News

The Trump administration has moved to suspend the U.S. green card lottery, citing its alleged use by the individual accused in the fatal shooting at Brown University and murder of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, according to Bloomberg.

Homeland Security orders pause on Diversity Visa Program

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on X that she has instructed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to temporarily halt the program, formally known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. The lottery allows applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to seek permanent residency in the U.S.

Suspect’s immigration status under...

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina national team forward, received a limited-edition watch worth $1.2 million as a gift during his promotional GOAT India Tour 2025, The Mirror reported.

On the last day of the tour, Messi visited the Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre, owned by the country’s richest person, Mukesh Ambani, whose net worth, according to Forbes, is estimated at $105 billion. The footballer was accompanied by the entrepreneur’s son, Anant Ambani, who presented the generous gift.

The Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Asia Edition watch gifted to the eight-time Ballon d’Or...

Researchers have identified submerged remnants of massive stone constructions built by human communities more than 7,000 years ago off the coast of France. The findings, detailed in a recent study in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and highlighted by 404 Media, shed new light on early coastal societies in Western Europe.

Submerged ruins near Sein Island

The underwater remains lie close to Sein Island, a small Breton island in the Atlantic Ocean. Composed primarily of granite, these submerged features rank among the earliest known large-scale stone constructions in France. Their existence may even be connected to the long-standing...

During his visit to Tokyo, Japan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with professional sumo wrestler Yersin Baltagul. Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Baltagul is currently competing in Japan under the ring name Kinbōzan Haruki, the president’s press service reported.

Baltagul has represented Kazakhstan for the past 10 years and has achieved notable success in the sport. He took up sumo after graduating from a university in Japan.

Tokayev said that Kazakhstanis are proud of the wrestler’s accomplishments. He also noted that during his audience with Emperor Naruhito, they discussed Baltagul’s successes, describing this as further recognition of the athlete’s...

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion ($105 billion) support package for 2026 and 2027. They reached this compromise without using frozen Russian assets. The deal came after long negotiations at an EU summit late Thursday, according to CNN.

This funding is intended to help Ukraine address its budget and military needs, which have increased as U.S. support has declined. The IMF estimates Ukraine will require about €137 billion over the next two years. The EU aims to provide about two-thirds of that through joint borrowing.

The EU plans to raise the...

Askar Zhanasbayev, an athlete from the city of Semey, continues to strengthen his reputation as one of Kazakhstan’s top bodybuilders. After winning the prestigious Arnold Classic Europe Championship last year — named after Arnold Schwarzenegger — he followed up with a strong second-place finish at the Binous Classic in Dubai.

Rising international recognition

Zhanasbayev’s success in Dubai quickly drew public attention. Following the competition, he gave several interviews, and by the next day, passersby were recognizing him on the streets and asking for photos.

A French court sentenced anesthetist Frédéric Péchier to life imprisonment for poisoning hospital patients, 12 of whom died, according to the BBC.

A court in Besançon, eastern France, found that Péchier put toxic substances into intravenous infusion bags, which caused cardiac arrests or severe bleeding in several patients. The victims were between four and 89 years old. The youngest, a four-year-old child undergoing routine tonsil surgery in 2016, survived two cardiac arrests.

Péchier came under investigation in 2017 after irregularities were discovered in infusion bags linked to a 36-year-old patient who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during spinal surgery...

On Dec. 17, Real Madrid’s forward Kylian Mbappe scored a brace against Talavera of Spanish third-tier league Primera Federación in the Copa del Rey. As a result, the Frenchman moved closer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals within a calendar year for the club, Sports Illustrated reported.  

Copa del Rey

Round of 32, Dec. 17

Talavera vs. Real Madrid: 2-3

Goals: Nahuel Arroyo 80’, Gonzalo Di Renzo 90+1’; Mbappe 41’ (P), 88’, Manuel Farrando 45+1’ (AG)

The goals were Mbappe’s 57th and 58th in 2025 for Real Madrid...

It’s easy to get swept up in beauty industry hype, as flashy marketing and a lack of clear information often blur the truth about how cosmetics work. To clear things up, Kursiv LifeStyle asked experts to help us bust five of the most persistent myths.

Myth No. 1: The more active ingredients, the better

When examining ingredient lists, keep in mind that concentration is more significant than the sheer number of active ingredients. Too much acid or too many actives, for instance, may dry out the skin or even damage its protective barrier.

The best move? Pick products...

Online education platform Coursera announced on Wednesday that it will acquire rival Udemy in an all-stock transaction, valuing the combined company at approximately $2.5 billion. The deal comes as the online learning sector continues to consolidate following a post-pandemic slowdown and increased investor scrutiny, Reuters reported.

Under the terms of the agreement, Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera for each Udemy share held, implying a valuation of about $930 million for Udemy. Following the announcement, Coursera shares rose around 4%, while Udemy shares surged nearly 22%.

The companies said the combined platform is expected to be...

Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen has been awarded a new title — not on stage this time, but in the assembly hall of a medical university.

The performer met with students, faculty members and staff of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, where he spoke about his personal and professional journey.

In an open conversation, Qudaibergen said that the key to his success was not talent alone, but above all hard work, discipline and a sense of inner responsibility to himself and society. He emphasized that by maintaining a strong connection to his national roots and culture, he...

We use elevators every day—at home, at work and in shopping or office buildings. Yet many people remain unaware of basic elevator etiquette, which can help prevent awkward moments, conflicts and misunderstandings.

Kursiv LifeStyle answers the most common questions to make everyday elevator rides more comfortable for everyone.

Who enters and exits first?

An elevator is not the same as a doorway to a café; it follows its own set of rules.

Many people grow up learning that men should allow women to go first. In elevators, however, practicality usually takes priority. In busy settings, the general rule...

Flying cars were once considered science fiction, but Alef Aeronautics is gradually turning this vision into reality, according to UNILAD. The American company has announced the start of production of its Model A Ultralight, a project widely regarded as the world’s first practical flying car.

Testing and regulatory approval

In 2023, the project received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to continue operating legally. In February, Alef successfully completed flight tests of a Model A prototype.

However, unrestricted use is not yet possible. The first flying cars will be delivered to a small group...

The Oscars ceremony will be broadcast globally on YouTube starting in 2029, moving exclusively from the ABC channel, Reuters reported. ABC has broadcast the annual Academy Awards continuously since 1976 and will continue to do so through 2028, which will mark the 100th Academy Awards ceremony.

Audiences are increasingly turning to streaming platforms, contributing to declining television ratings. The 2025 Oscars — also streamed on Hulu — drew 19.7 million viewers in the U.S., marking the highest viewership in five years, but still far below the peak of approximately 57 million in...

Sunqar, a restaurant perched at the highest point in Almaty, has introduced an unconventional new dining format: guests now eat with their eyes covered, completely deprived of visual cues.

Located within the city’s international ski jump complex at an elevation of 1,057 meters (3,468 feet) above sea level, Sunqar has long been known for its dramatic setting.

A destination known for views and proposals

Until recently, the restaurant’s main draw was its sweeping panoramic views of Almaty and the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Many guests booked tables specifically to propose marriage.

Sunqar also features a special table for couples with...

The U.S. Congress has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing approximately $901 billion in defense spending, the largest amount approved under the annual legislation. The bill includes a 4% pay increase for service members, investments in modernizing weapons procurement and initiatives aimed at maintaining U.S. military competitiveness, according to Reuters.

The measure was approved by wide margins in both chambers, continuing a more than six-decade tradition of passing the NDAA each year.

Support for Europe

One of the key elements of the bill is its reaffirmation of U.S. commitments in Europe. The legislation, for...

Sanctions pressure from the EU and the U.S. on Russia continues to intensify, with growing implications for Kazakhstan’s economy. These measures threaten not only asset freezes but also civil and regulatory liability for transactions conducted through Western jurisdictions.

Kursiv.media spoke with Andris Ivanovs, an expert at the British law firm Ashurst, about how businesses can identify sanctions-related risks in Kazakhstan and the five essential steps they should take to protect themselves.

Key risks for Kazakhstani companies doing business with Russia

In October 2025, the EU adopted its 19th sanctions package, which directly affected several companies in Central Asia, including...

Japan inspires the people of Kazakhstan with its discipline and resilience, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated during a meeting with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, the Akorda press service reported.

During the meeting, Tokayev expressed his appreciation for Japan’s hospitality. The sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and the international agenda.

In turn, Emperor Naruhito expressed confidence that this visit would be a significant event in the history of Kazakhstan-Japan relations, enhancing them to a completely new level.

The program of Tokayev’s visit to Japan includes not only scheduled meetings but also a large-scale business component. The signing...

Flight KC931 from Almaty to Bangkok, operated by Air Astana, made an emergency landing at Delhi airport on Dec. 18 due to a technical malfunction.

The airline said in a statement that the aircraft, with 138 passengers on board, departed from Almaty at 1 a.m. and landed in India’s capital at 5:01 a.m. The company emphasized that the landing went normally.

The passengers are being provided with food and temporary visas, while accommodation issues are being handled. At the same time, the airline is preparing a reserve aircraft to deliver passengers to their destination.

This marks...

Kazakh ethnic designer Tilek Sultan sparked debate after receiving a custom order for a kimeshek, a traditional head covering for married Kazakh women with children.

While researching, Sultan noticed confusion between the kimeshek and the Islamic hijab. He raised the subject online, receiving swift, heated responses.

A question that sparked confusion

Sultan said a woman asked if he made kimesheks. When he asked if it was for a married woman, she said her daughter was a college student. She said her family wanted the girl to wear a “Kazakh hijab.”

The designer told her that only women who...

FC Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski has held talks over a potential transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire FC, according to the BBC. The 37-year-old Polish footballer is open to a move, and his high salary is not expected to be an obstacle.

Lewandowski’s contract with the Catalan club runs until the summer of 2026. FC Barcelona’s management is not rushing to extend the agreement.

According to the source, the forward is also considering other options for continuing his career. Lewandowski has not ruled out staying with Barcelona for one...

Merriam-Webster chose «slop» as its 2025 word of the year, explaining that it means low-quality online content such as confusing instructional videos generated by artificial intelligence (AI), joke social media posts created by bots and books written by AI, according to CNN.

By choosing this word, Merriam-Webster joins other major dictionaries that have focused on technology-related language this year. Collins, Cambridge and Oxford, for example, have also chosen words related to digital culture and online habits — «vibe coding,» «parasocial» and «rage bait» — showing how technology keeps changing the way people communicate and discuss issues.

Moreover, The Economist...

Instagram is developing a dedicated television app that will let users watch Reels directly on their TVs. The service is expected to debut in the U.S. on Amazon Fire TV devices.

How the TV experience will work

According to Instagram, users can log in with up to five existing accounts or create a separate account specifically for TV viewing. Reels keep their vertical format rather than stretching to fit widescreen televisions, and videos run up to 3 minutes.

The app offers two viewing feeds: a personalized stream and a second feed that shows videos a user’s friends have...

The song «Seven Nation Army,» often associated by boxing fans with Gennadiy Golovkin, who famously entered the ring to its iconic riff during championship bouts, will be performed live in Almaty. Its author, rock performer Jack White, will headline the first day of the Park Live Almaty 2026 international music festival.

The event is set to take place in Almaty from Aug. 21 to 23, 2026, turning the city into Central Asia’s music capital.

The full lineup has not yet been revealed; however, organizers have already announced two major names. Along with White...