China will introduce new regulations on February 1 on how Islam and other religions can be practiced in its western Xinjiang Province, requiring mosques and ceremonies to reflect "Chinese characteristics" as part of Beijing's campaign to "sinicize Islam."
Kazakhstan has a history of picking up stray Russian sports stars who feel neglected by their respective federations. But with Moscow now banned from many international competitions after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these nationality switches have become more contentious.
Health organizations say the rising number of female smokers in Kazakhstan is part of a worrying regional trend. But some Kazakh women defend their right to choose and say that if men can smoke, why can't they?
