News

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...

Shakira performed her largest concert to date at the iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The free public concert, held on May 2, drew an estimated two million people. Previous editions of similar beach concerts featured Madonna and Lady Gaga, NME reported.

The concert was part of the «Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran» (Women Don’t Cry Anymore) world tour, named after her 2024 album. The event was delayed by more than an hour; however, when drones formed the message «I love you...

The government of Kazakhstan plans to reform its migration policy to make it more open and better aligned with economic development, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva announced.

Streamlining processes through digitalization

Balayeva said residency status and permits should be processed through a single system, eliminating the need to apply to multiple agencies. Authorities also plan to shorten application review times and simplify regulations through the use of digital tools.

The seven OPEC+ members agreed to adjust their oil output and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining market stability, the organization said.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, which had already announced voluntary production cuts, met virtually on May 3 to discuss the current situation and outlook of the global oil market.

Following the talks, the countries decided to adjust output by 188,000 barrels per day within the voluntary cuts announced in April 2023. The new levels will take effect in June 2026.

OPEC+ noted that these measures may be partially or fully revised...

Being around babies makes people want babies, according to a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

The study posits that exposure to infants in one’s social environment activates neurobiological mechanisms, such as oxytocin release and the brain’s reward circuitry, which naturally increase the desire for parenthood.

This response is affective rather than cognitive, operating through sensory contact rather than deliberate calculation. However, as children become scarcer in modern, age-segregated societies, this vital stimulus weakens, further eroding the motivation to have children. The researchers’ calibrated model suggests that this empathy channel can account...

Paris hosted its first Modest Fashion Week, showcasing clothing styles favored by many Muslim women. About 30 designer collections were presented on the runway, ranging from long, flowing dresses with floral motifs to more structured looks and relaxed streetwear.

Focus on coverage and versatility

The collections emphasized covered silhouettes, including maxi dresses, loose cuts, headwear, and layered outfits. Some designers highlighted soft, romantic tones and natural palettes, while others leaned into sportier, boxier shapes influenced by Generation Z street style.

Symbolic setting amid ongoing debate

The event took place in a private mansion near the Champs-Élysées...

A year after facing criticism over cultural appropriation, Italian fashion house Prada has announced a new collection of sandals inspired by traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals.

Read also: Step into the future: Kazakh entrepreneur sells 3D-printed shoes worldwide.

In June last year, the brand presented similar shoes without acknowledging their origin, describing them simply as «leather sandals.» The release sparked backlash in India, where artisans accused the company of appropriating a culturally significant design.

Heritage craft with protected status

Kolhapuri chappals date back centuries and are traditionally handcrafted, forming an important...

Almaty’s Arbat (officially known as Zhibek Zholy Street) has once again confirmed its status as one of the city’s main creative and social hubs. A group of athletes staged a striking performance there, briefly turning the pedestrian promenade into an open-air posing stage.

Crowd reacts to spontaneous show

In the video, several athletic young men showcase the results of hours of training — both in the gym and on outdoor pull-up bars. The reaction from passersby is immediate: some smile and record the moment on their phones, others watch with visible curiosity, while a few onlookers nod in approval.

Kazakh dancer and choreographer Madina Beisekeyeva appears in “Runway,” performed by Lady Gaga and Doechii. The track is featured on the soundtrack of one of the year’s most anticipated films, “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

The song plays during a backstage scene set at Milan Fashion Week, and a fragment can also be heard in the film’s trailer.

In a post on Instagram, Beisekeyeva said she was honored to be part of what she described as a historic moment alongside legendary figures, adding that she could hardly believe she was dancing next to Lady...

In 2025, the Kazakh government complied with two key fiscal rules but withdrew more funds from the National Fund than it deposited. In other words, budget policy remains procyclical — despite entering the second year of the 2030 Public Finance Concept, which calls for a countercyclical approach.

Read also: The transfer trap: Why high oil prices aren’t saving Kazakhstan’s wealth fund.

The system of fiscal constraints, in effect since 2023, includes two primary rules and at least four auxiliary ones. The first, enshrined in the Budget Code, carries full legal force...

In the heart of Almaty’s historic center, the outline of a massive new building has come into view. Rather than adding a new architectural landmark, however, the project is poised to significantly reshape daily life in the surrounding area.

The new Hilton Almaty rises on the site of the former Union of Architects of Kazakhstan building, at the corner of Kaldayakov and Kazybek Bi streets. About 200 meters away is Panfilov Park, while the long-neglected Cinema House stands across the street.

Architecture draws criticism

The hotel and business center has been criticized as architecturally unremarkable. Clad in gray-green glass...

A bill to toughen penalties for attacks on or pressure against medical workers has been published for public consideration in Kyrgyzstan, 24.KG reported.

Up to eight years in prison

According to the draft law, the punishment will depend on the consequences. Fines of 20,000 to 100,000 soms ($228 to $1,143) or correctional labor are provided for unlawful actions. If an attack results in serious consequences, the punishment may be imprisonment for up to eight years.

Administrative penalties for insults and pressure on medical personnel are also being introduced; violators will face fines of up to 10,000 soms ($114).

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) President Tamás Jakkel. During the meeting, they discussed preserving the unique gene pool of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet dog breeds and strengthening their positions on the global stage.

Global recognition

A key point of the meeting was the international status of the Tazy, a traditional Kazakh dog breed. Tokayev expressed gratitude to Jakkel for the FCI General Committee’s preliminary recognition of the breed in September 2024.

The president emphasized that the Tazy has historically been one of the seven sacred treasures of the Kazakh people, known as...

Kazakhstan plans to introduce a horizontal promotion model in civil service. Officials will be able to receive bonuses and advance in status without an actual change of position. Interestingly, artificial intelligence (AI) will be responsible for making promotion decisions, according to Salauat Muksimov, Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs of Kazakhstan. He presented the draft law in the Senate (the upper house of parliament).

What is a «horizontal» career in the civil service?

Previously, an official’s salary increase depended directly on the availability of a higher-level position. The new model allows professionals to grow their income...

New illuminated fountains have been installed in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The installation is at the intersection of Abdrakhmanov Street (formerly Sovetskaya) and Chui Avenue, in one of Bishkek’s central districts.

According to images circulating on social media, the fountain complex features a modern design with dynamic lighting. In the evening, the water jets are illuminated in a range of colors, from warm gold to bright blue.

According to Akchabar.kz, the new fountains are part of broader improvements to the city center. Bishkek authorities had previously announced plans to restore fountain areas along Chui Avenue. Renovation and construction...

In the Turkish city of Batman, an unusual «traffic incident» took place when a wild boar charged onto a busy road and slammed into a man crossing the street. Footage of the encounter quickly went viral on social media, with some users joking about the animal’s reckless dash.

A hit-and-run, boar style

The video shows the pedestrian unable to react as the animal barrels toward him at full speed. After the impact, the boar didn’t slow down, continuing its chaotic run and knocking into two more men who tried to get out of its way.

The animal then...

The U.S. has returned 337 ancient artifacts to Italy that were illegally removed from the country, in one of the largest recent recoveries of stolen cultural property, Reuters reported.

The artifacts include Roman sculptures as well as Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian objects. They were presented in Rome at the headquarters of Italy’s Carabinieri Art Squad following a series of investigations, many of them centered in New York.

Among the most significant items are a first-century A.D. marble head of Alexander the Great, stolen from a Roman museum in 1960, and a bronze sculpture looted from Herculaneum. The collection...

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for a uniform definition of rape across the European Union, according to Euronews.

The document proposes that any sexual act without consent should be considered rape.

Clear consent as the standard

The resolution is based on the principle that only clear, affirmative, freely given and unambiguous consent is valid. It emphasizes that silence, lack of resistance or the absence of an explicit refusal cannot be interpreted as consent.

The text also clarifies that prior consent, a previous sexual relationship or marriage do not automatically constitute consent to sexual intercourse.

Push to address...