Almaty - most expensive city in Central Asia
According to Numbeo rankings, Kazakhstan’s Almaty remains the most expensive city in Central Asian region in H1 2024, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Founded in 2009, Numbeo is the world’s largest database of cities and countries worldwide, compiled based on user reviews, prices for renting, food, restaurants, and other indicators.
The ranking covers 218 cities, with the Swiss city of Geneva occupying top position and Pakistan's Karachi at the bottom.
The city of Almaty was ranked 164th, while Astana was positioned 176th.
Almaty has the highest Cost of Living Index among Central Asian cities, with Astana standing second. Kyrgyz capital Bishkek and Uzbek capital Tashkent hold the 3rd and 4th lines respectively.
As for Asian region as a whole, the cities of Almaty and Astana are ranked 32nd and 36th respectively. According to the ranking, Singapore is the most expensive city in Asia.
As of January 2024, Almaty and Astana were ranked 279th and 296th among 370 cities.
The ranking is based on six key indicators. Since January 2024, both Kazakh cities have seen decrease in the Cost of Living index. In Almaty, it fell from 35.9 to 34.2, while in Astana it dropped from 33.6 to 31.9. Housing rent indicators decreased in both cities too.
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By Government decision, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi's mausoleum been placed under state protection
Images | primeminister.kz
Museum-reserve "Aziret Sultan" from now on will be under state protection. The corresponding decree was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
The famous historical monument mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is the first Kazakhstani site included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and belongs to the unique monuments of medieval architecture.
Taking into account its significance and historical and cultural value, as well as in order to ensure its safety, the Government adopted a resolution to include the museum-reserve ‘Әziret Sultan’ in the list of objects subject to state protection.
According to the document, the security of the object will be ensured by the relevant departments of the internal affairs bodies.
As is known, the mausoleum was erected on the burial place of the Turkic poet and founder of the Sufi order of Yassawiya Khodja Ahmed Yassawi in the city of Turkestan.
The mausoleum consists of eight rooms, which are arranged around the central, largest in the complex hall Kazandyk.
In the period from 1385 to 1405, a complex of structures was built around the mausoleum and now the museum-reserve includes a mosque, palace halls big and small aksarai, a library (kitabkhana) and an economic complex, which includes a well house (kudukkhana), kitchen (askhana), living quarters (hujra) and others.
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Acute respiratory viral infections on the rise in Kazakh capital
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7,100 ARVI cases were recorded in the Kazakh capital over the past week that is 19.5% or 1.2 times more compared the same period of the previous year, deputy head of the Astana sanitary and epidemiological control department Zhanna Praliyeva told a briefing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
She said the results of the 37th week of laboratory research claimed that no flu or COVID-19 cases were detected in patients. It revealed non-influenza respiratory viruses, such as parainfluenza virus type 4 and mixed infection. 173 pregnant women, 3,709 children under 14 years old, and 255 babies under 12 months old were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection.
Flu vaccination of high-risk groups, including health workers, children, and elderly people began on September 18. The vaccination campaign is rolled out at 44 healthcare facilities. It takes 14 days after vaccination before an immune response develops and remains for around a year.
Zhanna Praliyeva urged all to wash their hands, cover their cough, minimize close contact with people who may have influenza, wear masks in public places, and avoid crowded places.
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Astana hosts closing ceremony of 5th World Nomad Games
Images | worldnomadgames.kz
The closing ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games featuring a musical performance and words of congratulations from World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan and Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yerbol Myrzabossynov took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan shared that during the five days of the Games he had seen the performances of around 2,500 athletes from 89 countries. The World Nomad Games presented the history and worldview of nomads, a mixture of fascinating sport and entertaining show.
This historic organization demonstrates the world that Kazakhstan has big ambitions to institutionalize traditional sports around the world. Attracting attention on all levels, these historic games show our rich cultural heritage, as was witnessed by the opening ceremony, choice of places, sports facilities and cultural events in great detail. The World Nomad Games, held under FIPS rules, once again proved that our traditional sports are not simply competitions, he said.
Bilal Erdoğan highlighted that the Games are the means for establishing friendship, solidarity and brotherhood. Athletes brought together by the Games remind of the importance of collaboration and sharing a common culture.
For myself, the irreplaceable support of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in holding the Games became one of the key factors of such success. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the President and the entire team, that devoted itself to the holding of the Nomad Games. Each contributed to this sports festival as well as to the history, said Bilal Erdoğan.
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Kazakhstan tops medal standings at end of 5th World Nomad Games
Images | worldnomadgames.kz
Team Kazakhstan added 25 more medals at the 5th World Nomad Games to bring their total medal count to 114, including 44 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze ones, before the tournament wraps up, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Team Kazakhstan was represented by a total of 216 athletes in 21 sports at the 5th World Nomad Games.
On Day Six of the Games, Team Kazakhstan won 25 medals, including 11 gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals.
Today, Bakyt Tolay brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Zheti kut stage in the Tenge ilu event.
Kazakhstan’s eagle hunter Serikbek Kuntugan claimed gold in the Kusbegilik final.
Team Kazakhstan won two gold and two bronze medals in the Mangala (Turkish traditional intellectual game) event, with Kundyz Yessipkep claiming the women’s gold and Aigerim Kuanyshbekova - bronze. Bigali Zkiryayev claimed a gold medal in the men’s Mangala event and Azamat Kaidarov - a bronze medal.
Kazakhstan ended up with a silver medal in the Ordo event (Kyrgyz national game). Coming in first was Team Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan was placed third.
Kazakhstan swept the podium in the Kunan baige at the Games, with Amir Serik winning gold, Ansar Arysstanbek hauling silver and Dilnur Nurmukash settling for bronze.
Ansar Arysstanbek brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Alaman baige event. Coming in second was Khamza Amanfeldy of Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan’s Nurel Elessov was placed third.
Kazakhstan’s Serzhan Baktybay won gold in the Top Baige event. Arnat Muratkhan and Zhanbolat Marden of Kazahstan claimed second and third places, respectively.
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Winners of Mereili otbasy national contest honored in Astana
Images | Kazakh Culture and Information Ministry
A solemn ceremony of awarding the winners of the Mereili otbasy national contest took place ahead of the Family Day in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s congratulation letter addressed to the winners was read out by Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev.
In his letter, President Tokayev highlighted the importance of supporting the institution of family in building Just Kazakhstan.
The President pointed out that the country attaches special attention to this area, as systemic measures are under implementation.
Mereili otbasy is a unique project, that became a tradition. It further promotes the national values of our people. Our shared task is to instill in the younger generation the love for the sacred traditions of our ancestors. Each family can involve in this important mission. There are many dynasties, whose honest work can be a shining example for following, the testament to which is today’s event. The victory of each family in this contest can be regarded with confidence as the achievement of our entire people, reads the congratulatory letter.
Addressing those present, Senate Speaker Ashimbayev noted that the Head of State always stressed the crucial contribution of the family institution to the formation of a new quality of the nation.
President Tokayev pays priority attention to the strengthening of the family institution, protection of motherhood and childhood, promotion of a robust values system in the society. In his address, the Head of State focused on these issues, initiating a set of new social initiatives, aimed at increasing the well-being of our citizens. I’m convinced that all these measures will contribute to greater wellbeing of each Kazakhstani family, said Ashimbayev.
This year’s 11th edition of the Mereili otbasy national contest saw 3,369 applications submitted by families from all regions of the country.
You are the backbone of our nation! You’re making a huge contribution to our country’s prosperity, conservation of our national and family values!, said Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva.
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Kazakhstani nationals advised to leave Ukraine
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The embassy of Kazakhstan in Ukraine recommended nationals of Kazakhstan to consider departing the territory of Ukraine over increasing tensions and security purposes in a statement published on the embassy’s official website, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The embassy notes that to travel from Ukraine to Kazakhstan, the nationals of Kazakhstan can use two land routes - through Poland or Moldova, then use commercial flights. In case of departure through Poland, they will need a Schengen visa, whereas a visa is not required to enter Moldova, the Kazakhstani embassy informed on its Telegram channel.
The embassy also calls on all citizens not to ignore air raid alerts and immediately seek shelter, follow their own security measures and recommendations of the official authorities.
To contact the embassy’s consular division dial: +38(044) 4831596, +38(044) 4891031. Hotline for Kazakhstani nations (in case of emergencies): +380673470408.
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Dimash attends Bibigul Tulegenova Creative School opening ceremony
Images | dimashnews
On September 1, 2024, the opening of the first private creative school named after one of the founders of Kazakh vocal art, the great singer and People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Bibigul Akhmetovna Tulegenova, took place in Astana, dimashnews reports.
The opening ceremony was attended by People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan and opera singer Bibigul Tulegenova, the main founder of the school and publisher of Forbes Kazakhstan Armanzhan Baitassov, and People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dimash Qudaibergen.
The Bibigul Tulegenova Creative School (BTCS) is a modern educational center offering an innovative educational concept. Here, children can develop their creative talents alongside gaining in-depth knowledge of core subjects through the school’s creative faculties.
Dimash Qudaibergen Participated in the Opening of the Bibigul Tulegenova Creative SchoolThe Music faculty will provide education in various music genres, music theory, and performance art.
The Digital faculty will teach programming, web development, and advanced technologies in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Dimash Qudaibergen Participated in the Opening of the Bibigul Tulegenova Creative SchoolThe Art faculty will foster creative thinking in children through studies in visual arts, graphic and architectural design.
The STEM faculty will include programs in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and robotics.
Dimash Qudaibergen and Armanzhan Baitassov congratulated the future students on the Day of Knowledge and expressed confidence that the new generation will make a significant contribution to the development of a new Kazakhstan.
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