live Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far - Wednesday, 29 April
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 bi...
Kazakhstan has launched a major project to build Central Asia’s largest data centre campus in Ekibastuz, aiming to position the country as a regional hub for digital infrastructure with a planned total energy capacity of up to 1 GW.
The initiative, known as the Data Centre Valley, has entered an active phase following a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. The project is being positioned as a strategic investment in Kazakhstan’s digital economy and part of its ambition to become a regional centre for data processing and advanced computing.
The government is putting in place the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework to support large-scale development. Around 1,400 hectares of land have been allocated for the campus, work is under way to secure a power substation, and additional state support mechanisms for investors are being prepared. In the initial phase, 300 MW of capacity has already been reserved, with overall demand expected to grow to 1 GW over time.
The site is expected to host up to ten data centres, including four facilities designed specifically for artificial intelligence workloads, each with a capacity of 50 MW. A central element of the project will be a greenfield zone intended for international partners. An initial 100 MW development has already been prepared, with scope for further expansion.
Infrastructure at the campus will meet the Tier III international standard, with a power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratio of 1.25. To meet the requirements of hyperscale and major technology companies, network latency is expected to be reduced from 80 to 57 milliseconds, bringing it closer to levels seen at leading European internet exchange hubs.
The project is primarily aimed at attracting global hyperscalers and major developers of artificial intelligence technologies. Officials have highlighted Kazakhstan’s access to electricity, favourable climate and the development of trans-Caspian digital connectivity routes as key competitive advantages for hosting large-scale computing infrastructure.
“This is an industry of the future. It is important to use our competitive advantages. All the prerequisites for this project are in place: electricity, climate and the trans-Caspian cable. Therefore, make all the necessary decisions and move forward without unnecessary bureaucracy. I will personally oversee this project. We must move through this process as quickly as possible, work actively, sign contracts and deliver capacity to global companies,” Bektenov said.
According to government estimates, the Data Centre Valley could attract up to $30 billion in investment and create more than 500 highly skilled jobs. Beyond its immediate economic impact, the project is regarded as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to strengthen its digital economy and secure a more prominent role in the regional and global digital infrastructure landscape.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
The President Cup 2026 continued with a dynamic programme, as the second day marked the official start of the international regatta.
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelling debate over influence, trust, and politics.
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing the youth tournament to the South Caucasus for the second consecutive edition after the 2027 event.
Former security chief Kamchybek Tashiev has been questioned in connection with an alleged attempt to seize power by force, Kyrgyz lawyer Sherdor Abdykaparov said.
Afghan and Russian officials have discussed expanding political, economic and security cooperation during talks in Kabul, Afghan ministries said.
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