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This fall, direct flights between Almaty and Chongqing, one of the world’s most populous cities, will launch. Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan will operate the route, the airline said in a statement.

Regular direct flights on the Almaty-Chongqing-Almaty route will begin on Sept. 23.

«The new service will become the airline’s fifth destination in China, complementing FlyArystan’s existing network to Urumqi, Yining (Ghulja) and Xi’an,» the company said in a release.

The service will operate twice a week, departing from Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Chongqing on Thursdays and Sundays.

Fans of Kazakhstani singer Dimash Qudaibergen created a 4.5-meter-tall sculpture of him. Kursiv LifeStyle found that the choice of the city where it was assembled was no coincidence.

Artist Olga Lidia Hernández and her team created a balloon sculpture of the singer. The installation was put on display at a shopping mall in Monterrey, Mexico, where Qudaibergen is set to perform on Nov. 14 as part of his world tour.

In Mexico, the events are also scheduled in Mérida, Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Previously, the singer’s fan clubs in Venezuela raised funds...

On July 19, Ricky Martin attended the Almaty Museum of Arts after performing his concert in the city. Kursiv LifeStyle explores which works impressed the singer the most.

The Puerto Rican performer received a private guided tour and left a note of thanks in the museum’s guest book.

The museum’s press service told Kursiv LifeStyle that Martin was most impressed by Richard Serra’s «Junction» sculpture and installation «Love is Calling» by Yayoi Kusama.

These were the same artworks the singer shared on Instagram. He also posted a photo on Instagram Stories of himself sitting in front of Anselm Kiefer‘s installation...

Summer heat can turn a parked car into a genuine oven. According to Germany’s motoring association ADAC, after just 90 minutes parked in the sun, the temperature inside the cabin can approach 60°C, while the dashboard and steering wheel can heat up to more than 70°C.

In a separate study, ADAC experts examined which measures actually help keep a car’s interior cool.

The most effective measures

Several popular options were compared: exterior and interior windshield sunshades, a white cloth placed on the dashboard, tinted side and rear windows, and a half car cover.

The cover...

According to new global guidelines on the prevention, early detection and management of dementia published by the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing risk factors early.

WHO estimates that more than 57 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, and this number continues to grow. The disease remains one of the leading causes of disability among older adults.

Factors to consider

WHO has identified 14 factors associated with an increased risk of dementia. These include:

In extra time of the FIFA 2026 World Cup final, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to become world champions for the second time, 16 years after their first title.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Final, July 19, East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium

Spain vs Argentina extra time: 1-0 (0-0) Goal: Ferran Torres 106’

Red card: Enzo Fernández (Argentina, 90+3’)

The finalists’ lineups were largely as expected. Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni stuck with proven tactical approaches that had served them well throughout the tournament.

The final was not as high-scoring

Police in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region have deployed an artificial intelligence-powered robot dog for the first time.

According to Polisia.kz, the technology has already delivered results. Over a two-day period, the robot helped police identify four people wanted or sought by authorities during large public gatherings.

The robot dog was deployed during Metallurgist’s Day celebrations in Balkhash and Temirtau on July 17-18.

More than 115,000 people attended the events. To maintain public safety, police introduced heightened security measures and deployed more than 1,000 officers.

Integrated with police databases, the robot dog can recognize faces in...

More than 600,000 people in the U.K. are out of work because of obesity-related health problems, according to a study by researchers at the University of York. The findings are based on an analysis of data from more than 284,000 participants in the U.K. Biobank, the country’s largest biomedical database, The Telegraph reported.

Obesity takes a toll on the labor market

According to the report, about 15 million people in the U.K. are living with overweight or obesity. Researchers estimated that roughly 4% of them are unable to work because of obesity-related health conditions. The study also...

A 35-year-old woman from Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region has been fined after posing for photos on the roadway of a highway bridge in Semey, in eastern Kazakhstan, according to the regional police department.

A video posted on social media shows the woman lying on the road at night while posing for the camera as vehicles pass by.

The video drew the attention of social media users and police, who later identified...

Every minute of hesitation during a stroke costs a person up to 1 million brain cells. Yerkin Duissenbayev, head of the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology at Kazakhstan’s National Center for Neurosurgery, explained why it is critical to call an ambulance immediately at the first signs of facial asymmetry or slurred speech.

Recognizing the warning signs

Q: Dr. Duissenbayev, how can the average person tell if a loved one is having a stroke? What are the warning signs?

A: There are several key symptoms to watch for. The first thing to pay attention to is the person’s...

Exactly 250 years ago, on July 4, 1776, as the Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Ablai Khan was navigating a treacherous political landscape to preserve the sovereignty of the Kazakh Khanate between the rival Russian and Qing empires.

To mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Qalam revisited the journals of the first American travelers who ventured into the Great Steppe, leaving behind vivid — if sometimes biased — accounts of a world on the brink of profound transformation. These early narratives, ranging from the observations of commercial agents to the reports...

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States should seek to host another FIFA World Cup on its own rather than alongside Canada and Mexico, and suggested China could serve as a future co-host.

According to the Associated Press, Trump made the remarks during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York ahead of the 2026 World Cup final.

“You should choose the United States of America again. This time, we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out. I was very nice to get them in,” Trump said.

Trump...

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has strengthened its European leadership team by appointing former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to a senior position, CarNewsChina reported. Szijjártó announced the move on his Facebook page.

Hungary remains a key European hub

Szijjártó, 47, served in Hungary’s parliament for more than two decades and was the country’s minister of foreign affairs and trade from 2014 until May 2026. After leaving government, he joined the Chinese automaker.

The appointment underscores the close ties between Hungary and China’s automotive industry. Hungary has become BYD’s main European...

For the first time in history, all World Cup champions will receive individual rings from FIFA, according to the governing body’s official website. Replica rings will also be available for sale.

The initiative is based on a tradition in American professional sports leagues such as the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.

One side of the handcrafted ring is engraved with the World Cup trophy, while the other features the winning team’s emblem.

The winning team will receive 30 rings, while another 1,996 will be available for purchase as officially licensed 2026 FIFA World Cup merchandise. Each...

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

Hun Manet expressed Phnom Penh’s interest in strengthening ties with Kazakhstan and invited Tokayev to visit Cambodia at his convenience.

In response, Tokayev said Kazakhstan is ready to increase direct exports of grain, mineral fertilizers and other agricultural products to Cambodia. He also identified logistics, the textile and food industries, construction and tourism as promising areas for bilateral cooperation.

Tokayev also offered to share Kazakhstan’s GovTech expertise with Cambodia, noting that the country ranks among the top...

Raushan Kudaibergen, the younger sister of renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen, took part in his brother’s challenge. Kursiv LifeStyle shares where she filmed the video and how the artist reacted.

The entrepreneur supported Qudaibergen’s contest, in which fans are invited to film themselves dancing to Dimash’s new song “Aqerke” and upload the video to social media. The video with the most views will win, and its creator will appear in the singer’s next music video.

«I’m not taking part in the contest — I’m not a dancer — but it’s my duty...

American rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is set to play his first major public concert in Kazakhstan. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at what is currently known about the event.

According to Kazakh blogger Beibit Alibekov, the show will take place at Central Stadium in Almaty on Aug. 14, 2026. The organizing company, First Media Group, promised to reveal the details later.

Ahead of elections to the Kurultai, Kazakhstan’s new parliament, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan has gathered experts in Almaty to discuss the country’s future. At the «Kurultai: the Foundation of a New Legislative Architecture» expert platform, panelists discussed the sweeping changes ahead for the country’s political system.

Remarks by Assem Bolatzhan, head of the Women in Tech Kazakhstan community, particularly resonated with the audience. She called for moving beyond a formal «quota report» and instead assessing the real political influence women hold within the new governing body.

Quotas...

Four venues from Almaty made it onto The World’s 50 Best Discovery, a guide highlighting restaurants, bars and hotels worth travelers’ attention worldwide. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at the venues that made the prestigious list.

Concept-driven restaurant and bar Cece, along with the bars Domashniy, Yellow Door and French 42, received recognition.

The World’s 50 Best Discovery is a guide by the creators of one of the world’s most renowned restaurant rankings, The World’s 50 Best, featuring venues recommended by industry experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, critics and journalists.

For Arina Nikolskaya, who promotes Kazakhstani...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Justice says the country is not obligated to comply with an interim ruling issued by the U.N. Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) arbitration tribunal. As a result, shareholders in the Kashagan consortium could still be required to pay a 2.3 trillion tenge environmental fine, along with an enforcement fee equal to 10% of the amount if payment is not made on time.

The case stemmed from a 2022 fine imposed by Kazakh authorities over excessive sulfur storage at the field. Kashagan’s high-sulfur crude requires safe processing and removal...

Bryan Johnson, the American entrepreneur and biohacker behind the Blueprint longevity project, said he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis, a chronic condition in which the immune system attacks the stomach lining.

Johnson said the disease had been developing unnoticed for years. According to People, the only warning sign was persistently low iron levels that failed to improve despite a healthy diet and extensive vitamin supplementation. Doctors ultimately identified the condition after conducting a comprehensive evaluation, including a stomach biopsy.

Further testing confirmed that Johnson’s immune system was attacking his stomach cells, leading to the diagnosis...

Norway has reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, thanks in large part to Erling Haaland, whose goals have helped propel the national team to a historic run. With his prolific scoring and global star power, the 25-year-old striker has cemented his place among football’s elite and emerged as this year’s “It Boy.”

Tatler Kazakhstan examines the cultural phenomenon surrounding the Norwegian football star.

Athletic roots

Haaland was born into a family of accomplished athletes. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was a professional footballer who not only inspired his son’s passion for the...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare has proposed new rules for purchasing medical equipment using budget funds and the Compulsory Medical Insurance System (CMIS). The key change would allow hospitals to purchase equipment directly from manufacturers through financial leasing. The draft regulation has been published on the Legalacts.egov.kz portal.

According to the agency’s explanatory note, purchasing medical equipment directly from manufacturers through financial leasing “will ensure that healthcare organizations receive the necessary equipment to meet three years’ worth of needs during the first year.”

Lower threshold for expert review

The proposed regulation would also lower the threshold for mandatory...

The Latin American fan clubs of renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen held the Dears for Venezuela campaign. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at how the funds raised to help earthquake victims were used.

Seven of Dimash’s fan clubs from Latin American countries, along with representatives of various K-pop communities, took part in the campaign.

Using the funds raised, volunteers in Venezuela purchased medicines, deodorant, toothpaste and other personal hygiene products, drinking water and nonperishable food. The supplies were distributed to hospitals and the families most affected by the earthquake.

Context

On June 24, Venezuela was...