FBRK.KZ

Farmers in the Zhetysai and Maktaaral districts of the Turkestan region have reported significant losses of their melon harvest following prolonged May rains. Some farmers linked the precipitation to a pilot project for artificial rainmaking, while specialists explain the weather conditions as being due to natural atmospheric processes.

The son of former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Usenov — Urmat Usenov — is being held in custody in Almaty on charges of illegal business activity and alleged creation of a transnational organised group. According to sources, the investigation is linked to the illegal trafficking of tobacco products.

In the Avangard microdistrict of Atyrau, a fire broke out on the grounds of a playground. Employees of the Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) extinguished the blaze and prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings. There were no casualties.

Since the start of the season, more than 1,200 people, including over 450 children, have suffered from tick bites in the Orenburg region of Russia. Cases have been recorded in all municipalities of the region, which borders the West Kazakhstan, Aktobe and Kostanay regions.

The Akimat of the Daryinsky Rural District in the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) plans to purchase 10 pairs of skis with a total cost of 1 million 118 thousand tenge. According to the district akim, Tlek Kakenov, the equipment is intended for employees of the akimat’s administrative staff.

From the beginning of 2026, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has transferred the procedure for concluding contracts for the supply of irrigation water with agricultural producers to an electronic format. To date, the Republican State Enterprise "Kazvodkhoz" has issued 26,527 electronic agreements with farmers.

Heavy downpours in Aktobe have once again exacerbated the drainage situation. Amid heavy rainfall, JSC 'Aqtobe Su-Energy Group' reported an increased load on the networks and urged residents to follow the rules for operating the engineering infrastructure.

Kazakhstan has entered the top 30 countries with the highest level of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. These figures were presented by the OpenAI delegation during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev.

In Aktobe, the court found the former head of the city akimat’s administration, Nursultan Isembayuly, guilty of fraud and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment. Following the verdict, he was taken into custody in the courtroom. The court also partially granted the civil claim and ordered additional payments.