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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...

A laser-based driver assistance system has been introduced on the Usharal–Dostyk highway in the Zhetysu region, southern Kazakhstan, to help prevent accidents and improve driver concentration, particularly in low-visibility conditions, regional police said.

The system is currently operating at the 13th kilometer of the highway. Laser lines projected onto the roadway create clear visual cues, helping drivers maintain lane position and stay focused during long trips.

Officials added that the...

Kazakhstan increased exports to France, Turkey and the United Kingdom early this year, while its trade share with Italy and Russia declined, economist Ruslan Sultanov said on his Tengenomika channel.

At the same time, the country is becoming increasingly dependent on industrial imports from China and Russia, he noted.

Strategic vulnerability concerns

Despite greater diversification in exports by product and geography, imports remain highly concentrated, Sultanov said.

«While the export basket is shifting from oil to metals such as uranium, copper and silver, and agriculture is expanding into markets like France, Turkey and the...

A Kyrgyz lawmaker has suggested that an alleged attempted coup lies behind the high-profile dismissal of former State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev.

In an interview with a Kazakh journalist, member of parliament Elvira Surabaldieva claimed that individuals linked to Tashiev had been preparing to seize power for an extended period, but the attempt was ultimately thwarted.

Claims of presidential leniency

Surabaldieva said Tashiev’s continued freedom may be due to what she described as President Sadyr Japarov’s «exceptional magnanimity.»

«The president is a magnanimous man. Perhaps he...

Large businesses in Kazakhstan are more likely to need workers with technical training than those with traditional higher education degrees, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said during a parliamentary session on Monday.

Survey highlights workforce mismatch

Nurbek said the findings are based on a survey of 73,000 enterprises across all regions of the country. The results point to systemic risks in the labor market.

On one hand, official workforce demand reflects an outdated economic structure. On the other, the evolving economy increasingly requires specialists in technology and artificial intelligence, he said.

Demand for higher education...

A waste incineration project by Junxin Environmental Protection is moving forward in Almaty, with construction planned in the city’s Alatau district.

Project scope and capacity

The facility is designed to process up to 2,000 tons of waste per day and generate as much as 60 megawatts of electricity, which will be supplied to the city’s power grid.

Total investment in the project is estimated at 130 billion tenge (more than $280 million). An arrangement has been reached with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, along with key provisions covering waste supply and electricity distribution.

Jobs and environmental standards

The plant...

As King Charles III touches down in Washington, D.C. today, the world is watching an encounter that feels less like a routine state visit and more like a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence, the King’s arrival marks the first visit by a reigning British monarch in nearly two decades. However, the true spectacle lies in the meeting between two of the world’s most recognizable, yet fundamentally different, leaders: the hereditary monarch and President Donald Trump.

Forecasts for their encounter suggest a masterclass in contrasting leadership styles. In public speeches, Charles...

«Michael,» a film about Michael Jackson’s rise to fame, is now in theaters. The lead role is played by his 29-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who bears a striking resemblance to the pop icon. Even before its release, the film faced criticism for softening the singer’s troubled public image, shaped in part by longstanding allegations of child sexual abuse.

A familiar rise-to-fame story

The film spans roughly two decades of Jackson’s life, from his early years performing with the Jackson 5 to his first solo «Bad» tour in the late 1980s.

This is not the first attempt...

A mural circulating on Iranian social media has intensified uncertainty about the condition of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, nearly two months after he was last seen in public, Euronews reported.

The mural, titled «Martyrs of the Epic Struggle,» was unveiled in Mashhad Ardehal, west of Kashan. It features prominent figures such as Qassem Soleimani, former President Ebrahim Raisi and Ruhollah Khomeini, all of whom are deceased.

The artwork also depicts Mojtaba Khamenei alongside these figures, prompting speculation that he may have been killed or seriously injured in the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who...