News

The National Bank of Kazakhstan may cut its base rate at its June meeting, according to Akylzhan Baimagambetov, deputy governor of the central bank.

«A transition to a lower base rate is possible if inflation slows sustainably. Currently, the National Bank is closely monitoring the economic situation to make a balanced and economically sound decision,» Baimagambetov said. «The June meeting will be pivotal, and macroeconomic forecasts will be updated. The Monetary Policy Committee does not make decisions in advance; they are based on a comprehensive analysis and discussion of current data.»

Notably, at...

A video showing a shoe-fitting vending machine in China has gone viral. Located in shopping malls, the machines allow customers to determine their exact shoe size and save their measurements in a mobile app. Kursiv LifeStyle looked at how the system works.

To determine the correct fit, the machine measures several foot parameters, including width, instep, bunion protrusion and toe position. The app’s algorithms then use the data to recommend shoes based on the user’s individual profile.

«Once you complete the measurement process, you can order any brand, color or style — anything you want...

A Kazakh citizen has been detained in Germany on suspicion of espionage. The suspect, identified as Sergey K., may have worked for Russian intelligence, passing on details of military aid to Ukraine as well as information about Germany’s defense industry, according to Berliner Morgenpost.

German authorities believe the suspect was engaged in illegal activities for several months. He is expected to appear in court in the next few days.

What is the suspect accused of?

According to the Office of the Federal Public Prosecutor General, the Kazakh citizen had been in contact with Russian intelligence services since May...

Britain’s King Charles III, who is on a state visit to the U.S., addressed Congress, emphasizing the importance of the long-standing relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. amid current global challenges, the BBC reported.

He opened by acknowledging a period of «great uncertainty,» referring to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, as well as threats to democratic institutions. The king noted that while the two countries do not always agree, they can achieve significant outcomes when aligned, benefiting not only their own citizens but others globally.

The king also highlighted the importance of limits on...

The Russian State Library has established a “special collection” containing thousands of Ukrainian books seized from occupied territories to study what officials term the “genesis of Russophobia,” according to a report by Novaya Gazeta.

Library Director Vadim Duda stated that the archive, known as a spetskhran, currently houses between 10,000 and 12,000 volumes. Duda characterized the works as “openly nationalistic” texts that “distort history” by downplaying Russia’s role in World War II and attributing traits such as “savagery and cruelty” to the Russian people. One specific title highlighted as “absurd” by the director is “Russia’s Wars Against Ukraine...

The revived Russian automotive brand Russo-Balt, which flourished in the late days of Tsarist Russia, has revealed details about its future flagship, the C55 crossover. The fully electric vehicle features a design clearly inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck. Representatives of the Perm-based company also shared preliminary pricing and specifications.

Base version price

The base five-seat version of the C55 is priced at 8 million rubles (about $106,500). Preorders are already open, but deliveries are not expected to begin until 2027. An official test drive is scheduled for late summer 2026.

The developers say they have created an electric...

Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has spent more than $218.2 million on railcars produced by Stadler Kazakhstan, an Astana-based subsidiary of the Swiss company Stadler Rail. However, the trains have not yet entered service, reportedly due to technical issues.

During a media briefing, Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov was asked why the Stadler railcars are not yet operational, even though their launch had been expected earlier this month.

«We have already tested Stadler railcars in pilot mode. As a result, we identified a number of technical issues and received comments from the railway operator. Stadler has committed to...

Central Asia has moved from the global periphery to the heart of a four-way geostrategy contest between the U.S., Russia, the EU, and China, according to an analysis by Hao Nan, a research fellow at the Charhar Institute.

Read also: Why Central Asia is absent from Trump’s new US security strategy.

While regional leaders are increasingly diversifying their diplomatic portfolios, Hao notes that structural realities continue to favor China and Russia as core partners.

Beijing has become the region’s dominant trading partner, with 2024 trade figures reaching $94.8 billion...

Three former high-ranking Kyrgyz officials have been officially charged in a case related to the so-called «Letter 75,» the 24.KG news agency reported.

What we know

According to lawyer Sherdor Abdykaparov, former head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) Kamchybek Tashiev, former lawmaker Kurmankul Zulushev and former speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council) Nurlanbek Shakiyev have been formally charged. The charges are the same as those faced by other defendants in the case: organizing mass riots and actions that investigators classify as an attempted coup.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the news agency reported...

Researchers say moderate consumption of wine may have certain health benefits, including improved cardiovascular function, according to a report by The Guardian.

Potential health effects

The study cited suggests that moderate wine intake may help lower levels of «bad» cholesterol, support blood circulation and reduce the risk of heart and vascular disease.

Scientists attribute these effects to compounds in wine that may help reduce inflammation, dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Why red wine stands out

Experts often highlight red wine in particular due to its content of resveratrol, a natural compound associated with heart health.

Moderation...

Aidyn Rakhimbayev, head of BI Group, one of Kazakhstan’s largest real estate developers, said he has scaled back most coffee consumption after experimenting with how caffeine affects his sleep.

Personal experiment

In a post on Instagram, Rakhimbayev shared that he began evaluating drinks not by taste but by how long caffeine remains in the body.

He noted that beverages such as cappuccinos and double espressos can stay in the system for up to 24 hours, contributing to difficulty falling asleep and creating what he described as a cycle of dependence on caffeine.

Police in the Aktobe region, western Kazakhstan, have opened a criminal case after a local resident posted a video declaring stringed instruments sinful from a religious perspective.

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

In the video, the man — identified by local media as Azat Kongyz — claimed that instruments such as the dombra, guitar and balalaika are haram, or prohibited in Islam.

He said religious scholars and clerics consider even briefly listening to such music a sin.

Public reaction

The video drew widespread attention...

The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance on May 1, ending nearly six decades of membership to pursue a sovereign energy strategy, Gulf News reported.

The decision terminates a partnership that began in 1967, allowing the federation to now determine its oil output independently of group mandates.

Read also: Kazakhstan’s oil strategy: Could it spark an OPEC+ exit?

The strategic shift follows what officials described as a “careful and long review” of the country’s production capacity and national goals. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei

Petroleum continues to be a primary driver of international economic stability and political influence. A recent ranking by World Population Review highlights how various nations manage this finite resource, ranging from absolute reliance to strategic diversification.

The Middle East powerhouses

Saudi Arabia remains a central figure, controlling nearly 17 percent of global reserves while attempting to broaden its economic base through the Vision 2030 initiative. Conversely, Iraq faces significant hurdles because oil represents roughly 85 percent of its government income, leaving the state budget extremely vulnerable to market shifts. Kuwait utilizes its vast wealth to support a small...

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence could render some university-trained professions obsolete, Kazakh lawmaker Askhat Aimagambetov said during a recent government hour session in Parliament.

Mismatch between education and labor market

Aimagambetov said universities in Kazakhstan continue to enroll thousands of fee-paying students in fields that are already losing relevance. At the same time, he noted that 56% of new jobs by 2030 are expected to be in medium- and low-skilled occupations.

He also pointed out that only about 31% of IT graduates in Kazakhstan currently find jobs in their field, highlighting a disconnect between education and labor market demand.

Impact of...

Tengizchevroil (TCO), one of Kazakhstan’s leading oil and gas producers, has been fined $117,182 for exceeding emission standards, according to the Department of Ecology of the Atyrau region.

TCO operates the Tengiz field, the country’s largest oil field. Authorities said the company exceeded permitted pollutant emission levels, violating administrative regulations.

The case was heard at the Zhylyoi District Court on April 20. The court found TCO guilty and imposed an administrative fine of 53.7 million tenge (about $117,182).

TCO is a joint venture between Chevron (50%), ExxonMobil (25%), KazMunayGas (20%) and Lukoil (5%).

Earlier this month, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of...

Chinese investors planning to build a locomotive plant in Atbasar, northern Kazakhstan, have failed to secure the necessary funding, prompting the government to search for a new investor.

According to Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov, construction of the plant in the Akmola region has been delayed due to the investor’s financial difficulties. His comments came in response to questions raised during a cabinet meeting about why work on the project has not progressed.

«The investor is facing funding issues. As a result, all work at the site has been suspended and we are currently looking for...

A Kyrgyz lawmaker has called on the country’s National Investment Agency to follow the example of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in attracting foreign investment.

Speaking at a meeting of parliament’s Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security and Migration, MP Zhyldyz Sadyrbaeva said the two neighboring countries account for about 95% of all investment in Central Asia. She added that investment levels in Kyrgyzstan have remained largely unchanged over the past five years.

«Over the past five years, according to your data, about $1.5 billion has been attracted at best,» she said. «Therefore, I believe the agency should...

Police in the Mangystau region, western Kazakhstan, have launched preventive outreach efforts to inform residents about restrictions on clothing that obscures facial recognition in public places.

Read also: Niqab outlawed: Kazakhstan becomes latest nation to ban face-covering garments.

Officers from units combating extremism and public safety are visiting crowded areas to explain current legal requirements related to personal appearance in public.

Authorities say the measures are intended to improve public safety and the effectiveness of surveillance systems. Officials emphasized that the campaign is not directed against any religion or specific beliefs.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to start on June 11, is drawing football fans to Mexico while also reshaping how they travel, Euronews reported.

In cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, a growing number of visitors, especially from Europe, are arriving months before the tournament. Instead of short match-day trips, these digital nomads are choosing to immerse themselves in the local atmosphere and anticipate the matches alongside locals.

Mexico will host only 13 matches, but its appeal goes beyond the stadium. For many, the World Cup is no longer just 90 minutes on the pitch. It...

The Little Aresha daycare center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is under investigation after authorities uncovered alleged abuse involving dozens of young children, the BBC reported.

The case came to light after a childcare center’s former employee reported inhumane treatment of children, including toddlers. Soon after, police raided the facility and found children tied up, some unclothed except for diapers, along with others showing signs of injury.

Officials said the center housed 103 children, with at least 53 believed to have suffered physical abuse or neglect. Many of the victims were under two years old. Police also described cramped rooms measuring...

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering her voice and likeness, a move seen as an effort to guard against misuse through AI, Euronews reported.

The American singer has submitted three applications, including one featuring a photo of her performing during the Eras Tour and two containing audio clips of her introducing herself while promoting her album «The Life of a Showgirl.»

Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, who first reported the filings, said registering phrases linked to Swift’s voice could allow her to challenge not only exact copies but also imitations that are «confusingly similar,» a key standard in...

Kyrgyz lawmakers Nurjamal Torobekova and Marlen Mamataliev have proposed amendments to family legislation that would require mandatory medical examinations for people planning to marry.

Public health concerns cited

The MPs said infectious diseases — particularly viral hepatitis B, C and D, as well as HIV — remain a serious issue in the country. These viruses are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, they noted.

«If left untreated, they can lead to chronic illness, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and immune system disorders. Many citizens are unaware of their infection...

Jay Bryant, 52, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, the BBC reported.

Bryant admitted in a New York court that he helped others gain entry to the Queens recording studio where Mizell was shot and killed. Prosecutors said he opened a rear fire door, allowing the attackers to enter undetected. Authorities also found his DNA on a hat recovered at the scene.

Bryant had previously denied the charges after being indicted in 2023. Two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, were convicted...