News

Kazakhstan should introduce a three-year moratorium on inspections of micro and small businesses starting Jan. 1, 2027, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in his address to the nation.

«An analysis of business activity shows that, essentially, all businesses need is not to be interfered with. The experience of the moratorium on inspections of micro and small businesses from 2020 to 2023 proved effective. I propose that members of the Kurultai, in collaboration with the government, discuss the feasibility of introducing another three-year moratorium starting Jan. 1, 2027, while taking into account both the...

A recent report by The Economist highlighted a troubling trend: sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are surging in Europe. One possible explanation is that people are using condoms less frequently, although the available evidence is inconclusive. A World Health Organization (WHO) study found a decline in reported condom use among adolescents between 2014 and 2022, but data on condom use among the broader population aged 20 and older remain limited.

Data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators, compiled from Demographic and Health Surveys and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), show substantial...

People magazine has named Noah Wyle, known for his roles in the medical dramas «ER» and «The Pitt,» its «Sexiest Man Alive» for 2026. According to People, Wyle initially thought the announcement was a prank. His wife, Sara, fully supported the choice, seeing him as a good man, a caring father and a devoted husband.

Now 55, Wyle rose to fame in the 1990s playing Dr. John Carter on «ER.» In recent years, he has returned to the spotlight with «The Pitt,» in which he stars as Dr. Michael «Robby» Robinavitch. The role earned him two...

For millions of professionals, choosing where to live no longer begins with physical office locations. A recent ranking by World Population Review highlights how countries worldwide are actively competing for remote workers bringing independent income across borders. Rather than simply searching for the cheapest destinations, digital nomads are evaluating long-term value, administrative efficiency, internet reliability and lifestyle quality.

European leaders in digital living

Estonia stands out as a global pioneer in digital governance, offering a visa covering up to 12 months for remote workers earning at least 3,960 euros monthly. With average city-center rents around...

Chinese state television has suspended broadcasts of Spanish football league La Liga matches following a controversy involving Kylian Mbappé, the French forward for Real Madrid. The backlash erupted after comments he made about an internet meme featuring an image of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.

According to Reuters, the restrictions also cover other competitions involving Mbappé, while advertisements featuring the football star have been pulled from Chinese television.

How the controversy began

On Oct. 26, a video began circulating online in which Mbappé discussed the funniest meme he...

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that Alatau, a new city near Almaty, will introduce a specialized judicial system based on English common law to handle commercial cases.

In an address to the nation, Tokayev noted that Alatau should be a zone favorable to investment and entrepreneurship. Ensuring effective administration of justice is essential to enhancing the appeal of this jurisdiction.

«A judicial system that ensures high-quality administration of justice should be established in Alatau. An investment court, based on the English common law model, will hear commercial cases. All other matters related to the special legal regime...

Kazakhstan’s Zhibek Kulambayeva (World No. 102 in doubles) and the Netherlands’ Isabelle Haverlag (World No. 65) defeated the top-seeded pair of Russia’s Maria Kozyreva (World No. 48) and British Maia Lumsden (World No. 35) in the 2026 Guangzhou Open quarterfinals, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8. Venus Williams is also competing in the doubles draw.

At the start of the tournament, Kulambayeva and Haverlag defeated the Chinese pair of Qu Yihan (World No. 1,015) and Zhang Ruien (World No. 515), 6-3, 4-6, 10-5.

In the first set, both pairs held serve in the opening games before Kulambayeva and Haverlag were broken in the...

Dubai has once again become a place to break world records. Joyalukkas Jewellery has unveiled a giant pair of gold earrings named Mayura Sahasra, which can be translated from Sanskrit as «a thousand peacocks.» Kursiv LifeStyle looks at the details.

The earrings set two Guinness World Records: the heaviest and the largest pair of gold earrings.

The earrings weigh 16.514 kilograms and are made of 22-carat gold, making them five times heavier than the previous record-holding pair. They measure 1.215 meters long and 0.682 meters in diameter.

The expansion of the Shymkent Oil Refinery was among the main topics discussed by Kazakhstani officials and representatives of China’s CNPC in Astana. The joint venture’s annual processing capacity is expected to double to 12 million tons.

The project was reviewed at the fifth meeting of the working group on Kazakhstan-China cooperation in the oil and gas sector, chaired by Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlybek Nalibayev. Participants included Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, CNPC President Zhou Xinhuai and representatives of oil and gas companies from both countries, the government’s press service said.

Alongside the refinery expansion...

Electricity availability has become a decisive factor in a country’s competitiveness and even its economic sovereignty, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president of Kazakhstan, said in his annual address to the nation.

Tokayev described the current period as an «era of electricity,» saying Kazakhstan must turn its resource wealth into sustainable energy development and technological progress.

«Frankly speaking, there are more than enough problems here. We have very few professional energy experts, yet forums and discussions on energy issues are held with striking frequency and on a grand scale,» he said.

Electricity shortages drive costly...

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has approved a new organizational structure. FIDE President Timur Turlov announced a redistribution of authority between the governing bodies and administrative units.

In a statement on FIDE’s website, Turlov noted that the federation is entering a new stage of development that requires changes to its governance system.

«When I announced my candidacy for FIDE President, I spoke about the need to take our organization to a new level. Today, I would like to present one of the first important steps in that direction – FIDE’s new organizational structure,» he said.

Kazakhstan spends 11.1% of its total government expenditure on net interest payments on public debt, equivalent to 3.8% of gross domestic product (GDP). By this measure, the country’s burden exceeds the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 4.9% and even the U.S.’ 10.7% — despite Kazakhstan’s relatively low public debt, estimated at about 22% of GDP.

The figures were highlighted by economist Andrey Chebotarev, who analyzed OECD data for 2025 on net interest payments — government interest expenses minus interest income — in a post on his Telegram channel.

Shareholders of Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer and a portfolio company of Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, will vote in November on whether to approve a contract to supply natural uranium to Uranium One Group, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom. The vote will be conducted in absentia, according to the company’s announcement.

The agenda contains a single item: approval of a major related-party transaction involving the supply of natural uranium (U3O8, or triuranium octoxide) to Uranium One Group.

Shareholders must select a voting option on their ballots and submit them by mail...

How do you usually unwind after a tough week? Do you get a massage, visit a sauna or simply lie on the couch? Physical therapist and rehabilitation specialist Vladimir Karasenko has rated six popular recovery methods on a 10-point scale. His verdict? Doing nothing all day may feel restful, but it does little to support recovery.

Massage — 7/10

Karasenko says massage can relieve muscle tension, relax muscles and improve blood circulation. However, its effects are temporary. Without strengthening your muscles and changing your habits, the benefits may fade within a day or two. Massage can be...

Scientists have found evidence suggesting that the famous Terracotta Army in China may not have been built by adult men alone. An analysis of fingerprints preserved on the clay figures indicates that more than half of the prints examined may have belonged to women and children under age 15.

The Terracotta Army consists of thousands of life-size clay warriors, horses and chariots created in the third century B.C. to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Although archaeologists discovered the army in 1974, relatively little is known about the people who made the figures.

Kyrgyzstan plans to abolish its existing regions and districts and replace them with aimaks, or new administrative units. Elchibek Dzhantaev, director of the State Agency for Civil Service and Local Self-Government, announced the plans, according to Kaktus.media.

More than 20 aimaks planned

According to Dzhantayev, the term aimak will refer to administrative units smaller than the current regions. More than 20 such units are planned.

«Each region has its own unique potential. For instance, Issyk-Kul region can be divided into northern and southern parts. In Jalal-Abad and Osh regions, there are smaller districts...

The Dutch government plans to reduce its central government workforce by around 16% by 2035. The authorities expect to save €900 million as early as 2027, with annual savings eventually reaching €3.5 billion. Economist Ruslan Sultanov highlighted that the reform involves not only staff cuts but also simpler regulations, digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence.

A key part of the reform is a review of existing regulations. The government plans to eliminate or simplify at least 500 regulatory requirements annually. It is also considering an approach under which government agencies would have to justify the...

The U.S. Department of State updated its global travel advisory map, placing Kazakhstan and most Central Asian nations in the lowest-risk category. According to the updated assessment, this region is safer than many major tourist destinations in Western Europe.

Level 1 vs. Level 2

Kazakhstan — along with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan — has been assigned Level 1 with a recommendation to «exercise normal precautions.» This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks and requires only standard, common-sense precautions from travelers. Other countries in this category include Canada and Japan.

Meanwhile, major Western European nations...

Rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars is set to perform in Almaty in 2027. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at the concert details and when tickets go on sale.

The concert is scheduled for May 29, 2027, at Spartak Stadium, named after Mukhtar Auezov. The band will visit Almaty as part of its “A Beautiful Lie vs. This Is War” world tour, which celebrates the two albums.

The concert will feature songs from both albums, which marked important stages in the band’s history and musical development.

Presale tickets will be available for Freedom SuperApp users Oct. 29. General ticket sales will begin...

American rapper Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2027. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at why the artist, who has been selecting performers for the show for several years, has decided to take the stage himself.

According to the BBC, Super Bowl LXI will take place on Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. The performance will mark Jay-Z’s first appearance at a Super Bowl halftime show.

The announcement followed two Jay-Z concerts at SoFi Stadium as part of a tour marking the 30th anniversary of his...

William, Prince of Wales, mentioned Kazakhstan during an appearance on «The Graham Norton Show,» a popular BBC talk show. He spoke about the saiga antelope and how the country brought the species back from the brink of extinction.

An antelope with a «cute face»

The BBC show hosted by Graham Norton has aired since 2007. Guests sit on a sofa and share stories, with conversations often veering off the main topic. During the conversation with Prince William, a photo of a saiga suddenly appeared on screen, and the host asked him to explain what kind of animal it was.

Anthropic, the developer of the Claude AI assistant, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),the company announced on its website. It has thus moved ahead of its main competitor, OpenAI, in the race to go public.

Anthropic plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ANT. The company has not yet disclosed the number of shares to be offered and the expected price. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley will lead the IPO.

Anthropic also disclosed its financial results in the IPO prospectus. The company’s revenue...

Kazakhstan is working with French specialists to develop a master plan to preserve Lake Balkhash through 2040. Scientists have already completed the first round of field research.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, approximately 40 billion cubic meters of water have flowed into Lake Balkhash over the past three years, helping stabilize its water level. Specifically, about 15.9 billion cubic meters entered the lake in 2024, followed by approximately 13.9 billion cubic meters in 2025. More than 9.7 billion cubic meters of water have entered the lake so far in 2026.

Water flows into the lake...

Askhat Khassenov, CEO of Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas (KMG), told reporters last week that Russia’s Lukoil, which is subject to Western sanctions, remains a strategic partner of the national oil and gas company.

He said KMG is working to resolve financing issues affecting Kalamkas-Khazar Operating (KKO), a joint venture whose bank accounts have been closed because of sanctions-related restrictions.

«Lukoil is our strategic partner. There are currently restrictions, as you know, on our ability to secure financing, but we are working to resolve these issues,» Khassenov said.

The KMG chief added...