Articles by Kamila Zhumabayeva

ASTANA – A car accident left 19-year-old Yeldos Bayalyshbayev disabled years ago. He had a neck bone fracture, paralysis of limbs and a bedridden life. At least that was what doctors told him. But persistence, family support and care not only got Bayalyshbayev up on his feet again but also inspired others like him to…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s population stood at 17.9 million people as of May 1, Chairperson of Statistics Committee of National Economy Ministry Nurbolat Aidapkelov announced at a June 5 government briefing. However, the committee is not publishing open data on the population base yet. When the number reaches 18 million people an announcement will be made,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan improved on key indices over 2015 in latest United Nations Global, Regional and National Human Development report. Compared to 2015, life expectancy increased to 69.6 years from 69.4 years, average years in education rose to 11.7 compared to 11.4 and per capita gross national income reached $22,093, up from $20,876, according to…

ASTANA – Exhibits featuring Kazakhstan’s honoured art workers, the Terracotta Army, ancient Egyptian monuments and weapon arts will be held by the country’s national museum as part of EXPO 2017. The June 6-July 10 solo exhibit will highlight Yerbolat Tolepbay, the country’s honoured art worker and state prize laureate, according to Tengrinews. “Yerbolat Tolepbay’s inimitable…

ASTANA – The EU-funded WeAlmaty project aims to encourage and support residents to engage in evolving their city into a smart, safe, comfortable, socially-oriented and economically-sustainable urban area, said Rowan Kennedy, Deputy Director, British Council Kazakhstan, in an interview with The Astana Times. The British Council, Almaty Akimat (city administration), Almaty Development Centre and Kazakh-British…

ASTANA – The new $256 million terminal at the capital’s airport had an official opening May 31 attended by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The terminal was implemented within the Nurly Zhol programme and its construction began in 2014, noted Astana International Airport Director General Radilbek Adimolda. “The airport was launched in 2004 with a throughput capacity…

ASTANA – Cutting-edge technology will be used to decrease energy usage throughout the EXPO 2017 facilities, said Vladimir Sobolev, the Astana EXPO 2017 national company’s managing director and director of New Technologies and IT, the press service of the company reported. “Smart Grid system will be one of the projects used on the exhibition area.…

ASTANA – It is that time of the year again when the residents of the capital can get outside and enjoy having open-air exercises with fitness professionals. Fitness Park Astana has opened a new season of weekly workouts at Astana’s parks. One can go for CrossFit, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Zumba, Combat battle or yoga sessions led…

ASTANA – Since 1997, May 31 has been marked as Kazakhstan’s Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression and Hunger to honour those who were lost through 20th century repression and starvation in the country. Joseph Stalin’s policies of collectivisation caused the great famine of 1931-1933, one of the saddest and most influential events…

ASTANA – Some capital residents are happy the much-talked-about EXPO 2017 will benefit the city, entrepreneurs and Kazakhstan’s image. To others, however, it seems like a waste of budget money and resulting discomfort. The Astana Times interviewed several residents to get their impressions of the upcoming international specialised exposition. “As a resident, the upcoming expo…

ASTANA – Kazakh scientist Alexander Borisenko has developed a refinement system for polluting emissions that can purify any processed gas. The technology has been successfully operating at his factory for a year. “As this technology didn’t exist, it is always hard to create something that doesn’t exist. Many people don’t understand and the working process…

ASTANA – Mangystau archaeologist and historian Andrei Astafiyev has made a gallery of geoglyphs reflecting nomadic arts, the first in the region’s Airakty-Shomanai mountain valley and in Kazakhstan.   “I always consider natural sights from a perspective of a tourist attraction. The Airakty table (a flat-topped) mountain is a unique phenomenon for Mangystau,” he said…

ASTANA – Alexander Nigai, a 24-year-old doctoral student from Almaty, is teaching practical classes at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich) reported Inform.kz. “I am a doctoral student, but doctoral candidates are also staff in this university… Teaching is my duty and the university pays for it. We do not pay a…

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed May 6 a debt collection act and related amendments regulating how collection agencies can pursue borrowers and other elements related to debt collection. “The draft law focuses on protecting the rights of borrowers. … The law defines the rights and obligations of all parties down to a time when…

ASTANA – Astana-based private company San Mir Astana grows organic apples as part of the Agrobusiness – 2020 programme to develop the agro-industrial complex in the country. Initiated by the company’s business consultant Yermek Beisembayev, a memorandum with a Hungarian company Holland Alma Kft was signed in 2015 to plant apple tree gardens in southern…

ASTANA – Filmatique.com, a New York-based online streaming platform, released Kazakh filmmaker Nariman Turebayev’s FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) prize-winning film “Adventure.” Ursula Grisham, who is responsible for the website’s acquisitions and content, shared her impressions of the film with The Astana Times. “Nariman Turebayev’s ‘Adventure’ is a singular portrait of a night-time security guard that…

ASTANA – Stunt coordinator Zhaidarbek Kunguzhinov and his team Nomad Stunts have been nominated for the Taurus World Stunt Awards for coordinating and performing stunts in the 2016 Russian historic film “Viking.” “We came up with a few new stunts for the film – a burning wheel hitting a man, a fall of two horses,…

ASTANA – Kazatomprom, the country’s national atomic company, and Kanysh Satpayev Kazakh National University (KazNU) have established a scientific and educational nuclear centre where high-skilled professionals will be trained for the uranium industry.   The industry lacked sufficient personnel in the 1990s because young people were not willing to study technical fields, while the few…

ASTANA – The Kazakh hand-to-hand combat team, consisting of law enforcement officials, placed second in the April 21-24 World Hand-to-Hand Combat Championship in Moscow. Kazakhstan’s national team included five police officers and members of the State Security Service and National Security Committee. In addition to the second place team finish, five law enforcement officers out…

ASTANA – For the past several days, Kazakhstan has been struggling to control floods and high water in several regions. Some 2,000 homes have been flooded across the country, Kazakhstan’s minister of internal affairs informed during governmental session. “Life-sustaining activity was disturbed in 52 populated places in the Karaganda, Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Kostanai, Pavlodar, Aktobe…

ASTANA – The annual BI Marathon is planned for May 28 in the capital’s Triathlon Park, and 300 people have already registered for the event. “This year the location of the marathon is changing to Astana’s Triathlon Park, which the BI Group company gave to the capital [as a gift] for its 18th anniversary [in…

ASTANA – Summer is almost around the corner and it is time for the holidays all children anticipate. The Astana Times has compiled a list of the best children’s camps near Almaty and the capital city. Located in picturesque forests of the Borovoye resort area on the shores of Katarkol Lake, Kontinent children’s therapeutic centre…

ASTANA – It seems economics and law have been eternally popular and cliché fields to study and work in former Soviet Union countries. The notion that one is guarantied a job afterwards has been fading away, however, with the arrival of the digital era and a competitive new world ruled by science and technology. “People…

ASTANA – The six co-pilots of Air Astana, who first graduated from Air Astana’s of Ab-Initio training programme, recently became captains, reported Kapital.kz. Having flown six years as a co-pilot, Roman Suleimanov is one of the first graduates and has now been appointed as a captain. “I believe our pilots from Kazakhstan are as good…

ASTANA – Natur Produkt farm has been culturing rainbow trout at the Topar Lake 40 kilometres from Karaganda since last year. Close proximity to Karaganda GRES 2 power station creates unique conditions for fish culturists, Forbes.kz reports. Thermal release from the power station’s refrigeration allows maintaining the temperature that does not go below 17 degrees…

ASTANA – Kazakh Special Forces prevented 12 terroristic and violent extremist acts in the nation in the past few years. Since the start of 2017, they have also been able to prevent a single citizen from leaving for overseas to be involved in terrorist activities, said National Security Committee Deputy Chairperson Nurgali Bilisbekov at a…

ASTANA – Fifty geography students from the Netherlands’ Utrecht University visited Kazakhstan for their annual study trip. The Astana Times learned how they were enjoying the good old hospitality, friendliness and kind-heartedness of the Kazakh people.    “We are geography students from the Netherlands on our study trip here. We do this every year, chose…

ASTANA – As the May 20-21 Spirit of Tengri 2017 contemporary ethnic music festival in Almaty gets closer, one of its most anticipated guest performers, the Japanese Oki Dub Ainu Band, and Ainu music and culture, is coming into sharper focus.  “I bumped into the Kazakhstan team in the elevator at the 2017 Sapporo Asian…

ASTANA – Fishermen of the Amangeldy production cooperative in Atyrau recently caught a huge beluga fish weighing 160 kilogrammes. The fish was caught in seine in the lower part of the Ural River on April 1, ATPress.kz reports. “She is more than two metres long. The fish is now placed in a pool of one…

ASTANA – Young chess champion and grand master Dinara Saduakassova is now ranked among the world’s top 30 female chess players after winning first place at the recent HD Bank Cup International Open Chess in Vietnam. “People are very hospitable and kind there. It was cold when I was leaving Astana while the weather in…

ASTANA – Wizz Air will launch June 8 direct flights between Budapest and Astana , airline officials announced April 3. “This became real thanks to many years of painstaking work by the governments of the two countries and it is timed to the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Hungary,” Nurbakh Rustemov,…

ASTANA – Insurance company mergers are to be expected after the requirements were raised for their authorised capital, said National Bank insurance supervision department head Zhanat Kurmanov, reported Kapital.kz. “One should expect consolidations in the insurance market as a result of requirements on increasing authorised capital. This is most likely among general insurance companies, because…

ASTANA – “Manon,” a dramatic ballet from the repertoire of London’s Royal Opera House, will open April 28-29 at the capital’s opera house. The presentation by the Astana Opera Ballet Company will be staged with the design of the late renowned British choreographer Sir Kenneth MacMillan and to the music of Jules Massenet.   “The…

ASTANA – The Astana Opera will host its first Astana Opera Ball in the opera house’s Marble Hall on July 1. Cast members are being chosen and tickets to the public will be made available soon. “Young people from all over Kazakhstan may take part in this ball. For now, mostly residents of the capital…

ASTANA – Agape Evangelical Centre in Almaty supports the idea of religious harmony in Kazakhstan. The church has its own annual and Sunday gatherings for church services, Bible readings and prayers. In 1989, Baikal Dzodziyev and Yuri Shumayev founded the Agape mission. During the 1990s, several evangelisations (outreach) were organised in Almaty and Agape Church…

ASTANA – Iranian investors plan to do big business in South Kazakhstan in meat – they’re planning to buy 20,000 tonnes per year from the region, Kapital.kz reports. The website of the regional akim (governor), Zhanseit Tuimebayev, explains that the plan, which is being implemented through bilateral agreements between the two countries, was presented to…

ASTANA – A new Kazakh novel about love and three generations of Almaty residents in an historic retrospective of the 20th century was recently presented in Almaty in honour of International Women’s Day. “I was writing this book for two years but was nurturing the idea for a long time. I wanted to tell about…

ASTANA – The 2017 American adaptation of “Diamond Cartel,” directed by Kazakh filmmaker Salamat Mukhammed-Ali, will premiere in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia for the first time in the nation’s cinema history. “After a successful release of our ‘The whole world is at our feet’ film in Kazakhstan, American distributors offered to bring…

ASTANA – The ancient historic, architectural and religious town of Turkestan welcomed thousands of guests March 21, including an official delegation from 22 Turkic and other countries, as it received the status as the 2017 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World. “We have 20 hotels ready to welcome guests. Six of them are VIP-located near…

ASTANA – A month-long exhibition titled “Kazakhstan and Russia: a strategy of eternal friendship” dedicated to 25 years of diplomatic relations opened March 16 at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. “For a quarter of a century Kazakhstan and Russia has built a positive model of good-neighbourly relations and friendship, prolific trade and economic and humanitarian…

ASTANA – Twenty-six-year-old Kazakh actor and director Olzhas Nurbayev recently won Best Director at the Barcelona Planet Film Festival for his short film “The Boon” shot in Los Angeles. “‘The Boon’ is a short feature I made for my graduation work at New York Film Academy. The film is about a homeless man whose life…

ASTANA – Takebs, positioned as the world’s fastest parcel delivery service, has launched in Kazakhstan. The app is available in 11 languages on the IOS platform and by mid-March can be downloaded on Android. Bauyrzhan Karymsakov, who devised the mobile app for the international service, noted it is the first joint consumption project in the…

ASTANA – The UN Women and Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan public Fund raised the issues of women’s participation in the country’s economic life and the rights and opportunities of women in the workplace by organising exhibitions in honour of International Women’s Day. This year, women in rare occupations are in the focus of special…

ASTANA – A 34-year-old Kazakh-born tailor is bringing fashion trends to the streets of Auckland. Asya Sadyrova has made clothing for beauty contest participants and offers custom-made tailoring. Born and raised in Ust-Kamenogorsk (East Kazakhstan region), Sadyrova has had a propensity for varied handcrafts since she was young, even making doll furniture. ”I was studying…

ASTANA – “Kelinka Tozhe Chelovek” (“Daughter-in-law is a Human, too”), a small budget comedy from Kazakh director Askar Uzabayev, was scheduled for a Feb. 23 release. The film tells the story of the tense relationship between wicked mother-in-law Maira and daughter-in-law Aizhan living under one roof. There is very likely only one way to solve…

ASTANA – The project to build a new 60.2 billion tenge (US$188.7 million) terminal for the capital’s airport is being implemented. However, the terminal construction requires 20 billion tenge (US$62.7 million) more than expected. Berik Beisengaliyev, a managing director of Asset Optimisation at Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, spoke about the progress of building the new terminal,…

ASTANA – A new app has been launched to make learning the Kazakh language, as well as facts about the country and its history, easier and fun. The app was developed by Intellection Studio headed by London School of Economics and Political Sciences graduate Bakytzhan Baizhikenov. The Qazaq App for iOS and Android is designed…

ASTANA – More than 40 sergeants from Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces are attending month-long vocational training at the Defence Ministry’s cadet corps, the press service of the ministry reports. These 40 sergeants are among 500 expected to receive training. During the training, the sergeants must elevate their skill level, become more efficient and supplement military and…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s third IMAX theatre has opened in Astana’s Sary-Arka Shopping Centre as part of the Kinopark cinema chain. The new theatre is IMAX’s third collaboration with Kinopark, and it won’t be the last, senior vice-president of IMAX business development in the region John Schreiner said in a press release from the Kinopark 8…

ASTANA – A rash of suicide games on social media has recently caused panic among parents and raised alarm throughout the nation. Authorities have blocked access to content posted by so-called death groups on social networks such as VKontakte. Experts are also calling on Kazakh citizens to check their children’s phones to protect them from…

ASTANA – Astana Opera recently held a well-received two-day tour in Mariinsky-2, the second stage of Mariinsky theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Kazakh artists performed Notre Dame de Paris ballet. The Saint Petersburg audience rewarded the Kazakh artists with full houses with all tickets for the performances sold out, according to the press service of…

ASTANA – In our fast-paced, high-tech daily life, people tend to forget what really matters. “Kinfolk” magazine reminds us of some eternal values and the need to take time to enjoy the little things. Founded in 2011, “Kinfolk” is a Copenhagen-based, independent publication that explores ways for readers to simplify their lives, cultivate community and spend…

ASTANA – More than 2,000 athletes from 57 countries have converged on Almaty for Universiade 2017, with many visiting Kazakhstan and the country’s capital for the first time. A few of those athletes have shared their impressions of the host country, Almaty and the opening ceremony. “Almaty is a very nice city. I have only…

ASTANA – Toyota has remained the sales leader in Kazakhstan based on 2016 results. The Astana Times interviewed a car enthusiast to discover why this particular Japanese car brand has become so popular across the nation and the world. Toyota led the rating of the most demanded brands among Kazakh residents with 8,809 cars sold…

ASTANA – Started initially as a willow-weaving workshop, Green TAL has turned into a bigger project that provides vulnerable social groups training with employment by producing quality products demanded on market. Green TAL literally means green osier – a small Eurasian willow which grows mostly in wet natural surroundings. “Initially we started as a willow…

ASTANA – Swedish explorer Christian Bodegren is currently in the middle of a 2016-2017 Mongolia-Kazakhstan camel expedition. His goal is to document nature and life in the steppe in all seasons. “I am doing this expedition for many reasons, such as establishing a connection with the Silk Road and an interest for a nomad life.…

ASTANA – Residents and guests of the capital city will soon be able to enjoy a city view at a height of 65 metres from a Ferris wheel and roll down a slide at a water-park on Astana’s left bank area. The building of the Duman entertainment centre is under reconstruction to become a water-park…

ASTANA – Kazakh director Sharipa Urazbayeva has made a short film about abandoned children that will premier in May, Tengrinews.kz reported. “A problem with abandoned children is pressing nowadays. We decided to make a film on this topic. We need to show people that this is a tragedy. This film is actable and social. We…

ASTANA – See a Russian Orthodox church, visit the old Chekhov theatre, take a walk along the bank of the Irtysh River or enjoy the nightlife in Pavlodar, one of the biggest and oldest cities in the country. Located on the river’s edge, Pavlodar is a fairly quiet former Soviet city in northeastern Kazakhstan. Its…

ASTANA – When someone mentions cheerleading, girls from squads in American pop culture are first thing to come into one’s head. Kazakhstan has its very own cheerleading federation, with teams representing the country and leading to its complete development. Having originated in the U.S., cheerleading is a multifaceted sport that incorporates claps, jumps, dancing, stunting,…

ASTANA – The Kazakhfilm studio will make a full-length feature based on “Kirpichi 2.0” (Building Blocks 2.0”), a book by Kazakh writer Daniyar Sugralinov. The story revolves around a man who has been wishing to change his life for a long time but does not know how to make it happen. “Having set his ‘alter…

ASTANA – Not many people are lucky enough to find their calling on time and love and succeed in what they do best while also being far from their home country. Painter and a master student Alua Tebenova is one such creative individual, building her artistic career in Romania. “My connection with fine arts began…

ASTANA – The Armed Services Medicine Centre of the Kazakh Defence Ministry is bringing the country’s military and medical specialists’ training in line with best international practices and introducing new academic programmes and regional advances into their work, the ministry’s press service reported. Training and development is conducted across a variety of formats, from round…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s state security service has detained 16 people since Dec. 21 on suspicion of inciting religious hatred and their involvement with Takfir wal-Hijra Islamist group. The National Security Committee stated in its press release that it began special-forces raid on Dec. 21 to neutralise the cells of the Takfir wal-Hijra religious extremists organisation…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev thanked the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Dec. 9 for its contribution to the country and noted Kazakhstan’s support for ethnic groups during the association’s Festival of Ethno-Сultural Associations. “The Kazakh people work as one family, put their heart and fate into ensuring the prosperity of our motherland.…

ASTANA – The NOVAT troupe of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre presented Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” opera on Dec. 1 at Astana Opera. The opera tells the love story of Chinese Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf. “This is Puccini’s last opera and, of course, I wanted to combine it with something interesting in terms of…

ASTANA – Like Christmas in the western world, New Year is one of the highly-anticipated, cheerful and favourite holidays in Kazakhstan celebrated the night of Jan. 1. “First and foremost, New Year is a family holiday; I think it always was. All family members want to gather and spend this special moment together,” entrepreneur Gulnara…

ASTANA – A trip to Uralsk offers visitors the opportunity to experience the Russian historic and cultural touch, see the country’s oldest drama theatre and discover Bukei Horde district outside the town. Located on the Ural River, Oral (Uralsk in Russian) is a city in northwestern Kazakhstan with a population of approximately 290,000 (as of…

ASTANA – Ten contestants ages 17-40 presented their talents to compete for the title at a pageant among women with physical challenges held in Pavlodar’s Estai Palace of Culture. “There can’t be any losers in this competition, because every one of them participating is a winner,” said Pavlodar Deputy Akim (mayor) Ardak Tursukpayev, according to…

ASTANA – Talgat Bartayev’s childhood dream has come to life, as the Taldykorgan cab driver entertains passengers with his karaoke taxi. “I had this idea since I was a child and because I love technology and hardware. While working in a taxi, I decided to make something unusual,” he told BNews.kz. The cab is first…

ASTANA – Italo-Polish reporter, traveller and explorer Jacek Pałkiewicz recently visited the Kazakh capital to prepare for the upcoming New Silk Road 2017 expedition. He sat for an exclusive interview with The Astana Times to discuss the main goals of the trip and his life’s passion for travelling. “I never sat at a desk in…

ASTANA – Mangystau resident Mukagali Yerbozov found buried treasure this fall in the territory of the Mangystau region. The gold and silver objects included earrings, silver rings, about 20 gold coins and golden coin fragments. “A similar treasure was found here for the second time. Part of the first treasure found in 2014 was mistakenly…

ASTANA – Groups of swans stuck in frozen lakes in the Almaty Region and Kyzylorda city were recently rescued by governmental rescue services and local residents. Kyzylorda resident Zhasulan Serikov posted a video on Facebook that showed a group of swans near Kyzylorda’s Arai Water Park. “As soon as we received a signal, we contacted…

ASTANA – Many wine producing areas in the world conduct traditional wine festivals. Kazakhstan has such traditions too, thanks to Arba Wine, which established Arba Wine Nuovo, a young wine festival, in its native land that has become customary for wine lovers. One of the festivals was held Nov. 18 at Radisson Hotel Astana. “Most…

ASTANA – Morena Skalamera, geopolitics researcher and director of the Applied Research Institute at Almaty-based Narxoz University, visited Kazakhstan to conduct research on the geopolitics of energy. She spoke exclusively with The Astana Times about her mission in the country and what she is hoping to uncover with her current research. “I am here to…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s air ambulance service has made 8,643 departures beginning with its first flight on July 12, 2011. Since its inception, 323 calls were made in 2011, 1,005 in 2012, 1,355 in 2013, 1,875 in 2014, 2,149 in 2015 and 1,936 missions in the first 10 months of this year, according to a report…

ASTANA – Documents discussing the enjoyment and uses of herbal teas have been recovered dating back to Ancient Egypt and China. Zerde-Phyto produces herbal tea and supplements and Marketing and Public Relations Director Beibit Kuttykozhayev discussed the importance of herb products and therapy with The Astana Times. Herbal tea or tisane is herbs, spices or…

ASTANA – These days there are plenty of cakes that are beautiful on the outside, but pretentiously sweet and unappetising on the inside. It is no surprise then that recipes for Soviet cakes are carefully collected and published on the Internet, magazines and books. “In the USSR, a cake was more than just a dessert.…

ASTANA – Kazakh military developers have created an experimental model of a terrestrial military robot that can operate as a scout during military actions in a city. Experienced specialists of the Military Science and Research Centre of Kazakhstan’s National Defence University have been working to develop this robot. The robot is in the test phase…

ASTANA – Most Kazakh adults take Kazakh language lessons for professional needs. Meanwhile, the young generation prefers to learn English for educational opportunities abroad, said Tamara Lozovaya, central office and recruitment manager for InterPress International House (IH) in Almaty, in her recent interview with The Astana Times. Since 2006, InterPress IH has been a member…

ASTANA – A rapid response motorcycle crew project will be adopted in Almaty so that the city’s fire-fighting units can arrive to an emergency site faster. Four Jawa 660 fire fighting and rescue bikes were made upon special order of Almaty’s emergencies department. “Their goal is rapid arriving to an emergency scene (including road accidents),…

ASTANA – The screening of the animated film “Kazakh Eli” (2016) and several other Kazakh historic and dramatic movies is currently taking place at the Casa Asia Film Festival in Barcelona.   “It is really pleasant to me as a director that the world premiere of the film will take place in Spain. First of…

ASTANA – A Grand Gala Ballet featuring Astana Opera artists and renowned artists from Teatro di San Carlo opera house in Naples, Italy was held Oct. 29 at the capital’s opera theatre, according to the press service of Astana Opera. Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra accompanied the concert with conductor Arman Urazgaliyev. Six soloists represented Teatro…

ASTANA – Honey extraction in Kazakhstan takes place mainly in Altai region, and South Altai has a good quality harvest. Its compound has a wide array of microelements and vitamins and is more saturated and rich than that taken from Russia and the Baltic States flats. “Honey production develops mostly in East Kazakhstan. Not many…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first OBI hypermarket is slated to open in Almaty by late May. The home improvement superstore, to be built on 3.4 hectares at the intersection of Sain and Tole bi streets, will create 400 new jobs. “OBI’s entrance into Kazakhstan means global revolution in amenities provision. We used to find solutions to…

ASTANA – Eight-year-old Aisha Zakirova has become the world chess champion in the under-8 category based on the results of the World Cadets Chess Championship that ended recently in Batumi, Georgia, reported the press service of the Aceademic Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation. “We are happy. I was coaching Aisha for about a year.…

ASTANA – The Akimat (city administration) of Almaty and several businesses, including a group of car companies named Allur Auto, have agreed to build 40 electric car stations, Kapital.kz reports. “The number of cars increased 10 times in 25 years in Almaty. Right now, there are 570,000 cars in the city and 270,000 in the…

ASTANA – Patients with diabetic foot syndrome may soon be able to have their condition cured and avoid amputation at the Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University Centre of Diabetes in Almaty. People with diabetes often have a number of complications in their lower limbs that lead to gangrene and doctors have to amputate an affected…

ASTANA – October 25, Kazakh TV, Khabar Agency JSC’s “first national satellite channel,” launched a new format and a new branding campaign focusing on Kazakhstan’s culture, traditions, economy and nature, Tengrinews news agency reported. “The Kazakh TV television channel is a flagship of our country’s information promotion abroad. Available in 118 countries, Kazakh TV performs…

ASTANA – The wide-ranging work of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Kazakhstan’s regions includes everything from water and transport to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EBRD Director in Kazakhstan Janet Heckman spoke about the bank’s efforts in these regions and the importance of joining forces for regional development and investment projects.…

ASTANA – A Malaysian road expedition team from the Malaysian state of Pahang visited the capital Oct. 17-19 as part of “Visit Pahang 2017” campaign that aims to promote Pahang to international tourists. “Our main intention is to attract international tourists, especially Kazakhstan people to come and visit Pahang next year,” expedition leader and Chairman…

ASTANA – Ilyas Tokhtarkhan is referred to as the “human calculator.” The 10-year-old boy from the capital struck the jury and audience of a Russian television show with his impressive mental math skills. “I am called a human calculator because I do a mental arithmetic better than everyone. I can count two-digit, three-digit and four-digit…

ASTANA – Standing on the Tobol River in northern Kazakhstan, the city of Kostanai is the administrative centre of the Kostanai oblast (region). The population is about 217,000 (as of 2014). The area has a sharp continental climate, hot dry summers and cold winters with little snow. Food processing and other light enterprises are the…

ASTANA – Uzbeks have received quite a bit of interest lately, as they constitute half a million members of Kazakhstan’s population and, as President Nursultan Nazarbayev once noted, are indigenous residents of the region, according to regional Uzbek Cultural Centre Chairman Ikram Khashimzhanov. “As of today we have great access to knowing the national language,…

ASTANA – Kazakh Olympic and Paralympic champions and honoured figures of the Olympic movement planted 19 Tien-Shan spruces at Park Vlublyonnih (the Park of Lovers) on Oct. 5 in tribute to every medal they earned this year at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “Planting this Alley of Champions was the idea…

ASTANA – Master’s degree student in Architecture at Lev Gumilyov Eurasian National University Asel Pazylbekova won this year’s “Science Slam – Kazakhstan” science show in Almaty. Pazylbekova presented a project for making an architectural kit for students where through playing and learning they can create new forms of buildings and develop creative thinking. “Platforms such…

ASTANA – One can rest and improve one’s health thanks to Kazakhstan’s unique natural resources, climate and healing mineral waters with diverse composition, chemical properties and therapeutic efficiency. One can find his or her own mineral water in nearly every region. Thermal waters with a sodium sulfate-hydrocarbonate composition prevail in the northern region. Mineral waters…

ASTANA – Medical insurance is a must for expatriates and those who work in Kazakhstan on contract. Several medical insurance programmes are available depending on the scope and price of the package. “Medical insurance makes it possible to evacuate in case of serious illnesses or death. An employer is obliged to provide hired expats with…

ASTANA – Rally Kazakhstan was officially added to the calendar for the 2017 FIA World Cup for cross-country Rallies after Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) held its latest World Motor Sport Council meeting Sept. 28 in Paris. For the first time, Automotorsport Federation of Republic of Kazakhstan achieved the right to hold a FIA World…

ASTANA – iPhone users can now express their emotions with Kazakh national characters, as a free set of national emoji stickers is available for download from the AppStore. The app requires the iOS 10.0 operating system and is currently available only for iMessage. “The character for the stickers originated from cultural traditions of Kazakhstan. The…