News

Travelling to Central Asia — Almaty in particular — might seem challenging not only in terms of time spent in the air and layovers, but also from a gastronomic perspective. However, while traditional cuisine may differ from what is commonly popular worldwide, Almaty is a large multicultural city with a wide variety of dining options.

International fast food

Your typical international fast-food chains — including KFC, Wendy’s, Burger King, Hardee’s and Popeyes — operate in Almaty. Notably, McDonald’s, which many expect to find everywhere in the world, used to serve customers in Kazakhstan but exited the...

On Sept. 30, Almaty will come alive with football as Kairat hosts Real Madrid. Not everyone has tickets to the stadium, so many fans are looking for places to soak up the atmosphere outside the stands (“unofficial fan zones”).

Bars, restaurants and terraces with large screens are among the most popular options. Kursiv LifeStyle breaks down the cost of an evening filled with big-match emotions for Almaty residents and visitors.

Special conditions and no refunds

Almost all bars and restaurants in Almaty have introduced a deposit system for the match. Some venues are already fully booked, while...

A Russian Arbitration Court has canceled the protective measures imposed on Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov in connection with the bankruptcy case of the «Association» bank. The news was reported by Frank Media, citing the court ruling.

Court decision and case participants

Along with Timur Turlov, the list of restricted individuals no longer includes A.V. Lordos, A.S. Voron, M.K. Minasyan, the company Marinrpereshnservisz, M.V. Kosyreva and O.A. Artemyeva. Meanwhile, the seizure of V.L. Makarevich’s assets, valued at 229.8 million rubles, remains in effect as part of a settlement agreement.

Earlier, Russia’s Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) had filed claims...

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior has won a lawsuit over trademark rights against an entrepreneur from La Coruña, El País reported.

In 2018, the businessman registered a clothing brand under the name Vinicius. Both the Commercial Court of La Coruña and the Court of Appeal ruled that he had tried to capitalize on the player’s fame.

According to the defendant, Vinícius was not yet widely recognized at the time of the application, so consumers would not connect the trademark to the footballer. The court rejected that defense, concluding the entrepreneur was aware of the player’s rising...

Kylian Mbappé, the most anticipated Real Madrid player in Kazakhstan and ambassador for the renowned Hublot brand, unveiled a limited-edition watch. The Swiss brand recently celebrated two significant milestones: the 70th anniversary of the European Cup and the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the UEFA Champions League. To commemorate 10 years of unforgettable moments, Hublot released the Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium series.

Since joining the UEFA Champions League stage in 2015, Hublot has timed over 800 matches, capturing significant moments. The new collection symbolizes this decade-long partnership.

The Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium is...

Yellow Cake, a British firm focused on uranium, has raised $175 million by issuing approximately 23 million new shares to institutional investors. With a portion of the proceeds, the company aims to purchase uranium from Kazakhstan.

Priced at £5.64 each, the new shares accounted for 10.6% of the pre-transaction capital. The AIM market is scheduled to begin trading these shares on Sept. 29.

Proceeds will be used to exercise an option to purchase uranium from Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s uranium giant, in 2025, as well as for additional acquisitions.

According to Kazakhstan’s Association of Financiers, Yellow Cake...

Kairat announced its UEFA Youth League match against Real Madrid U-19 will be played without spectators.

The Sept. 30 game will be held at noon at the Segizbayev Academy field, Mailin Street, Almaty. Entry is restricted to coaches, academy staff, players’ parents and accredited media; general fans are not permitted.

Kairat said the decision was made because of the limited capacity of the academy’s field, which seats only 250 people. Later at 9:45 p.m., Kairat’s senior team will play Real Madrid at Almaty’s Central Stadium.

This UEFA Champions League match is sold out.

A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two counts connected to his testimony before Congress in 2020. The charges include making false statements and obstruction of justice, according to the BBC.

Prosecutors allege Comey misled the Senate Judiciary Committee about whether he authorized others at the FBI to share information with the press concerning his conversations with President Donald Trump during his first term. The obstruction charge claims his statements improperly impeded or blocked the committee’s inquiry.

Comey denies wrongdoing, expresses confidence in the judicial process, and looks forward to defending...

In a single day, several high-ranking officials in Kazakhstan’s presidential administration (president’s executive office) and cabinet lost their posts, marking a significant shift.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed three aides: Tamara Duissenova; Kanat Sharlapaev, who advised on economic issues; and Yerzhan Kazykhan, who oversaw international issues and was appointed permanent representative to the U.N. office in Geneva.

Tokayev also removed advisers Kunsulu Zakariya, focused on science; Zulfiya Suleimenova, responsible for international environmental cooperation; and Yernar Baspayev.

New foreign minister

Murat Nurtleu was dismissed as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. He was reassigned as Tokayev’s aide for international...

Almaty is going to host a UEFA Champions League match, part of one of the most remarkable football tournaments in the world. The nearest match is scheduled for Sept. 30, with Real Madrid playing against FC Kairat at Central Stadium, just a 10-minute walk from Baikonur metro station. The city has no shortage of accommodation options near the venue, so Kursiv.media has compiled a list for different budgets.

Five-star hotels

InterContinental Almaty. The hotel is a 30-minute walk from the stadium, located in the city center near popular landmarks, including the Kazakhstan Independence Monument and...

Microsoft has restricted some cloud and AI services for a unit of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, citing a breach of service terms, according to Al Jazeera.

As Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post, the company had disabled services after an internal review. This review was prompted by an August investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call. The report alleged that Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence division, used Microsoft’s Azure platform to store and process large volumes of surveillance data on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Smith confirmed Microsoft...

The cult pop boy band, at their peak in the late 1990s, shared their impressions in a large, heartfelt post on Instagram, accompanied by a photo set from performances and backstage moments in Almaty and Astana.

«From the moment we touched down till the moment we departed, we felt truly welcomed, loved and embraced in the country of Kazakhstan. We felt the generosity of so many...

Mercedes has launched the electric version of the CLA in China, according to CarNewsChina.com.

The Mercedes CLA L electric sedan is priced from 259,000 yuan (about $36,000) and offers a driving range of up to 866 kilometers (km).

In terms of design, the model is nearly identical to the CLA shown at the Shanghai Auto Show this spring; however, its wheelbase is 40 millimeters (mm) longer. The CLA L measures 4,763 mm in length, 1,856 mm in width and 1,469 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm.

For buyers, two versions are available: the CLA...

With the landmark Kairat vs. Real Madrid match just days away, visiting fans are urged to prioritize their safety while in Almaty. A new official portal and mobile app, Safetravel.kz, is now the go-to resource for all travelers.

Key features

What to do in case of…

Robbery or theft of belongings

Amid the excitement surrounding the Champions League match between Kairat and Real Madrid, Almaty residents and visitors are searching for every possible way to watch the game. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on the best view of Central Stadium.

Ticket sales for the anticipated match started at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 23. Within hours, all 23,000 seats at the stadium were sold out, according to Ticketon.kz, the service responsible for ticket sales.

It wasn’t a big surprise, though, as even sales began, there were several times more people wanting to attend the match than there were tickets. At one point, the number...

Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and was once its capital. It’s rich in culture, natural beauty and modern conveniences. With tree-lined streets, lively cafés and mountain views close by, Almaty is a great place to visit. If you’re coming for the first time, here’s what you need to know about getting there, getting around and settling in.

Getting to Almaty from Europe

Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the primary gateway to the city, offering direct and connecting flights from numerous European countries.

Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev once sought to buy a villa (previously owned by Mobutu) on the French Riviera, Russian businessman Shalva Chigirinsky said in an interview with journalist Yuri Dud.

Chigirinsky originally purchased the property in 2001 for $14.5 million. After leaving Russia, he sold it to Gazprom Neft, one of Russia’s largest state-owned oil producers, for $70 million, a price he said reflected extensive renovations.

“I was offered much more for it, even half a billion,” Chigirinsky said. “Nazarbayev’s people came. They wanted to buy a summer residence for him in...

Kazakh national postal operator Kazpost announced that it is temporarily suspending shipments of parcels containing goods to the U.S., citing guidance issued on Aug. 26 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

According to the statement, the American side introduced limitations on postal shipments from most countries. The operator noted that, at present, only five nations out of 192 member states of the Universal Postal Union are able to send parcels containing goods to the U.S.

Kazpost noted that shipments of letters and documents to the U.S. continue as normal.

«Kazpost is in constant contact with...

Kazakhstan has authorized the industrial production of 218 hemp varieties originating from 20 countries, including Russia, the U.S., Canada and Ukraine.

The country permits industrial cultivation of cannabis only for uses unrelated to producing or manufacturing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

The approved list includes varieties categorized by country of origin:

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he faced «three very sinister events» during his visit to the UN General Assembly, asserting that the Secret Service would review the incidents, according to the Associated Press.

Delivering his speech, Trump lashed out at the UN, European allies and their immigration policies, also pointing to a series of mishaps he called «triple sabotage.» First, Trump claimed an escalator carrying him and his team «screeched to a halt,» accusing unnamed individuals of deliberate interference. In response, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said a U.S. delegation videographer may have accidentally triggered the stop mechanism.

In...

Digital nomads don’t seem to be rushing to Kazakhstan. Only 27 foreigners have obtained a Neo Nomad Visa since 2024.

Kazakhstan does not appear to be among the most attractive destinations for foreign tourists with remote jobs.

«Since the launch of the Neo Nomad Visa last year, 27 foreign nationals from 14 countries have had the opportunity to live in Kazakhstan for up to one year,» Kazakh Tourism said.

Most visas went to citizens of the U.S., Canada and France. Others receiving the Neo Nomad Visa include nationals of New Zealand, the U.K., Ireland...

On Sept. 25, flights, businesses, transportation services and several schools resumed operations in China’s Special Administrative Region Hong Kong after being hit by Typhoon Ragasa, described as the most powerful storm, Reuters reported.

According to authorities, around 100 people were injured in the region. On Sept. 24, the Hong Kong Observatory initially issued the highest typhoon warning, Signal No. 10, but later lowered it to Signal No. 8 the same day. By Sept. 25, the signal remained at No. 3 until morning, when it was further reduced to No. 1.

Separately, in Taiwan, authorities initially reported...

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened its case against Amazon, accusing the company of tricking millions of shoppers into signing up for unwanted Prime subscriptions, according to Reuters.

FTC argues that Amazon executives avoided making the sign-up and cancellation process easier to protect their revenue. Government attorney Jonathan Cohen described it as the «more members, more money» principle, claiming that the company prioritized growth over consumer choice.

Prime costs up to $14.99 per month and offers fast shipping and streaming. The FTC contends Amazon enrolled many shoppers without clear information and required them to navigate a...

Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen gave a wide-ranging interview to the YouTube channel «Business Pod Kapotom» («Business Under the Hood»), where he discussed contacting the producer of «Borat» and coping with the loss of a loved one.

The singer said he never doubted his career path. From childhood, he had only wanted to sing and never considered any other option. He credited his parents for shaping his future: His mother, despite poor health, carried him on her back to music school each day while his father, aunt and uncle were at work.

Confronting Sacha Baron Cohen

During the interview...