Latest news with #Kazakhstan
France 24
4 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Britain's Norrie ousts Musetti to advance at DC Open
Norrie, seeking his sixth ATP title, captured his first victory over a top-10 player in 2 1/2 years by eliminating the second seed at the first hardcourt tuneup for the US Open. "I made it very difficult for him," Norrie said. "My backhand was coming through the court low. My forehand was jumping. I'm just enjoying my tennis a lot more these days." Norrie, whose most recent title was in February 2023 at Rio, snapped a 14-match losing streak against top-10 foes with a fightback after taking a time violation to reset in the fifth game of the last set. "I was sweating so much I literally had to, my sweatband was moving on my arm and my shirt was bothering me," Norrie said. "I said whatever, I'm just going to take the time violation and reset... I think I played maybe the three best points of the match after that. "Held that game and I think that was the difference. It was a great move looking back." Norrie said he was playing "like a kid again." "I just kind of let go of the expectations and I'm playing tennis more to enjoy now," he said. "You've got to enjoy it otherwise you can get burned out on this long schedule." Also hoping to turn back the clock was seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, who will make her return to singles after a 16-month hiatus later. The 45-year-old American will face compatriot Peyton Stearns while Japan's Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, meets Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in another later match. Musetti, who had a first-round bye, reached three semi-finals and a final on clay earlier this year, falling to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in a French Open semi-final. But he dropped his opener at Wimbledon and suffered his third loss in a row at Washington. Norrie managed only three winners in the first set, two of them on aces, but dominated the second set to force a third. Norrie saved five break points to hold in the fifth game of the final set then broke Musetti on his fourth chance in the sixth game, grabbing a 4-2 lead on an errant backhand by the Italian. Musetti fought off two match points in the final game, one on a Norrie double fault, but fell to the 29-year-old left-hander by sending a backhand beyond the baseline after two hours and seven minutes. Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing beat France's Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-1 for his first tour-level triumph since last year at Shanghai after the Frenchman ran into a clock at the rear corner of the court in the first set, hitting it with his right ankle. "I saw him falling down there," Wu said. I don't know what happened but after I asked him. He said his foot actually maybe stuck under the clock. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How can Kazakhstan secure its hydrocarbon export infrastructure?
Kazakhstan is one of the largest oil and gas producers in Central Asia, a significant producer of coal and a major energy exporter – but the markets surrounding it are shifting. In terms of oil production, the vast landlocked country is up against established and well connected heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia and the US, while competition in the gas market is more regionalised, with Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as frontrunners. Its production remains on a sharp upward trajectory. In February, Kazakhstan reported a record oil output of 2.12 million barrels per day (mbbl/d), and announced plans to produce 96.2 million tonnes (mt) of oil and gas condensate in 2025, a yearly increase of almost 10%. Moreover, its oil production in the first half of 2025 (H1 2025) saw a yearly surge of almost 12%. However, the nation still has some way to go to diversify its export routes and establish reliable and long-term export markets. Demand from various regions of Europe continues to rise against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, following an international trend of nations seeking to reduce their energy dependence on Russia. In June, the European Commission proposed a gradual phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports into the EU by the end of 2027, as part of the REPowerEU road map, which aims to ensure the EU's full energy independence from Russia. Kazakhstan is aiming to capitalise on this demand by increasing hydrocarbon exports. Currently, approximately 80% of the country's oil exports are transported via the majority Russia-controlled Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) Black Sea terminal, which was temporarily restricted in April by Russian regulators. Kazakh hydrocarbon infrastructure has also become collateral damage in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. In February, Ukrainian drones hit a pumping station on the main Kazakh oil export pipeline, temporarily dropping oil flows through the CPC by approximately 30–40%. Such vulnerability is exacerbated by Kazakhstan's Soviet-era assets, although the country has been actively building new facilities and reviving previously shelved plans such as the Eskene-Kuryk-Baku oil pipeline, which will extend for 739km from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Market expansion, particularly to hydrocarbon-hungry countries such as China and Türkiye, remains a priority for Kazakhstan, helping it secure its economic future. However, this process relies on reliable pipeline routes and stabilised geopolitical climates, the latter currently seeming a long way off. Market opportunities and challenges As the world's biggest hydrocarbon importer, China offers huge opportunities for Kazakhstan. In February, state-run gas pipeline operator Qazaqgaz extended its agreement with PetroChina to increase gas exports to the east. Qazaqgaz has a pipeline network of more than 76,000km, including 20,000km of main gas pipelines, which also transport Russian gas to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan through an agreement signed with Gazprom in 2024. However, extracting itself from Russia's influence and strengthen its ties with China could prove tricky for Kazakhstan. Much of the region's hydrocarbon infrastructure is co-owned and operated by more than one country, with a notable example being the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline, which carries both Kazakh and Russian oil to China. Competition in the region is fierce for market access and infrastructural planning. Kazakhstan is China's third-largest pipeline gas supplier after Russia and Turkmenistan, but in terms of crude oil the country has fallen behind other suppliers, with a 50% drop from 2023 to 2024 (though overall demand from China has weakened in recent years). Elsewhere in Asia, Türkiye holds further promise. GlobalData oil and gas analyst Rami Khrais highlights the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which enables Kazakhstan to bypass Russia and carry crude oil through Azerbaijan and Georgia to Türkiye and other Mediterranean ports. According to reports, Kazakhstan is already diverting its crude exports away from Russia and towards Türkiye through the BTC: in February, 6,000 tonnes of oil from the Kashagan field began to move through the pipeline for the first time. However, Khrais states that Kazakhstan's "plans to reduce dependency on the Russian route might not be easy [and] due to logistical complexities, transporting oil by sea and then through the BTC pipeline is likely to be more expensive than transporting it via the CPC". Meanwhile, South Asia is a relatively untapped market for Kazakhstan. Research from the Journal of Eurasian Studies highlights that Kazakhstan could be of great use to India as an energy provider, particularly as India is heavily dependent on oil imports. While Kazakhstan does export hydrocarbons to India (amounting to a value of $175m for crude oil in 2024) as its largest trade partner in Central Asia, no direct infrastructure connection exists. The International North-South Transport Corridor, which would use the Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports in Iran, presents a possibility for further connection between the countries. The corridor is designed to facilitate the movement of goods between Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, India, Iran and Russia. According to the Social Policy Research Foundation in India, another key barrier to cooperation with Kazakhstan is China's established presence in Central Asia, as it has "a territorial advantage and has arguably solved the issue of decaying regional infrastructure by building multiple pipelines […] for an entrenched competitive advantage". Despite the geopolitical mire, there are viable options for Kazakhstan to secure its hydrocarbon infrastructure, including strengthened regional cooperation and transportation development. New frontiers for Kazakhstan's hydrocarbon exports Given the complications of pipeline expansion, maritime transportation presents another avenue for Kazakhstan to capture a wider market. In recent years, state-run companies such as KazMunayGas have ramped up investments in tankers to increase exports across the Caspian Sea. Notably, the BTC pipeline relies on a fleet of Kazakh tankers to move oil to Azerbaijan. Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev has highlighted the potential to increase the BTC's current output of 1.5mt per year to as much as 20mt, thus reducing oil exports via Russia by approximately 80%. Increased cooperation with Azerbaijan is another possible diversification element for Kazakhstan, which would make it something of a regional energy hub. While a Trans-Caspian oil pipeline remains out of reach due to technical and financial challenges, the countries recognise the mutual benefits of cooperation, such as negotiating port modernisation to facilitate enlarged fleets. In turn, this will open up further access to European markets. Lack of investment taking its toll However, Kazakhstan must also assess how it can solve the problem of declining foreign direct investment flows (FDI), which are intertwined with oil and gas. Kazakh Invest, which attempts to bolster Kazakhstan's economy by drawing in foreign investment, has stated that FDI plummeted from $2.3bn (KZT1.22trn) to $72.9m over the first nine months of 2024, year-on-year. The completion of large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Tenzig oilfield, which began production in January and is owned by Chevron (50%), KazMunayGas (20%), ExxonMobil (25%) and Lukoil (5%), has been cited as a significant factor. According to the International Trade Administration, "the hydrocarbons sector, since 1991, has received approximately 60% of FDI in Kazakhstan, and constitutes approximately 53% of its export revenue". As part of its National Investment Policy, the Kazakh Government is aiming to attract at least $150bn of FDI by 2029 and diversify away from hydrocarbons into agriculture, construction, ecology, information technology, pharmaceuticals and tourism. However, business research from 2024 found that the "sheer weight of oil and gas production within the Kazakh economy will limit the potential for investment diversification". Kazakhstan still leads FDI in Central Asia, particularly in greenfield projects, as per the UN Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) 2025 World Investment Report. Throughout 2024, gas supply pulled in significant FDI, with UNCTAD highlighting the $5.5bn natural gas facility announced by Qatari-based energy, concessions and construction company UCC. Russia's influence can also be felt in FDI, with inflows totalling $931.9m (Rbs72.88bn) over the first six months of 2024. As hydrocarbon FDI is likely to remain predominant in Kazakhstan, improving existing infrastructure and strengthening regional partnerships appears to offer the most security. In the meantime, Kazakhstan continues to pump out oil and gas, repeatedly exceeding its 1.47mbbl/d output quota under OPEC+ production limits. Much of the country's future export landscape will depend on delicately managing its geopolitical standing and building links (both political and physical) to the nations around it. "How can Kazakhstan secure its hydrocarbon export infrastructure? " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE releases 81 falcons into wild in Kazakhstan in May; some tracked with satellite devices
Eighty one falcons were released into the wild in Kazakhstan in May 2025, as the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme (SZFRP) enters its fourth decade. This brings the total number of falcons released by the programme since its establishment in 1995 to 2,355. All falcons in the programme underwent a series of veterinary examinations and intensive training, the installation of identification metal rings, and the implantation of electronic chips. Ten falcons (five falcons of each species) were provided with satellite tracking devices whose batteries are powered by solar energy, to monitor survival rates, spread and migration routes, and to collect scientific data that is used to develop rehabilitation, training and release methods. The programme continued in Kazakhstan for the ninth consecutive year, with the release of 53 peregrine falcons and 28 saker falcons within their migratory range, which includes parts of Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Mongolia, and neighboring countries. These areas feature rugged mountains and vast plains, providing abundant prey for the falcons. The initiative aims to increase falcon populations and protect them from the risks of expanding human activities at the expense of natural habitats, unsustainable breeding practices, climate change, and other factors that put them at risk of extinction.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to possible lawsuit from Azerbaijan over deadly air crash
Azerbaijan is entitled to file a lawsuit against Russia over a deadly 2024 air crash, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, following remarks by President Ilham Aliyev suggesting legal action is being considered. Aliyev said last week that his government had already notified Moscow of its intentions related to the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243. The aircraft was damaged in Russian airspace during a Ukrainian drone raid and later made a hard landing in Kazakhstan. Thirty-eight of the 67 people on board were killed. He did not specify when a lawsuit might be filed, but noted that a full investigation would take time. Peskov echoed this, stating that Russia would 'await the official verdicts of all probes and inquiries.' A preliminary report pointed to 'external interference' as the cause but did not elaborate. This comes amid growing tensions between Moscow and Baku. Relations deteriorated after a Russian law enforcement raid in Ekaterinburg last month led to the deaths of two Azerbaijani nationals identified as suspected gang members. Azerbaijani officials rejected the findings of Russian investigators and accused the police of murder. The diplomatic fallout prompted a response from Baku. Azerbaijani police raided the Baku office of Russian news network Sputnik and detained two journalists and several other people. In addition, the government suspended all cultural events related to Russia. While acknowledging the current tensions, Peskov highlighted the traditionally cooperative ties between the two countries and expressed hope for deescalation. 'Respect for Russians in Azerbaijan is very important for us,' he said. 'Russia is home to a large Azerbaijani diaspora. Virtually all members of this diaspora are law-abiding citizens, who enjoy deserved respect here. Those who break the law are being lawfully held accountable.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (KSPI) To Report Second Quarter Earnings, Here's What to Expect
Joint Stock Company (NASDAQ:KSPI) is one of the . On July 9, Joint Stock Company (NASDAQ:KSPI) announced that it will report its financial results for the first half and second quarter ending June 30, 2025, on Monday 4th August 2025. The company reported its fiscal first quarter results on May 12. Its revenue reached $1.60 billion after growing 29.17% year-over-year and came in ahead of consensus by $217.57 million. Management noted that the customer engagement remained strong as monthly transactions per active customer reached 75. Moreover, the Payments TPV and transactions also grew by 23% and 17%, respectively, during the same time. An individual using a laptop to access the fintech platform to manage their finances. Management lowered the 2025 guidance due to the tough macroeconomic environment and now expects GMV growth between 15% to 20% as opposed to the previous guidance of 25% to 30% growth. Joint Stock Company (NASDAQ:KSPI) is a leading Kazakhstan-based fintech company that offers online payments, e-commerce, and digital banking services. While we acknowledge the potential of KSPI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
