Podcasts about Kazakhstan

  Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren This week, I've been thinking a bit about Lonnie Frisbee, one of the more interesting and tragic figures of American Evangelicalism was Lonnie Frisbee. Christina He was a key figure in the so-called “Jesus Revolution” of the 1970s, and he helped found two church movements still around today: Calvary Chapel and Vineyard Churches. Warren That's right. He influenced John Wimber, Greg Laurie, and many others. He died this week (March 12) in 1993 of AIDS. But before he died, he had an outsized impact on the Jesus Revolution, both for good and for ill. I won't go into his biography here, but if you check out my “Signs and Wonders” column this week, I have a link to a longer story I did about him a few years ago. It will be in the show notes for today's program. To read more about Frisbee and the mark he left on American Evangelicalism, click here. Christina You've also been thinking about Kazakhstan this week. Warren Yes, it might sound strange, but I am paying attention to Kazakhstan this week. Christina That seems kind of random. Is there a reason? Warren They vote on Friday on a new constitution, the third constitution since 1993. Kazakhstan is one of the largest countries in the world by land mass. And within Kazakhstan is the largest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, which is not a sea at all, but a massive lake the size of the state of Montana. Christina But for all its size, it has only about 20 million people. Warren A long-time Soviet satellite, it is an independent nation with a sizable Christian population – about 20 percent. However, it is a country that has a history of human rights, free speech, and civil liberties violations. Critics say the new constitution will further consolidate power with the country's chief executive. Christian ministries operating in Kazakhstan include the Kazakhstan Baptist Union, Youth for Christ, Salvation Army, Operation Mobilization, and International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Christina Another event happening this week is a bit outside of MinistryWatch's normal coverage, but is a huge cultural event. That's the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Warren South by Southwest, commonly called “South by,” is one of the largest tech, movie, music, and culture events in the country. It regularly draws 120,000 to Austin, Texas. I covered SXSW for WORLD and was always able to find some explicitly Christian events going on. Last year, there was a significant faith component to the proceedings. Silicon Valley Christian hosted SVC at SXSW. It was the largest explicitly Christian gathering at South by this year. Last year's event included a “keynote conversation” with actor Zachary Levi, cultural conversations about Christianity in tech spaces, and music, including musicians Matt Maher and For King and Country. The details on this year's event are vague, though its Sunday worship service appears still to be on. Christian artists appearing at South by this week include Mission and Sam Llanes. Christina South by Southwest has a significant technology component. In fact, it was at South by that Twitter was first rolled out, in the early 2000s. From those beginnings, social media has gone on to take over the world in many ways. Warren That's right, but now new laws are attempting to limit social media, especially in the lives of young people. One of those new laws was recently passed in Virginia. Christina But WORLD Magazine reports that a federal judge on Feb. 27 temporarily paused enforcement of the Virginia law. Warren The law would limit minors under 16 to one hour of screen time per social media platform per day.”  The law was supported by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the state's attorney general, and an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Virginia legislature. Christina Nonetheless, U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles sided with NetChoice, an industry trade group representing YouTube, Google, X, Netflix, and other platforms. Warren The judge said the law violated First Amendment free speech protections. Giles said the 2025 law “burdens more speech than necessary as it requires all persons to verify their age before accessing speech that is protected for everyone.” The state has appealed the ruling. Christina And there's more trouble in the Anglican Church in North America. Warren ACNA appointed Bishop Julian Dobbs to be its acting archbishop back in November, when Archbishop Steve Wood was credibly charged with sexual harassment of one of his employees. Now, old accusations that Dobbs misappropriated $47,862 have been raised by one of his rivals, Bishop Derek Jones. Christina Jones left ACNA a few months ago following a controversy over his leadership of the military chaplains. He has formed a new denomination called the Anglican Reformed Catholic Church. Warren Dobbs is now suing Jones for defamation. Dobbs says the disputed sum is $3,750, and the money was not misappropriated, but temporarily put into the wrong back account. The mistake was caught and quickly corrected. Former Archbishop Foley Beach backs up Dobbs' version of the story. Dobbs asked a federal court in Alabama to order Bishop Derek Jones to pay compensatory and punitive damages. Christina That brings us to the end of this week's conversation. Any final notes before we go? Warren A few. Did you know I also write fiction? I published a novel back in 2017, and I'm working on a new novel now. The Blacklist, an influential community of screenwriters and novelists, is featuring my novel-in-progress Up The American on its site this week. If you want to read the excerpt they are publishing, I'll link to it in today's show notes. I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April and Dallas in May. I will be doing reader lunches in both cities. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, with my co-host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

What next for the Syrian detention camps and their residents? After the fall of the so-called “caliphate”, tens of thousands of women and children from around the world - followers of the Islamic State group as well as its victims - ended up in a handful of camps in north-eastern Syria. Once run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, those camps are now in the process of being closed down by the Syrian authorities. This three-part series from the Global Jigsaw explores the trauma that led to their prolonged existence and how it might affect their future. In part two, we examine where governments are drawing the line on repatriation, from Britain's tough stance to Kazakhstan's model of success. Contributors: Mina al-Lami, Jiyar Gol, Barry Marston, Clare Denning, Mohammed Al-Jumaily, Bryn Windsor Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham

Crypto rebounds as Bitcoin demonstrates strength against oil-driven global volatility and geopolitical risks, bolstered by major corporate buys like MicroStrategy's $1.3B addition and ETF inflows. Tokenization advances (Nasdaq-Kraken collab) and stablecoin funding highlight growing TradFi integration, while privacy tools get nuanced regulatory nods. Markets up modestly—watch macro signals like oil reserves and Fed cues.Sources:https://decrypt.co (Florida stablecoin bill, Kazakhstan reserves, BTC outflows, etc.—some carryover but updated context)https://www.coindesk.com (BTC resilience, MicroStrategy buy, Nasdaq/Kraken, KAST funding, Treasury on mixers)https://cointelegraph.com (oil shocks, BTC technicals, ETF inflows, MicroStrategy)https://coinmarketcap.com & https://www.coingecko.com (prices, market cap, movers) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Today's story: The 2026 Winter Olympics were kind to some 40-something competitors, but devastating to the skier Lindsay Vonn. Mikhail Shaidorov brought Kazakhstan its first gold medal since 1994 after defeating the self-proclaimed "Quad God." Team GB won its first event on snow, and Brazil became the first South American country to claim a Winter Olympic gold medal. And an anonymous woman somewhere in Norway got quite a shock. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/845Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/845--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Interview with Allen Sabet, CEO of Mogotes Metals Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/mogotes-metals-tsxvmog-26m-treasury-funds-drilling-in-one-of-worlds-largest-copper-discoveries-7941Recording date: 4th March 2026Mogotes Metals entered 2026 as an exploration company ready to drill. After three years and approximately C$25 million spent building geochemical, geophysical, and geological datasets across its Filo Sur project in Argentina's Vicuña district, the company now has three rigs operating along the same structural corridor that hosts Filo del Sol — the deposit that its joint venture owners describe as the largest copper discovery in 30 years.The drilling programme targets 6,000–8,000 metres this austral summer season across multiple ranked and permitted targets, with approximately 3,000 metres already completed. The season budget is approximately C$20 million, funded from a C$55 million treasury. That treasury was built with the participation of two strategically significant investors: CD Capital, a London-based fund that previously made approximately 15 times its money investing in Filo del Sol, and the Braun family of Argentina, a family office with direct regional knowledge. CD Capital's Carmel Daniele has joined the Mogotes board — the same role she held at Filo del Sol.The geological case rests on the north-south structural belt that connects Filo del Sol, Altar, Valeriano, and now Filo Sur. Mogotes holds the full strike projection of Filo del Sol's known mineralisation. The geophysical programme identified multiple high-chargeability, low-resistivity anomalies consistent with the subsurface signatures that defined the early drilling success at Filo del Sol and Valeriano. These are the targets now being drilled. CEO Alan Sabet has been measured in framing expectations — proximity to a tier-one discovery does not guarantee replication — but the technical approach mirrors the methodology that worked at comparable deposits across the Andes.The company's second announcement at PDAC 2026 was the option agreement on a copper-gold asset in Kazakhstan. The asset hosts an historic resource of approximately six million gold-equivalent ounces, with mineralisation beginning at approximately 40 metres depth and remaining open at depth and laterally. Drilling costs run at approximately US$80 per metre — a fraction of typical Andean costs — and the permitting environment supports a mining licence application within six months.For Mogotes, the strategic logic is clear. Filo Sur is a seasonal operation confined to the austral summer. Kazakhstan can be drilled year-round and provides continuous news flow during the months when Andean operations are dormant. It also provides a second value creation pathway: integrating existing unincorporated drilling data into a new resource estimate, step-out and depth drilling, and testing a separate porphyry target with potential high-grade gold.For investors, the near-term calendar is defined. Filo Sur drill results are expected in May and June 2026, representing the first direct geological test of the project's multi-year dataset. Kazakhstan work will begin in parallel, providing additional news flow through the second half of the year. The company enters this period with a well-funded treasury, institutional validation from directly comparable capital, and a disciplined deployment plan that preserves follow-up capacity regardless of what the first drill holes return.View Mogotes Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/mogotes-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

China is stepping up efforts to promote the integration of culture and tourism and share its landscapes, culture, history and modern life with visitors from around the world, Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli said on Saturday.中国文化和旅游部部长孙业礼周六表示，中国正加大力度推动文旅融合，向全球游客展现中国的自然风光、文化、历史以及现代生活。Speaking at a news conference on people's livelihood during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, Sun said that authorities will continue improving the entire inbound tourism chain, including visa, border clearance, transportation, accommodation, catering and sightseeing services, to make traveling to China easier and more convenient.在全国最高立法机关 —— 第十四届全国人民代表大会第四次会议期间召开的民生新闻发布会上，孙业礼表示，有关部门将持续完善入境旅游全链条服务，涵盖签证、边检、交通、住宿、餐饮和观光等环节，让赴华旅行更加便捷易行。The measures aim to strengthen the global campaigns "Travel in China", "Shopping in China" and "Services in China", he added.他补充称，这些举措旨在强化 “畅游中国”“购物中国”“服务中国” 全球推广活动。In recent years, China has introduced a series of policies to boost inbound tourism. In 2025, inbound tourist trips exceeded 150 million, a year-on-year increase of over 17 percent, while inbound tourism spending surpassed $130 billion, up more than 40 percent year-on-year.近年来，中国出台一系列政策提振入境旅游。2025 年，入境游客量超 1.5 亿人次，同比增长超 17%；入境旅游消费超 1300 亿美元，同比增长超 40%。Visa facilitation has continued to expand, with unilateral visa-free access extended to citizens of 50 countries and visa-free transit policies covering 55 countries. Last year, more than 30 million foreign visitors entered China under visa-free policies.签证便利化持续推进，单方面免签政策惠及 50 个国家公民，55 个国家适用免签过境政策。去年，超 3000 万外国游客凭免签政策入境中国。"Taking a spontaneous trip to China has now become a real possibility," Sun said.孙业礼表示：“如今，来一场说走就走的中国之旅已成为现实。”Authorities have also improved payment services for overseas visitors by linking international bank cards to mobile payment platforms, expanding point-of-sale terminals and increasing currency exchange services to accommodate different payment habits.有关部门还优化了境外游客支付服务，将国际银行卡与移动支付平台对接，扩充销售终端，并增设货币兑换服务，以适配不同支付习惯。Mobile payments have expanded rapidly. Among visitors from countries such as Kazakhstan and Malaysia, more than 80 percent now use mobile payment services. Last year, the total value of mobile payment transactions among inbound tourists reached about 80 billion yuan ($11.6 billion).移动支付普及迅速。哈萨克斯坦、马来西亚等国来华游客中，超 80% 使用移动支付服务。去年，入境游客移动支付交易总额约 800 亿元人民币（合 116 亿美元）。Tax refund services have also become more convenient, with more service points and instant refund options available at some stores. As a result, foreign visitors are purchasing a wider range of Chinese products — from electronics such as smartphones, drones and virtual-reality devices to cultural and creative goods.退税服务也更便捷，新增服务网点，部分门店支持即时退税。由此，外国游客可选购的中国商品种类愈发丰富，涵盖智能手机、无人机、虚拟现实设备等电子产品，以及文创产品。Sun said that stronger promotion of China's tourism image has helped overseas visitors gain a deeper understanding of the country, while experiencing the Chinese lifestyle has become increasingly popular among international visitors.孙业礼表示，加大中国旅游形象推广力度，助力外国游客更深入了解中国，体验中国生活方式也成为国际游客的热门选择。At the same time, China is promoting deeper integration between culture and tourism to create new travel experiences and boost consumption. In 2025, domestic tourist trips exceeded 6.5 billion, up more than 16 percent year-on-year, while tourism spending reached 6.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.5 percent — setting records in both volume and spending.与此同时，中国推动文旅深度融合，打造新型旅游体验、刺激消费。2025 年，国内游客量超 65 亿人次，同比增长超 16%；旅游消费达 6.3 万亿元人民币，增长 9.5%，客流量与消费额均创历史新高。Sun said that tourism is becoming increasingly connected with sectors such as sports, commerce, agriculture and industry, while new technologies are helping develop innovative tourism products and services.孙业礼表示，旅游与体育、商贸、农业、工业等产业的关联度持续提升，新技术助力旅游产品与服务创新。"Tourism today is no longer only about visiting scenic spots. More and more travelers want to experience the local life and take part in cultural activities," he said.他说：“如今的旅游不再只是逛景点，越来越多游客希望体验当地生活、参与文化活动。”The ministry will encourage more travel programs linked to performances, intangible cultural heritage experiences and sporting events, while supporting new business models that combine tourism with other industries to create new growth opportunities, he added.他补充称，文旅部将鼓励推出更多演艺、非遗体验、体育赛事类旅游项目，同时支持旅游与其他产业融合的新业态，培育新的增长机遇。integration /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ 融合；整合facilitation /fəˌsɪlɪˈteɪʃn/ 便利化；促进transaction /trænˈzækʃn/ 交易；业务heritage /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ 遗产；传统

On episode 220 I am delighted to be joined by performance Coach Lúcas Ó'Ceallacháin currently contracted to rugby, triathlon, ballet and a number of business leaders in the corporate sector under his registered company Locus of Control. Lucas is originally from Clare. He would go on to study Russian in Trinity College. A unique opportunity would arise to move to Kazakhstan and lead to a career in rugby coaching and playing in Kazakhstan. He has since relocated and moved to the Gold Coast in Australia where he has worked with Australian Triathalon, Australian Institute of sport, and the Australian synchronised swimming programme during the 2024 olympic cycle. We discuss his career, how studying Russian led to a trip with Trapattoni and the irish soccer team, communicating in conflict, meetings, checking in with your audience, torytelling in sport, and more. This was a fascinating conversation. Watch a documentary series on his time in Kazakhstan Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dho3ZOOBegConnect with Lúcas here https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasoceallachain/https://www.hintsa.com/company/our-people/lucas-oceallachain/ Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLiveRecorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

Crypto News: First US state-level stablecoin bill passes in Florida. Kazakhstan central bank eyes spring start for $350M crypto-linked portfolio. Pakistan's parliament passes the Virtual Assets Act of 2026.Brought to you by

Crypto markets are consolidating with Bitcoin dipping below $68K on macro headwinds like dollar strength and ETF outflows, while stablecoins like USDC surge in volume and nations like Kazakhstan eye crypto reserves. Regulatory wins in Florida and SEC settlements add to the mix. Prices remain resilient in the top tier despite volatility—watch for Fed signals and geopolitical impacts.Sources:https://decrypt.co (various stories on ETFs, mining, reserves)https://cointelegraph.com (USDC/Tether shift, SEC/Sun settlement)https://www.coindesk.com (BTC price action, Kazakhstan investment, private credit risks)https://coinmarketcap.com & https://www.coingecko.com (prices and market data) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian and Tevo break down whether Bitcoin has finally bottomed as the macro landscape continues to be unsettled. They highlight continued institutional support through ETF inflows and sovereign interest, including Kazakhstan shifting reserves into crypto. A major milestone arrives as Kraken gains access to the Federal Reserve payment rails, signaling deeper integration between crypto and traditional finance. The episode closes with momentum trades in AI-crypto tokens, meme coin updates, and ongoing developments across altcoins and NFTs.$1 Trial Momentum Money Makers VIPhttps://www.thecryptomavericks.com/mm-vip-trial1763665474309?utm_content=MMTrial&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_source=Internal&utm_term=DescriptionCheck out Quince: https://quince.com/CRYPTO101Check out Mars Men: https://mengotomars.comGet my #1 altcoin pick for this month.Get immediate access to my entire crypto portfolio for just $1.00 today! Get your FREE copy of "Crypto Revolution" and start making big profits from buying, selling,Get immediate access to my entire crypto portfolio.. just $1.00 today! Go here to get access: https://www.crypto101insider.com/cryptnation-directm6pypcy1?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=20250916Get your FREE copy of "Crypto Revolution: Your Guide To The Future of Money". In this book, I reveal how to make (and keep) a fortune during this crypto bull run! http://www.cryptorevolution.com/free?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=20250916Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Crypto Landscape02:59 Market Analysis and Trends05:41 Institutional Involvement and ETFs08:49 The Impact of Geopolitical Events12:01 Kraken's Milestone with the Federal Reserve14:15 The Clarity Act and Regulatory Landscape16:04 Community Engagement and Listener Interaction17:44 Meme Coins and Momentum Moneymakers20:50 AI Integration in Crypto23:35 Conclusion and Future Outlook33:11 The Rise of AI and Crypto Integration35:32 Exploring Autonomous AI Agents37:00 Legal Challenges in the NFT Space40:24 Magic Eden's Shift in Focus41:26 PumpFun's Expansion and Market Position43:12 The Future of AI Agents and Crypto50:27 Navigating the Evolving Crypto LandscapeMERCH STOREhttps://cryptorevolutionmerch.com/Subscribe to YouTube for Exclusive Content:https://www.youtube.com/@crypto101podcast?sub_confirmation=1Follow us on social media for leading-edge crypto updates and trade alerts:https://twitter.com/Crypto101Podhttps://instagram.com/crypto_101*This is NOT financial, tax, or legal advice*Boardwalk Flock LLC. All Rights Reserved  ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fog by DIZARO https://soundcloud.com/dizarofrCreative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Fog-DIZAROMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/lAfbjt_rmE8▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Our Sponsors:* Check out Mars Men: https://mengotomars.com* Check out Mars Men: https://mengotomars.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/CRYPTO101Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace returned to the show to discuss his recent article with Sophia Besch on the ways that European states can support Ukraine militarily without the involvement of the U.S. Max and Maria asked him about his piece, the funding questions behind its ideas, and Eric's overall assessment on peace negotiations with Russia. This conversation was recorded on February 26, 2026. "Fortress Ukraine: How a Coalition of the Willing Can Rearm Kyiv Without Washington," by Eric Ciaramella and Sophia Besch (Foreign Affairs, January 2026). "What If Trump Gets His Russia-Ukraine Deal?" by Eric Ciaramella (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 2026).

The Netherlands has its youngest ever Prime Minister. Liberal technocrat Rob Jetten is also openly gay - a big win for diversity. But can the VVD survive in coalition without meaningful agricultural reforms? Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, wheat futures are up almost nine percent since September. We'll be asking whether transitory commodities inflation in the Stans is the big story we've all been missing. Finally, the little known African country of Bapetikotsweti has signed a memorandum of understanding with Peru. It includes bilateral tariff reductions on soy beans and electric toothbrushes. What does this mean for the flatulence control and dentistry industries in these terriers of the global economy? Only joking… just one story this week… IRANThat's right. We're at war. And The Lads are joined at the podcast frontline by the one and only Malcom Kyeyune. Strap in...

In this episode, Argus explores the forces behind the dramatic surge in global tungsten prices. What began with Chinese export controls has deepened into a structural supply squeeze, leaving both domestic and international consumers struggling with tight availability. Our experts discuss how mining constraints, shifting demand dynamics and limited substitution options are shaping one of the most volatile critical mineral markets of 2026. Covered in this episode: How ageing mines, limited upstream investment and reduced output have created a structural shortage in Chinese tungsten supply The impact of China's export controls on global availability — and why its domestic market is now feeling the squeeze as intensely as overseas buyers Whether substitution with molybdenum, niobium, titanium or ceramics can meaningfully reduce demand for tungsten carbide and mill products The limits of recycling in Europe and North America — and the scope for China and Japan to expand recycling to ease supply constraints When global tungsten prices might peak, how long historically high levels may persist, and how new mine capacity from South Korea, Kazakhstan and Europe could reshape the market from 2027 onward

What next for the Syrian detention camps and their residents? After the fall of the so-called “caliphate”, tens of thousands of women and children from around the world - followers of the Islamic State group as well as its victims - ended up in a handful of camps in north-eastern Syria. Once run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, those camps are now in the process of being closed down by the Syrian authorities. This three-part series explores the trauma that led to their prolonged existence and how it might affect their future. In part two, we examine where governments are drawing the line on repatriation, from Britain's tough stance to Kazakhstan's model of success. Contributors: Mina al-Lami, Jiyar Gol, Barry Marston, Clare Denning, Mohammed Al-Jumaily, Bryn Windsor Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham

Have you ever considered your profession as a ministry? Come to this session and hear about the biblical roots of nursing as ministry, your sacred calling to serve, and the importance of paying attention to those divine appointments. We will also talk about finding your passion and being persistent, all while drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bientôt du thé et du café kényans distribués en Asie centrale depuis le Kazakhstan ? C'est en tout cas la proposition que font les autorités d'Astana aux producteurs kényans. L'idée : créer un hub au Kazakhstan pour ces matières premières à destination de l'immense marché voisin. De notre correspondante à Nairobi, Le Kazakhstan se dit prêt à soutenir les producteurs de thé et de café kényans dans leur conquête de nouveaux marchés. C'est en substance le message qu'a fait passer l'ambassadeur kazakh à Nairobi, Barlybay Sadykov, lors d'une rencontre avec la chambre de commerce kényane, fin janvier. Le projet est assez simple : Astana se dit disposée à exempter de taxes les cargaisons de café et de thé kényans à destination de son marché. Une fois sur place, elles seront transformées pour être ensuite exportées de nouveau vers ses voisins d'Asie centrale. « L'exemption de droits d'importation sur les grains de café vert, par exemple, permettra aux exportateurs kényans d'envoyer leur production pour être torréfiée, conditionnée au Kazakhstan puis redistribuée », a expliqué l'ambassadeur kazakh. À lire aussiLe thé kényan doit faire mieux pour se vendre plus cher Café : le marché kazakh en expansion Le marché kazakh du café est aussi en pleine expansion. Selon l'Institut kazakh des statistiques, sa consommation augmente de 5 à 7 % chaque année. Un début prometteur, selon l'ambassadeur à Nairobi, qui assure qu'une tasse de café peut se vendre jusqu'à 5 dollars. « Ce qui offre des marges intéressantes aux producteurs désireux d'explorer ce marché », a-t-il ajouté. En 2024, le Kazakhstan a importé pour près de 27 millions de dollars de café, venu notamment du Brésil, de l'Italie ou encore de la Russie. Le thé kényan en quête de nouveaux marchés Le thé reste la boisson préférée de la population kazakhe, bien que sa consommation baisse depuis plusieurs années au profit du café. En 2024, chaque Kazakhstanais en consommait environ 1,5 kilo en moyenne. Un débouché non négligeable alors que le Kenya a perdu deux marchés d'exportation importants : le Soudan, pour des raisons politiques, et l'Iran, à cause d'un scandale de fraude, ont suspendu leurs importations. Une délégation de la Chambre de commerce kényane participera à une mission commerciale « de haut niveau » au Kazakhstan, en mai. À écouter dans C'est pas du ventBientôt la fin du café ?

Assem Izmukhanova Kopitzke, Erica Koonmen, and Lisbeth Reynertson stopped by the WIZM studio Monday night on La Crosse Talk PM to preview the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration at UW–La Crosse. Jason Spangler hosted the program, filling in for Rick Solem while he’s on vacation. The conversation covered this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” and what the community can expect from the evening — including a panel featuring women representing Denmark, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, followed by time for audience Q&A. The 14th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration is happening Tuesday, March 3 from 5–7 p.m. in the Bluffs Ballroom inside the UWL Student Union. The event is free and open to the public. There will also be a menstrual product collection at the door to benefit local schools and women’s shelters (donations of tampons or pads are appreciated). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small Cap Breaking News You Can't Miss!Here's a quick rundown of the latest updates from standout small-cap companies making big moves today.Arras Minerals (TSXV: ARK) reported one of its strongest drill results yet at the Elemes Project in Kazakhstan, intersecting 52.4 metres grading 2.11% copper-equivalent, including 1.49 g/t gold and 0.58% copper. The high-grade interval sits within a broader 446-metre mineralized zone, suggesting significant scale. The Berezski Central target also returned 135 metres grading 0.43% copper-equivalent starting near surface. With the Phase II program expanded from 20,000 to 30,000 metres and four drills turning soon, Arras is accelerating toward what management believes could be the core of a large copper-gold porphyry system.Astra Exploration (TSXV: ASTR) announced a major new silver-gold discovery at its La Manchuria Project in Argentina. The company hit 6.3 metres grading 837 g/t silver and 3.32 g/t gold, including ultra-high-grade intervals of up to 3,309 g/t silver and 11.45 g/t gold over 1 metre. The new Basalto Zone is a previously untested parallel vein system that remains open in all directions. With additional assays pending and a fully funded 5,000-metre follow-up program set to begin, Astra is expanding its footprint in one of Argentina's most prolific precious metals districts.West Red Lake Gold (TSXV: WRLG) delivered exceptional high-grade results from the Austin 904 Complex at the Madsen Mine in Ontario's Red Lake district. Highlights include 219.73 g/t gold over 4.8 metres, 148.36 g/t over 3 metres, and 133.13 g/t over 2.5 metres, with visible gold observed in several intervals. These triple-digit grades support the company's strategy of defining high-grade lenses that could enhance near-term mine planning and support redevelopment momentum in one of Canada's historic gold camps.McFarlane Lake Mining (CSE: MLM) expanded mineralization at its Juby Gold Project in Ontario with a broad intercept of 95.4 metres grading 1.36 g/t gold at the Golden Lake Zone, including 55.4 metres at 1.96 g/t and 9.9 metres at 3.22 g/t. The intersection lies outside the current resource model, pointing to potential resource growth. The company is adding a second drill and advancing environmental baseline work, positioning Juby for an accelerated exploration phase in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.Aztec Minerals (TSXV: AZT) reported additional step-out success at its Tombstone Project in Arizona, intersecting 44.1 metres grading 0.86 g/t gold equivalent, including 6.1 metres at 3.72 g/t gold equivalent. Another hole returned 40.2 metres at 1.09 g/t gold equivalent, including 4.6 metres at 9.86 g/t. The results connect the Contention and Westside zones, extending mineralization to over one kilometre along strike. With 53 RC holes completed and more assays pending, Aztec continues to expand the footprint of its shallow oxide gold-silver system.For more breaking small-cap news, interviews and in-depth coverage, follow AGORACOM here and subscribe to the AGORACOM Podcast for exclusive CEO interviews and real-time market insights.

In this episode:00:06:28 - Russia losing access to Starlink contributes to a Ukrainian offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.00:25:40 - The aftershocks of the autumn's corruption scandal lead to a shakeup in the Ukrainian government00:56:18 - Multiple Russian sanction evasion schemes were uncovered by investigative journalists01:15:25 - Kazakhstan hands a Ukrainian from Crimea over to Russian prisons01:19:35 - Hungary manufactures conflict with Ukraine ahead of April elections01:23:03 - The renewed Iran War and UkraineLinkshttps://kyivindependent.com/investigation-we-tried-to-buy-american-chips-as-a-russian-defense-manufacturer-heres-why-its-possible/https://hntrbrk.com/ubiquiti/https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/29/russia-uses-shadow-mail-postal-system-to-bypass-eu-sanctions-report-revealshttps://khpg.org/en/1608815485TwitterAnthony: @BartawayUkraine Without Hype: @HypeUkraineOther Social Mediahttp://youtube.com/@UkraineWithoutHypehttp://tiktok.com/@ukrainewithouthypehttp://instagram.com/ukrainewithouthype/Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/UkraineWithoutHypeResources and Charitieshttps://linktr.ee/ukrainewithouthype

From buying alcohol at 13 in Ukraine to winning Australia's first amateur world title in Kazakhstan, this is a proper true yarn from one of the toughest fighters the country has produced.In this episode of the Proper True Yarn Podcast, Knuckles sits down with Clay Waterman, Australia's first junior amateur world champion, to unpack a lifetime spent in the ring. Clay opens up about starting combat sports as a kid, travelling the world before most people leave school, and racking up over 160 amateur fights before turning pro.They dive deep into:Winning world titles as a teenagerFighting bigger, older opponents as a kidThe brutal realities of international boxingBreaking a wrist mid-fight in Florida and finishing anywayWhy Clay chose the hard road as a free-agent fighterThe love-hate relationship every boxer has with the sportAdvice for parents putting kids into boxing for discipline and confidenceRaw, honest, and full of insight into the politics, pain, and pride behind elite boxing — this episode is a must-listen for fight fans, athletes, and anyone chasing something bigger than themselves.

Max and Maria spoke with Hanna Notte, JP Gresh, and Michael Kimmage at a live CSIS event marking the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on February 23, 2026. For the video recording of this event, please go to CSIS.org. "Putin Had High Hopes for Trump. They Have Been Dashed," by Hanna Notte (The New York Times, February 2026). Preorder We Shall Outlast Them: Putin's Global Campaign to Defeat the West, by Hanna Notte (W.W. Norton & Company, August 2026).

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------DESCRIPTION:4 Years of War: Jason Jay Smart on Russia's Weakness, Putin's Resolve, and What the West Must Do Next. On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Jonathan interviews political advisor Jason Jay Smart, who argues the last four years have exposed major weaknesses in Russia's military—its air force's limited effectiveness, the army's dysfunction, and Ukraine's crippling of the Black Sea Fleet—while also highlighting Vladimir Putin's unchanged resolve and willingness to absorb massive losses. Smart and Jonathan contend the war is a battle within a wider global conflict driven by a Russian worldview rooted in hierarchy, coercion, and absolute power rather than rule of law, and that Western leaders misunderstand Russia by assuming it thinks like Europe. ----------

It's been one month since I moved to Kazakhstan, and in this episode I'm sharing what life in Almaty has really been like so far. I start with a broad overview of Kazakhstan — the ninth largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia — before diving into the personal side of relocating here. From a chaotic travel day and an unexpected overnight in Istanbul, to apartment hunting, navigating bureaucracy, adjusting to a ten-hour time difference, and beginning boxing lessons entirely in Russian, this episode captures the reality of settling into a new country. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/AmdPShISk24

Residents and students learn from others about original motivation, long-haul stamina, pearls and pitfalls of living in community, debt, vision for one’s next step to the nations, and helping the needy now tensioned with investing in education to help others later.

Three decades after war reduced the city of Aghdam to ruins, deminers and returning residents are laying the groundwork for its revival. The destruction of the city of Aghdam in the contested enclave of Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh is among the most visible signs of the decades-long conflict between Azerbaijanis and ethnic Armenians. Now efforts are underway to bring the city back to life. A loud explosion breaks the winter silence as the latest disposal of collected mines takes place. ‘We've cleared three hundred thousand square meters and found more than ten thousand landmines,” proudly declares Elnur Gasimov, head of mine clearance operations in Aghdam. The dangerous work, done in freezing weather, carries significant risk. Gasimov's right hand is missing several fingers. “We have more than 10 deminers who have lost their legs, and we lost two deminers during the explosive disposal,” Gasimov told RFI. He explains that, with Aghdam once close to the frontline in fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, the area was among the heaviest mined during the conflict. Azerbaijan lifts Armenia border restrictions, but hurdles to peace remain Clearing the mines Nagorno-Karabakh was historically home to a predominantly ethnic Armenian population. In 1993, they broke away from Azerbaijan, declaring a breakaway Republic of Artsakh. But in 2023, during a lightning war, Azerbaijani forces recaptured the region. With access to Aghdam still tightly controlled since the end of the fighting, RFI joined a small group of journalists on a trip organised by the Azerbaijani authorities. The city of Aghdam was once home to 40,000 people, predominantly Azerbaijani. Long a cultural centre of the region, the city was also home to Azerbaijan's most famous football club – Qarabag – which now plays out of the capital, Baku. Today, not a single house remains standing – all were razed to the ground, and even the trees didn't escape the conflict. It's a barren wasteland. The historical Juma mosque was one of the few buildings that survived, partially intact, and was used as a shelter for farm animals by ethnic Armenians. Imam Mehman Nesirov, 45, is the proud custodian of the fully restored mosque, where up to 100 worshippers now attend Friday prayers as life slowly returns to the city. Nesirov fled Aghdam in 1993 as a child: “We were forced to leave because of the sound of fighting, which was getting closer and closer. Everyone was terrified and panicked." Nesirov explained to RFI that he and his family spent the first years of their lives living in a railway wagon. “I will never forget those years. We always prayed to God that one day we could return and pray at this mosque,” said Nesirov. “We can't put into words how we feel that dream we had as a child, a teenager, and an adult is finally realised.” Azerbaijan must allow 'safe' return to Nagorno-Karabakh: UN court Returns and ruptures Around a thousand people have returned to Aghdam, all housed in new state-built accommodation, as the city itself remains uninhabitable. While Azerbaijanis are slowly returning, ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have now become refugees following the victory of Azeri forces in 2023. “What we saw within 24 hours was the forced expulsion of the remaining 110,000 Armenians from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Richard Giragosiyan, director of the Regional Studies Center, a Yerevan think tank. “They were leaving behind whole homes, personal possessions, family graves, and coming to Armenia, which was more of a foreign country than many people understand,” added Giragosiyan. However, Giragosiyan claims that Azerbaijan's forces' success in Nagorno-Karabakh opened the door to a “diplomatic breakthrough,” with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan committing themselves to improving relations in the aftermath of the conflict. Baku in January opened its border to allow oil and grain from Kazakhstan to reach Armenia, which is important for Yerevan as it tries to rely less on Russia and move closer to Europe. In Aghdam's newest hotel, manager Aykhan Jabbarov welcomes rapprochement efforts between Yerevan and Baku.   Jabbarov, a veteran of the last Nagorno-Karabakh war whose family fled Aghdam thirty years ago, looks forward to a time when Azerbaijanis and Armenians can again live together in the city. “If we look to history, we lived together before now, every leader talks about peace … We have to build a good relationship. It will help both countries' economy, people's social life and the regional economy, everything.” However, diplomatic efforts to restore relations and normalise Armenian-Azerbaijani ties still have plenty of work ahead. With repercussions of the past never far away, Ruben Vardanyan, a leading member of the breakaway Armenian administration captured by Azeri forces, was convicted this week of war crimes and sentenced to 20 years in jail by an Azerbaijani court.

Asif Khan is a world-renowned architect and designer whose work inspired a recent headline – ‘is there anything Asif Khan can't transform?'. His current projects include the re-invention of the former Smithfield meat market into the new London Museum, and the extensive renewal of the Barbican Centre. Further afield, in Kazakhstan, he's turned a vast former Soviet cinema into a new cultural centre. He opened his own studio in 2007, and has designed exhibitions, temporary pavilions and installations around the world. He views architecture as a multidisciplinary field, bringing together design, science and art. His musical choices include Chopin, Shostakovich, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Brian Eno.Producer: Katy Hickman

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Friday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan reacts to President Trump's eyebrow-raising comments about classified information and aliens, then pivots to a far more earthly threat as new reporting reveals U.S. taxpayer dollars helped fund research collaborations with Chinese military-linked institutions. Bryan also breaks down fresh evidence that China secretly conducted a nuclear test, why Greenland's missile defense position is critical to America's survival, and why Trump has issued a 10-day warning to Iran as U.S. carrier groups surge into the Middle East. He explains the stakes surrounding Diego Garcia, rising tensions with Mauritius, and the seizure of another sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean. The episode turns to political shockwaves in the United Kingdom and Washington following new Jeffrey Epstein revelations, including the arrest of Prince Andrew and congressional demands for CIA transparency. Bryan then covers the rapid collapse of so-called transgender medicine programs across major U.S. hospitals and closes with new Harvard research showing that spiritual practice significantly reduces substance abuse risk.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: February 20 2026 Wright Report, Trump aliens classified comment Obama, China academic research Pentagon funding, China secret nuclear test decoupling Kazakhstan, Greenland missile defense China ICBM North Pole, Trump 10 day Iran ultimatum carrier strike group, Diego Garcia Chagos Islands Mauritius dispute, Veronica III oil tanker seizure Venezuela, Prince Andrew arrest Epstein email dump, CIA William Burns Epstein questions, NYU Langone transgender clinic closure, Munchausen by proxy discussion, Harvard spirituality addiction study     Keywords: February 17 2026 Wright Report, California oil gas crisis refinery shutdown Phillips 66 Valero, Jones Act Bahamas Panama Canal fuel route, Pacific war fuel risk Taiwan Xi Jinping, Gavin Newsom Munich Europe speech Trump, Marco Rubio Western civilization decline speech, California transgender secrecy law parental rights lawsuit, Linda McMahon education funding threat, OpenClaw AI agent attack Scott Shambaugh, Amanda Askell Anthropic philosopher Claude, AI Oracle morality debate Silicon Valley

The ladies kick off the ep. with Amy reminiscing about when her dad yelled, “God d*mnit you're going to kill us all!” Maya & Amy try to manifest a Kratom sponsor. Amy is back from skiing in Lake Tahoe. Maya asks the question, “Is it fun to ski in a blizzard?” and “What's a powder apron?” Hot tip: stay on the green runs, kids. Amy reviews the outfit ChatGPT chose for her. Spoiler alert: She had to buy a new sick jacket on her trip. The ladies get deep into the Olympics. Let's face it, some of these events are boring. Maya thinks there are too many people falling down. Amy wants to add “normies” to the Olympics. Amy doesn't think curling is a sport. Maya spills the tea on the ski jumping crotch controversy. The gals recap the Quad God's disastrous men's skating final and the little buddy from Kazakhstan who had the best day of his life. We love this little buddy from Kazakhstan! Are they just showing Skeleton in slow motion just to see the butt jiggles? Amy confesses she doesn't have a real ID, and her passport is expiring. P.S. ICE is still in Minneapolis, and we'll believe they're leaving when we see it. Don't get it twisted, no one is more ready for an emergency than Amy. She will CPR you right on your mouth. 

In September 2016, Islam Karimov–the first president of a post-Soviet Uzbekistan–died, at age 78. His death ended an oppressive dictatorship that had governed the Central Asian country for decades, which led to corruption, environmental damage, and political repression. Karimov was replaced with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instituted a tentative program of reforms. These years are the subject of Joanna Lillis's book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan (Bloomsbury, 2025). Lillis tells the stories of both the Karimov and Mirziryoyev regimes, based on many conversations with activists, journalists, and other opposition leaders in the country. Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan-based journalist and author writing about Central Asia who has lived and worked in the region since 2001, in Uzbekistan (2001-2005) and Kazakhstan (since 2005). Her reporting has featured in outlets including The Economist, the Guardian, the Independent, the Eurasianet website and Foreign Policy and POLITICO magazines. Prior to moving to Central Asia, she lived in Russia and worked for BBC Monitoring, the BBC World Service's global media tracking service. She is also the author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan (Bloomsbury: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Silk Mirage. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In September 2016, Islam Karimov–the first president of a post-Soviet Uzbekistan–died, at age 78. His death ended an oppressive dictatorship that had governed the Central Asian country for decades, which led to corruption, environmental damage, and political repression. Karimov was replaced with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instituted a tentative program of reforms. These years are the subject of Joanna Lillis's book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan (Bloomsbury, 2025). Lillis tells the stories of both the Karimov and Mirziryoyev regimes, based on many conversations with activists, journalists, and other opposition leaders in the country. Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan-based journalist and author writing about Central Asia who has lived and worked in the region since 2001, in Uzbekistan (2001-2005) and Kazakhstan (since 2005). Her reporting has featured in outlets including The Economist, the Guardian, the Independent, the Eurasianet website and Foreign Policy and POLITICO magazines. Prior to moving to Central Asia, she lived in Russia and worked for BBC Monitoring, the BBC World Service's global media tracking service. She is also the author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan (Bloomsbury: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Silk Mirage. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

In September 2016, Islam Karimov–the first president of a post-Soviet Uzbekistan–died, at age 78. His death ended an oppressive dictatorship that had governed the Central Asian country for decades, which led to corruption, environmental damage, and political repression. Karimov was replaced with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instituted a tentative program of reforms. These years are the subject of Joanna Lillis's book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan (Bloomsbury, 2025). Lillis tells the stories of both the Karimov and Mirziryoyev regimes, based on many conversations with activists, journalists, and other opposition leaders in the country. Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan-based journalist and author writing about Central Asia who has lived and worked in the region since 2001, in Uzbekistan (2001-2005) and Kazakhstan (since 2005). Her reporting has featured in outlets including The Economist, the Guardian, the Independent, the Eurasianet website and Foreign Policy and POLITICO magazines. Prior to moving to Central Asia, she lived in Russia and worked for BBC Monitoring, the BBC World Service's global media tracking service. She is also the author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan (Bloomsbury: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Silk Mirage. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/central-asian-studies

In September 2016, Islam Karimov–the first president of a post-Soviet Uzbekistan–died, at age 78. His death ended an oppressive dictatorship that had governed the Central Asian country for decades, which led to corruption, environmental damage, and political repression. Karimov was replaced with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instituted a tentative program of reforms. These years are the subject of Joanna Lillis's book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan (Bloomsbury, 2025). Lillis tells the stories of both the Karimov and Mirziryoyev regimes, based on many conversations with activists, journalists, and other opposition leaders in the country. Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan-based journalist and author writing about Central Asia who has lived and worked in the region since 2001, in Uzbekistan (2001-2005) and Kazakhstan (since 2005). Her reporting has featured in outlets including The Economist, the Guardian, the Independent, the Eurasianet website and Foreign Policy and POLITICO magazines. Prior to moving to Central Asia, she lived in Russia and worked for BBC Monitoring, the BBC World Service's global media tracking service. She is also the author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan (Bloomsbury: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Silk Mirage. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/asian-review

Have you longed to integrate your Christian faith into your patient care—on the mission field abroad, in your work in the US, and during your training? Are you not sure how to do this in a caring, ethical, sensitive, and relevant manner? This “working” session will explore the ethical basis for spiritual care and provide you with professional, timely, and proven practical methods to care for the whole person in the clinical setting. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qpah9kh1lttg6cm1jjop9/Bob-Mason-Ethics-of-Spiritual-Care-revised.pptx?rlkey=0emve2ja8282nv8xc4uinq1hg&st=9033htwx&dl=0

Gengis Khan est l'un des plus grands conquérants de l'Histoire. Au début du XIIIᵉ siècle, il fonde l'Empire mongol, qui deviendra le plus vaste empire terrestre jamais constitué, s'étendant de la Chine à l'Europe orientale. Mais son héritage ne serait pas seulement politique ou militaire : il serait aussi… génétique.Car une affirmation spectaculaire circule depuis plusieurs années : environ 0,5 % des hommes dans le monde seraient ses descendants directs. Autrement dit, un homme sur deux cents partagerait un lien biologique avec Gengis Khan. Mythe fascinant ou réalité scientifique ?Pour répondre, il faut se tourner vers la génétique.En 2003, une équipe internationale de chercheurs publie une étude majeure basée sur l'analyse du chromosome Y chez plus de 2 000 hommes d'Asie centrale et orientale. Le chromosome Y est transmis presque inchangé de père en fils, ce qui permet de suivre les lignées masculines sur de très longues périodes.Les scientifiques identifient alors un haplotype du chromosome Y exceptionnellement répandu. Dans certaines régions de Mongolie, du nord de la Chine ou du Kazakhstan, jusqu'à 8 % des hommes portent exactement cette même signature génétique. En extrapolant à l'échelle mondiale, cela représentait environ 16 millions d'hommes vivants au début des années 2000, soit 0,5 % de la population masculine mondiale.Mais pourquoi associer cette lignée à Gengis Khan ?D'abord grâce à la datation génétique : les mutations observées indiquent que l'ancêtre commun de cette lignée a vécu il y a 800 à 1 000 ans, ce qui correspond précisément à la période de l'Empire mongol.Ensuite grâce à la répartition géographique : la diffusion de ce chromosome recouvre presque parfaitement les territoires conquis par les Mongols.Enfin grâce au contexte historique : Gengis Khan et ses descendants disposaient d'un pouvoir absolu, favorisant une reproduction massive. Mariages multiples, concubinage, transmission du pouvoir de père en fils : tous les ingrédients étaient réunis pour une propagation génétique hors norme.Les chercheurs parlent d'un effet fondateur extrême : un individu, ou un petit groupe d'hommes apparentés, dont la descendance masculine s'est diffusée de façon disproportionnée grâce au pouvoir politique.Une précision importante toutefois : les scientifiques ne possèdent pas l'ADN de Gengis Khan lui-même. Il est donc plus exact de dire que cette lignée provient de Gengis Khan ou d'un proche parent masculin. Mais la convergence des indices rend l'hypothèse extrêmement solide.Dernier point souvent oublié : cette statistique concerne uniquement la lignée paternelle. Des millions de personnes peuvent être descendantes de Gengis Khan par d'autres branches familiales… sans porter ce chromosome Y.En résumé, oui : l'affirmation est fondée. Dans ce cas précis, l'Histoire a littéralement laissé une empreinte mesurable dans notre ADN. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

The Olympics are here — and our middle schoolers are ALL IN.

You probably thought that an ambassador's job was to help Americans and work with local governments. And so did Ambassador Dan Rosemblum! But to his amazement he discovered that he was in charge of bioweapons campaigns designed to infect populations and plots to overthrow governments and destabilize society overseas! Not true, of course, but the disinformation machinery is hard at work. At what cost? And what can we do to combat this form of warfare? Listen to Dan's personal experience in in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Max and Maria were joined by Andrian Prokip and Tim McDonnell to discuss the relentless Russian bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and what this means for average Ukrainians trying to survive the winter months. Be sure to explore Tim McDonnell's newsletter, Semafor Energy.

durée : 00:58:20 - Cultures Monde - par : Julie Gacon, Mélanie Chalandon - Alors que les représentants européens et kazakhstanais se sont retrouvés à deux reprises en décembre 2025, Bruxelles tente de se rapprocher d'Astana en jouant la carte d'un partenariat "d'égal à égal", à rebours des impérialismes russe et chinois. - réalisation : Vivian Lecuivre - invités : Catherine Poujol Professeure d'histoire de l'Asie centrale à l'INALCO et ancienne directrice de l'IFEAC (Institut Français d'Études sur l'Asie Centrale); Ikboljon Qoraboyev Professeur de relations internationales et directeur fondateur du Centre d'études de la gouvernance globale et régionale de l'université Maqsut Narikbayev à Astana; Yéléna Mac-Glandières Doctorante à l'Institut Français de Géopolitique (IFG), thèse en cours intitulée "Géopolitique de l'émancipation en mer Caspienne : de la concurrence énergétique à la coopération logistique en Azerbaïdjan - Kazakhstan - Turkménistan".

Those who hope to honor God and advance Jesus' Kingdom face powerful opposition from spiritual, physical, and psychological enemies. Successful launching and long term fruitfulness depends on recognizing and, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, waging war against those enemies.