Around Astana, When the Winter Gets Tough, the Tough Put on Snowshoes

GAITHERSBURG, MD – In Astana’s six months of winter, a hardy few have decided to embrace their flat, cold, powdery environs and take up an activity that...


Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone Meets Expectations, Growth Expected

On July 2, 2014, during a national teleconference, President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the construction of Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone (FEZ) on the Chinese border....


Why Celebrate 550 Years of Kazakh Statehood?

Words, particularly names, can have a great power. As the title suggests, this newspaper is written, edited and printed in Astana. The name of this city, as...


Barys Players Do Well in Continental Hockey League All-Star Game

Hockey’s two premier leagues, the Continental Hockey League (KHL) and the National Hockey League, conducted All-Star Games on Jan. 25. Forward Nigel Dawes and defender Mike Lundin...


Astana Arlans Beat Polish Hussars at Home

Astana Arlans, the team representing Kazakhstan in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), continued its winning streak on Jan. 24 by beating Hussars of Poland. In the...


Shymkent Seeks UNESCO Recognition As 2,200-Year-Old City

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s third largest city, Shymkent, will seek an official recognition from the relevant UN body that it is 2,200 years old, according to the city...


Almaty Prepares to Host International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission, Mayor Stands behind the Value of City’s Bid

Almaty submitted its candidature filesto the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Jan 6.   “It is important for Almaty to...


Prime Minister Attends World Economic Forum in Davos, Signs Country Agreement with OECD

DAVOS – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov signed a memorandum of understanding between the Kazakh government and the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on...


British Journalist Retraces Journey of Pioneering English Explorers in Kazakhstan

GAITHERSBURG, MD – A British journalist is hoping to rekindle interest in two early European travellers to Kazakhstan, retracing some of their 19th century journeys in the...


Modernised Centres for Servicing the Population Make Services More Accessible

ASTANA – Among the most successful reforms the Kazakh government has implemented in the last decade, experts often name the establishment of an extensive network of Centres...


Deaf Kazakh Gesture Singers Take First Place at International Competition

The House of Culture at the Kazakhstan Deaf Society made news at the recent international Singing Costa Brava competition in Spain. The small Spanish town of Lloret...


Bayanaul: Land of Legends

PAVLODAR –There is a wonderful place in the Pavlodar region where the name of each mountain or cliff, lake or pass is associated with olden times and...


Kazakhstan Urges Peaceful Resolution to Ukraine Conflict, Reiterates Minsk Agreements

ASTANA – Kazakhstan expresses “grave concern with the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, especially with the facts of shelling that led to the deaths of civilians,”...


Mazhilis Ratifies UN Convention to Improve Lives of Disabled

ASTANA – The Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Jan. 20 as part of the Kedergisiz...


Kazakhstan, Italy Sign Agreements on Extradition and Legal Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Italy have established a legal framework for mutual legal assistance and the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of their citizens. On...


Astana Opera Ballet Well Received in Italy

ASTANA – Astana Opera ballet dancers received high praise from audience members and Italian dance officials after performing “Spartacus” Jan. 21 in Genoa in front of 2,500...


Chinese Company to Build a Wind Power Plant in Zhambyl Region

An official visit of a Kazakh delegation to Xi’an on Jan. 11-15 resulted in plans to build a wind power plant in the Zhambyl region and cooperation...


Modernisation Brings Ust-Kamenogorsk Hydroelectric Plant to Int’l Standards

UST-KAMENOGORSK – The staff of the Ust-Kamenogorsk hydroelectric plant is conducting a large-scale modernisation of the plant’s main equipment and auxiliary systems, enabling it to significantly increase...


More than 6 Billion Tenge Allocated for West Kazakhstan Road Repairs

Kazakh Minister for Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev presented plans for more than 6 billion tenge (US$32.1 million) of road reconstruction and industry development in the West...


Week of Kazakh Culture Kicks off in Turkey

ASTANA – The Week of Kazakh Culture events kicked off Jan. 17 in Eskisehir Province, Turkey. Concert halls of Eskisehir, Ankara, Bolu and Istanbul hosted concerts of...


Astana to Host Feb. 28-March 1 ISU World Sprint Skating Championship

ASTANA – The 46th International Skating Union’s (ISU) World Sprint Skating Championship will be held at Astana’s Alau Ice Palace from Feb. 28 to March 1. “Most...


Almaty to Host Feb. 23-24 Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Summit

Almaty will be hosting the 2015 Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Summit on Feb.23-24 dedicated to developments and opportunities arising across all aspects of the country’s oil and...


Canadian and Longtime Kazakhstan Resident Seek Fitness Success in Astana

GAITHERSBURG, MD – Astana’s newest gym bucks the city’s spa and health centre trends to focus tightly on exercise – and on the city’s underserved middle class....


Mazhilis Delegation to Visit Germany, Seek Support for UN Security Council Non-Permanent Seat

ASTANA – Deputy Chairperson of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbayeva has announced plans to visit Germany in the near future, according to...


Central Asia among EU Council’s Top Priorities, Says Delegate

ASTANA – With Latvia taking over the Presidency of the EU Council in first half of 2015, Central Asia will become a priority, said Chair of the...


New Law Introduces Easing of Controls for Businesses

ASTANA – Deputy chairpersons of the Kazakh National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) Gulnar Kurbanbayeva and Nurzhan Altayev explained the key novelties of the law, amendments and additions...


Free Online English-Kazakh Dictionary Now Available

An online English – Kazakh dictionary is now operating on the www.eng-kaz.kz platform and is free to use, according to a recent report provided by the Diplomatic...


Kazakhstan May Act to Protect Domestic Producers; NCE Describes Proposals

GAITHERSBURG, MD – With the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) launching on the wave of a Russian recession and a tumbling rouble, some of Kazakhstan’s first actions within...


Nazarbayev, Obama Discuss Ways to Advance Peaceful Solution for Ukraine Crisis

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a late night telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 21 at the initiative of the American side,...


New EBRD Economic Forecast Slashes Predictions of Growth for Kazakhstan, Foresees Contraction on Average across ERBD Regions

GAITHERSBURG, MD – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) issued revised economic forecasts on Jan. 19, foreseeing a contraction in the Russian economy of 5...