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Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector continued to contract in February, weighed down by a further decline in new orders and the lingering effects of January’s VAT increase, which pushed up input costs. In response, companies reduced staffing, purchasing activity and inventory levels.

The Freedom Holding Corp. Kazakhstan Manufacturing PMI fell from 49.8 in January to 48.1 in February. The reading remained below the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction for the second consecutive month, signaling a modest deterioration in operating conditions. Business performance worsened at the fastest pace since August of last year.

A key driver of the downturn was...

Apple unveiled a new iPhone in its 2026 affordable line — the iPhone 17e. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 16e, it features a 6.1-inch display, but adds more storage, MagSafe and satellite features.

The smartphone comes with an OLED display offering a resolution of 2,532 by 1,170 pixels and up to 1,200 nits of brightness. The refresh rate remains a standard 60 Hz. Performance is powered by the A19 chip — the same as in the regular iPhone 17 — providing more than enough power for daily tasks, social media, and gaming.

Minimum storage starts at 256 GB, with a 512 GB...

Actor Jim Carrey’s appearance at France’s César Awards last week prompted widespread online speculation after social media users questioned whether it was really him on stage, CNN reported.

Photos and video from the ceremony circulated online, with some commenters claiming Carrey looked noticeably different. Some social media users suggested the possibility of a lookalike impersonating him.

Fueling the speculation, drag artist Alexis Stone — known for elaborate celebrity transformations — posted images referencing Carrey’s appearance, including photos of prosthetics resembling the actor. Stone did not publicly confirm any impersonation.

Observers also noted that Carrey delivered his acceptance...

In Austin, the U.S., a Waymo-operated driverless taxi blocked the path of emergency vehicles during a mass shooting near a bar, Autoevolution reported. Multiple casualties were reported.

Ambulance was unable to get through

The robotaxi got stuck across the road while making a U-turn, occupying two lanes at once. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a minor irritation; however, at that moment, an ambulance was rushing to the shooting scene. A video of the incident circulated online.

A police officer approached the car and contacted a Waymo operator via the integrated...

UNESCO has voiced concern about the safety of cultural landmarks in the Middle East following reports that Iran’s Golestan Palace sustained damage amid recent military strikes in Tehran, Euronews reported.

According to Iranian state media, debris and shockwaves from a U.S.-Israeli airstrike near Arg Square on Monday caused damage to parts of the historic palace complex, including windows, doors and decorative elements.

Golestan Palace, located in central Tehran, is one of the city’s oldest historic complexes. Originally established during the Qajar dynasty in the late 18th century, the site later evolved into a royal residence and the...

The latest installment of the “Scream” slasher franchise has delivered a record-setting box office debut in the U.S. and overseas.

Read also: From page to scream: Stephen King on Hollywood’s obsession and our need for horror.

According to Variety, the new «Scream» posted the strongest opening weekend for the franchise since the original film’s 1996 debut. The movie grossed $64.1 million domestically and $33.1 million internationally in its first weekend, for a global total of nearly $100 million.

The previous franchise record was set by “Scream 6,” which earned...

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, temporary measures have been implemented to support foreign tourists stranded in the country amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Thai Examiner, a Thai news outlet, reported that visa overstaying fines will be lifted, accommodation discounts will be provided, and a daily payment of 2,000 baht (roughly $63) will be granted, limited to 20,000 baht (around $633) per person.

The Thai Immigration Bureau stated that foreign nationals unable to leave the country due to airspace closures may apply for an extension of their stay. Visas can be...

Iranian authorities were prepared for the possibility of conflict and the force majeure scenarios that could arise, according to Kazakh political analyst Mukhit Assanbayev. Below are excerpts from an interview with Assanbayev conducted by a correspondent for Kursiv.media.

Leadership after Khamenei

— Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials were killed. Reports say 48 officials died in a single strike. Has Iran been left without leadership?

— No. Khamenei had already outlined power transfer arrangements after last year’s «12-day war» against Iran, led by Israel and the U.S. In other words, procedures for governing in a force...

The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ARDFM) is preparing to simplify investor access to initial public offerings (IPOs). As part of its 2026 supervisory agenda, the regulator announced plans to eliminate the requirement to pre-fund IPO applications.

According to a policy document outlining the development priorities of Kazakhstan’s securities market, the agency intends to remove the requirement to pre-deposit cash and securities when submitting IPO orders. This means prospective investors will no longer need to reserve or «freeze» funds in brokerage accounts for the duration of the bookbuilding period.

The initiative...

Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have issued a statement addressing the situation in Iran, condemning the use of force in the Middle East and military strikes against Iran as unacceptable. The bloc called for a strictly peaceful resolution to the ongoing disputes.

«The SCO member states underscore the need to ensure the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran and call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could aggravate the situation,» the statement said.

The SCO also urged the United Nations to...

Kazakhstani DJ Arkadiy F performed on the cult Berlin-based stream HÖR Berlin, featuring remixes of Kazakh tracks, including those containing explicit language. A profanity-laced track with humorous lyrics in Kazakh was aired on one of the world’s most recognizable online platforms for DJs.

This is not the first appearance of Kazakhstani artists on the platform; however, this set sparked a particularly strong reaction on social media. Listeners discussed the bold track selection and the cultural context. The local underground scene unexpectedly found itself on a global stream.

Musically, the set was rich in genres, spanning trance, bass and vintage garage...

The term of the current United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has led the global body since 2017, is set to expire at the end of this year. The formal process to select his successor was initiated in November 2025.

Read also: Is António Guterres the right leader for a world in crisis?

Key dates for the 2026 selection cycle include a recommended nomination deadline of April 1 for candidates wishing to participate in interactive dialogues, which are scheduled for the week of April 20, 2026. The Security Council aims

Late last year, German newspaper Bild reported that Croatian journalist Domagoj Margetić filed a complaint with prosecutors in Milan against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, accusing him of involvement in so-called «human safaris» in Sarajevo during the 1990s.

Nature of the allegations

According to materials cited in the complaint, during the Bosnian War, wealthy foreign nationals — including Italian citizens — allegedly traveled to combat zones and paid between €80,000 and €100,000 for the opportunity to shoot civilians.

Read also: Italian prosecutors seek justice for innocent...

KazMunayGas (KMG), Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, reported a record surge in its share price. During trading on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), the stock rose 11.32%, or 2,900 tenge, reaching 29,000 tenge ($58.19) per share.

This was the first trading session since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for nearly 40 years.

Analysts say the escalating conflict in the Middle East poses a significant risk to global oil markets. If Iran were to block the Strait of Hormuz, the global market could lose up to...

The launch of the first light rail transit (LRT) line in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, is expected this spring, according to Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek.

The mayor posted on Instagram, stating he visited the LRT depot and the operations control center to check operational readiness. Kassymbek traveled through the Airport, Baiterek, House of Ministries and National Museum stations.

Test operations along the line is currently underway. Specialists are conducting trial runs and checking infrastructure, security systems, personnel training and emergency operations. The trains will operate in autonomous mode.

Airports across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have suspended operations following Iran’s attacks, leaving more than 20,000 passengers stranded, according to the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). To address the problem, the government has decided to cover all accommodation and meal costs for affected travelers, Euronews reported.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi received an official notice from the Department of Culture and Tourism instructing them to extend guests’ stays if they are unable to leave due to the situation. The department said it would cover the cost of the additional nights.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism issued...

On March 1, a complete ban on vapes and electronic cigarettes took effect in Uzbekistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law last November, Sputnik Uzbekistan reported.

Now it is not only prohibited to vape but also to produce, possess, sell, import and export electronic cigarettes and e-liquids. Violations are subject to criminal liability. Depending on the situation, the sanction may be a large fine, corrective labor, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to five years.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice noted that individuals who voluntarily turn in prohibited devices and report violations may be exempt from...

A U.S. military operation targeting senior Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken place under the close supervision of President Donald Trump and his top advisers. As with several past events, they followed the situation from Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach estate Trump bought in 1985 and turned into a private club with hotel-style amenities. Today, it also serves as his presidential home when he is in Florida, CNN reported.

Senior national security officials, such as the CIA director, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met in...

Kazakhstan’s OPEC+ April quota is set at 1.579 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the organization. Meanwhile, the March quota stands at 1.569 million bpd, up by 10,000 bpd.

Overall, OPEC+ decided to increase oil production in April by 206,000 bpd: Algeria — 977,000 bpd (up 6,000 bpd); Iraq — 4.299 million bpd (up 26,000 bpd); Kuwait — 2.596 million bpd (up 16,000 bpd); Saudi Arabia — 10.166 million bpd (up 62,000 bpd); the UAE — 3.429 million bpd (up 18,000 bpd); Oman — 816,000 bpd (up 5,000 bpd); and Russia — 9.637 million bpd (up 62,000 bpd). The...

Kazakhstani citizens in Iran may leave the country by land, as flights have been suspended, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Iran stated.

The mission in Iran has established a 24-hour emergency hotline for citizens of Kazakhstan in Iran. They are asked to contact the diplomatic missions to coordinate arrangements for departure from Iran via land borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

The following 24-hour emergency lines are available for citizens of Kazakhstan in Iran:

Embassy of Kazakhstan in Tehran

Consulate General of Kazakhstan...

Kaspi.kz, Kazakhstan’s leading fintech company and a major e-commerce ecosystem, has launched a special financial support program for Kazakhstanis facing travel disruptions due to the situation in the Middle East.

Read also: No reports of Kazakh casualties in Middle East — Foreign Ministry.

The assistance is intended for citizens who purchased tour packages or round-trip airline tickets through the Kaspi Travel service and are currently in the Middle East or stranded there as transit passengers.

Daily financial support

Financial assistance will be transferred directly to recipients’ Kaspi Gold cards to...

Nearly a thousand people have been killed or injured amid escalating clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to officials from both sides.

Read also: Iran names interim leader, declares jihad after escalation.

Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on social media platform X that at least 415 Afghan soldiers had been killed and more than 580 wounded during fighting with Pakistani forces.

Pakistan reports large-scale strikes

According to Tarar, Pakistani airstrikes targeted 46 locations inside Afghanistan. The Pakistani military said it destroyed 182 Afghan checkpoints and secured...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there have been no confirmed reports of Kazakh citizens killed or injured amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The ministry is operating around the clock and coordinating efforts with both domestic and foreign agencies as regional tensions continue to rise.

Authorities monitoring citizens in conflict zones

Officials said data collection is ongoing to determine the number of Kazakh citizens currently located in areas affected by the escalation. The total number of nationals in the region — including those staying in airport transit zones — is still being...

Kazakh analysts are divided over how escalating tensions between Iran, Israel and the U.S. could affect Kazakhstan’s economy, particularly oil prices and export opportunities.

Read also: Uranium and oil dip costs Kazakhstan a massive $4.1B.

Some experts believe global markets have already priced in geopolitical risks, making a sustained rise in oil prices unlikely. Others say short-term disruptions remain possible if the conflict spreads to key energy transit routes.

Oil prices already reflect risks

Olzhas Baidildinov, author of the Telegram channel Baidildinov.Oil, said current oil prices already account...