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The adult entertainment sector has historically functioned as a laboratory for innovation, preceding mainstream adoption of technologies ranging from 15th-century printing to the emergence of home video in the late 1970s. Currently, The Economist reported, the industry is experiencing a monumental transition as artificial intelligence (AI) begins to replace human-centric production with algorithmically generated media.

Evolution of the digital smut economy

Until quite recently, “tube sites” and major studios dictated the market. However, the rise of platforms like OnlyFans — which generated over $1.4 billion in 2024 revenue — shifted focus toward individual creators. AI is...

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has launched sales of collectible silver coins dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Each coin is priced at 29,000 tenge ($62).

Design and specifications

The coin is made of 925 sterling silver with gilded elements and color printing. It has a face value of 1,000 tenge `($2) and a limited mintage of 1,500 pieces, all intended for the domestic market.

On the obverse, the flags of the host countries — Canada, the U.S. and Mexico — appear at the top. A globe featuring the continents is centered, with the FIFA...

Iranian company Golrang Industrial Group is planning to construct an oil extraction plant and a broiler poultry farm totaling around $120 million, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture reported.

«As part of efforts to attract foreign investors, an agreement has been reached with the Iranian Golrang Industrial Group to implement two major projects: the construction of an oil extraction plant and a broiler poultry farm… The total investment is estimated at $120 million,» the statement said.

The agreement was reached at the meeting between Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly and Golrang Industrial Group CEO Mehdi...

A routine landing turned into an unexpected incident when a United Airlines aircraft struck a truck while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, the BBC reported.

The Boeing 767, arriving from Venice, Italy, clipped the vehicle and a nearby streetlight just before touching down. Despite the impact, the plane landed safely, and none of the 231 passengers and crew on board were injured.

The truck driver was less fortunate, sustaining minor injuries after shattered glass hit his arm and hand as the aircraft’s tire smashed through the truck’s window and windscreen.

Dashcam footage from the truck captured the...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has taken action following the latest flooding at Almaty International Airport. In early May, heavy rains again caused part of the terminal roof to give way, leading to significant flooding inside the passenger area.

Regulatory action and accountability

The Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan held the airport’s management administratively liable for...

Italy and Azerbaijan have reaffirmed their partnership in the energy sector during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Baku, highlighting the importance of stable alliances amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Euronews reported.

The visit comes as Italy seeks to diversify its energy sources following disruptions linked to regional tensions, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Meloni said stronger cooperation was needed amid growing instability across the Middle East. She described relations between the two countries as a «certainty» and emphasized Azerbaijan’s role in supporting Italy’s energy security since Russia’s invasion...

Amsterdam became the world’s first capital to ban outdoor advertising of meat and fossil fuel-related goods, the BBC reported. The restrictions took effect on May 1.

Advertisements for burgers, gasoline cars and even air travel have been removed from billboards, public transport stops and subway stations. Authorities justify the move with environmental goals — the city aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce meat consumption in half.

Notably, meat advertising did not account for a large share of the market, at around 0.1%. For comparison, fossil fuel-related ads accounted for...

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled a legal dispute linked to the production of the 2024 film «It Ends with Us,» avoiding a trial scheduled for May, the BBC reported.

The case began in 2024 when Lively, who played a victim of domestic violence in an adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel, accused Baldoni of harassment, sexual misconduct and organizing a smear campaign during filming.

Lively’s legal team also claimed that Baldoni and his studio sought to damage her reputation through the media and social media platforms.

Baldoni denied the claims and filed a counter-lawsuit, alleging defamation...

During an informal dinner in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, the leaders of France and Armenia gave an impromptu musical performance, the video of which spread on social media.

Fransa Cumhurbaşkanı Macron'un piano başında şarkı söylediği etkinlikte, Ermenistan Başbakanı Paşinyan bateri çaldı. pic.twitter.com/bR09Dk3HNj

— Güncel Haber (@Guncelhaber360) May 5, 2026

French President, Emmanuel Macron, sang the famous song «La Bohème,» and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accompanied him on drums.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan also joined in, playing the piano. Together they performed a composition by the renowned French-Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour.

Emmanuel Macron...

Labor shortages and high staff turnover are pushing the recycling industry to explore automation and robotics as long-term solutions, the BBC reports.

In the U.K., a recycling facility in Rainham, east London, operated by Sharp Group, processes up to 280,000 tons of mixed recycling a year. Work at the site involves sorting a wide range of materials on fast-moving conveyor belts in conditions marked by dust, noise and safety risks. As a result, workers face higher rates of injury and ill health, contributing to staff turnover of around 40%.

To address these challenges, the company is trialing a humanoid...

The long-anticipated Arirang World Tour by the globally recognized K-pop band BTS is in full swing. Therefore, to support foreign fans and ensure city safety, Busan authorities introduced foreigner-exclusive accommodation in youth training centers and a temple for approximately 400 people at affordable prices. Prices start at roughly $7 for youth centers and $54.51 for the temple, with reservations opening in late April ahead of the concerts scheduled for June 12 and 13.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, the upcoming concerts at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium sold out during presale...

A deadly explosion struck the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, Hunan province, killing 21 people and injuring 61, the BBC reported.

The blast caused extensive destruction. Nearby residential buildings were damaged, with shattered windows and distorted metal structures reported. Some of the injured sustained bone injuries from flying debris.

In responce to the incident, authorities deployed nearly 500 rescue workers and robots to search for survivors trapped inside the damaged buildings and assist the injured.

As two gunpowder storage sites within the facility continued to pose risks during rescue operations, emergency teams evacuated residents within a 3-kilometer radius as...

A controversial item from the estate of Karim Massimov has been auctioned again. The price rose significantly during bidding, but the deal has not yet been finalized.

Read also: Kazakhstan’s ex-security chief spent $200K on Russian astrologer.

The samurai-style saber, discovered in the home of the former head of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB), has been listed multiple times. Previous auctions failed to result in completed sales.

In the latest auction, the starting price was 379,000 tenge ($800). Bidding drove the price up sharply, with the top bid reaching 1,586,954 tenge...

Japan’s dependence on outdated, analog administrative procedures is stunting its digital economic potential, according to an analysis by Charles Crabtree for the Lowy Institute. The report identifies a “state capacity problem” where government services fail to match the precision of the nation’s private sector, particularly regarding routine tasks like criminal-record checks.

A gap in efficiency

While peer nations like Australia and Singapore offer digital certificates within days or hours, Crabtree notes that Japan requires physical presence and the manual pickup of sealed paper documents. This bureaucratic friction affects everyone from researchers seeking European work permits to graduates starting...

Police in the Turkestan region, southern Kazakhstan, have begun actively using drones to identify vehicles with outstanding debts.

Read also: Drones and nuclear power: Kazakhstan’s surprising college curriculum.

According to the regional police department, modern technology is being deployed to maintain public order and improve road safety. Drones, along with the Korgau information system, are helping officers quickly detect violations and monitor traffic conditions in real time.

A British company is expanding its presence in Kazakhstan. A new player has registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and may affect the critical metals market, according to economist Arman Batayev, who runs Finmentor.kz Telegram channel.

Maritime House Limited, specializing in critical metals processing, has registered a new entity at the AIFC — Central Asian Metals Ltd.

The company is known for its rhenium recycling, international trade and the production of specialty metals and hexamine.

Maritime House owns and operates a rhenium recycling plant in Napanee, Ontario, Canada. Over the past five years, the...

Increased competition between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is a positive development for Kazakhstan’s economy, political scientist Dossym Satpayev said in an interview with Armanzhan Baitassov.

Central Asia emerging as an «island of stability»

«Currently, two regions stand out for relative stability and investor interest: the Caucasus — particularly Azerbaijan — and Central Asia,» Satpayev said.

He described both regions as «islands of stability,» noting that in the 1990s some analysts compared Central Asian countries to Afghanistan or the Balkans.

Uzbekistan’s policy shift reshaping the region

Since 2018, Central Asian leaders...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare has pushed back on one of the most persistent myths about vaccination, saying vaccines protect children rather than pose a threat. Officials say large-scale studies involving millions of children have consistently confirmed vaccine safety.

Why the confusion happens

The ministry noted that some parents link autism to vaccines because symptoms may become noticeable after routine shots. Dinagul Baesheva, an infectious disease specialist, said the confusion stems from timing: early signs of autism often emerge between 18 months and 2 years of age, which coincides with the booster vaccination period. Physicians stress...

A new study suggests that relocation efforts in New Orleans may need to begin sooner rather than later, as the city faces growing threats from sea-level rise and coastal land loss, The Guardian reported, citing a study that says the region has reached a critical point where long-term protection may no longer be viable.

Southern Louisiana is already dealing with multiple pressures, including rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes and land subsidence. Together, these factors could significantly reshape the coastline in the coming decades. The study indicates that New Orleans could eventually be surrounded by water before the end...

The family controlling Samsung has finalized payment of an inheritance tax bill totaling about $8 billion, marking the largest such settlement ever recorded in South Korea, the BBC reported.

The payments were made over five years in six installments by Chairman Lee Jae-yong and his family members, including his mother Hong Ra-hee and sisters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun.

This tax obligation stemmed from the estate of the late chairman Lee Kun-hee, who passed away in October 2020. His assets were valued at around $17.6 billion and included company shares, real estate and an extensive art collection.

Against the...

Surrey County Cricket Club in south London has launched a «Work from Oval» initiative, inviting remote workers to log in while watching live matches at The Kia Oval, an international cricket ground in Kennington, south London, according to The Associated Press.

Hundreds took part in early-season County Championship games, boosting weekday attendance to over 6,000 — well above the competition’s typical crowds. As the venue has upgraded its Wi-Fi and added workspaces with desks, power outlets and views of the field, visitors can combine work with leisure, with some staying afterward to socialize.

The initiative highlights broader shifts...

Fans of Shymkent-based FC Ordabasy staged a spectacle ahead of the home match against FC Aktobe, arriving on horseback and turning an ordinary matchday into a real show. Kursiv LifeStyle looked at how the fans amused local residents and social media users.

Aktobe fans are known for their strong away support and are among the most active supporter groups in Kazakhstan. In response to visiting fans, supporters of the Shymkent team put on a show of their own, demonstrating their unique flair.

About 1,500 beagles, which are commonly used in animal testing due to their relatively small size and calm temperament, are set to be rehomed after their release from Ridglan Farms, a dog breeding and research facility in Wisconsin, The Associated Press reported.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy reached a confidential agreement to purchase the dogs for an undisclosed amount. The two organizations will split responsibility, with Big Dog Ranch Rescue working to place about 1,000 of them in homes across the U.S., while the remaining dogs will go to the Center for a...

GameStop has proposed acquiring eBay for approximately $56 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, offering $125 per share — a 20% premium over eBay’s recent closing price, Reuters reported, citing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen stated that the company has already acquired a 5% stake in eBay, whose market value is roughly four times that of GameStop, through shares and derivatives. Moreover, he told the WSJ in an interview that he was ready to take the proposal directly to shareholders if eBay’s board rejected the offer.

Cohen argues that combining the two companies...