News

An old town built as a set for the movie «Nomad: The Warrior» (2005) will undergo restoration and become part of a tourist zone.

According to the Almaty region’s governor’s office, a large tourism cluster development project has begun on the banks of the Ili River. Local authorities aim to restore the significantly worn “Nomad” movie set, build a pedestrian bridge to the Tanbaly Tas area and enhance the surrounding landscape. The plan also includes the creation of recreational and glamping areas, as well as cafés.

The region’s governor, Marat Sultangaziyev, said that approximately 500 tourists...

Kazakhstan is in talks with ExxonMobil Corp. to develop an untapped portion of the Kashagan oil field, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Currently, production is underway only in the eastern part of Kashagan, while the western sections and nearby fields remain undeveloped.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, who requested anonymity, the discussions also cover other issues, including renewal of the license to develop the Tengiz field — which expires in 2033 — where ExxonMobil is also a partner. Kazakhstan is reportedly seeking to increase its stake in the project in exchange for a contract extension.

OpenAI has signed a $38 billion deal with Amazon to use the company’s U.S. data centers for its artificial intelligence operations. The agreement grants OpenAI access to large-scale computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS), utilizing hundreds of thousands of Nvidia AI chips, according to Euronews.

The collaboration, announced on Monday, marks a shift in OpenAI’s cloud strategy following a recent revision of its long-standing partnership with Microsoft, which had been its exclusive cloud provider.

Amazon said that the deal addresses the growing demand for computing power driven by rapid advancements in AI. OpenAI will begin using AWS immediately...

A new gastronomic attraction has emerged in Dubai, a city renowned for its grand projects and passion for luxury. The Julith café has unveiled the world’s most expensive coffee, made from rare Panamanian beans, priced at 3,600 dirhams — approximately $980.

According to the café founder Serkan Sagsoz, the drink has a complex taste with floral and fruity notes, including jasmine, orange, bergamot, apricot and peach flavors, «like honey, delicate and sweet.»

Sales began last weekend, with the offer being limited to around 400 cups.

The coffee shop is located in an industrial neighborhood that has...

Renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli shared Instagram photos from his Oct. 28 performance at Almaty Arena.

During the event, the maestro dons a traditional Kazakh shapan and poses with singer Aigerim Altynbek. The professional images also showcase the Ascension Cathedral at night and the memorial in 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park—two of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Fans praised Bocelli and the concert’s atmosphere in the comments:

Coca-Cola Içecek Kazakhstan plans to build its fourth plant in Aktobe, western Kazakhstan, with construction set for 2026. The company is a subsidiary of Turkish beverage firm Coca-Cola Icecek.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture and the company signed an agreement for the project. Once operational, the facility is expected to create more than 120 jobs. The plant will adhere to international environmental standards and incorporate a comprehensive waste management system.

Coca-Cola Içecek operates 36 plants in 12 countries, including three in Kazakhstan: Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. The company produces and distributes Coca-Cola beverages across its markets, including Turkey, Pakistan...

A new underwater art installation is transforming the waters off Miami Beach into a living coral reef. Over several days, crews placed 22 life-sized concrete car sculptures on the ocean floor, several hundred feet from South Beach. The project, called «Concrete Coral,» is led by the nonprofit REEFLINE, which combines art and marine science to create artificial reefs, the Associated Press reported.

The installation will soon be seeded with 2,200 native corals grown in a Miami lab. Supported in part by a $5 million city bond, REEFLINE plans to expand the initiative through up to...

Elena Rybakina (World No. 6) defeated Iga Swiatek (No. 2) of Poland in a clash of leaders in the Serena Williams Group at the WTA Finals, coming back from a set down to win 3‑6, 6‑1, 6‑0.

The performance of Kazakhstan’s No. 1 in Riyadh has been the biggest sensation of the tournament so far. Earlier, American Amanda Anisimova (No. 4) lost to the Kazakhstani player in straight sets. Then, on Nov. 3, Swiatek left the court with a bagel set on the scoreboard. The Polish player had beaten Rybakina four times in a row this season...

Iran is reportedly preparing to lift its ban on Telegram for the first time in nearly eight years.

Authorities have reportedly set conditions for the move: the messaging app must remove what they deem «dangerous content» and ensure that user data does not fall into the hands of foreign intelligence agencies.

Iran blocked Telegram in December 2017, and a few months later, an Iranian court upheld the ban, citing national security concerns.

Notably, Telegram founder Pavel Durov said at the time that the service was blocked after the company refused to shut down channels used by...

Chinese professionals’ interest in U.S. career opportunities has cooled amid President Donald Trump’s threats to revoke Chinese student visas, tighten H-1B visa rules, and impose sanctions on TikTok, according to Chinese business journalist Selina Cheng.

Reverse migration

At the same time, China’s long-term effort to attract skilled workers is gaining momentum, particularly as its technological and scientific competition with the U.S. intensifies. Reflecting this trend, a Stanford University study found that nearly 20,000 Chinese-born scientists who had built their careers in the U.S. left the country between 2010 and 2021, many of whom returned to China.

Notably...

Egypt has celebrated the long-awaited opening of its largest museum of ancient history — the Grand Egyptian Museum, a project two decades in the making.

Located at the foot of the Giza Pyramids, the museum houses more than 100,000 artifacts, many of which have never before been displayed to the public.

The centerpiece of the collection is the treasure from Tutankhamun’s tomb, featuring more than 5,000 objects gathered together for the first time. Among them are the pharaoh’s famous golden death mask, jewelry, chariots, weapons and household items.

The main atrium features an 11-meter-tall, 83-ton statue of...

China has announced an extension of its visa-free entry policy for business, tourism, family visits or transit for up to 30 days for citizens of 45 countries — including France, Germany and Spain — until Dec. 31, 2026. The policy will also be expanded to include Sweden starting Nov. 10, 2025, Reuters reported.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Consular Affairs, 32 European nations are eligible for the extension, along with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and several countries in South America and the Gulf region. Notably, under the original plan...

The Freedom Holding Corp. Kazakhstan Manufacturing PMI® (Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM) remained below the 50.0 no-change mark in October, dropping to 48.3 from 49.2 in September. The headline index has now signaled a worsening of operating conditions in each of the past five months.

October saw a renewed reduction in new orders in the Kazakh manufacturing sector, with new business down modestly following a slight rise in September. The fall in new orders mainly reflected muted customer demand, while some firms also indicated that ongoing repair work meant that they were not in a position to take on new business.

Some...

Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat this week as November’s full moon — known as the Beaver Moon — becomes the year’s closest and brightest supermoon, Euronews reported.

A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its full phase while at perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth. During this rare alignment, the moon can appear up to 14% larger and shine up to 30% brighter than the faintest full moon, according to NASA.

This dazzling spectacle peaks on Wednesday, Nov. 6, though the moon will appear full on both Tuesday and Thursday nights. The best...

Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler has played 75 matches for the club, according to Turkish sports outlet Fanatik. As a result, the Spanish club must pay €2 million to Fenerbahçe under one of the performance-based bonus clauses in Güler’s transfer agreement.

Güler’s 75th appearance for the club came on Nov. 1. At home, Real Madrid thrashed Valencia 4-0. Güler was in the starting lineup, assisted Kylian Mbappé, and was substituted at halftime when the score was 3-0. This marked the Spanish club’s 10th victory over 11 matchdays. Real Madrid has 30 points and leads the La...

A Mississippi woman shot and killed an escaped monkey near her home, saying she acted out of fear for her children’s safety after reports circulated that the animals might carry diseases, the Associated Press reported.

Jessica Bond Ferguson of Heidelberg told the Associated Press that she was awakened early Sunday by her 16-year-old son, who said he had seen a monkey outside. She said she took her phone and a firearm outside and spotted the animal about 60 feet away before firing.

«I did what any other mother would do to protect her children...

Supermodel and TV personality Heidi Klum once again proved she’s the undisputed queen of Halloween with a jaw-dropping Medusa costume that turned heads — and, fittingly, turned them to stone, as reported by Euronews.

The annual «Heidiween» party is famous for its over-the-top creativity. This year it reached new heights. Klum appeared completely unrecognizable in an elaborate full-body transformation. The look included green scales, a crocodile tail, clawed...

Kazakhstan can raise oil production in December to 1.569 million barrels per day, up from the November cap of 1.563 million. Eight OPEC+ nations made this decision on Nov. 2.

The total oil production increment for December was agreed at 137,000 barrels per day. Therefore, a 7,000-barrel-per-day increase is allocated to Kazakhstan. OPEC+ partners determined the increments based on «a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals.»

Moreover, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Kazakhstan and Algeria decided to halt their oil production increments in January, February and March 2026.

From April...

Miryildiz Mining, a Turkish company, aims to launch gold and copper production in Kazakhstan in late 2026, according to Regional Director Emrah Erdem.

At the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable on Oct. 31, Erdem said the potential for copper mining in eastern Kazakhstan is strong, with the company focusing its efforts on the Abay and Pavlodar regions. He also noted promising prospects for gold, rare earth metals, and other solid minerals across the country.

In April, Miryildiz Mining presented a project to Abay Region Governor Berik Uali to build a mining and processing plant in the...

Viewers of the popular music show X Factor Uzbekistan experienced a moment of déjà vu when Nursultan Qudaibergen, a contestant from Kazakhstan, took the stage. Audience members and judges immediately drew comparisons to world-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen.

Everything about the performer seemed familiar — his last name, his resemblance, and even his vocal style. The judges couldn’t hide their surprise, noting that Nursultan’s voice sounded strikingly similar to Dimash’s.

Inter Milan players are approaching their Champions League match against Kairat in good spirits. On Nov. 2, the club earned three more points in Serie A, defeating Verona in an away match.

Italy. Serie A. Matchday 10. Nov. 2

Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan: 1-2

Goals: Giovane 40’; Piotr Zieliński 16’, Martin Frese 90+3’ (own goal)

Inter is fighting for the title, while Verona is in the relegation zone. The favorites quickly took the lead as Polish midfielder Piotr Zieliński scored a spectacular volley from a corner kick. Shortly before halftime, the hosts tied the...

During his first «60 Minutes» interview in five years, President Donald Trump explained why he pardoned Binance founder Changpeng «CZ» Zhao earlier this year. He said he did not know Zhao personally and believed the case was politically motivated, according to CNN.

In his conversation with Norah O’Donnell, Trump said he did not know about Zhao’s background when he gave the pardon. Referring to his decision, Trump said, «I don’t know who he is. I heard it was a Biden witch hunt.»

Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to breaking anti-money-laundering laws and...

A couple from Rotorua, New Zealand — Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride — got an unexpected surprise during their wedding celebration on the Hobbiton Movie Set. Actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in «The Lord of the Rings» trilogy, unexpectedly showed up at the ceremony.

According to the newlyweds, the day had been rainy, but the skies cleared for exactly half an hour, just long enough for them to hold their ceremony. As the couple finished signing their marriage documents, Wood walked down the aisle to congratulate them in person.

Several people were injured in a stabbing attack on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening. Amid the chaos, passengers and staff acted with remarkable bravery, with one rail worker credited by police for saving multiple lives, the BBC reported.

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that a 32-year-old man from Peterborough remains in custody as the sole suspect. A knife was recovered at the scene, and officers said they are not treating the incident as terrorism-related.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed that an LNER staff member, now in...