The Astana Toastmasters Club, founded in 2010 by Samat Panov and Asem Panova, is the first registered Toastmasters Club in Central Asia, located in Astana, Kazakhstan. It aims to enhance public speaking, leadership skills, and personal growth. The club has around 40 active members and holds regular meetings at the American Corner and PwC office. It targets recent graduates, young professionals, and older individuals with proficient English. The club has facilitated the creation of other clubs in Kazakhstan but does not directly open new ones. President Kanat Bazaraly shared his personal growth through the club and outlined plans to establish a district club for better management and participation in global competitions.

Astana Opera principal soloist Medet Chotabayev was awarded the title Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy for his efforts in strengthening cultural ties between Italy and Kazakhstan and promoting the Italian language. Chotabayev, who frequently performs in Italy and has studied at the Accademia Internazionale di Canto, expressed his joy at receiving the award. The Order of the Star is conferred by the President of Italy to individuals for their contributions to fostering friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries. Other recipients this year include Italian language teacher Lucia Beltrami and entrepreneur Giancarlo Olivieri.

Kazakhstan's healthcare system is undergoing reforms with the introduction of compulsory health insurance, necessitating a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for a transparent and rational basic benefit package. Polish expert Krzysztof Landa emphasized HTA's role in effective resource use and decision-making during a workshop in Astana. The event highlighted Kazakhstan's progress towards evidence-based healthcare, supported by the World Bank's training of HTA experts. Poland's experience with compulsory medical insurance and drug reimbursement was also discussed as a model for Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are set to enhance their economic cooperation and trade, with plans to increase trade turnover to $3 billion in 2018 and $5 billion by 2020. The countries will hold over 200 events to highlight their economies, tourism, culture, and humanitarian efforts. Key cooperation areas include business investments, joint ventures in food supplies, petrochemicals, and chemistry, and the development of regional ties. They also plan to build an international cross-border cooperation center and a transport and logistics center. Rail transportation and water cooperation are also focal points, with agreements to improve logistics for gas supplies.

The Kazakh government adopted a draft National Report on Combating Corruption, presented by Sayan Akhmetzhanov, which outlines the country's anti-corruption efforts, achievements, and future strategies. Kazakhstan improved its ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index, moving out of the most corrupted countries category. The report emphasizes legislative support, new institutions, and international standards as key factors in combating corruption. It also includes recommendations for state bodies and the quasi-public sector to enhance anti-corruption measures and align with OECD standards.

A new railway service connecting Amsterdam and Yiwu, China, was launched as part of the Belt and Road initiative, covering 11,000 kilometers and passing through several countries including Kazakhstan. The service, operated by Nunner Logistics, aims to enhance trade between Europe and China, with three trains departing weekly. Kazakhstan's strategic investments in transport infrastructure are highlighted as crucial for its transit and transport potential, with significant support from both local and international stakeholders.

The Astana Times features an interview with Candice Miracle, the bass player of Astana Bluegrass Survivors, a band composed of U.S. musicians based in Kazakhstan's capital. The band plays bluegrass, an American roots music genre, and has been active since 2016, performing at various venues including the U.S. Embassy and QSI International School of Astana. The members, some of whom are professional musicians, have adapted to their new environment by bringing a piece of American culture to Eurasia. Despite their full-time jobs, they perform several times a month and plan to reunite annually for performances even as some members depart Kazakhstan. The band's future gigs can be followed on their Instagram or Facebook page (@bluegrass.survivors).

Tourists in Almaty can now visit the Boraldai Saka burial mound archaeological complex, which features a reconstructed burial mound and a model of an ancient Saka dwelling. The site, discovered in 2006, is a significant historical monument from the early Iron Age and has been included in the national list of sacred objects within the Sacred Geography of Kazakhstan project. Efforts are underway to propose the complex for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. The complex attracts both domestic and foreign tourists, preserving its cultural and natural landscape.

Kazakh online air and railway ticket providers Aviata.kz and Chocotravel are merging to enhance their competitive edge in the international market, with projected annual sales exceeding $100 million. The merger, initiated in May 2017, will see both companies continue operating autonomously in Kazakhstan while uniting under the Aviata.kz brand for international ventures. The combined entity aims to expand into the Commonwealth of Independent States and South-East Asia, leveraging economies of scale and improved terms from airlines. Chocofamily, Chocotravel’s parent company, has invested $1.6 million in the project, which is expected to accelerate the development of a system for finding the best air ticket prices.