#SouthCaucasus
“It is also reported that this letter came into the possession of Azerbaijani special services.”HOW?! WHAT ARE THE DETAILS?
Published letter of Ramiz Mehtiyev: how did he intend to carry out a coup d’état? | Baku.ws News Site – Latest News and Events baku.ws/en/politics/publishe…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 28, 2025
Day: October 28, 2025
The Research Institute of Horse Breeding in the Aktobe region of western Kazakhstan is expected to become fully operational in 2026. The institute aims to support national livestock breeding and safeguard Kazakhstan’s rich equestrian heritage.
The creation of the institute was first announced in the fall of 2024 during the inaugural Forum of Agricultural Workers. Its objectives include increasing the national horse population, advancing selective breeding of native breeds, and boosting the export of horse products.
The transformation of a former experimental station in Aktobe into a specialized scientific center marked the project’s practical launch. A new facility is currently under construction and will include five laboratories focused on genetic and breeding research. Completion is scheduled for May 2026.
“The main tasks of the institute are to develop exports of horse meat and milk (kumys), promote national sports and sport horse breeding, and create conditions for domestic jockeys to compete internationally,” said Alibek Bazargaliev, chairman of the Kazakh Horse Breeding and Feed Production Research Institute.
The institute’s infrastructure will feature a riding arena, stables, a veterinary station, research labs, and a racetrack, forming a base for research, breeding, and the training of industry professionals.
Although Kazakhstan’s horse population has grown, the share of purebred animals remains below 1%. Of the country’s 4.2 million horses, only about 40,000 belong to recognized breeding lines. This disparity was a driving factor behind the institute’s establishment.
Kazakhstan is home to several unique native breeds, including the Jabe, Adai, Kostanay, Kushum, and Imugaljar. The Jabe, considered the oldest, has been integral to nomadic life for millennia. It is known for its endurance and versatility, making it suitable for riding, labor, and the production of meat and milk.
In 2023, a new law was adopted to preserve domestic breeds. It facilitates the import of foreign sport horses for breeding purposes, increases funding for breeding programs, and provides compensation for producers’ costs.
Kazakhstan is also advancing efforts to restore rare species, including Przewalski’s horse, the Turanian tiger, and the snow leopard.
Andrea McHugh
- As a frequent traveler on Amtrak trains, I’ve sat in both the coach and business-class sections.
- However, I prefer to travel in the café car because it’s roomy and doesn’t require a special ticket.
- The booth-style seating is great for getting work done on the train, and the café has a great menu.
A few times a year, I take Amtrak trains to travel to destinations along the East Coast. I’ve found it’s an efficient way to travel between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., especially when I’m looking to avoid rush hour traffic in those cities.
I’ve traveled in coach and the quiet car — and have even paid premium prices for business-class seats. But in my opinion, the best spot on the train isn’t in any of these spots. In fact, it doesn’t even require a special ticket.
When available, I love sitting in the café car
Andrea McHugh
Although not available on every Amtrak train, the café car is my favorite place to sit. The best part is that I’m able to come and go at my leisure, since the car is open to all ticketed passengers on the train.
I also think it has a number of advantages over the coach and even business-class sections. For example, the first-come, first-served table seating gives me plenty of space to comfortably set up my laptop and notebook so I can get some work done on the train. There’s also plenty of legroom, which is a nice bonus.
Each table can seat up to four passengers, but sometimes, I get lucky and have the whole space to myself.
Typically, though, I end up sharing a table with one other person, which is nice because I can ask them to keep an eye on my things while I use the restroom or stretch my legs.
Plus, this car is a nice option when I’m traveling with groups of friends, so we can comfortably chat at side-by-side tables.
The café has a pretty extensive menu
Andrea McHugh
I typically enjoy a full meal at home before a train trip, but it’s nice to know that I have plenty of options when I’m riding in the café car.
Although menus may vary by route, most include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items for purchase. I’ve seen everything from breakfast sandwiches and pastries to salads and cheeseburgers on board. There’s also a selection of soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages.
On a recent trip, I bought a vanilla yogurt parfait with granola and berries, and a plate of cheese and crackers.
Although there are a few minor drawbacks, I think the café car is the best seat in the house
Of course, life in the café car isn’t always perfect. For example, I’ve found that people can be more chatty in this part of the train, whether they’re engaged in conversations with tablemates or having a loud phone conversation.
As a writer who likes to get work done on the train, I mitigate this issue by wearing noise-canceling headphones.
Plus, seats are limited in this car, and I’m not always guaranteed to get a spot.
Overall, though, I’ve found the café car to be the best spot on the train and would recommend it to anyone who likes a little extra space without the price of a premium seat.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Kyrgyzstan will meet its domestic electricity needs during the winter months within the next two and a half years, President Sadyr Japarov announced during the inauguration of the Kara-Kul Hydropower Plant (HPP) on October 27. The shift will be made possible by the completion of nearly 40 new hydropower plants and a coal-fired power station at the Kara-Keche deposit.
“In two and a half years, we will no longer import electricity during winter. We will have enough domestically produced power,” Japarov stated, urging citizens to remain patient amid ongoing seasonal shortages.
Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev recently warned that the upcoming winter could be one of the most challenging in recent memory due to critically low water levels in the Toktogul Reservoir, which supplies around 40% of the country’s electricity.
Kyrgyzstan has long struggled with chronic electricity deficits in winter, as many households rely heavily on electric heating. In 2024, electricity consumption reached 18.3 billion kWh, an increase of 1.1 billion kWh from the previous year. To bridge the shortfall, Kyrgyzstan imported 3.6 billion kWh from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Additional volumes have been secured for the 2025-2026 winter period.
The newly commissioned Kara-Kul HPP, located on the Kara-Suu River in the southern Jalal-Abad region, is part of a broader national energy strategy. Built at a cost of $25 million, the facility has two generating units with a combined capacity of 18 MW and is expected to produce 104 million kWh annually, offsetting roughly 2.5% of the current winter shortfall.
Japarov emphasized that the project is one component of Kyrgyzstan’s drive for energy independence.
Preparations are also underway for the construction of the Kambarata-1 HPP, set to be the largest hydropower plant in both Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. The plant will have an installed capacity of 1,860 MW and is expected to generate 5.6 billion kWh annually.
The Kambarata-1 project is being developed in cooperation with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with technical and financial support from the European Union. During the Global Gateway Forum held in Brussels on October 9-10, Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev met with regional counterparts and EU institutions.
Key outcomes from the forum included the signing of €900 million in Memoranda of Understanding between the EU, European Investment Bank (EIB), and the three Central Asian states. A feasibility study, co-financed by the EU and implemented by the World Bank, is also underway.
Additionally, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed MoUs with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and is considering an overall financing package of €1.3 billion to support the project.
Russian oil giant Lukoil has announced plans to divest its international assets, including subsidiaries, amid ongoing Western sanctions.
The company stated the sale is being conducted under a license issued by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which allows Lukoil to wind down its foreign operations in an orderly manner by November 21, 2025. An extension of this deadline may be requested.
“Review of applications from potential buyers has begun,” the company said in an official statement.
According to industry data, Lukoil currently holds stakes in several key Kazakh projects: 5% in Tengizchevroil (TCO), 13.5% in Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V., 50% in the Kalamkas-Khazar project (Kalamkas-Khazar Operating joint venture), 49.99% in Al-Farabi Operating (offshore exploration and production), and 12.5% in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
While analysts suggest CPC operations are unlikely to be affected by U.S. restrictions, Kazakhstan may witness a significant redistribution of oil sector investments.
Despite this, Kazakh authorities remain cautious in making definitive assessments. Nurlan Zhakupov, head of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, stated that discussions are ongoing with both domestic and international advisors regarding Lukoil’s shares in Kazakh ventures.
“A great deal of complex work is being carried out with relevant consultants, including international ones, on how KazMunayGas can navigate the current situation. Lukoil has major projects in Kazakhstan, so this is a complex and multifaceted issue,” Zhakupov said.
Deputy Minister of Energy Sanzhar Zharkeshov emphasized that any decisions regarding the acquisition of Lukoil’s shares fall under the purview of the national oil company KazMunayGas.
“Lukoil is KazMunayGas’s partner. They are jointly involved in Kalamkas, Khazar, and other projects. At this stage, the Ministry of Energy is not addressing the buyout or shareholder restructuring, this is a matter for KazMunayGas as an economic entity,” Zharkeshov said at a press conference.
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov added that decisions on potential buyouts have not yet been made.
“This discussion has not yet taken place. The sanctions are still being analyzed, and their full impact on companies and the economy remains to be assessed. I believe a decision will be made soon, within the next few days, before the end of this week,” Akkenzhenov stated.
The Times of Central Asia has previously reported on the broader effects of U.S. and EU sanctions on economies across Central Asia.