News

Following Real Madrid CF’s arrival in Almaty, football fans are watching the players’ every step. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on the craze around the InterContinental Almaty.

Despite the working day being in full swing, several dozen fans surrounded the venue’s gates. The crowd mostly consisted of students, young school-age fans, and their parents.

Police were also present at the scene. A Kursiv LifeStyle reporter asked one of the fans what they were waiting for. Nurmukhamed Kerimkhan, a student at one of the city’s universities, said that like most of those gathered, he was waiting for the team to depart for a...

Nurtas Karipbayev, head of the Tourism Industry Committee, said that if more than 4,000 tourists come to the UEFA Champions League match between Kairat and Real Madrid on Sept. 30 at Central Stadium in Almaty, the event could bring in 2 to 3 billion tenge ($3.6 million to $5.5 million) for the local economy.

Karipbayev noted that Almaty and its infrastructure, including hotels, are ready to welcome foreign guests.

Meanwhile, some football fans are so enthusiastic about the Kairat vs. Real Madrid match that they are ready to climb cranes or take temporary jobs, such as cleaning...

A historic match for Kazakhstan kicks off tomorrow, Sept. 30, 2025, as Almaty’s Kairat faces Real Madrid. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on the creative and desperate ways fans without tickets try to watch.

Some supporters have attempted to get into Central Stadium «from the inside.» The stadium’s official website recently listed two job openings: a groundskeeper and a facilities cleaner. But as one Kazakh blogger discovered, landing a one-day job just to slip inside isn’t possible, even for those willing to work for free.

@sakoyashi__

Kazakhstan’s biggest city, Almaty, has recently hosted several international events, including concerts by Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys, and it is preparing to host the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Kairat on Sept. 30. Although international tourists may come specifically for such events, Almaty also offers strong tourism potential even if you are short on time.

Medeu and Shymbulak

The most «basic» locations for tourists to enjoy, and the easiest way to access mountain landscapes, are Medeu and Shymbulak. Medeu is located within the city boundaries and can be reached by...

A deadly attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, left four dead and eight injured Sunday, according to the BBC.

According to police, at approximately 10:30 a.m., 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton drove his car into the church during the worship service, then immediately began shooting with a rifle. Shortly after, he set the building on fire with gasoline. Police shot and killed him outside the church just a few minutes later.

Authorities described the attack as targeted violence, as hundreds were inside the church throughout the incident. However, officials have...

Demonstrations broke out across Morocco this past weekend as frustration mounted over the government’s heavy spending on preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host.

Crowds gathered in at least 11 cities, including Rabat and Marrakech, where police in riot gear and plainclothes officers moved in to disperse protesters and make arrests, as reported by Independent.co.uk.

Hundreds of mostly young demonstrators voiced anger over what they described as misplaced priorities, condemning corruption and criticizing authorities for investing in stadiums and sporting infrastructure while hospitals and schools remain underfunded. Some carried signs and chanted...

The Kazakh startup Higgsfield AI has achieved unicorn status, surpassing a $1 billion valuation. Aleksandr Mashrabov, the company’s co-founder and former head of generative AI at Snap Inc., announced the milestone at Nazarbayev University, according to Digital Business.

Higgsfield AI has generated more than $50 million in revenue, officially becoming Kazakhstan’s first unicorn. Mashrabov confirmed this breakthrough, a milestone not reached by any company in the country in the past 15 years. The startup, backed by leading global funds such as Menlo Ventures, which also invests in Anthropic, has gained significant attention.

Founded less than two...

On the night of Sept. 29, a charter flight carrying Real Madrid players landed in Almaty. Among the arriving athletes were stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham.

The team was accommodated at the five-star InterContinental Almaty, which is closed to other guests until the team leaves later this week, as the club has completely purchased the 15-story, 277-room hotel. As a result, online and phone booking will be available only starting Oct. 1.

The InterContinental Almaty has been mentioned several times recently in media reports, as the Backstreet Boys also chose the venue for their...

In the early morning of Sept. 29, hundreds of fans in Kazakhstan gathered at Almaty International Airport to welcome Real Madrid. Law enforcement authorities had to control the crowd eager to see the team bus carrying the players.

The Real Madrid squad booked the InterContinental Almaty hotel, where fans were already gathered.

Kylian Mbappé signed autographs.

According to Almaty International Airport, the flight carrying Real Madrid players, operated by Iberia Airlines, landed in the city on Sept. 28 at 11:58 p.m. The nearly 7,000-kilometer flight took seven hours. The Real Madrid vs. Kairat UEFA Champions League match will...

The main event of the Kazakh football season will take place tomorrow. On Sept. 30, Kairat will play its first-ever home match in the Champions League main tournament against Real Madrid.

Champions League 2025-26. Round 2

Kairat (Almaty, Kazakhstan) vs. Real (Madrid, Spain)

(Sept. 30, Almaty, Ortalyk Stadium, 9:45 p.m.)

The opponents’ weight classes are, of course, incomparable. The 36-time Spanish champion team against the four-time Kazakh champion team. A 20-time Spanish Cup winner versus a 10-time Kazakhstan Cup winner. A 15-time European and five-time world champion versus a Champions League debutant. Real Madrid was...

Kairat and Real Madrid have announced their squads for the upcoming Champions League match in Almaty on Sept. 30. Yesterday, Real Madrid’s players arrived in Kazakhstan. As both teams prepare for the game, fans of Almaty’s Kairat are pinning their hopes not just on the players but also on head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin — a former player who once sold shoes before beginning his coaching career.

After Kairat’s victory over Celtic last month, Urazbakhtin drew widespread attention. The win secured Kairat its first-ever place in the main stage of the Champions League and made Urazbakhtin the...

Real Madrid CF arrived in Almaty to play against Kairat in the UEFA Champions League match. According to Almaty International Airport, the players landed on Sept. 28 at 11:58 p.m. on an Iberia Airlines flight, covering nearly 7,000 kilometers and seven hours in the air.

According to available data, the La Liga club’s players went to the InterContinental Almaty.

Previously, Real Madrid had presented its squad list for the Kairat match on its official Instagram account.

The Real Madrid vs. Kairat match is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 9:45 p.m. at Central Stadium.

Real Madrid CF has released the list of players selected for the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Kairat in Almaty, scheduled for Sept. 30.

The squad, coached by Xabi Alonso, includes:

Travelling to Central Asia — Almaty in particular — might seem challenging not only in terms of time spent in the air and layovers, but also from a gastronomic perspective. However, while traditional cuisine may differ from what is commonly popular worldwide, Almaty is a large multicultural city with a wide variety of dining options.

International fast food

Your typical international fast-food chains — including KFC, Wendy’s, Burger King, Hardee’s and Popeyes — operate in Almaty. Notably, McDonald’s, which many expect to find everywhere in the world, used to serve customers in Kazakhstan but exited the...

On Sept. 30, Almaty will come alive with football as Kairat hosts Real Madrid. Not everyone has tickets to the stadium, so many fans are looking for places to soak up the atmosphere outside the stands (“unofficial fan zones”).

Bars, restaurants and terraces with large screens are among the most popular options. Kursiv LifeStyle breaks down the cost of an evening filled with big-match emotions for Almaty residents and visitors.

Special conditions and no refunds

Almost all bars and restaurants in Almaty have introduced a deposit system for the match. Some venues are already fully booked, while...

A Russian Arbitration Court has canceled the protective measures imposed on Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov in connection with the bankruptcy case of the «Association» bank. The news was reported by Frank Media, citing the court ruling.

Court decision and case participants

Along with Timur Turlov, the list of restricted individuals no longer includes A.V. Lordos, A.S. Voron, M.K. Minasyan, the company Marinrpereshnservisz, M.V. Kosyreva and O.A. Artemyeva. Meanwhile, the seizure of V.L. Makarevich’s assets, valued at 229.8 million rubles, remains in effect as part of a settlement agreement.

Earlier, Russia’s Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) had filed claims...

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior has won a lawsuit over trademark rights against an entrepreneur from La Coruña, El País reported.

In 2018, the businessman registered a clothing brand under the name Vinicius. Both the Commercial Court of La Coruña and the Court of Appeal ruled that he had tried to capitalize on the player’s fame.

According to the defendant, Vinícius was not yet widely recognized at the time of the application, so consumers would not connect the trademark to the footballer. The court rejected that defense, concluding the entrepreneur was aware of the player’s rising...

Kylian Mbappé, the most anticipated Real Madrid player in Kazakhstan and ambassador for the renowned Hublot brand, unveiled a limited-edition watch. The Swiss brand recently celebrated two significant milestones: the 70th anniversary of the European Cup and the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the UEFA Champions League. To commemorate 10 years of unforgettable moments, Hublot released the Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium series.

Since joining the UEFA Champions League stage in 2015, Hublot has timed over 800 matches, capturing significant moments. The new collection symbolizes this decade-long partnership.

The Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium is...

Yellow Cake, a British firm focused on uranium, has raised $175 million by issuing approximately 23 million new shares to institutional investors. With a portion of the proceeds, the company aims to purchase uranium from Kazakhstan.

Priced at £5.64 each, the new shares accounted for 10.6% of the pre-transaction capital. The AIM market is scheduled to begin trading these shares on Sept. 29.

Proceeds will be used to exercise an option to purchase uranium from Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s uranium giant, in 2025, as well as for additional acquisitions.

According to Kazakhstan’s Association of Financiers, Yellow Cake...

Kairat announced its UEFA Youth League match against Real Madrid U-19 will be played without spectators.

The Sept. 30 game will be held at noon at the Segizbayev Academy field, Mailin Street, Almaty. Entry is restricted to coaches, academy staff, players’ parents and accredited media; general fans are not permitted.

Kairat said the decision was made because of the limited capacity of the academy’s field, which seats only 250 people. Later at 9:45 p.m., Kairat’s senior team will play Real Madrid at Almaty’s Central Stadium.

This UEFA Champions League match is sold out.

A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two counts connected to his testimony before Congress in 2020. The charges include making false statements and obstruction of justice, according to the BBC.

Prosecutors allege Comey misled the Senate Judiciary Committee about whether he authorized others at the FBI to share information with the press concerning his conversations with President Donald Trump during his first term. The obstruction charge claims his statements improperly impeded or blocked the committee’s inquiry.

Comey denies wrongdoing, expresses confidence in the judicial process, and looks forward to defending...

In a single day, several high-ranking officials in Kazakhstan’s presidential administration (president’s executive office) and cabinet lost their posts, marking a significant shift.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed three aides: Tamara Duissenova; Kanat Sharlapaev, who advised on economic issues; and Yerzhan Kazykhan, who oversaw international issues and was appointed permanent representative to the U.N. office in Geneva.

Tokayev also removed advisers Kunsulu Zakariya, focused on science; Zulfiya Suleimenova, responsible for international environmental cooperation; and Yernar Baspayev.

New foreign minister

Murat Nurtleu was dismissed as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. He was reassigned as Tokayev’s aide for international...

Almaty is going to host a UEFA Champions League match, part of one of the most remarkable football tournaments in the world. The nearest match is scheduled for Sept. 30, with Real Madrid playing against FC Kairat at Central Stadium, just a 10-minute walk from Baikonur metro station. The city has no shortage of accommodation options near the venue, so Kursiv.media has compiled a list for different budgets.

Five-star hotels

InterContinental Almaty. The hotel is a 30-minute walk from the stadium, located in the city center near popular landmarks, including the Kazakhstan Independence Monument and...

Microsoft has restricted some cloud and AI services for a unit of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, citing a breach of service terms, according to Al Jazeera.

As Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post, the company had disabled services after an internal review. This review was prompted by an August investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call. The report alleged that Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence division, used Microsoft’s Azure platform to store and process large volumes of surveillance data on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Smith confirmed Microsoft...