News

For years, the Maldives has been a symbol of luxury vacations, with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The island nation is still known for its overwater villas, private islands and prices reserved for the ultra-wealthy. However, the paradise islands are no longer just for the rich and honeymooners with platinum credit cards, as the country has started to offer more affordable vacation options for families, backpackers and curious travelers, the BBC reported.

In a quiet revolution, the island nation has undergone deep reforms in tourism, allowing local residents to open guesthouses on inhabited islands. As a result...

The latest attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) by Ukrainian naval drones — and the resulting partial shutdown of its terminal in the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which carries more than 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports — underscores how vulnerable Kazakhstan’s oil exports are due to the country’s systemic reliance on a single route.

CPC has become a near-monopoly corridor through which Kazakh oil producers expand output and generate revenue.

Why do oil companies favor CPC

Nurlan Zhumagulov, the author of the Energy Monitor Telegram channel, noted that oil companies have long favored CPC because...

The partial shutdown of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia, after a Nov. 29 attack by Ukrainian naval drones, highlights Kazakhstan’s ongoing export vulnerabilities. The terminal, which handles over 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports, now has its Offshore Mooring Terminal-3 (OMT-3) out of service, while OMT-2 has been under repair for two weeks.

Abzal Narymbetov, author of the Energy Analytics Telegram channel, wrote that the country is now likely operating only through OMT-1. He explained that this immediately creates risks for shipping and production.

Growing reliance on a single export corridor

Narymbetov argues...

On Dec. 2, South Korean tech giant Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold — the company’s first trifold smartphone. Notably, the initial market for the device will be domestic, aimed at testing consumer response before a global rollout, according to The Korea Times.

The device features a 6.5-inch cover screen when folded and a 10-inch main screen when fully expanded, while retaining a slim profile, measuring 3.9 millimeters at its thinnest point when unfolded and 12.9 millimeters when folded.

It is powered by Qualcomm’s three-nanometer Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile...

The Freedom Holding Corp. Kazakhstan Manufacturing PMI® (Purchasing Managers’ Index™) posted 49.0 in November, remaining below the 50.0 no-change mark for the sixth month running and therefore signaling a deterioration in the health of the manufacturing sector. That said, the latest reading was up from 48.3 in October and pointed to only a slight worsening of business conditions.

Last month, production, new orders and purchasing activity all fell at slower rates than in October, but the pace of reduction in employment intensified amid reports of difficulties sourcing qualified staff. The easing of the sector’s downturn reflected softer reductions...

Chinese tech giant Huawei has presented Smart Hanhan — an emotional-support AI plush companion. The toy was showcased alongside the Mate 80 smartphone line, with all three models selling out shortly after sales began, Gizmochina reported.

Smart Hanhan is a compact plush toy standing 8 centimeters and weighing 140 grams. The electronics are concealed inside, while the exterior is finished in soft fabric and silicone. However, its standout feature is its emotional intelligence.

The plush companion can identify the user’s mood, pick up intonations and hold natural conversations thanks to the Xiaoyi large-model AI system that...

AI-created adult content has flooded the internet. But typically, only users themselves know which photos they feed into face-swap tools that insert a person’s likeness into explicit material. That secrecy vanished when Secret Desires — an erotic roleplay chatbot and AI image generator — left portions of its cloud storage open to the public. The exposed files, as reported by 404 Media, reveal a troubling pattern: users routinely uploaded photos of people who never agreed to appear in sexualized content.

Nearly two million images and videos left unprotected

The unsecured databases held close to two million files...

Kazakhstan is developing a comprehensive road strategy through 2040 to keep pace with rapidly growing freight transit between Europe and China, Vice Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov said during a Nov. 25 briefing.

Surge in truck volume from China to Europe

According to Kaliakparov, the number of trucks passing through Kazakhstan is increasing by 30% to 35% each year. To prevent traffic bottlenecks and border congestion, the government plans to introduce a «green corridor» at all border checkpoints. Under this system, transit cargo will be processed rapidly with minimal inspections. Reconstruction and upgrades at all border crossings are...

Rikhi Ram, a man from a small village in the Sirmaur district, India, had lost his memory in a car accident and hadn’t been in touch with his family for 45 years. However, not so long ago, he ended up in another accident that helped him recover his memories, NDTV reported.

In 1980, 16-year-old Ram left Nadi village in search of a job. He found work in a hotel, but on one of his trips, he was involved in a serious car accident. After the head injury, Ram completely forgot his identity and lost contact with...

Almaty offers more ice rinks for lovers of active winter holidays. Renowned mountain resort Shymbulak welcomes visitors on a new open-air ice rink.

The official opening is scheduled for Dec. 6, with free entry and presents for visitors included.

Organizers are promoting the ice rink as the world’s most high-altitude — a title traditionally held by the Medeu Alpine Skating Rink.

Nevertheless, the facility is already...

As the year draws to a close, Brazil’s iconic floating Christmas tree was inaugurated on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro’s Botafogo Cove. Although this is a relatively new tradition, it has already become one of the city’s highlights during the Christmas and New Year holidays, Euronews reported.

Positioned about 100 meters from the shore, the illuminated 80-meter floating Christmas tree is visible along a wide stretch of Botafogo Beach. Surrounded by the iconic scenery of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, the glowing installation attracted large crowds at its opening, which was marked by a fireworks...

On Nov. 28, Ryanair announced that people can no longer sign up for its Prime membership loyalty program, according to Euronews.

The company decided to roll back its loyalty initiative eight months after the launch in March due to high costs. The airline reported that the program brought in over €4.4 million from membership fees but it gave out more than €6 million in fare discounts, so it was not financially sustainable.

The program was designed for frequent travelers and offered perks like free reserved seats, travel insurance and monthly special seat deals for €79 per year.

As...

The legendary former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has resumed his hockey career. The ex-footballer signed with Haringey Huskies — an ice-hockey club playing in the NIHL 2 South East Division, which is effectively the fourth tier of the National Ice Hockey League in the U.K.

«I am absolutely delighted to announce the signing of Petr Cech! He’s a top-class ice-hockey goalie with valuable experience on the ice with the Belfast Giants, as well as a cabinet full of major football honors. We’re confident he is going to raise standards across the entire...

A painting depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, attributed to Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, and believed to have been lost for over 400 years, was sold for €2.3 million at an auction in Versailles this weekend.

The artwork, created by the renowned Flemish painter who lived from 1577 to 1640, was uncovered earlier this year inside a private residence in Paris, where it had remained hidden for centuries.

Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said he suspected the painting’s importance as soon as he saw it. He worked persistently to secure its authentication, which was ultimately confirmed by the...

Dimash Qudaibergen, a world-famous singer from Kazakhstan, performed his first solo concert in Egypt. The show took place on Nov. 30 as part of «The Pyramids Echo Festival,» according to DimashNews.

The concert not only introduced Dimash to his African audience but also set a new milestone as the first solo show by a CIS performer at the Giza Pyramids.

«Welcome to our show! Thank you for coming! Thank you for your precious time!» Dimash greeted the audience at the beginning of the concert.

The magical atmosphere of the ancient plateau, illuminated by...

PR manager and content creator Sergey Avakyan-Rzhevskiy showcased a little-known site in Almaty — Kazakhstan’s only cave chapel concealed beneath the Kazan Cathedral in the Medeu district.

At first glance, this is a typical 19th-century church. It was built in 1871 and had served as one of the city’s key holy shrines. However, the church’s walls hide dramatic and mystical stories.

The cathedral went through difficult times in history. In 1919, on its porch, unknown people assassinated priest Parfeniy, demanding that he publicly reject God. He refused and continued praying in front of the congregation, for...

Al-Nassr and Portugal national team forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become a co-owner of the Spanish fighting promotion Way of Warrior FC (WOW FC). Ronaldo said he identifies with the organization’s values and intends to help elevate mixed martial arts to a new level of global development.

Partnership with UFC Champion Ilia Topuria

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is one of the promotion’s key shareholders and ambassadors. The Spanish fighter joined WOW FC in 2024, a move widely credited with boosting the league’s visibility. Reacting to Ronaldo’s involvement, Topuria said the football star represents the highest standard...

Actress Reese Witherspoon’s debut novel, «Gone Before Goodbye» — co-written with bestselling crime author Harlan Coben — has already become a sensation in the U.S. Readers are talking not only about the «Legally Blonde» star’s literary debut, but also about the book’s surprising setting: nearly the entire story takes place in Russia, specifically Moscow’s wealthy Rublyovka district.

A thriller set in Russia’s elite circles

The novel follows Maggie McCabe, a military surgeon who loses both her husband and her medical license. Desperate, she accepts a risky job in Russia, where she is hired to perform plastic surgery on...

Espace Gabrielle Chanel, described as the first public library of its kind, has opened in Shanghai. The roughly 1,700-square-meter space was designed by Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto and is located on the third floor of the Power Station of Art museum.

A collection of more than 50,000 works

The library holds more than 50,000 books and audiobooks, including over 10,000 titles accessible to visitors. It will also host an archive dedicated to Chinese contemporary art.

Theater and exhibition space planned

A 300-seat public theater is planned as part of the project. The site also includes an...

Argentine President Javier Milei has canceled his trip to the U.S. Milei had been expected to attend the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5 as a high-ranking representative of the reigning world champion and as a special guest of Donald Trump.

A signal to the AFA

The Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Milei is sending a clear message by withdrawing from the event: He is distancing himself from the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The apparent trigger may have been the AFA’s Nov. 27 decision to impose a six-month suspension on Juan Sebastián Verón, president...

Nineteen-year-old Kazakh national team goalkeeper Damira Zhaparova scored against Norway in front of her idol, 45-year-old handball legend Katrine Lunde. Kazakhstan lost 41-16 in their second-round match of the IHF Women’s Handball World Championship preliminary group stage in Trier, Germany.

A dream moment against a childhood hero

Before the start of the World Championship, Zhaparova — the energetic goalkeeper for Astana and the national team — told the tournament’s press service that Lunde was her role model. Lunde, a three-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion and seven-time European champion, scored only three goals in 365 appearances for Norway.

Turkmenistan has adopted a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining and the operation of crypto exchanges and exchange services. The new regulations will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, as reported by Rbc.ru, citing the newspaper «Neutral Turkmenistan.»

The law governs the creation, issuance, storage and circulation of virtual assets. Cryptocurrencies will be recognized as civil property but not as legal currency or securities. Both secured and unsecured digital assets are permitted.

Mining will be allowed for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities, all of whom must register with the country’s central bank. Unauthorized or hidden mining using someone else’s computing...

Millions of people around the world admire Dimash Qudaibergen for his extraordinary voice and creative energy, which bring together fans from many countries. Based on testimonials collected from devoted fans in Belgium and Switzerland, he could be described as an exceptionally effective «cultural therapist.»

More than a voice

His impact goes beyond music. Many fans say his performances helped them through difficult times, eased depression and loneliness, and strengthened their confidence.

A recent survey of Dimash’s fan clubs gathered responses from his followers in Belgium. While the core group of Belgian «Dears» includes only 27 members, their...

The name of Rakhat Aliyev, former son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev, appears in recently released correspondence linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein. In the documents, Aliyev sought help securing safe relocation to the U.S. and recovering roughly $2 billion that he said his family lost after their business assets were confiscated in Kazakhstan.

Asking for help

According to the files, Aliyev fled to Europe after losing influence in Kazakhstan in 2007-2008. He reportedly hoped that the circumstances surrounding his seized assets would damage Nazarbayev’s standing in the West. Aliyev also hired the Washington firm RJI Government Strategies...