live Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
Starlink has officially started operations in Kazakhstan, making satellite internet available to the public for the first time. Citizens can now legally purchase, use, and register Starlink terminals in line with national regulations.
Previously, the service was only available in pilot mode and limited to schools. This launch follows an agreement signed on 12 June between Starlink and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan. The company committed to complying with all national laws related to information security and telecommunications, which cleared the way for a full-scale rollout.
Kazakhstan faces unique challenges in delivering stable and high-quality internet access due to its vast territory and widely dispersed population. The country uses various technologies, including fiber-optic networks and mobile towers, to expand coverage. Despite having more than 30 internet providers and an internet penetration rate of 92.9% (about 19.2 million users), many people report poor service quality and limited provider options, especially in remote areas.
The telecom market is becoming increasingly competitive. In January, Spacesail Kazakhstan Limited was registered at the Astana International Financial Centre with a charter capital of $17 million. It is a subsidiary of China's Spacesail International Limited and is seen as a potential competitor to Starlink. On 20 February, Amazon Kuiper Kazakhstan Limited, a local branch of Amazon’s satellite project, was also registered. Global provider OneWeb is also expected to enter the market soon.
Oleg Emelyanov, president of the Kazakhstan Association of Communication Operators, welcomed the entry of global providers but stressed the need for strong domestic players. He warned that Kazakhstan must not become dependent on foreign operators, which could pose risks if access is cut off during critical times.
Currently, Kazakhstan accesses the global internet primarily through Russia. Major data routes pass through Russian territory before connecting to European and global networks. In response to growing geopolitical concerns, the country is working on a new infrastructure project to create an independent route across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan. This project aims to reduce reliance on Russia and strengthen Kazakhstan’s digital sovereignty.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
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