When EV Batteries Die, Story Isn’t Over
For the last decade, the global conversation around electric vehicles (EVs) has focused almost entirely on adoption. Targets, incentives, charging stations and sales figures have dominated headlines. The EV transition is happening daily, at street level, across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Yet a far less glamorous question is now becoming just as important…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111336
For the last decade, the global conversation around electric vehicles (EVs) has focused almost entirely on adoption. Targets, incentives, charging stations and sales figures have dominated headlines. The EV transition is happening daily, at street level, across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Yet a far less glamorous question is now becoming just as important…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111336
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Constitutional Reform Commission Starts Work on Proposed Reforms
ASTANA — Kazakhstan held the first meeting of its Constitutional Reform Commission on Jan. 24 in Astana, launching work on proposed amendments that would reshape the country’s political system.
Constitutional reform commission starts work on proposed reforms. Photo credit: Constitutional Reform 2026 Telegram channel
The proposals include transitioning to a unicameral parliament to be…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111350
ASTANA — Kazakhstan held the first meeting of its Constitutional Reform Commission on Jan. 24 in Astana, launching work on proposed amendments that would reshape the country’s political system.
Constitutional reform commission starts work on proposed reforms. Photo credit: Constitutional Reform 2026 Telegram channel
The proposals include transitioning to a unicameral parliament to be…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111350
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Vogue Names Kazakhstan Among Top Travel Destinations for 2025
ASTANA – International magazine Vogue has included Kazakhstan in its list of the world’s 14 best travel destinations for 2025, the publication reported on Dec. 18.
Aerial View of Kok-Tobe. Photo credit: Shutterstock
In its annual roundup, The 14 Best Places Vogue Editors Visited in 2025, the editors highlighted destinations that made the strongest…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111105
ASTANA – International magazine Vogue has included Kazakhstan in its list of the world’s 14 best travel destinations for 2025, the publication reported on Dec. 18.
Aerial View of Kok-Tobe. Photo credit: Shutterstock
In its annual roundup, The 14 Best Places Vogue Editors Visited in 2025, the editors highlighted destinations that made the strongest…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111105
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Audio
📰Weekly News Digest
Welcome to your weekly digest from The Astana Times. We bring you key stories of the week - all in one quick listen
Welcome to your weekly digest from The Astana Times. We bring you key stories of the week - all in one quick listen
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Kazakh Artists Perform at Turkic Week in Vienna
ASTANA — Artists from the Kazakhconcert, a state academic concert organization named after Roza Baglanova, performed in Vienna as part of the Turkic Week, a cultural program organized by the Organization of Turkic States, the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information reported on Jan. 23.
The cultural and diplomatic initiative was aimed at promoting…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111367
ASTANA — Artists from the Kazakhconcert, a state academic concert organization named after Roza Baglanova, performed in Vienna as part of the Turkic Week, a cultural program organized by the Organization of Turkic States, the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information reported on Jan. 23.
The cultural and diplomatic initiative was aimed at promoting…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111367
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Hooligans’ Game but for Gentlemen: Kazakh Rugby Captain on Rugby, Class, and Character
ASTANA — For much of its history, rugby was never meant to be a vehicle for social mobility. Born in 19th-century England, it developed within the walls of elite private schools and universities, played by students for whom competition was not a path out of hardship but an extension of privilege. Discipline, restraint, and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111164
ASTANA — For much of its history, rugby was never meant to be a vehicle for social mobility. Born in 19th-century England, it developed within the walls of elite private schools and universities, played by students for whom competition was not a path out of hardship but an extension of privilege. Discipline, restraint, and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111164
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Kazakhstan to Seek UNESCO Status for Key Religious and Historical Sites
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will intensify efforts to promote its historical and cultural heritage at the international level, including through new nominations to UNESCO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva said at a Jan. 21 government meeting.
One of the key areas highlighted was the promotion of Kazakhstan’s historical and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111342
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will intensify efforts to promote its historical and cultural heritage at the international level, including through new nominations to UNESCO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva said at a Jan. 21 government meeting.
One of the key areas highlighted was the promotion of Kazakhstan’s historical and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111342
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What Makes City Feel Safe: Lessons from Astana
Walk through any part of our city, and you will see life everywhere. You will also notice risks that affect everyone: from poorly lit streets to crowded intersections. Keeping our city safe is not just the job of the police; it depends on planning, solid infrastructure, and strong communities. If we ignore these rules,…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111345
Walk through any part of our city, and you will see life everywhere. You will also notice risks that affect everyone: from poorly lit streets to crowded intersections. Keeping our city safe is not just the job of the police; it depends on planning, solid infrastructure, and strong communities. If we ignore these rules,…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111345
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Building Trust in Kazakhstan’s Fast-Growing Fintech Ecosystem
Kazakhstan’s leading fintech platforms Kaspi, Halyk Bank’s Homebank, and Freedom SuperApp have evolved into all-in-one super-apps offering banking, payments, shopping, and even eGov services. They provide great convenience, but also concentrate vast amounts of personal data. This raises data privacy and security risks that deserves a clear look and a set of practical safeguards…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111377
Kazakhstan’s leading fintech platforms Kaspi, Halyk Bank’s Homebank, and Freedom SuperApp have evolved into all-in-one super-apps offering banking, payments, shopping, and even eGov services. They provide great convenience, but also concentrate vast amounts of personal data. This raises data privacy and security risks that deserves a clear look and a set of practical safeguards…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111377
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CPC Resumes Normal Operations After Attack, Completes CPC-3 Repairs
ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) announced on Jan. 25 that repairs to the CPC-3 single-point mooring (SPM) at its marine terminal were completed.
Photo credit: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium
As part of the scheduled maintenance, the subsea hoses and subsea sleeves were partially replaced. On Jan. 21, hydrotesting of the SPM’s cargo…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111391
ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) announced on Jan. 25 that repairs to the CPC-3 single-point mooring (SPM) at its marine terminal were completed.
Photo credit: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium
As part of the scheduled maintenance, the subsea hoses and subsea sleeves were partially replaced. On Jan. 21, hydrotesting of the SPM’s cargo…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111391
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Kazakhstan, ExxonMobil Review Cooperation on Major Oil Projects
ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas industry, including matters related to the joint projects Tengiz, Kashagan and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.
During the talks, Bektenov expressed concern over…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111388
ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas industry, including matters related to the joint projects Tengiz, Kashagan and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.
During the talks, Bektenov expressed concern over…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111388
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KazMunayGas, ExxonMobil Review Cooperation and Exploration Plans
ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG) Chair Askhat Khassenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to review the current status of cooperation and plans for key partnership areas.
Askhat Khassenov and Peter Larden. Photo credit: KMG
The talks covered prospects for collaboration in geological exploration, oil transportation and the introduction of…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111384
ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG) Chair Askhat Khassenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to review the current status of cooperation and plans for key partnership areas.
Askhat Khassenov and Peter Larden. Photo credit: KMG
The talks covered prospects for collaboration in geological exploration, oil transportation and the introduction of…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111384
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Kazakhstan’s top #tennis player Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after a straight-sets victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens, winning 6–1, 6–3.
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Kazakhstan Joins Global Leaders to Host High-Level Conference on Humanity in War
ASTANA — Kazakhstan, alongside Brazil, China, France, Jordan, South Africa, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), invited leaders of all states to the High-Level Conference on Humanity in War in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Photo credit: icrc.org
The conference is scheduled for the fourth quarter this year, under the Global…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111393
ASTANA — Kazakhstan, alongside Brazil, China, France, Jordan, South Africa, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), invited leaders of all states to the High-Level Conference on Humanity in War in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Photo credit: icrc.org
The conference is scheduled for the fourth quarter this year, under the Global…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111393
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Kazakhstan, Mongolia Reaffirm Commitment to Boost Trade to $500 Million
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade turnover to $500 million, as Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Khassuuri Gankhuyag on Jan. 24.
Khassuuri Gankhuyag and Serik Zhumangarin. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.
Zhumangarin described Mongolia as…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111397
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade turnover to $500 million, as Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Khassuuri Gankhuyag on Jan. 24.
Khassuuri Gankhuyag and Serik Zhumangarin. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.
Zhumangarin described Mongolia as…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111397
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Tajikistan Reports 8.4% Economic Growth in 2025
ASTANA — Over the course of 2025, Tajikistan’s gross domestic product reached a growth rate of 8.4%, which was revealed during an expanded meeting of the Government of Tajikistan, chaired by President Emomali Rahmon on Jan. 23.
Photo credit: tj.sputniknews.ru
According to Kazinform, Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda noted that despite the complex global challenges…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111400
ASTANA — Over the course of 2025, Tajikistan’s gross domestic product reached a growth rate of 8.4%, which was revealed during an expanded meeting of the Government of Tajikistan, chaired by President Emomali Rahmon on Jan. 23.
Photo credit: tj.sputniknews.ru
According to Kazinform, Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda noted that despite the complex global challenges…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111400
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Kazakhstan, South Korea Discuss Possible Access to Employment Permit System
ASTANA — Almaty Region Akim (Mayor) Marat Sultangaziyev met with a South Korean delegation to discuss Kazakhstan’s possible accession to South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), which allows foreign nationals to work legally in the country.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Kazakh Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Victoria Shegai and representatives of local governments…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111405
ASTANA — Almaty Region Akim (Mayor) Marat Sultangaziyev met with a South Korean delegation to discuss Kazakhstan’s possible accession to South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), which allows foreign nationals to work legally in the country.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Kazakh Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Victoria Shegai and representatives of local governments…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111405
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Kazakhstan and World Bank Advance North Aral Sea Restoration Project
ASTANA — The second phase of the North Aral Sea preservation project, which involves the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam to raise the sea’s water level, was discussed during a Jan. 26 meeting between Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and World Bank’s Country Manager for Kazakhstan Andrey Mikhnev.
The Aral Sea,…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111407
ASTANA — The second phase of the North Aral Sea preservation project, which involves the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam to raise the sea’s water level, was discussed during a Jan. 26 meeting between Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and World Bank’s Country Manager for Kazakhstan Andrey Mikhnev.
The Aral Sea,…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111407
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Who Really Takes Childcare Leave in Kazakhstan? Law and Practice
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s social protection system formally promotes equal parental responsibility, including access to childcare leave and state benefits for both mothers and fathers. Despite laws allowing both parents to take childcare leave, women made up more than 99.8% of benefit recipients in 2024 and 2025, while men represented fewer than 0.2%, according to…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=110826
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s social protection system formally promotes equal parental responsibility, including access to childcare leave and state benefits for both mothers and fathers. Despite laws allowing both parents to take childcare leave, women made up more than 99.8% of benefit recipients in 2024 and 2025, while men represented fewer than 0.2%, according to…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=110826
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President Tokayev Urges Unified Digital System for Kazakhstan’s Law Enforcement
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies through digitalization amid large-scale political reforms underway in Kazakhstan, during a Jan. 26 meeting at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
President Tokayev criticized the lack of coordination in the digitalization of law enforcement…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111414
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies through digitalization amid large-scale political reforms underway in Kazakhstan, during a Jan. 26 meeting at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
President Tokayev criticized the lack of coordination in the digitalization of law enforcement…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111414
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