Lula da Silva wins Brazil's presidential runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro by more than three points
First published Mon, Oct 26 · Updated Tue, Oct 27
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the 80-year-old leader of the left-wing Workers' Party, won the second round of Brazil's presidential election. With more than 99 percent of ballots counted, he led Flávio Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old right-wing conservative senator and son of the convicted former president, by more than three percentage points.1
Bolsonaro had won the first round of the election before losing the runoff to the incumbent president. The result gives Lula da Silva the presidency of Brazil.12
The election divided the country, with the presidential race ending in what was described as a historic victory for Lula da Silva.32
UPDATES
· Reaction
US President Donald Trump said Brazil's presidential election looked like another rigged vote, commenting on the runoff that Lula da Silva won.4
The board of Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna removed Kairat Maksutov as chairman of the management board of Samruk-Energo on Wednesday. The government's press service announced the decision. Maksutov had headed the company since June 2023, more than three years in the post.123
The dismissal cited unsatisfactory progress on investment projects and insufficient control over construction deadlines for new generating capacity, the government press service said. Tengrinews described the wording of the removal as harsh.14
UPDATES
· New development
The board of Samruk-Kazyna appointed Ansar Aidarov as chairman of the management board of Samruk-Energo on Friday, filling the post left by Kairat Maksutov's dismissal.67
Aidarov had worked at Samruk-Energo as chief investment director before the appointment.6
· New development
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov addressed the dismissal of the Samruk-Energo chief on Thursday, saying the company had shown insufficient control.5
The Energy Ministry and the Samruk-Kazyna fund must take measures to carry out power plant projects in Turkestan, Kyzylorda and Almaty, Bektenov said.5
3
Tokayev proposes three-year moratorium on micro- and small-business inspections from January 2027
First published Wed, Oct 28 · Updated Thu, Oct 29
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivering his address to the nation of Kazakhstan, told deputies of the kurultai to discuss with the government whether to introduce a new three-year moratorium on inspections of micro- and small businesses starting January 1, 2027. A moratorium of the same kind already ran from 2020 to 2024. He also instructed that local business access to procurement by state bodies and national companies be simplified.123
Tokayev criticized the practice of buying electricity from neighboring countries at high prices, and of winter purchases at inflated prices resold in summer at low ones. He set a target for Kazakhstan to reach a sustained energy surplus by 2029, when the country should not only cover its own demand but hold a surplus. He also called the use of drinking water at car washes absurd.456
The address covered taxes and social spending. Tokayev proposed discussing a higher tax rate for people with large fortunes, said the Tax Code is not "holy scripture" and ordered changes to it after listening to business, and criticized unjustified social benefits and payments as populism and a disservice to recipients.7891011
Tokayev ordered a new Civil Code drafted and adopted by the end of 2027, and a comprehensive plan to reform the state administration, saying a real reform is needed and show must not be allowed. He told the government and the National Bank to hold down and reduce inflation by the end of the year, and to create an automated system for managing budget funds using artificial intelligence. He also announced the "Narodnaya stroika" program, under which about 70 health facilities, 50 education and sports facilities will be built in the regions.1213141516171819
Salaries for primary-care district doctors will rise by up to 40 percent from January 1, depending on continuous service, Tokayev said. He also ordered that teachers' extra workload be cut and that they be protected from pressure, saying school administrations must not pressure educators.202122
UPDATES
· New development
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov gave the Ministry of National Economy two weeks to prepare proposals on a three-year moratorium on inspections of micro- and small businesses, following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's address.2324
At a government meeting on Thursday, Bektenov also ordered the ministries of finance and national economy to submit approaches on taxing especially wealthy citizens to the government within one month.2526
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Tokayev arrives in Turkey for official visit and talks with Erdogan on strategic partnership
First published Thu, Oct 29 · Updated Fri, Oct 30
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Turkey on an official visit on 28 October, his press service Akorda said. He is visiting at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the trip scheduled for 28-30 October, presidential press secretary Aibek Smadiyarov said. The visit includes talks with Erdogan and participation in a summit of the Organization of Turkic States.1234
Erdogan met Tokayev at the airport in Ankara. The two presidents then held talks in a narrow format, followed by expanded talks with members of the official delegations of both countries.5678
In the narrow-format talks Tokayev thanked Erdogan for the warm reception, and the two sides discussed strengthening their strategic partnership. The interlocutors noted the steady development of bilateral relations. Tokayev said Kazakhstan supports Turkey and rejoices in the successes of the brotherly people.9710
UPDATES
· New development
Tokayev's official visit to Turkey ended and he left Ankara, Akorda said.1112
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Binance reports hack with $6.3 billion in assets affected; North Korean hackers suspected
First published Fri, Oct 30
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, reported a hack that may have affected assets worth $6.3 billion, and the company has already suspended operations. Analysts at TRM suspect an elite North Korean hacker group of carrying out what is described as the largest cryptocurrency theft in history, with the operation reportedly taking about 20 minutes.123
The security breach triggered a sell-off across the crypto market. On 29 October bitcoin fell to a six-week low, and the news of the platform's problems added pressure on digital assets.45
Kapital, a business outlet, reported that the attack may force investors to reconsider the risks of holding digital assets.3
Attributed claim: Coverage of the hack split on attribution of the attack. Tengrinews reported that the North Korean group is only suspected, citing TRM analytics, while 66.RU stated as fact that hackers from North Korea breached Binance and withdrew $6.3 billion from the exchange.26
Also this week
Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.
Kazakh security service detains Pavlodar region woman over separatist video calling for Russian troopsKazakhstan's National Security Committee detained a woman in Pavlodar region over a video of a separatist nature, Tengrinews reported on 28 October. The committee said the operation was carried out under coordination.
Kazakh security service detains Pavlodar region woman over separatist video calling for Russian troops
First published Fri, Oct 30
Kazakhstan's National Security Committee detained a woman in Pavlodar region over a video of a separatist nature, Tengrinews reported on 28 October. The committee said the operation was carried out under coordination.12
The detained woman is suspected of separatism, KazTAG reported. Other accounts describe her as the author of the video; SmartNews.kz said she had asked Vladimir Putin to send troops into Kazakhstan.345
Tiek.kz reported that the offence carries up to 15 years in prison and deprivation of citizenship. The reports identify the case as being handled in Pavlodar region.46
Kazakhstan charges Nomadgames and Sultangames casino group over 188 billion tenge in turnoverKazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring has completed its investigation into a group of people who ran the illegal online casinos Nomadgames and Sultangames, and the criminal case has been sent to court. The agency's Astana department handled the case, according to the agency's Telegram channel.
Kazakhstan charges Nomadgames and Sultangames casino group over 188 billion tenge in turnover
First published Thu, Oct 29
Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring has completed its investigation into a group of people who ran the illegal online casinos Nomadgames and Sultangames, and the criminal case has been sent to court. The agency's Astana department handled the case, according to the agency's Telegram channel.123
Bank employees helped the online casinos turn over 188 billion tenge, according to Inbusiness. The agency's Astana department is investigating the group involved in organising the casinos' operations.32
Kazakhstan opens second stage of Umai women's mortgage programme on 3 NovemberKazakhstan will begin accepting applications for the second stage of the Umai mortgage programme for women on 3 November 2026. The scheme is a subsidised loan programme aimed at women, and the new round follows an earlier stage of the same programme.
Kazakhstan opens second stage of Umai women's mortgage programme on 3 November
First published Thu, Oct 29
Kazakhstan will begin accepting applications for the second stage of the Umai mortgage programme for women on 3 November 2026. The scheme is a subsidised loan programme aimed at women, and the new round follows an earlier stage of the same programme.123
The Asian Development Bank has transferred a second tranche of 20 billion tenge to Otbasy Bank to fund the loans. The bank said the money is already in place for issuing the loans under the new stage.231
The first stage of Umai was run earlier, and the second stage opens applications on the same date announced by all three outlets. No outlet reported a different start date or a different tranche size.123
KazAvtoZhol signs credit deal with three Kazakh banks for up to $700 millionNational company KazAvtoZhol signed a credit agreement with a syndicate of three Kazakh banks — Halyk Bank, Bank CenterCredit and Eurasian Bank — worth up to $700 million. The signing took place at a round table on financing the road sector and drawing second-tier banks into infrastructure projects.
KazAvtoZhol signs credit deal with three Kazakh banks for up to $700 million
First published Wed, Oct 28
National company KazAvtoZhol signed a credit agreement with a syndicate of three Kazakh banks — Halyk Bank, Bank CenterCredit and Eurasian Bank — worth up to $700 million. The signing took place at a round table on financing the road sector and drawing second-tier banks into infrastructure projects.12
The money is to be raised for road projects in Kazakhstan, with Halyk joining two other large Kazakh banks in the agreement with KazAvtoZhol. Inbusiness reported that second-tier banks are connecting to the financing of the country's road infrastructure and that KazAvtoZhol received long-term financial support from the banks.23
Kazakhstan regulator revokes licences of seven microfinance organisations after inspectionsKazakhstan's Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market revoked the licences of seven microfinance organisations following inspections. The checks found systematic violations of legislation and of the rights of consumers of financial services.
Kazakhstan regulator revokes licences of seven microfinance organisations after inspections
First published Tue, Oct 27
Kazakhstan's Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market revoked the licences of seven microfinance organisations following inspections. The checks found systematic violations of legislation and of the rights of consumers of financial services.123
The agency is the regulator that oversees the financial market in Kazakhstan, and the licence removals followed its inspections of the seven organisations.23
Kazakhstan's Zhasyl Damu allocates 122.6 billion tenge to 34 waste recycling projectsKazakhstan's Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry said Zhasyl Damu, working with the Industrial Development Fund, has directed 122.6 billion tenge of recycling payments into waste processing. The money finances 34 projects to build new processing plants, create sorting complexes and buy specialized equipment.
Kazakhstan's Zhasyl Damu allocates 122.6 billion tenge to 34 waste recycling projects
First published Tue, Oct 27
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Kazakhstan's Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry said Zhasyl Damu, working with the Industrial Development Fund, has directed 122.6 billion tenge of recycling payments into waste processing. The money finances 34 projects to build new processing plants, create sorting complexes and buy specialized equipment.12
Attributed claim: The counts differ by what is being tallied: Vlast, an oppositional outlet, reports 34 projects funded by the 122.6 billion tenge, while business outlet Kapital reports 67 projects approved by the ministry's investment headquarters at 440 billion tenge.23
In Aktobe, a paper waste recycling plant is scheduled to launch in 2028. Zhasyl Damu allocated 10 billion tenge for the project, which is being built with recycling-fee money.4
Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring is investigating the creation and running of a financial pyramid called R.O.IKazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring is investigating the creation and running of a financial pyramid called R.O.I. that operated under the guise of a consumer cooperative, the agency's Almaty department said. The organizer has been taken into custody.
Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring is investigating the creation and running of a financial pyramid called R.O.I
First published Tue, Oct 27
Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring is investigating the creation and running of a financial pyramid called R.O.I. that operated under the guise of a consumer cooperative, the agency's Almaty department said. The organizer has been taken into custody.123
Authorities arrested 25 apartments and 3 cars belonging to the organizer of the R.O.I. pyramid, Tengrinews reported. The Almaty department of the financial monitoring agency is handling the case.3
The false consumer cooperative counted 275 Kazakh citizens as victims, Kapital reported. The organizer of the R.O.I. pyramid is being held in custody.1
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry confirms death of a Kazakh woman in IstanbulKazakhstan's foreign ministry has confirmed that a female citizen of Kazakhstan died in Istanbul, Tengrinews reports. The ministry commented on the death in the Turkish city, and preliminary information on the circumstances has emerged.
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry confirms death of a Kazakh woman in Istanbul
First published Mon, Oct 26
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry has confirmed that a female citizen of Kazakhstan died in Istanbul, Tengrinews reports. The ministry commented on the death in the Turkish city, and preliminary information on the circumstances has emerged.12
Kazakh man given five days' arrest for swearing during a TikTok livestream in AktobeA court in Aktobe ordered a 42-year-old city resident held under administrative arrest for five days after he used obscene language during a live broadcast on TikTok.
Kazakh man given five days' arrest for swearing during a TikTok livestream in Aktobe
First published Mon, Oct 26
A court in Aktobe ordered a 42-year-old city resident held under administrative arrest for five days after he used obscene language during a live broadcast on TikTok.1
The ruling was issued by a court in the western Kazakh city, which imposed the five-day administrative arrest on the man.1
Aktobe is also the site of a planned glass container plant worth $150 million, with output expected at about 256 million units of glass packaging a year.2
Earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan sends tremors across three countriesSeismologists in Kyrgyzstan recorded an earthquake in the south of the country. Tremors were felt across the region, with reports of shaking in three countries.
Earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan sends tremors across three countries
First published Mon, Oct 26
Seismologists in Kyrgyzstan recorded an earthquake in the south of the country. Tremors were felt across the region, with reports of shaking in three countries.12
Kazakhstan's National Nuclear Center reported that noticeable tremors were registered in China.3
A strong earthquake shook Afghanistan, and the tremors were felt in three countries.2
