News

The Air Astana board of directors announced on Oct. 8 that the company’s CEO, Peter Foster, will step down from his role and leave the board at the end of March 2026. Chief Financial Officer Ibrahim Canliel will assume the position of CEO.

Foster, who has led the airline for 20 years, will continue his cooperation with Air Astana as a senior advisor to the board of directors.

Board Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov expressed the board’s gratitude for Foster’s two decades of leadership and his contribution to the airline’s development — from its formative years to its emergence as a...

On Oct. 1, pioneering primatologist Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91. Her discoveries forever changed how we understand both chimpanzees and our own place in the natural world.

As literary critic Alexander Gavrilov wrote to Novaya Gazeta, Goodall broke down barriers — between species, between humans and chimpanzees, and between the observer and the observed.

Before Goodall, most scientists studied animals from a distance — often in zoos, removed from their natural habitats. Goodall did the opposite: she went into the forests of Tanzania to live among the chimpanzees themselves.

Breaking the human–animal divide

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province, China, is the world’s highest bridge, with its deck rising 625 meters. In addition to its impressive height, the bridge spans nearly 3 kilometers, with a main span of 1,420 meters, according to the Guardian.

The bridge links the Liuzhi Special District and Anlong County via the Guizhou S57 highway, shortening travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes. Since its public opening on Sept. 28, it has quickly become an engineering marvel and a popular tourist spot.

«The view is...

On the evening of Oct. 7, a bear entered a supermarket in Gunma Prefecture, north of Japan’s capital, Tokyo, slightly injuring two men in their 60s and 70s, France 24 reported. According to NHK World, one person was allegedly attacked in the parking lot, and police said their lives were not in danger.

Reports state that the animal was an adult bear about 1.4 meters long. When it entered, around 30 to 40 people were inside the store, and the bear appeared distressed as it struggled to find its way out.

Officials also reported a suspected fatal...

In a small Kazakh village, an English teacher captures his students’ attention through rap.

Omirbek Zhankuatov, better known on social media as «Mr. Omirbek,» combines beats and rhymes to help young Kazakhstani learners improve their English skills. His blend of language lessons and hip-hop flair has recently gained popularity online, earning him viral fame after one of his TikTok videos resonated with viewers.

@english_turkish_baiserke #ағылшынтілі #учитель #рек #жылмұғалімі2024

The first resort hospital has opened in Macau, the world’s largest gambling hub, aiming to make it a major healthcare tourism destination, the BBC reported.

The facility, located in Macau’s Studio City, a Hollywood-themed casino and entertainment resort, opened its doors on Oct. 6 and offers luxury medical services, including health screenings, advanced scans and cosmetic procedures. The entertainment complex is owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, a Hong Kong–based company.

According to the resort chain’s chief executive, Lawrence Ho, the project aims to create jobs and combine healthcare and leisure, supporting local efforts to diversify Macau’s economy...

More people are trying cold-water swimming and ice baths to improve their health and mood naturally. Many enthusiasts report feeling mental and physical benefits, but experts caution that these activities pose real risks if not done safely, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. Mark Harper, an anesthesiologist who researches cold-water immersion, explains that brief periods in cold water may help improve mental health by triggering a brief stress response in the body. This process, known as hormesis, can release endorphins and reduce inflammation. Many swimmers also report feeling happier and more confident after regular cold dips.

Forbes Kazakhstan ranked billionaire and owner of ForteBank, Bulat Utemuratov, as the most influential businessman in Kazakhstan in 2025. According to the ranking, he climbed from third place last year.

The top five includes:

The leader of the 2024 ranking, Vladimir Kim, a shareholder of KAZ Minerals...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov shared a video on his Stories of himself taking an icy swim in Lake Kolsai, southeastern Kazakhstan, calmly immersing in frigid water with snow-capped mountains behind him.

His visit to the scenic lake followed his attendance at the Digital Bridge forum in Astana, where he spoke as a special guest last week.

Continuing his emphasis on health, Durov — known for his dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle — has often said he practices cold-water immersion as a way to strengthen both body and mind.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Julia Vavilova, posted photos on...

BYD reports its U.K. sales surged 880% in September, as local consumers demonstrate steady interest in electric vehicles. Backed by rapidly growing supportive infrastructure, the country became the largest market for manufacturing outside China, according to the BBC.

In September, BYD sold 11,271 cars in the U.K., led by the Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV. The U.K. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports that sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country reached record highs during this period.

One of several key factors driving this strong market performance is the open market in the U.K. In...

In the first six months of 2025, Kazakhstan experienced a significant outflow of money, with 321.2 billion tenge (about $590 million) transferred abroad through international money transfer systems, according to a report from the National Bank.

In contrast, only about $190 million was sent into Kazakhstan from overseas, highlighting a substantial net outflow of remittances. Much of the money leaving the country, economist Ruslan Sultanov explained, is sent by migrant workers earning wages in Kazakhstan.

Transfers from Kazakhstan

From January to June 2025, the number of money transfer transactions made abroad decreased to 805,000, representing a...

The UEFA Executive Committee «reluctantly» greenlighted requests from the Spanish and Italian football federations to hold two national championship matches abroad «on an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at the global level.» Yet, UEFA remains strongly opposed to staging national league matches overseas, according to the organization’s press release.

UEFA’s statement did not specify the clubs involved; however, earlier reports said that the Italian federation requested to hold a February game between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, while the Spanish federation asked to stage a December match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona in Miami, U.S.

After...

The Dubai chocolate bar, first introduced by Fix Chocolatier in the UAE in 2021, gained popularity after trending on TikTok in 2023. Featuring rich milk chocolate with creamy pistachio or tahini filling and crunchy kadayif pastry, it continues to fascinate dessert lovers worldwide.

Thanks to unique taste and texture, Dubai-inspired treats have moved from viral fame to being found in bakeries, cafés and large retailers nearly everywhere, according to the Associated Press.

Today, versions of this treat appear in croissants, milkshakes, parfaits and pancakes. Fillings vary from pistachio to s’mores and matcha. Following the trend, major U.S...

American rapper and producer Sean Combs, known as Diddy (also referred to as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy), seems to have decided to waste no time and immediately reached for the top in seeking a presidential pardon.

According to TMZ, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the artist had asked him for the pardon in person. During his talks with reporters, the president noted:

«I call him Puff Daddy; he has asked me for a pardon,» TMZ cited Trump as saying.

Combs’ team contacted the White House almost immediately after the court delivered the...

The highlight of the recent New York premiere of «Kiss of the Spider Woman» was the appearance of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. They attended together just a few months after finalizing their divorce, with the 56-year-old singer and actress and the 53-year-old actor and director showing a sense of unity and mutual respect.

On the red carpet, the stars looked impeccable. Lopez chose an off-the-shoulder Harris Reed gown featuring a spider motif at the waist, while Affleck wore a classic navy suit paired with an open-collared white shirt.

Reporters observed that the former couple seemed relaxed...

Distractions are constant. Smartphone notifications pop up, and we instinctively reach for our devices. Hours pass scrolling not by lack of willpower, but because tech companies deliberately design platforms to keep our attention by exploiting our brain’s reward systems.

Before diving into the details, it’s important to understand how technology shapes our habits and what concrete steps you can take to regain control.

What is the dopamine trap?

The dopamine trap refers to a cycle in which technology platforms use psychological triggers to repeatedly draw users back, reinforcing behaviors that rely on our brain’s dopamine-driven reward system.

Dopamine is a...

Clean energy has reached a historic milestone. For the first time, wind and solar power have generated more electricity globally than coal, signaling a decisive shift in the world’s energy landscape, according to The Guardian, which cited a report by the climate think tank Ember.

This achievement was highlighted during the first half of 2025, when renewables supplied most of the world’s growing electricity needs, resulting in a slight decline in the use of coal and gas. Solar power grew by almost one-third compared to the same period in 2024 and accounted for 83% of the increase in global...

Spotify, a Swedish audio streaming service, has announced a new partnership with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. According to the New Musical Express, this collaboration provides users with access to AI-powered recommendations for music and podcasts.

Now, both Premium and Free subscribers will be able to connect their Spotify accounts to ChatGPT, allowing the chatbot to suggest new artists, playlists and shows tailored to individual tastes.

No audio or video from its platform will be shared with OpenAI or used to train the language model, the company emphasized.

This announcement also comes shortly after Spotify took action against...

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé brought up his recent trip to Kazakhstan, reacting to a post by his clubmate Arda Güler on Instagram.

The Turkish midfielder posted a photo from the jet after the match against Kairat in Almaty, showing Güler himself and a sleeping Mbappé.

In the Sept. 30 match against Kairat, the French forward scored a hat trick in the 74th minute.

«Kazakhstan’s trip...

Instagram has announced a new award, Rings, described as the platform’s equivalent of the Oscars for content creators. The prize will honor creators whose ideas and content not only attract likes but also influence culture on a larger scale.

The platform will select 25 creators worldwide who, according to the jury, not only participate in culture but also help shape it. Winners will receive a gold ring as a symbol of recognition, along with exclusive in-app features — including a special badge, profile design and a gold frame around their avatar.

The jury will be chaired by Instagram...

The International Criminal Court has convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, a former Janjaweed commander, of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Darfur conflict over 20 years ago, according to Euronews.

On Monday, the ICC found Abd-Al-Rahman guilty on 27 counts, marking the court’s first conviction for crimes in Darfur. The judges ruled that the crimes, including mass killings, rapes and persecution, took place as part of a government campaign at the height of the Darfur conflict in the early to mid-2000s. Abd-Al-Rahman will be sentenced later and could receive a life sentence.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner

Polish football manager Michał Probierz could head Kazakhstan’s national team, as reported by Kanalsportowy.pl, citing Mateusz Borek, a well-known journalist in Poland. According to him, the 53-year-old specialist has reached an agreement with the Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF). The official announcement of the appointment is expected later.

A native of Bytom, Poland, during his football career Probierz played for both Polish and German clubs. Over more than 20 years of coaching, he has worked with numerous teams but has not achieved major success with any of them.

The Polish specialist has managed both the U21 national team and the...

French prosecutors announced on Oct. 6 that they are investigating Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, after receiving a complaint alleging illegal data collection, Reuters reported.

The Paris prosecutor’s office assigned the case to a police cybercrime unit.

Technology researcher Thomas Le Bonniec told Reuters that he filed the complaint on behalf of the French human rights group Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (the Human Rights League).

The organization explained that the complaint specifically alleges Apple collected, recorded and analyzed users’ Siri conversations without their knowledge or explicit permission, detailing that these actions were taken without user consent.

Apple

Indonesia’s House of Representatives hopes that suspending TikTok’s license will not harm small businesses that rely on the platform, according to Antara News.

Dave Laksono, deputy chair of House Commission I, said TikTok Shop and live commerce are now vital tools for micro and small entrepreneurs nationwide.

These comments followed the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs’ Oct. 3 announcement that it had suspended TikTok’s Electronic System Operator License (TDPSE) for not meeting regulatory requirements.

The ministry stated that the suspension was due to TikTok’s refusal to share information on user traffic and live-streaming...