News

During a police probe conducted in parallel with the aviation accident investigation into the high-profile Jeju Air crash of Dec. 29, 2024, seven officials from South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport were referred to prosecutors over allegations that they concealed known discrepancies concerning the airport’s air traffic control infrastructure, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The accident occurred when Jeju Air Flight 2216 was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan International Airport in South Korea. The crash killed 179 of the 181 people on board.

According to Yonhap, the case concerns a localizer, a ground-based...

Robert Kocharyan, who served as Armenia’s second president from 1998 to 2008, and his eldest son, Sedrak Kocharyan, have been detained by Armenian law enforcement officials. The detentions followed a series of searches of properties linked to the Kocharyan family’s business interests, Euronews reported.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into the 71-year-old politician, who is suspected of abuse of power, bribery and large-scale money laundering.

In addition to Kocharyan and his son, 10 other people are suspected of involvement in the case. Four of them have also been detained. Meanwhile, the former president was admitted...

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree on convening the first session of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the first convocation.

Decree text

Pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Article 58 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I hereby decree:

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed this decree at the Akorda...

Choosing the right college major has become a high-stakes decision in an era of rising tuition costs and rapid technological change. A recent ranking by World Population Review highlights how the shifting economy is changing the value of traditional degrees while elevating alternative career paths. Today, the strongest prospects often belong to graduates who combine technical expertise with uniquely human skills.

Read also: 56% of 2030 jobs: Why AI ‘cross-competency’ is the new must-have skill.

Computer science remains a lucrative field, but the rapid development of artificial intelligence is changing the...

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with International Basketball Federation (FIBA) President Sheikh Saud Ali Al-Thani at the Independence Palace in Astana, the Akorda reported.

Tokayev thanked the FIBA president for supporting basketball in Kazakhstan and for attending a meeting of the National Basketball Federation of Kazakhstan.

Tokayev noted that basketball in Kazakhstan is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. He added that the sport remains one of the country’s most popular, with growing interest among children and young people.

He also emphasized 3×3 basketball, which is gaining popularity in Kazakhstan. The two sides discussed the development of grassroots and professional...

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said that the Condensate Oil Refinery in Aksay, the West Kazakhstan region, plans to export 70% of its gasoline and diesel to Russia. The other 30% will go to the local market. The refinery can also export its products beyond the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

«It will depend on rail capacity. Under the current agreement, up to 30% of the in-demand oil products, such as gasoline and diesel [produced by the Condensate Oil Refinery — Kursiv], will remain in Kazakhstan, while the rest will be shipped to the Russian Federation,» the...

Kazakhstan’s real GDP growth is expected to remain above 5% in 2027-2029, but below the 2025 level. According to a baseline forecast presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, the economy is projected to grow by 5.3% in 2027, 5.5% in 2028 and 5.4% in 2029. For comparison, Kazakhstan’s GDP grew by 6.5% in 2025.

At the same time, different sectors of the economy will grow at noticeably different rates. Construction, transport, and information and communications are expected to grow the fastest.

Construction growth is forecast at...

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has outlined the next stage of Kazakhstan’s digitalization: a smartphone should no longer be viewed simply as a means of communication or entertainment, but also as a tool for accessing services, doing business and earning money.

In other words, Kazakhstan is moving beyond the digitalization of public services toward a more advanced stage — the practical integration of technology into the economy and everyday life.

The smartphone is becoming a gateway to mobile banking, government services, e-commerce, education and entrepreneurship. As a result, the digital economy requires not only new online platforms and applications, but also trust...

Almaty is once again in the South Korean spotlight. On Aug. 14, MBC aired an episode of the popular reality show «I Live Alone.» The city’s appearance on the show could attract new tourists and spark greater interest in Almaty as a travel destination. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at how a South Korean TV star explored some of the city’s iconic sights.

According to the Almaty Mayor’s Office press service, the episode featured the TV host and comedian Jun Hyun-moo. He arrived at Almaty International Airport and went on to visit Kok-Tobe, the Green Bazaar...

Human communication is undergoing a profound transition, moving from a period of extraordinary linguistic diversity toward an era increasingly shaped by synthetic, machine-generated text. As 404 Media reported in a recent review of academic publishing, generative AI has begun to flood professional and scientific spaces with fabricated, automated content, posing an existential challenge to the authenticity of human writing and research.

While humanity once celebrated a sprawling landscape of tens of thousands of unique tongues, the rise of global empires systematically consolidated human speech into a handful of dominant languages. Today, this linguistic consolidation faces a...

Kazakhstan has approved rules for a pilot project to introduce driverless cars; however, they are unlikely to be tested this year, according to Kolesa.kz.according to Kolesa.kz.

The three-year pilot project is planned for Astana, Almaty and Kosshy, as well as at testing facilities and on designated public roads. Passenger cars and vans with conditional or high driving automation will be tested.

Requirements

To participate in the testing, a vehicle must obtain a safety certificate for the construction of a motor vehicle (SBKTS) and be registered with a...

On Aug. 21, a New York district court lifted the suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, restoring case-by-case consideration to the visa process. Angelina Kim, a PR specialist and project manager at UPROAD Agency who works with highly skilled professionals applying under the EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 categories, explained how the ruling could affect Kazakhstani applicants and what applicants should prepare for now.

What’s next?

Even though the court’s decision has effectively lifted the restrictions, applicants should not expect immediate changes to consular operations, Kim said.

At the same time, applicants can and should...

An unusual tourist attraction is being developed in Japan — a double-decker bus equipped with a real conveyor belt for sushi. The project, called SUSHI BUS, is expected to start operating in Tokyo this fall. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at how this unusual sushi restaurant on wheels works — and how Almaty once beat Tokyo to the concept.

The idea behind SUSHI BUS is straightforward: passengers climb to the upper deck and sit at tables with a sushi conveyor belt running alongside them as the bus drives through Tokyo, passing some of the city’s popular...

Investment in fixed capital in Kazakhstan increased by 7.7% year-on-year to 11.46 trillion tenge (approx. $24.88 billion) in the first seven months of 2026. Investment in manufacturing and construction recorded particularly strong growth, rising by 36.1% and 26.8%, respectively, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) weekly macroeconomic review.

An expansion in business lending supported investment growth. As of the end of July, the volume of business loans had increased by 17.1% year-on-year, while lending to small and medium-sized businesses grew by 29.6%.

Investment in agriculture also increased significantly, by 17.6% year-on-year.

Companies’ own funds remain...

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced plans to introduce legislation restricting children under 16 from using social media, Reuters reported.

Under the proposed bill, social media companies would be required to take reasonable measures to confirm users’ ages. Possible verification methods include existing account data, facial age estimation technology and digital identity documents. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.

Luxon said the proposal is intended to protect children from harmful online content and the negative effects of social media on mental health, sleep, education and family life.

However...

Kazakhstani tennis player Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the mixed doubles event at the 2026 U.S. Open after an injury ended her bid to become world No. 1.

In the latest WTA rankings, released today, Rybakina remained No. 2, behind Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. Had Rybakina reached the Cincinnati final, she would have become world No. 1 for the first time. However, an injury has put her participation in the Grand Slam at risk. For now, Rybakina has withdrawn only from the mixed doubles event. American Jessica Pegula has replaced her alongside Taylor Fritz.

Meanwhile, Pegula reached...

According to entrepreneur Vyacheslav Chagay, people without a college degree can still earn good money in Kazakhstan. They often work as event organizers, repair specialists and handymen.

The highest-paying profession in Chagay’s ranking was event organizing, with earnings from $1,085 to $8,685. Apartment renovation specialists can earn between $1,300 and $6,510, while auto body repair specialists and stretch ceiling installers can earn up to $5,425.

Other occupations that can generate relatively high incomes include confectioners, who can earn between $870 and $4,340; landscape designers (up to $4,342); tattoo artists ($3,690) and drone operators ($3,256).

That said, Chagay emphasized that the...

Gaming has shed its retro roots to become a global entertainment giant that makes traditional media look small by comparison. A recent ranking by World Population Review highlights how video gaming, now a roughly $200 billion industry, is being shaped by national cultures and rapid technological change. With more than 3.4 billion players worldwide, the way people engage with virtual worlds varies widely across borders.

Read also: Almaty aims to become a regional esports capital.

South Korea has long served as a cultural laboratory for competitive gaming. Widespread internet access and...

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) detained a suspect accused of publicly calling for a violent seizure of power, the agency’s press service said on Aug. 21.

Man posted calls for a violent seizure of power on Threads

A man born in 1980 was detained as part of a criminal case under Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, «Public calls for the violent seizure of power using information and communication networks.»

According to investigators, he systematically published posts on Threads containing public calls for the violent seizure of state power...

Kanye West, now known as Ye, drew 31,000 spectators to his concert in Almaty, including around 7,700 tourists from more than 50 countries and territories. Organizers estimated the economic impact of the tourist influx at approximately 5 billion tenge ($11 million). Kursiv LifeStyle looks at how one of the year’s biggest musical events unfolded and its impact on Almaty.

The show took place on Aug. 15 at Almaty’s Central Stadium as part of the artist’s world tour. So far, Almaty is the tour’s only stop in Central Asia.

According to organizers, foreign attendees included around 2,000 fans who follow the...

For over 60 years, a museum has been operating in the very center of Almaty, yet it is easy to pass by without even noticing it. Most people hear about it only from cultural heritage experts and those living nearby. Kursiv LifeStyle visited the museum to show you where to see authentic fossils and taxidermy specimens.

The Nature Museum is affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Its entrance is located on Shevchenko St., directly across from Shokan Valikhanov Square. The 1957 building houses the museums of nature, archaeology and ancient books, as well as...

The 2026 U.S. Open organizing committee has announced a record prize pool for the year’s final Grand Slam.

The total prize pool for the New York major stands at $108 million, 20% higher than the previous record of $90 million set at the 2025 U.S. Open.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn $5.5 million, a record in tennis. First-round participants will receive $140,000, 27% more than last year.

All prize money is subject to taxes.

The U.S. Open is an annual Grand Slam tennis tournament played on hard courts and the final of the four Grand Slam...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection explained the rules for selecting citizens under South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), highlighting that people over 40 aren’t eligible to participate.

When will the selection process begin and how will it be conducted?

Once an EPS center opens in Almaty, the selection process will begin. It will include the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test, a professional skills assessment and mandatory training for workers before they depart for South Korea. Education, work experience and existing professional certifications will also be taken into account during the selection process.

«The selection...

Kazakhstan recorded 637.2 billion tenge (approximately $1.4 billion) in investment in trade and related sectors from January to July 2026, up 22.3% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration.

The strongest investment growth was recorded in the North Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Abai and Mangystau regions, as well as in the cities of Shymkent and Almaty.

Almaty remained the largest center of investment activity, attracting 204.3 billion tenge ($448.3 million) over the seven-month period. Investment in the Turkestan region totaled 88.7 billion tenge ($194.6 million).

By economic sector, the largest share of investment went to...