Google is rolling out new features in its Google Translate app that could intensify competition with Duolingo, one of the most popular language-learning platforms, Lifehacker.com reported. As early as this week, Google will begin deploying AI-powered language-learning features in beta on Android and iOS. The new practice sessions require users…
Uzbekistan’s media has been abuzz with an unusual gastronomic trend — dishes made from sparrows. A blogger filmed a video at a restaurant in the Bukhara region showing soup and kebabs prepared from the birds’ meat, even sharing the address. The post sparked a heated debate, dividing opinion between those…
One of Almaty’s oldest public markets, also promoted as a tourist attraction for experiencing Eastern bazaar vibes, is awaiting reconstruction. In late July, the Almatygenplan Research Institute — the organization responsible for the city’s development and management — announced that on May 23 the Almaty City Council had approved a…
In a video the model published on Instagram, she walks through a shopping center in Bali. She enters a Uniqlo store and proudly shows an advertising banner with her face on it. The video also contains images from other stores of the brand all over the world with Mukhamedgalieva’s face.…
There is a pharmacy in Uralsk that has been operating for almost 200 years and remains a popular destination for visitors. Curious about how the pharmacy has managed to stay afloat for so long, Kursiv LifeStyle prepared a short report about the building that reflects the history of the city…
Ak Maya Fest, a festival dedicated to shubat, a national Kazakh drink made from camel milk, was held in Mangystau on Aug. 16. Those who attended the event reported astonishing performances, with many describing the festival of national traditions as the Kazakh analogue of Burning Man, the largest art event…
Organizers of Jennifer Lopez’s concert at Almaty’s Central Stadium have released the event’s figures. The show drew 27,000 attendees, about 7,000 of whom came from 35 countries around the world. According to the Almaty city administration, the concert generated approximately $18.5 million in revenue, with $1.1 million expected to go…
A village in Kazakhstan showcasing its own «Wonders of the World» is rapidly gaining popularity on social media. Kursiv Lifestyle reveals where you can see the Statue of Liberty next to the Taj Mahal. Blogger Pavel Zoteev shared photos from an unusual village on Threads. He was traveling with his…
Almaty is set to host popular German musician Till Lindemann one more time — the frontman and lead singer of the cult band Rammstein, organizers announced. The singer initially planned to give only one concert in Almaty on Jan. 7, 2026, but it sold out almost immediately. Due to high…
Kyrgyzstan’s Chüy Region, near the city of Tokmok, is set to host the country’s first theme park of international standard. The project is being implemented in partnership with U.S.-based IdeAttack Inc., renowned for developing iconic parks in the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, China and South Korea. This will be…
As global temperatures continue to break records, Central Asia has emerged as one of the fastest-warming regions in the world, according to recent reports from the World Meteorological Organization. In response to life-threatening heatwaves, residents are turning to increasingly inventive, and sometimes unconventional, ways to stay cool. With traditional methods…
Qymyz Bar, a new spot dedicated to kumys (or kymyz) — the traditional Central Asian drink made from fermented mare’s milk — opened in Almaty on Aug. 1. The bar offers 20 different varieties of kumys from 11 regions across Kazakhstan, each with a distinct level of fermentation, ranging from…
Kazakhstan served as a filming location for the South Korean travel show «Hit and Miss Tour 4.» Its cast has visited the country’s largest city and surrounding areas. Filming took place from July 24 to 27. The episodes are scheduled to air on Channel S, with a later global release…
Lake Tavolzhan (Tobylzhan), a salt lake in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region, Uspensky district, turns a soft shade of pink each summer — a natural phenomenon increasingly drawing travelers and photographers. The lake is divided into two sections, Small Tavolzhan and Big Tavolzhan, and becomes especially vibrant in the warmer months. The…
The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan has dismissed the head of Kattakurgan city’s Department of Employment and Poverty Reduction after he was caught off guard — hugging a female colleague on his lap during a Zoom meeting. The video quickly went viral online. The ministry responded swiftly,…
Korean culture, especially its distinctive cuisine, is gaining global popularity. But in Kazakhstan, what’s commonly labeled as «Korean food» often bears little resemblance to traditional South Korean fare. That’s because the cuisine has adapted over generations to local tastes and conditions. Kursiv LifeStyle took a closer look at the unique…
Although many Kazakhstanis want the option to watch movies in English and with subtitles, the cinema chain Kinopark says the actual demand is very low — only about 1,000 people. Some viewers in Kazakhstan are dissatisfied with the dubbing of foreign films and prefer to watch original versions. Reasons vary:…
Every morning, Almaty wakes to the dull hum of traffic jams. The air — thick, dusty and heavy — seems to warn: too many cars, too little city. In recent years, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis has increasingly resembled Los Angeles, a city where not having a car can feel like being…
Almaty Bar Shift, the international bar week, gathered bar professionals from around the world in Kazakhstan’s largest city to share their experiences of promoting businesses and destinations through the art of drinks. Cocktail week organizers and experts affiliated with global bar rankings, along with other global professionals, came to the…
Gulim Amirkhanova, a journalist and writer from Kazakhstan, appeared on the cover of a Guardian feature highlighting a global photo project about people and their sex toys. My toys The story profiles «My Toys,» a candid project by Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti that celebrates the devices and accessories people use…
A plot of land intended for the development of a ski resort is up for sale in Butakovka, an elite neighborhood near Almaty. The price? Just $2.8 million, which is relatively modest for Kazakhstan’s largest city, known for its upscale lifestyle. «The property is located just 3.5 kilometers from Dostyk…
