How Ancient Steppe Builders Used Turgay Geoglyphs to Track Sun

By Ayana Birbayeva in Nation on 22 December 2025

ALMATY — Ancient geoglyphs in Kazakhstan’s Turgai Trough in northern Kazakhstan once again demonstrated their connection to solar cycles on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, reinforcing scientific arguments that the structures functioned as early astronomical and calendar systems. According to Kostanai-based researcher Dmitry Dey, the phenomenon occurs every …

Kazakhstan Boosts Water Infrastructure With Over $1 Billion Investment Drive

By Ayana Birbayeva in Business on 22 December 2025

Google Launches Gemini AI in Kazakh

By Ayana Birbayeva in Nation on 22 December 2025

More Borders, Fewer Stamps: Kazakhstan’s Passport Strengthens in 2025

By Ayana Birbayeva in Editor’s Picks,International on 22 December 2025

Tokayev Outlines EAEU Agenda Ahead of Kazakhstan’s 2026 Chairmanship

in Editor’s Picks,International on 22 December 2025

KazMunayGas Refineries Reach Record Oil Processing and Fuel Output in 2025

By Ayana Birbayeva in Business on 22 December 2025

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Editor's Picks

Tokayev Outlines EAEU Agenda Ahead of Kazakhstan’s 2026 Chairmanship

BY

ALMATY – Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at...

More Borders, Fewer Stamps: Kazakhstan’s Passport Strengthens in 2025

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s passport has strengthened its standing in global mobility rankings in 2025, offering visa-free access to 79 countries...

How Kazakhstan Can Transform by Looking North: Deeper Lessons Behind President Stubb’s Visit

BY Altynay Kozhayeva

When Finland’s leader Alexander Stubb showed up in Kazakhstan lately, folks figured it would be just another standard meet-and-greet. But...

Kazakh Artist Transforms Ancient Embroidery into Modern Hair Art

BY Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Kazakh ornament has always been more than decoration. For centuries, the swirling motifs etched into leather, stitched onto...

Teen Falconer in Kazakhstan Preserves Ancient Hunting Arts

BY Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — In eastern Kazakhstan, 15-year-old Aizere Markskyzy is continuing a centuries-old tradition of falconry, working with golden eagles and...

Tokayev Calls for Renewed Global Trust, UN Reform and Stronger Middle-Power Role

BY

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a landmark lecture at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo on Dec. 19,...

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Mobility Innovation, Academic Diplomacy, Interethnic Unity and More

BY

ALMATY – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest...

Kazakhstan, Japan Boost Strategic Ties with Smart City Deal and Technology Partnerships

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Japan elevated their cooperation in digital innovation, smart city development, and high-tech investment during President Kassym-Jomart...

How Kazakhstan is Expanding Dialogue Between State and Society

BY Gulnur Makulbayeva

Kazakhstan has been strengthening state–society consultation over the past decade through a broad range of institutional and digital mechanisms. Efforts...

Kazakhstan, Japan Move to Deepen Strategic Cooperation

BY Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Dec. 18 at the Prime Minister’s Office...

Weekend Guide: Festive Performances, Winter Premieres and New Year Events in Astana and Almaty

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA — As the holiday season approaches, residents of Astana and Almaty can enjoy a festive weekend full of concerts,...

President Tokayev Meets Japan’s Emperor Naruhito During First Official Visit

BY Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan on Dec. 18 during his first official visit to...

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Editor's Picks

Tokayev Outlines EAEU Agenda Ahead of Kazakhstan’s 2026 Chairmanship

BY

ALMATY – Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at...

More Borders, Fewer Stamps: Kazakhstan’s Passport Strengthens in 2025

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s passport has strengthened its standing in global mobility rankings in 2025, offering visa-free access to 79 countries...

How Kazakhstan Can Transform by Looking North: Deeper Lessons Behind President Stubb’s Visit

BY Altynay Kozhayeva

When Finland’s leader Alexander Stubb showed up in Kazakhstan lately, folks figured it would be just another standard meet-and-greet. But...

Kazakh Artist Transforms Ancient Embroidery into Modern Hair Art

BY Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Kazakh ornament has always been more than decoration. For centuries, the swirling motifs etched into leather, stitched onto...

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Opinions

How Kazakhstan Can Transform by Looking North: Deeper Lessons Behind President Stubb’s Visit

BY Altynay Kozhayeva

When Finland’s leader Alexander Stubb showed up in Kazakhstan lately, folks figured it would be just another standard meet-and-greet. But...

How Kazakhstan is Expanding Dialogue Between State and Society

BY Gulnur Makulbayeva

Kazakhstan has been strengthening state–society consultation over the past decade through a broad range of institutional and digital mechanisms. Efforts...

Silent Rise: Untapped M&A Potential for Kazakh Companies and Funds

BY Stefano Endrizzi

Kazakhstan, the Central Asian giant, is slowly but surely establishing itself as a key player on the global economic scene....

Ulytau: New Growth Point of Independent Kazakhstan

BY Katarzyna Wawiernia

Over the years of independence, Kazakhstan has undergone a profound transformation in nature conservation — from restoring populations of rare...

From Independence to Influence: Kazakhstan at 34

BY Aida Haidar 

Kazakhstan turns 34 this December. Not a milestone that demands fireworks. For a country, this is still a restless, sometimes...

Giving Heartbeat to Data: Central Asian Female Artists Challenge Silence Through Art

BY Ayana Birbayeva

Data often sounds distant and pale until it touches your background. Standing in front of installations built from statistics on...

Mastering Algorithms Emerges as New Super Skill

BY Aigul Zabirova

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece by Aigul Zabirova draws on findings from a nationwide survey commissioned by the Kazakhstan Institute...

European Union and Kazakhstan: Turning Shared Challenges into Shared Opportunities 

BY

Ten years after the EU and Kazakhstan signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, our relationship has grown into a...

Emerging Triangular Connectivity: The Economic Synergy of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan

BY Islomkhon Gafarov, Fayoziddin Bakhriddinov

In recent years, the noticeable strengthening of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has had a positive impact not only on...

Charting a Safe Digital Future for Women and Girls

BY Sally Axworthy, Chinwe Ogbonna

Technology has transformed our world: catalyzing connections, empowering and expanding opportunities for learning, healthcare, social protection, inventions and economic participation. ...

From Fahrenheit 451 to AI: A Struggle to Keep Thinking

BY Aida Haidar 

[audio mp3="https://astanatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ColumnonAIandHumans.mp3"][/audio] I grew up devouring Ray Bradbury. I don’t know why my childhood mind was so fascinated by the...

From Red Edits to Big Lessons: My Journey with Astana Times

BY Aiman Nakispekova

Editor’s Note: To mark the 15th anniversary of The Astana Times, we are launching a special series of columns written...

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Opinions

How Kazakhstan Can Transform by Looking North: Deeper Lessons Behind President Stubb’s Visit

BY Altynay Kozhayeva

When Finland’s leader Alexander Stubb showed up in Kazakhstan lately, folks figured it would be just another standard meet-and-greet. But...

How Kazakhstan is Expanding Dialogue Between State and Society

BY Gulnur Makulbayeva

Kazakhstan has been strengthening state–society consultation over the past decade through a broad range of institutional and digital mechanisms. Efforts...

Silent Rise: Untapped M&A Potential for Kazakh Companies and Funds

BY Stefano Endrizzi

Kazakhstan, the Central Asian giant, is slowly but surely establishing itself as a key player on the global economic scene....

Ulytau: New Growth Point of Independent Kazakhstan

BY Katarzyna Wawiernia

Over the years of independence, Kazakhstan has undergone a profound transformation in nature conservation — from restoring populations of rare...

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