education degrees, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said during a parliamentary session on Monday.

Survey highlights workforce mismatch

Nurbek said the findings are based on a survey of 73,000 enterprises across all regions of the country. The results point to systemic risks in the labor market.

On one hand, official workforce demand reflects an outdated economic structure. On the other, the evolving economy increasingly requires specialists in technology and artificial intelligence, he said.

Demand for higher education...

A waste incineration project by Junxin Environmental Protection is moving forward in Almaty, with construction planned in the city’s Alatau district.

Project scope and capacity

The facility is designed to process up to 2,000 tons of waste per day and generate as much as 60 megawatts of electricity, which will be supplied to the city’s power grid.

Total investment in the project is estimated at 130 billion tenge (more than $280 million). An arrangement has been reached with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, along with key provisions covering waste supply and electricity distribution.

Jobs and environmental standards

The plant...

As King Charles III touches down in Washington, D.C. today, the world is watching an encounter that feels less like a routine state visit and more like a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence, the King’s arrival marks the first visit by a reigning British monarch in nearly two decades. However, the true spectacle lies in the meeting between two of the world’s most recognizable, yet fundamentally different, leaders: the hereditary monarch and President Donald Trump.

Forecasts for their encounter suggest a masterclass in contrasting leadership styles. In public speeches, Charles...

«Michael,» a film about Michael Jackson’s rise to fame, is now in theaters. The lead role is played by his 29-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who bears a striking resemblance to the pop icon. Even before its release, the film faced criticism for softening the singer’s troubled public image, shaped in part by longstanding allegations of child sexual abuse.

A familiar rise-to-fame story

The film spans roughly two decades of Jackson’s life, from his early years performing with the Jackson 5 to his first solo «Bad» tour in the late 1980s.

This is not the first attempt...

A mural circulating on Iranian social media has intensified uncertainty about the condition of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, nearly two months after he was last seen in public, Euronews reported.

The mural, titled «Martyrs of the Epic Struggle,» was unveiled in Mashhad Ardehal, west of Kashan. It features prominent figures such as Qassem Soleimani, former President Ebrahim Raisi and Ruhollah Khomeini, all of whom are deceased.

The artwork also depicts Mojtaba Khamenei alongside these figures, prompting speculation that he may have been killed or seriously injured in the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who...

The Michael Jackson biopic «Michael» opened strongly in North America, earning $97 million in its debut weekend and setting a new record for music biopics, according to The Associated Press.

Internationally, the film grossed $120.4 million, bringing its global opening to $217.4 million. Distributed domestically by Lionsgate, with Universal handling most overseas markets, the film exceeded earlier projections, which ranged from $50 million to $70 million. Moreover, it significantly outperformed previous genre leaders such as «Straight Outta Compton» and «Bohemian Rhapsody.»

The creators of the sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada” are facing criticism over allegations of racial stereotyping tied to a new supporting character.

Read also: Prada reunion: Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep pose for the first time together.

Critics have raised concerns about the character Jin Chao, introduced as a new assistant to protagonist Andrea Sachs. Some viewers argue the role presents unflattering and stereotypical traits associated with Asian characters.

According to international media reports, some audiences — particularly in China — also objected to the character’s name, saying it...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov have inaugurated a memorial in Pyongyang honoring North Korean soldiers who died while fighting in the war in Ukraine, the BBC reported.

The ceremony featured military aircraft flying overhead and the release of white balloons, as the two officials unveiled a statue and opened a museum dedicated to overseas military operations. During the ceremony, Kim stated that North Korea would always support Russia’s efforts to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While North Korea has not disclosed the number of its troops involved in the conflict, South Korean...

Kazakhstan’s national boxing team won seven medals, including three golds, at the opening stage of the World Boxing Cup, which concluded Saturday in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.

Gold medals were won by Sultanbek Aibaruly (85 kg), Viktoriya Grafeyeva (60 kg) and Valeriya Axenova (over 80 kg).

Final bouts

Aibaruly defeated Brazil’s Kaue Belini in the final, while Grafeyeva beat Rebeca Santos of Brazil. Axenova secured her title with a victory over Hungary’s Szófia Szira.

Team standings

Kazakhstan finished third in the unofficial team standings with a 3-1-3 medal tally. Host nation Brazil placed first with 4-5-0.

Tournament...

A French teenager has been charged in Singapore after allegedly licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine in a shopping center and placing it back in the dispenser, the BBC reported.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, is facing charges of mischief and public nuisance. According to local reports, he recorded the act and posted it to Instagram Stories earlier this year with the caption «city is not safe.» The video was later widely shared online, drawing strong negative reactions.

The vending machine operator, iJooz, reported the matter to police and carried out sanitation procedures, including replacing...

Asiatic black bears emerging from hibernation in Japan are increasingly coming into contact with humans, with sightings already exceeding the pace recorded in 2025, a record year for attacks, The Guardian reported.

In the country’s northeast, where sightings of the animals in urban areas have been reported most often, authorities urge people to stay cautious outdoors. One possible fatal incident was reported earlier this year after a woman’s body was found in Iwate prefecture. In another incident, a bear attacked a police officer.

In Aomori Prefecture, officials issued a special warning after five bears were spotted in the...