News

For the first time, Timur Turlov’s Freedom Bank was ranked among Kazakhstani banks with a trust index above the sector average, according to independent economist Andrey Chebotarev, who presented the 2025 Bank Trust Index.

Chebotarev noted that average trust in the banking system increased from 3.06 to 3.11 points. Freedom Bank’s trust index notably rose from 2.53 to 3.19 points over three years, surpassing the average and allowing the bank’s entry into the «green zone,» the group of sector leaders.

«The entire banking system in Kazakhstan has been successfully building trust among Kazakhstanis for the...

Kazakhstan outpaces many developed countries in generosity, reports Ranking.kz. The Charities Aid Foundation notes that Kazakhstani residents donate an average of 1.2% of their income to charity. This achievement places the country 30th worldwide — ahead of the U.S., Japan and Russia.

This achievement is highlighted in the World Giving Report 2025, which ranks countries based on surveys conducted in 101 nations. The key metric is the percentage of income individuals donate. Notably, the report finds a consistent trend: the higher a person’s income, the smaller the share they typically give to charity.

The world’s most generous countries

On Oct. 21, South Korea’s carmaker Kia opened its second complete knock-down assembly plant in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay, aiming to strengthen its position in Central Asia, Yonhap reported.

The official ceremony of the plant opening was attended by Kia President Song Ho-sung, Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, senior government officials and partner company representatives. Furthermore, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev joined the event via teleconference.

The move marks an important step in developing the country’s automotive industry, stated the president, highlighting that the new plant will focus on boosting the share of local content in ready-to-use products.

Tokayev...

The Salary Leaks portal has released a ranking of the world’s highest-paid national football team coaches, with Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil, leading the list with an annual salary of $11 million.

Following his high-profile appointment, the Italian manager took charge of the five-time World Cup champions in May. His contract reportedly includes a $6 million bonus if Brazil wins the 2026 World Cup.

Rounding out the top three on the list are Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino. Tuchel, who signed a $6.7 million contract with England earlier this year, led his team to qualify for...

The European Union is weighing whether to classify ethanol, a key ingredient in many hand sanitizers, as a hazardous substance linked to cancer, according to a Reuters report citing the Financial Times.

Notably, an internal recommendation dated Oct. 10 from a working group within the European Chemicals Agency reportedly identified ethanol as a toxic chemical that could raise the risk of cancer and pregnancy complications. The group suggested that the substance be phased out from cleaning agents and similar products.

In contrast, the World Health Organization considers both ethanol and isopropanol, two commonly used antiseptics...

Kazakhstan is embarking on an ambitious project to launch a national Wi-Fi operator dedicated to providing secure, reliable internet access for all its citizens. According to Kairat Akhmetov, the head of Freedom Telecom Operations, the initiative will start in 10 cities

The company’s plan to create a national Wi-Fi operator was announced during a meeting with cabinet members. The company will deploy the new network at social and infrastructure facilities, making internet access points available at border crossing points, airports, train and bus stations, schools and medical facilities.

«The infrastructure we’ve been creating is gradually...

The Almaty city administration has announced the launch of direct flights from Almaty to Tokyo, Japan, in 2026.

Air Astana is set to establish a direct air connection between the cities in March 2026. The new route would will be the first regular flight linking Kazakhstan and Japan in recent years.

Experts believe this move will mark an important step in the development of tourism and business ties. Within the first year after the launch, up to 7,000 tourists from Japan are expected to visit Kazakhstan.

The Almaty tourism department emphasized that the planned Air Astana flight will open up...

The U.S. and Australia have signed a critical minerals partnership designed to reduce U.S. reliance on China and boost investments in the Australian mining sector, according to Reuters.

Under the agreement, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, each nation will invest $1 billion over the next six months in mining and processing projects. The deal establishes a minimum price floor for critical minerals and outlines an $8.5 billion investment pipeline for new developments over an unspecified timeline.

According to a joint statement, the initiative targets deposits valued at about $53 billion, though...

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has urged Kyrgyz authorities not to reintroduce the death penalty, saying such a move would violate international law.

In early October, Kyrgyz authorities proposed amending the Constitution to reinstate capital punishment. The presidential administration said the death penalty should apply to those who killed women and sexually assaulted children.

The proposal followed the September killing of 17-year-old Aisuluu, who was raped and strangled to death by a taxi driver after he picked her up for a trip to a neighboring village.

Türk stated that no justice system is perfect and...

The White House East Wing, part of the U.S. president’s official residence that housed the first lady’s offices, a theater and served as a visitors’ entrance, is undergoing demolition work. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 20 that the «ground has been broken» to build a ballroom, Reuters reported.

According to the news agency, the activity was observed on Oct. 20, when construction equipment was seen tearing down the East Wing’s façade. The project, estimated at up to $250 million, is reportedly funded by Trump himself and private contributors.

The East Wing was built in...

Kazakhstan is considering the possibility of its state-owned companies entering the world’s largest stock exchange — the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), as reported by Primeminister.kz following a delegation visit led by Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin to the exchange during the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

During the meeting, Kazakhstan’s representatives discussed the prospects of placing public securities and of having large state-owned companies enter the international market with NYSE management.

Will Goodwin, director of operations and the NYSE Institute, briefed the delegation on the exchange’s operations and areas of activity. He also...

The BBC has released a striking feature on Mangystau, one of Kazakhstan’s most mysterious and visually captivating regions. “The Alien Lands Once Hidden Beneath the Ocean” highlights the area’s stunning natural beauty and otherworldly landscapes.

Mangystau’s geological wonders

The video follows 27-year-old local guide Gaukhar Yessirkepova on a 700-kilometer journey through the vast Kazakh steppe. Along the route, she introduces viewers to Mangystau’s geological wonders. These include the layered slopes of Mount Bokty, the vividly striped Kyzylkup Canyon — nicknamed «tiramisu,» the surreal Ybyktysai Gorge, and the castle-like cliffs of Bozzhyra.

Producers describe Mangystau as a...

A unique escalator taking passengers up to the summit of scenic Lingshan Mountain in Jiangxi province, eastern China, has opened. According to MetroTV, its length spans an impressive 1,236 meters. The structure consists of 10 sections, each 50 meters long.

The new facility is part of an ambitious domestic tourism development initiative, which has made the route to the summit much easier. Travelers now need just 10 minutes to reach the peak, instead of the two-hour walk it once required.

Lingshan is famous for its natural beauty, with 72 peaks and 108 rock formations, and the height of the...

L’Oréal will acquire Kering’s luxury beauty portfolio for €4 billion, boosting its standing in high-end cosmetics and fragrances, according to Euronews.

The deal grants L’Oréal a 50-year license for Kering’s leading fashion houses, including Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, and brings the niche fragrance brand Creed under L’Oréal’s ownership.

Kering CEO Luca de Meo said the sale will accelerate growth in the company’s beauty segment and create new wellness opportunities. L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus described the acquisition as a strategic alliance, expanding L’Oréal’s presence in luxury beauty and niche fragrances.

The two French companies also plan to...

Just off Michigan’s northern coast, Mackinac Island offers a glimpse into a slower, car-free way of life that has endured for more than a century, the BBC reports.

Home to around 600 year-round residents and an equal number of horses, this 3.8-square kilometer island in Lake Huron has prohibited motor vehicles since the late 1800s, making it one of the few places in the U.S. where transportation still relies on horses and bicycles.

The vehicle ban reportedly began after an early automobile startled horses in 1898, prompting local authorities to outlaw internal combustion engines. The rule was soon...

Kazakhstan placed 44th out of 89 countries in Numbeo’s global traffic index, scoring 136.3 points — a measure where higher numbers indicate heavier congestion and lower transport efficiency, according to Finprom.

The study evaluated average commute time, driver satisfaction, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and the overall efficiency of national transportation systems in the first six months of 2025.

How Kazakhstan compares

The average one-way commute in Kazakhstan was 35.8 minutes. The country’s transport inefficiency index was 141.3, reflecting residents’ heavy reliance on private vehicles and the limited appeal of public transportation. Kazakhstan’s CO₂ emissions linked to daily commuting...

Pilot projects to introduce AI-powered digital textbooks are set to launch in Kazakhstani schools, Primeminister.kz reported following a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Kazakh IT developers.

Developers from the Paradigm Shift (CodiPlay) company reported on the progress of implementing the new solutions:

AI Kitap — a digital textbook that uses AI to adapt learning materials to each student’s level, analyze their progress and identify knowledge gaps. Integration with Astana IT University is currently underway.

OlympIQ — a technology platform for sports development that collects and analyzes athletes’ medical, organizational and analytical data.

Schools and sports governing bodies...

A majority of South Koreans avoid conversations about death or end-of-life decisions with their families, according to a recent study by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, The Straits Times reported.

The think tank surveyed adults across the country on their perceptions of death and dying. About 54% of respondents said they had never spoken with parents, children, spouses or siblings about death, terminal illness or treatment preferences. Nearly 58% said they had never heard family members discuss those topics either.

The study explored the concept of «dying well,» which emphasizes dying peacefully and with...

China’s economy expanded at a slower pace in the third quarter, weighed down by continued weakness in the property sector and renewed friction in trade relations with the U.S., according to the BBC.

Official data released Monday showed China’s GDP rising 4.8% year-on-year in the three months ending September — the country’s slowest growth rate in a year and a decline from 5.2% recorded in the previous quarter.

The slowdown follows Beijing’s recent decision to impose broad restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals, key components in the global electronics supply chain. The move has intensified tensions with...

On the frozen surface of Lake Baikal in southern Siberia, Russian blogger and photographer Daria Bulaeva and her fiancé celebrated a spectacular wedding inspired by the hit series «Game of Thrones.»

The ceremony took place on the ice and evoked the grandeur of Westeros royalty. The couple and their guests wore medieval-style clothing accented with wolf pelts, while torches flickered in place of dragon fire. Baikal’s natural ice patterns served as a striking backdrop, symbolizing the strength of their union.

«Blue as the eyes of the White Walkers,» Bulaeva captioned a video of...

On Oct. 19, Manchester United beat Liverpool away in the English Premier League. Delivering an assist, Portuguese player Bruno Fernandes moved into Manchester United’s top five assist leaders in Premier League matches, according to OptaJoe.

English Premier League

Matchweek 8, Oct. 19, 2025

Liverpool vs. Manchester United: 1-2

Goals: Cody Gakpo (78’); Bryan Mbeumo (2’), Harry Maguire (84’).

The score was opened in the second minute. United’s newcomer from Cameroon, Bryan Mbeumo, tapped in a pass from Amad Diallo. In the 78th minute, Liverpool’s Dutch winger Cody Gakpo scored an equalizer.

Six minutes before...

Two airport security officers were killed early Monday after an accident involving a cargo plane from Dubai at Hong Kong International Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 747 operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, struck a security patrol vehicle and pushed it into the sea, as reported by Reuters, citing the Airport Authority Hong Kong.

All four crew members on board escaped unharmed, but the two airport employees were pulled from the water without signs of life. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other later in the hospital. The accident marks Hong...

Kazakhstan will ban agencies from creating their own mobile apps, consolidating all public services into a single super-app, according to the government’s Digital Headquarters, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

The headquarters is a high-level body overseeing AI development and digital transformation. Its latest initiative seeks to create a more secure and user-friendly digital environment by integrating all government mobile services into the existing eGov and Aitu platforms, following the SuperApp model, the cabinet stated on its website.

Officials intend the move to eliminate inefficiencies caused by the proliferation of separate government apps.

Notably...

South Korea’s low-cost airline Jeju Air reported buying its seventh Boeing 737-8 jet, bringing its fleet to 43 passenger aircraft. The carrier also noted that it plans to take delivery of one more Boeing 737-8 before the end of 2025, Yonhap reported.

According to Chosun Biz, this purchase marks an increase in the carrier’s number of owned planes rather than leased ones. Jeju Air now has 12 aircraft under ownership — five Boeing 737-800NG and seven Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

“The company is making efforts to establish the infrastructure for sustainable growth by securing price...