FBRK.KZ

In Shymkent, the pilot project Jerleu.kz for digitising cemeteries has been temporarily suspended due to low resident activity and a small number of applications. The system continues to operate only in one area in the Turan district. Some residents are unaware of the project or view it with caution, while representatives of the clergy support the initiative. A final decision on the closure of the project has not yet been made.

The Almaty Akimat has commented on the contract with JSC "Pavlodar River Port" for the construction of the western sewage collector in the Nauryzbai District. The authorities stated that the contract was signed on 26 November 2024 — prior to the emergence of criticism regarding the contractor. The project involves the construction of 35 km of engineering networks and will provide centralised wastewater disposal for approximately 200,000 residents.

The criminal case against Erlan Koishibayev, linked to alleged financial irregularities within the structures of KTZ, was twice dismissed — in 2019 and 2023. The investigation examined episodes involving understated tariffs, the leasing and sale of wagons, but concluded that there was no corpus delicti and deemed the relationship between the parties to be civil in nature.

Football club "Atyrau" sold for 77 million tenge with an estimated value of over 250 million. The deal went through the Sauda platform with a number of obligations for the new owner, including the construction of an academy for 1 billion tenge and the development of the club. The situation is being considered in the context of the ongoing privatisation of football clubs in Kazakhstan.

In the Tupkaragan district of the Mangystau region, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, 97 carcasses of dead seals have been discovered. According to the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture, the animals were washed ashore by the westerly wind, and their deaths are believed to have occurred more than a month ago. Specialists are working at the scene, and samples are being taken to determine the cause. Cases of mass mortality of Caspian seals have been recorded in the region before.

Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva has stated the need to transform the UNT system in Kazakhstan. It is proposed to move to a single sitting of the test, to introduce a hybrid selection system for pedagogical universities incorporating oral exams, and to abandon conditional enrolment in preparatory programmes. The changes are aimed at improving the quality of applicant selection and taking into account modern competency requirements.

In Shchuchinsk, upon opening the well, no animal remains were found, as previously claimed by a local resident. The reason for the inspection was a video showing a liquid of an unusual colour and a strong smell.

The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan has identified cases of medicines intended for free provision to patients under the GSBHI being sold through pharmacy chains. Following inspections of 74 facilities, some organisations have been held accountable, and the materials have been forwarded to the AFM and the Anti-Corruption Service of the NSC for further investigation.

The police department of Astana reported that while road markings were being applied on Mangilik El Avenue, the cameras were temporarily not recording violations.

New York authorities are drafting a law on a tax for expensive properties worth over $5 million, if they are not used for permanent residence. Several Kazakhstani property owners may be affected by the initiative, including Adilzhan Dzhakishev, Serzhan Zhumashov, and Anarbek Zhauirov.