News

Kazakhstan’s PetroCouncil — an oil and gas industry association representing about 150 domestic oilfield service, engineering and manufacturing companies — has appealed to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to protect local firms from what it calls dumping by Chinese companies in Kazakhstan’s petrochemical sector.

Crowding out

The council notes that foreign contractors, primarily from China, are increasingly involved in large industrial and petrochemical projects across Kazakhstan. These companies reportedly offer services at prices up to 70% below market rates, effectively crowding out domestic enterprises.

To address the issue, PetroCouncil aims to limit price dumping by setting a...

UFC welterweight division champion Jack Della Maddalena (77 kilograms) wants to have a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

«I’ve always wanted to fight Shavkat, I don’t know, I just thought when I first saw him coming to the UFC, I thought he’d be doing good things, you know? I think he just…well, he dominated for a bit,» Maddalena said in conversation with former UFC champion Israel Adesanya.

The Australian athlete is currently preparing to defend his title against Islam Makhachev. Their bout is scheduled for Nov. 15 at UFC 322 in New...

Tesla shareholders have approved CEO Elon Musk’s compensation plan, valued at up to $1 trillion, in what marks the largest corporate pay package in history. The proposal received more than 75% support at Tesla’s annual meeting at its Texas factory, where Musk appeared on stage alongside the company’s dancing robots, according to Reuters.

The board argued the plan was crucial to retaining Musk and driving Tesla’s long-term growth, despite criticism from some investors who called it excessive. Musk’s compensation structure is based on a series of ambitious performance milestones, including targets such as Tesla producing 20 million vehicles...

Kazakhstani flag carrier Air Astana has announced its largest order ever. Boeing will deliver 15 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, bringing the total order up to 18 planes worth $7 billion.

«The order is in addition to the three Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026–27, which now brings total commitments to 18 aircraft. The newly ordered aircraft will be delivered between 2032 and 2035. The total value of the 18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, including engines, is US$7 billion based on manufacturer list prices,» the company said in a statement.

Notably, in...

Russia and Kazakhstan may jointly lay a fiber-optic cable along the bottom of the Caspian Sea to establish direct connections between Russian regions and Armenia, Iran and Kazakhstan, Interfax reported.

According to Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev, the two countries — along with their respective telecom operators, Rostelecom and Kazakhtelecom — are already in active discussions about the project.

Notably, Kazakhstan is also building a similar undersea cable with Azerbaijan. The 380-kilometer line will connect the cities of Aktau and Sumgayit and have a transmission capacity of up to 400 terabits per second. Construction...

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, Timur Turlov’s Freedom Holding Corp. and the government of Kazakhstan have signed a strategic agreement in Washington. According to the document, 165,000 teachers in Kazakhstan will gain access to ChatGPT Edu, a special version of ChatGPT designed for students and teachers that features enhanced privacy and data management mechanisms, Freedom Holding’s press service reported.

As a result of this agreement, Kazakhstan will become one of the first countries in the world to implement ChatGPT Edu at the national level — from schools to universities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Freedom Holding Corp...

The strongest geomagnetic storm of 2025 is expected Friday, Nov. 7 — one of the most intense in recent years. According to preliminary data, Earth will be hit by a stream of solar plasma ejected during a series of powerful solar flares.

What are the risks?

During strong geomagnetic storms, disruptions in satellite communications, GPS systems and internet connections are possible. Power grid fluctuations and health issues among weather-sensitive individuals can also occur.

How to protect yourself

Experts recommend several practical steps:

Kairat Almaty forward Dastan Satpayev has become the most expensive Kazakh and Kazakhstan Premier League footballer. According to Transfermarkt, the 17-year-old forward is now valued at €3 million.

After the football season ended in Kazakhstan, Transfermarkt updated the market values of players from the country and the Premier League. Satpayev’s value increased by €1.2 million, placing him at the top of the ranking.

The Kairat forward surpassed Kazakhstanis playing in the Russian Premier League — Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov (€2.8 million), Nuraly Alip (€2.5 million) and Maksim Samorodov (€2.5 million). The top five is...

Kazakhstan and the U.S. have signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals.

Signed in the presence of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Washington, the agreement aims to enhance Kazakhstan-U.S. cooperation in extracting and processing critical minerals.

Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev signed the memorandum for Kazakhstan, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signed on behalf of the U.S.

Cove Capital’s involvement

As reported by E&E News, the Trump administration indicated it may offer up to $900 million to help a U.S. company develop one of the world’s largest untapped tungsten deposits in Kazakhstan. The metal is...

Kazakhstan plans to join the Abraham Accords, an initiative aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, U.S. President Donald Trump announced, according to Reuters.

Trump stated that he had discussed the decision earlier that day during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, adding that a formal signing ceremony would take place soon, although no exact date was given.

Kazakhstan’s government confirmed Thursday that talks are in their final stages, describing the move as a continuation of its commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and regional stability. Although Kazakhstan already maintains...

Some call these striking animals «rays of cosmic flame, trapped in the bodies of horses.»

The Akhal-Teke is one of the world’s oldest horse breeds, dating back at least 3,000 years. Its modern name comes from two sources: the Akhal Oasis, located in the foothills of the Kopet-Dag Range, and the Teke, a Turkmen tribe. The breed originated — and was found almost exclusively until recently — in what is now Turkmenistan. By the mid-20th century, Akhal-Tekes began to spread around the world.

We invite you to enjoy images of these extraordinary horses...

The company AROOT Kazakhstan Ltd. has been registered under the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) jurisdiction, as shown in the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) registry data.

The company’s business nature is listed as «activities of holding companies.» The authorized share capital is $500,000, with 500,000 shares issued at $1 each.

According to AFSA, the company is registered in Astana and is owned by Aroot Co., Ltd. Yahoo Finance indicates that its securities are traded on the South Korean trading board KOSDAQ at 1,765 won (approximately $1.22). The company’s...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries in 2026, as announced during the C5+1 welcome reception.

«I personally intend to visit in the coming year as well — all five [countries], so I know it’ll probably be a weeklong or longer trip. We’ve got to work on that and make it happen together,» Rubio said during the ceremony.

He acknowledged that it is «high time» for the U.S. to engage more actively with Central Asian nations, admitting that the region has been somewhat neglected over...

Kazakh superstar singer Dimash Qudaibergen has arrived in Spain, where his solo concert will take place.

According to DimashNews, dozens of fans from different countries — including Spain, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil — greeted their idol at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

«Dears» arranged a vibrant welcome, complete with songs and posters, chanting «Olé, olé-olé-olé, Dimash!» Several fans streamed the moment live on social media so that audiences around the world could share in the emotion.

Among those welcoming him was Chilean singer Pablo Romero, who gained fame for performing Qudaibergen’s songs on the show «My...

Zohran Mamdani, 34, who won the New York City mayoral election yesterday, is an avid soccer fan — and his favorite club is Arsenal of London.

Mamdani said he developed a love for the Gunners because several African players once starred for the team, inspiring pride in him as a young Ugandan.

He spoke about his passion for Arsenal on the Vulture podcast, explaining that he became a fan in the early 2000s thanks to his uncle.

African players in Arsenal

Born in Uganda, in East Africa, Mamdani was drawn to Arsenal at a time when it...

Since the release of «Home Alone,» 35 years have passed, and the movie’s star, Macaulay Culkin, continues to bring fans the same Christmas spirit — though this time with a different meaning.

The actor once again reprised the role of Kevin McCallister in the «Home But Not Alone» advertising campaign by Home Instead, a company providing in-home senior care.

Kevin no longer needs to protect his home from burglars — now he’s taking care of his mother. In the video, Culkin’s character wraps the yard in bubble wrap and draws up a plan called Mom’s Safety Plan, featuring notes like...

Kazakh lawmaker Abzal Kuspan has proposed legally regulating the institution of the «tokal» — a junior or secondary wife in a polygamous marriage — arguing that the law should protect the rights of women who become second wives and their children.

Kuspan discussed the idea in an interview with journalist Yerbol Seyilkhan.

He explained that despite his personal opposition to the practice, polygamous marriages persist among wealthy men. He argued that since the practice continues even if the law prohibits it, legalizing it would better protect women who become junior wives.

The MP emphasized that the issue is...

On the 36th day of the government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — officials ordered airlines to cut 10% of flights at 40 major airports due to safety concerns, according to Reuters.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the plan on Wednesday, citing the growing strain on air traffic control operations as thousands of federal employees continue to work without pay. The move, set to take effect next week, will impact major hubs in cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated...

Foreign digital companies have paid 118.4 billion tenge (approximately $225.5 million) to Kazakhstan’s budget since the value-added tax (VAT) was introduced for international digital companies operating in the country in 2022. According to Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee, this year the amount reached 48.6 billion tenge ($92.5 million).

How much did major companies pay in VAT in 2025

The amount of VAT paid increased by 20 billion tenge ($38 million) year-on-year.

Among the largest taxpayers were IT industry giants:

Valve Corp. — developer of the digital distribution service and storefront Steam...

Japan deployed its Self-Defense Forces to Akita, a mountainous northern prefecture on Honshu Island, after a surge in bear attacks in the region, according to the Associated Press (AP).

As brown and Asiatic black bears search for food before hibernation, encounters with wild animals have surged, frequently reported near homes, schools and public facilities. Since April, over 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed nationwide, the AP reported, citing Japan’s Environment Ministry.

The Defense Ministry agreed to deploy troops in Akita Prefecture to assist in setting traps, transporting hunters and removing...

Kazakh lawyer Zhanna Urazbakhova has criticized German police for their handling of the murder investigation of Kazakh judge Aigul Sailybayeva, who was killed in Germany. Two years into the investigation, the suspects remain at large, and no arrests or searches have been reported.

The murder case

According to Sailybayeva’s mother, she last spoke with her daughter by phone on June 3, 2024. After that, Aigul stopped responding to calls and messages.

Her family contacted her husband, Alexander Dontsov, who denied knowing her whereabouts. A missing person’s report was filed by her brother through the Kazakh Consulate...

Miss Universe contestants walked out at a Thai pre-pageant event after Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly scolded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for not posting promotional material online, the BBC reported.

In a video streamed live, Itsaragrisil reprimanded Bosch in front of other participants, telling the Mexican contestant to «stop talking» and threatening to disqualify anyone who supported her. When Bosch left the room, many contestants stood up and followed in protest.

Following the incident, Bosch said the organizer had been disrespectful and had called her «dumb,» a claim that Itsaragrisil denied. He...

Kairat Almaty became the first club to score a goal against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League 2025-26, but still lost 2-1 away at San Siro Stadium.

Champions League 2025-26

Matchday 4, Nov. 5

Inter Milan vs. Kairat Almaty

Goals: Lautaro Martínez 45’ (1-0), Ofri Arad 55’ (1-1), Carlos Augusto 67’ (2-1)

Despite upsetting expectations amid the injury of Kairat’s defensive pillar Aleksandr Martynovich, the Almaty club did not look bad overall. The visitors’ defensive organization prevented the hosts from letting themselves go too much.

For 56 minutes straight, almost...

Lyst released its quarterly ranking of brands and products that captivated the internet.

In Q3 2025, Saint Laurent claimed the top spot for the first time, rising two places. Miu Miu, last quarter’s leader, ranked second. While others rethink designs, YSL’s signature aesthetic stands apart. Le Loafer was especially popular, with searches up 66% over the quarter.

Analysts note that the «quiet luxury» trend remains dominant. Clean, minimalist designs remain in high demand at all price points.

Most popular items of 2025

The Havaianas Top Flip-Flop was the season’s standout. These classic Brazilian sandals went viral...