News

Global electric car sales are anticipated to reach 23 million vehicles in 2026, accounting for almost 30% of total sales, according to the latest Global EV Outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In 2025, electric vehicle sales rose by 20% and exceeded 20 million units for the first time. As a result, one in every four new cars sold worldwide was electric. In more than 40 countries, electric vehicles accounted for over 10% of new car sales.

China maintains its lead in the EV market

China held its position as the largest EV...

Around 20 people were injured on Monday after a man sprayed an unidentified substance near an ATM inside a luxury shopping complex in Tokyo’s Ginza district, according to The Guardian.

Police said the incident occurred on the mall’s ground floor, while fire officials reported that emergency crews responded after receiving reports of a strong smell inside the building.

Firefighters and officials wearing protective gear were seen assisting people from the building, and several individuals were taken away for medical checks. Two people were transported by ambulance, according to local media, although authorities said the injuries appeared to be minor...

A replica of the Eiffel Tower, roughly 30 to 40 meters tall, has been erected in the village of Zhalpaktal in the West Kazakhstan region. The landmark was gifted by the 2006 graduating class of the local school.

Photos and videos of the tower quickly spread across social media. In the comments section, users called it a «new landmark» and jokingly noted that there is now no need to travel to Paris to experience a French atmosphere. Many also point out that the tower looks especially striking in the evenings when it is illuminated.

Japanese retail pioneer Toshifumi Suzuki, the businessman credited with transforming 7-Eleven Japan into a global convenience-store powerhouse, has died at 93, The Associated Press reported.

In 1973, Suzuki helped launch 7-Eleven’s Japanese operations through a franchise partnership with the American convenience-store brand. Japan’s first 7-Eleven store opened the following year, introducing a retail concept that would eventually become a defining part of daily life across the country.

Suzuki became chief executive of 7-Eleven Japan in 1978 and was widely regarded as a key figure in modernizing Japanese retail. Under Suzuki’s leadership, 7-Eleven Japan expanded rapidly by offering more...

Malaysia has officially recognized Kazakhstan’s Unified National Testing (UNT) results, a standardized university entrance exam taken by secondary school graduates. The country’s Ministry of Higher Education has added the UNT to its list of documents accepted for admission to undergraduate programs.

This allows Kazakhstani students to enroll in several Malaysian universities without having to complete a mandatory Foundation program. However, applicants for programs taught in English will still be required to demonstrate English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent certificates.

Kazakhstan’s National Testing Center emphasized that each Malaysian university independently determines its minimum UNT score requirements...

Building a fourth large oil refinery in Kazakhstan with an annual processing capacity of 10 million tons could cost as much as $15 billion, including infrastructure expenses, according to Nurlan Zhumagulov, author of the Telegram channel Energy Monitor.

Zhumagulov said the estimated price tag is comparable to the cost of constructing a nuclear power plant.

Raw material supply seen as key challenge

According to the analyst, the main issue facing the project is securing a reliable crude oil supply base for the future refinery.

«Given the government’s policy of...

Huating Biotechnology Co. Ltd. will open a cattle bone-processing plant in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region, producing peptone for pharmaceuticals, oil for aviation fuel and bone char for porcelain manufacturing.

A correspondent for Kursiv.media visited the future production site and spoke with the head of the Chinese company, Zhao Xuedong, about the project, which is expected to attract about $30 million in investment.

The facility is located in the Ordabasy district near the village of Temir and occupies approximately 10 hectares.

Investor sees untapped agricultural waste market

According to Zhao, Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector produces significant amounts of...

The average age at which American CEOs are appointed has risen sharply over the last two decades, jumping from approximately 48 in the year 2000 to 55 by 2023, according to a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). This trend is not merely a reflection of a general aging workforce, as the increase in CEO age is more than three times the rate seen in the broader college-educated labor force.

Read also: Efficiency first: Kazakhstan’s wealth fund cuts 11% of high-earning staff.

The study finds that...

The share of crude oil in Kazakhstan’s exports fell to a historic low of 44.4% in the first quarter of 2026. Strong growth in the non-oil sector helped offset losses from hydrocarbons, as record prices for copper, silver and sulfur boosted export revenues. Analysts say current geopolitical tensions could further benefit Kazakh exporters in the second quarter.

From January through March 2026, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover rose 10.5% year over year to $32.9 billion. Goods exports totaled $18 billion, up 9.4% from the same period last year.

However, the composition of exports changed significantly. The share...

Last week, lawmakers at a joint session of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary chambers approved in the first reading a draft law «On the Status of the Capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan.»

Read also: Kazakhstan’s National Bank moves to ban currency rate displays, sparking backlash.

The law calls for the introduction of a unified design code for Astana, to be overseen by a new government agency responsible for maintaining the city’s architectural and visual standards.

New rules for buildings, advertising and public spaces

Under the proposed legislation, the design code would apply to buildings, streets...

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province killed at least 90 people, according to state broadcaster China Central Television. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities investigate the cause of the accident.

The explosion occurred at 7:29 p.m. local time on May 23 at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Changzhi city. A total of 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast. Earlier reports said 82 miners had died and nine were missing.

According to Xinhua News Agency, China dispatched six national mine rescue teams to the site. Authorities said...

Kazakhstanis continue to encounter pseudo-coaches and self-proclaimed psychologists who offer harmful advice without proper training while charging large sums for their services. Journalists asked Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Yevgeniy Kochetov when Kazakhstan plans to regulate such specialists.

Read also: Demons and dollars: Inside the risky market of Islamic exorcism.

According to Kochetov, authorities plan to prosecute pseudo-psychologists on social media under Article 456-2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for «posting and disseminating false information and illegal content.» However, the proposed regulation has not yet been drafted or discussed...

An interesting discussion recently appeared on Threads, where a plastic surgeon shared which cosmetic procedures he would never choose for himself or recommend to his loved ones.

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

The author of the post, Igor Kozulin, said he has worked in plastic surgery for more than 20 years. He highlighted several procedures that he believes carry significant risks or long-term downsides.

Rib removal for an ultra-thin waist

Kozulin said rib removal surgery, sometimes performed to create a dramatically narrow «wasp waist...

Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General Berik Assylov visited Hong Kong to sign agreements on extradition, the transfer of sentenced persons and mutual legal assistance in criminal cases.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said that the main purpose of the visit was to close off channels for those seeking to hide assets abroad or flee justice. The two sides agreed to work together to trace and return illicitly transferred assets and to combat money laundering and transnational crime.

In addition, Kazakh prosecutors and Hong Kong police will share intelligence and investigative experience with the use of artificial intelligence.

The Prosecutor General’s Office had previously...

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has responded to criticism surrounding her casting in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of «The Odyssey,» Euronews reported.

Nyong’o is set to portray Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra in the film, which also stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. The movie, based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, is scheduled for release on July 17.

The casting sparked an online debate earlier this year, with some social media users questioning the decision to cast a Black actress as Helen of Troy. Among the harshest critics was Elon Musk, who...

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in Astana. The president called her a world-class politician and thanked her for helping the Japanese public become more familiar with Kazakhstan’s history and culture. He said this brings the two nations closer together.

Tokayev said that under Koike’s governance, Tokyo has become one of the world’s cleanest, safest and most developed megacities. He added that the Kazakh government is highly interested in this experience, as Kazakhstan is actively developing the smart city concept.

In turn, Koike thanked Tokayev for the warm welcome and praised Kazakhstan’s economic reforms, advances in...

A French woman and her partner have been arrested in Portugal after two young children were found alone near the town of Alcácer do Sal in a case that has drawn attention in both Portugal and France, as reported by Euronews.

According to Portuguese authorities, 41-year-old Marine Rousseau and 55-year-old Marc Ballabrigade were detained on suspicion of child abandonment and domestic violence after the children, aged four and five, were discovered on a public road by passing motorists.

Police said Rousseau was arrested in Fátima, about 170 kilometers from where the children were found. French prosecutors also opened a...

Stephen Colbert wrapped up CBS’s «The Late Show» with a star-studded farewell episode, bringing the program’s 33-year run to a close, The Associated Press reported.

Unlike some late-night hosts who opted for quieter finales, Colbert’s farewell featured celebrity guests, musical performances and surreal comedy sketches.

The finale, for example, featured Paul McCartney performing «Hello, Goodbye» with Colbert, Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste and the show’s house band.

Throughout the show, Colbert reflected on his 11 years as host and thanked viewers for their support. The bittersweet episode also featured appearances by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Jon...

A historic event for the global film industry is taking place today at the Cannes Film Festival — a private screening of «Hell Grind,» the first full-length 95-minute AI-generated feature film created entirely on the Higgsfield platform. Kursiv LifeStyle explains how this unique film was made and why its budget was dozens of times smaller than Hollywood standards.

Higgsfield AI was co-founded by Kazakh national Yerzat Dulat, while the project was directed and co-written by well-known Kazakh filmmaker Aitore Zholdaskali, known for the Kazakh horror film «Auru.»

The film was created in less than three weeks. According to the team...

Japanese-style head spas are gaining popularity in the U.S., offering customers extended scalp, face and neck massages focused on relaxation and stress relief, The Associated Press reported.

Originating in Japan and rooted in traditional massage and herbal practices, modern head spas became popular in Japanese salons in the 1990s, then spread across Asia and, more recently, to the U.S.

Typical sessions last 60 to 90 minutes and often include scalp cleansing, exfoliation, steam treatments, aromatherapy, and head, neck and shoulder massages in a comfy spa setting with tranquil music.

Customers say the treatments help them relax, especially after long...

Confiscated diamonds worth tens of millions of tenge have been put up for sale at a state auction in Almaty. A listing for nine lots containing the gemstones has appeared on the E-Qazyna platform.

Read also: Samurai sword of former Kazakh security head fetches 1.5M tenge.

The starting price is 92.9 million tenge, while experts estimate the market value of the stones at 251.7 million tenge `(approximately $530,000) — about 2.7 times higher than the opening bid.

Details of the diamonds

A total of 541 diamonds, with a combined weight of 4.89 carats...

Former Philippine National Police Chief and Senator Ronald dela Rosa is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, The Guardian reported.

Dela Rosa, a close ally of Duterte, who has already been arrested by the ICC earlier this year, led the Philippine National Police during Duterte’s «war on drugs» from 2016 to 2022. The campaign drew international scrutiny over allegations of extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force. Philippine police say more than 6,000 people were killed in official anti-drug operations, while...

Russian content creator and mountaineer Rustam Nabiev, who lost both legs, climbed the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, reaching an altitude of 8,849 meters using only his hands.

He shared a photo on Instagram holding a flag that read: “For those who thought life ends after a fall.”

Well-known Kazakh mountaineer Maxut Zhumayev was among those who congratulated Nabiev in the comments.

“Congratulations on the summit, brother...

The main hearing of the trial in the high-profile case of Sultan Sarsemaliyev, who is accused of murdering an entire family, is set to begin May 28 in Atyrau. New details from the indictment reveal the alleged sequence of events in the killings of his father-in-law, Maksot Karabalin, and mother-in-law, Nassip Uteshkaliyeva.

Read also: Trial opens for shocking family murder in West Kazakhstan.

The killings took place Nov. 3, 2025, in the village of Zhangeldin, Atyrau region, where the defendant had traveled with his wife and daughter. According to investigators, an...