News

Shareholders of Kazakhstan’s state-owned uranium giant, Kazatomprom, have approved a transaction with India’s Department of Atomic Energy, according to the company’s disclosed corporate filings.

Long-term supply agreement

The documents indicate that the deal is a long-term contract for the purchase and sale of natural uranium concentrates. Under the agreement, Kazatomprom will act as the seller, while India’s Department of Atomic Energy will be the buyer.

Limited disclosure on terms

Key terms of the agreement, including pricing and duration, have not been disclosed. However, the company noted that the transaction involves assets valued at more than 50% of Kazatomprom’s...

Swiss national ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer has publicly admitted that he used a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter China during the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to The Associated Press.

In an official statement, Fischer described his actions as a «serious mistake,» acknowledging that he traveled to Beijing with the Swiss men’s team using invalid documents to bypass pandemic-related entry requirements. He explained that he did not want to receive the vaccine and therefore chose the shortcut of using a forged certificate.

Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) reported that Fischer was confronted with evidence showing he had...

Hungary’s OTP Bank sees Central Asia as one of its priority regions for business expansion and mergers and acquisitions, according to the group’s full-year 2025 results.

The report highlights that the bank is prioritizing organic growth while continuing to pursue value-creating deals both across its current footprint and beyond.

«Management continues to look for potential value-creating M&A opportunities both within and beyond the existing geographical footprint. Central Asia is one particular region the Management is focusing on given its high growth potential,» the report said.

The group’s interest in the region...

Meta Platforms is developing an AI version of Mark Zuckerberg capable of replicating his speech, behavior and communication style. This digital clone would be able to answer employee questions and give instructions as if Zuckerberg himself were doing so.

The goal of the project is straightforward: to save the CEO’s time. Once ready, the AI version is expected to be available around the clock and handle some of Zuckerberg’s tasks without his direct involvement.

The system is being trained on Zuckerberg’s tone and past statements to reflect his current strategy and thinking. Ideally, it would also replicate facial expressions...

Kazakhstan’s oil exports fell to 15.3 million tons in January to March, down 21.5% year-on-year, according to Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov.

«Over the reporting period, oil and gas condensate production volume made 19.7 million tons, equal to 80.2% of the same period last year… Oil exports over three months totaled 15.3 million tons, equal to 78.5% of the same period in 2025. The forecast for 2026 is 76 million tons,» he said during the government session.

Akkenzhenov highlighted that commissioning of a sixth gas injection compressor at the Karachaganak field is underway. It is expected...

Kazakh consumers often cannot obtain compensation from major international companies — even in cases involving proven defects. While courts in other countries have forced corporations to pay billions in damages, consumers in Kazakhstan are frequently left without recourse. Lawmakers are now looking to change that.

Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament recently discussed introducing a class action lawsuit mechanism.

Officials cite global precedents

Rustam Akhmetov, first deputy chairman of the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition, pointed to international examples. Apple has paid compensation to U.S. consumers — including about $25 per claimant — over defective...

Today began with alarming news for BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. A fire broke out in the Pingshan district of Shenzhen, where the company’s headquarters and manufacturing cluster are located. Thick black smoke rising from the facility alarmed investors and revived concerns about lithium battery safety on social media, Reuters reported.

What happened

The fire was first reported overnight and engulfed a large garage within an industrial park. By morning, it had been completely extinguished.

BYD moved quickly to reassure the public, stating that the fire occurred in a parking garage used for «test and...

A large nationwide study conducted in Denmark has found no evidence that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in children, Reuters reported.

The research analyzed data from more than 1.5 million children born between 1997 and 2022. Among them, 31,098 were exposed to Tylenol in the womb. Autism was later diagnosed in 1.8% of those exposed, compared with 3% of children who were not exposed to the drug.

According to the researchers, the results remained consistent even after adjusting for various factors, including the amount of medication taken and the stage of pregnancy during...

Damage from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran may be estimated at roughly $270 billion, according to Fatemeh Mohajerani, the official spokesperson for the Iranian government, as reported by RIA Novosti.

As the spokesperson noted, the issue of war reparations from the U.S. is one of the key topics being addressed by the Iranian negotiating team. In particular, this matter was discussed during recent talks in Pakistan.

She also emphasized that the country will pursue legal avenues to defend the rights of its people, including seeking compensation for the bloodshed of those killed at the Minab school.

On Feb...

Kazakh Tourism, a national tourism promotion organization, reported that it hosted prominent travel content creator Connor and arranged a tour of Almaty for him.

The content creator visited Ascension Cathedral, Shymbulak, Medeu and Kok-Tobe and explored the region’s cultural heritage and landmarks. Moreover, the traveler visited Charyn Canyon, where he captured the country’s natural landscapes.

Connor said the trip was comfortable thanks to the organizers’ support and praised the guide who assisted throughout the journey. He also thanked the Ministry of Tourism in Kazakhstan for arranging the tour and praised organizer Talgat

Kazakhstan has introduced an information system that uses artificial intelligence to predict court case outcomes. The platform also consolidates the country’s lawyers and legal consultants, Deputy Justice Minister Bekbolat Moldabekov said at a recent media briefing.

E-legal support app aims to boost trust, access

Moldabekov highlighted the «E-zan komegi» (E-legal support) mobile app, saying it is designed to increase public trust in the judicial system, simplify access to professional legal assistance and reduce corruption risks.

«Users can submit questions through our artificial intelligence system. They can also access a call center, which...

While Kazakhstan is abolishing VAT on thousands of medications, feminine hygiene products remain subject to the tax. A proposal to change this has been posted on the official petition platform, epetition.kz.

Read also: ‘Bleeding is not my choice’: The fight for period products in public restrooms.

The petition’s author, Medina Fatima Maisar, argues that rising prices for sanitary pads and tampons could lead to health risks for women in Kazakhstan.

Rising costs strain low-income households

Maisar estimates that a pack of Magnum sanitary pads costs between 900 and 1,500 tenge...

Hungary’s new prime minister-elect, Péter Magyar, has captured the attention of social media users around the world. The 45-year-old opposition figure is the first millennial to lead the country.

Magyar has pledged to pursue a tough anti-corruption agenda, implement reforms, introduce a new constitution and move Hungary closer to the European Union.

Viral appeal beyond politics

Beyond policy, Magyar has generated widespread buzz online, with much of the attention focused on his youth and appearance.

Social media users have flooded platforms with congratulatory posts directed at Hungarians, with many praising voters for their «taste.»

Dry indoor air — especially during heating season — and bright outdoor lighting can significantly reduce sleep quality and, over time, overall well-being.

For restorative sleep, the goal is simple: create an environment where your body isn’t working against external stressors. Here’s how to optimize your setup.

Read also: What the world’s sexiest grandfather actually eats for breakfast.

Light from billboards and streetlights can suppress melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. To help your brain enter deep, restorative sleep, aim for complete darkness.

Blackout blinds or curtains

There are two main...

Luxury sales in the Middle East have fallen sharply, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the Iran conflict disrupts one of the industry’s key growth regions, Reuters reported.

In March, sales at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates dropped by 30% to 50% compared with the same period last year, while foot traffic declined by 15%. At the larger Dubai Mall, visitor numbers fell by around 50%, suggesting an even steeper sales downturn. In Abu Dhabi, performance was more resilient but still showed a roughly 10% decline at the Galleria mall.

The slowdown reflects the impact of...

The sowing campaign is in full swing in the Turkestan region, in southern Kazakhstan, which is a challenging time for local wildlife — thousands of tortoises, lizards and snakes end up at risk in the steppe due to heavy machinery.

Volunteers from the Tasbaqa environment fund came to the animals’ aid. They collected the animals by hand directly in the fields where machinery was about to operate. All the tortoises found were placed in buckets and carried to safe areas. The injured ones were examined and given necessary care.

Pope Leo XIV has said he will continue to «speak out loudly» against war following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over his positions on immigration and the conflict involving Iran, the BBC reported.

Trump described the Pope as «weak on crime» and «terrible for foreign policy» in a social media post, later telling reporters he was «not a big fan.» He also suggested the pontiff was ineffective in addressing global security concerns, particularly nuclear threats.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to Algeria, the Pope declined to engage directly with Trump’s remarks. He emphasized that his role is...

Kazakhstani Counter-Strike 2 player Danil «molodoy» Golubenko came into the media spotlight after arriving in Brazil. Fans gave the player an enthusiastic reception.

The video posted on Instagram shows dozens of fans surrounding the player at an airport terminal. The caption reads, «They’ve arrived!» Numerous comments in Portuguese suggest that molodoy has already been embraced by the local community.

However, the main hype...

An Osh businessman approached Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov with an unusual request. He asked the head of state to provide the city with 2 to 3 tons of gold as compensation.

What happened

During his trip to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley, Japarov met with local residents and answered their questions. One of those who spoke was Aidar Bakyev, an entrepreneur and former adviser to the mayor of Osh. Citing the difficult situation that local entrepreneurs have faced due to the former mayor’s actions, he asked the president for gold. He said the...

Australia has announced that a woman will lead its army for the first time, as part of broader changes to the country’s defense leadership, Reuters reported.

Lt. Gen. Susan Coyle, currently serving as chief of joint capabilities, is set to take over as chief of army in July. She will succeed Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, according to a government statement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the appointment as historic, noting it marks the first time in the Australian Army’s 125-year history that a woman will hold the position. Defense Minister Richard Marles also highlighted the significance of the move...

Shanghai Construction Group, one of China’s largest construction companies, plans to build a new EXPO center in Almaty. The city’s Akimat (mayor’s office) confirmed the project to Kursiv.media.

Preliminary conceptual design for the EXPO center is underway, with a focus on modern standards and integration into the city’s business and events ecosystem.

Immersive 360-degree sphere also proposed

Officials also announced plans for a 360-degree sphere. The venue is envisioned as a multifunctional space offering fully immersive experiences for visitors.

The sphere would support ultra-high-definition panoramic visuals, with flexible configurations for cultural and entertainment events, educational programming and interactive...

Britney Spears has voluntarily entered a treatment facility, following a recent arrest for driving under the influence, NBC News reported.

In early March, the California Highway Patrol stopped the singer’s black BMW 430i after observing her driving «erratically at a high rate of speed» on a highway. After a series of field sobriety tests, Spears was taken into custody and later released with an order to appear at Ventura County Superior Court on May 4.

At the time, her representative described the incident as «completely inexcusable» and expressed hope it would mark the beginning of necessary changes in...

Deputy Governor of the Aktobe region Abzal Abdikarimov met with a delegation from Shell Kazakhstan to discuss investment projects, further cooperation and the launch of geological exploration at the Zhanaturmys oil and gas block under a project implemented by the company as part of a contract with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy signed on March 5, 2026.

The block covers the Mugalzhar and Alga districts of the Aktobe Region. The project includes seismic surveys, the collection of geological data and their technical assessment.

The Governor’s Office also presented current indicators of the region’s oil and gas sector...

Péter Magyar, president of the Tisza Party and Hungary’s incoming prime minister, has pledged to restore democratic checks and balances and strengthen the country’s ties with the European Union and NATO following a decisive election victory on Sunday, Euronews reported.

Speaking to supporters in Budapest, Magyar said Hungary would «once again be a strong ally» in Europe and announced plans to visit Warsaw, Vienna and Brussels. In Brussels, he aims to negotiate the release of billions of euros in EU funds currently frozen. He also committed to joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to address financial oversight and...