Madina Quanova is a social-media producer for RFE/RL's Kazakh Service based in Almaty.
A 10-year obsession with unique Caspian seals almost ended during the trauma of a mass die-off, but this Kazakh scientist refuses to give up.
Caspian Seals are unique and not found anywhere else in the world, but their numbers are declining sharply. In October-November 2024, more than 1,000 dead seals were found washed up on the shore of Kazakhstan -- cause of death unknown.
Stand-up comedy has been on the rise in Kazakhstan in recent years. But the arrest of a popular comic known for his political jokes has served as a reminder that there still are limits on freedom of speech.
