Alexander Bublik Reaches ATP Top 10 After Hong Kong Open Victory

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik claimed a landmark victory at the 2026 Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open on Jan. 11. The 28-year-old defeated Italy’s world...


IRENA Assembly Signals Why Renewables Now Define Power, Security, and Growth

ABU DHABI — The global energy system is shifting away from a centralized, fossil-fuel-based model toward a more decentralized system built on renewable energy, Director-General of the...


From Rules to Rulers: How Personalist Power Politics Is Squeezing Middle Powers

For three decades after the Cold War, many governments behaved as if the “rules-based order” were a durable infrastructure: imperfect, selective, often hypocritical – but still an...


We Raise Generation That Can Answer But Can’t Think

Talk to any teacher in Astana and they will tell you that they started to see essays that are weirdly similar. They are tidy, fluent and well-structured...


Historians Reassess Alleged Conflict Between Genghis Khan and His Eldest Son

ASTANA – Whether a real conflict existed between Genghis Khan and his eldest son Jochi remains one of the most debated questions in early Mongol history, historian...


Lunar Landscapes of Silk Road: Mangystau Draws Spotlight from The Washington Post

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region is again in the international spotlight after The Washington Post published a feature on Jan. 8, describing the area’s dramatic natural scenery...


President Tokayev Highlights Strategic Partnership with US, Receives New Ambassador

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of the United States and Bulgaria during a Jan. 9 ceremony at Akorda. Speaking about Kazakh-American...


Caspian Sea’s Decline Hits Economy, Infrastructure and Health

ASTANA – The shrinking of the Caspian Sea is no longer just an environmental issue but an economic one. While sea levels have fluctuated for over a...


City of Nomads Near Almaty to Undergo Modernization After New Access Road Opens

ASTANA — The City of Nomads tourist attraction, located on the banks of the Ili River, 90 kilometers from Almaty, is set for modernization following the completion...


Kazakhstan’s Young Cyber Player Breaks Into Top Ranking After Breakout Year

ALMATY — Kazakh Counter-Strike prodigy Daniil Golubenko, known by his in-game alias molodoy, has earned his first-ever place in HLTV Top 20 Players of the Year, finishing...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Modernization, Industrial Growth, Migration Policy and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s emergence as a regional industrial...


Azerbaijan Launches Largest Wind Power Plant in Caucasus

ALMATY — Azerbaijan has officially commissioned the Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant, the largest wind energy facility in the Caucasus region, on Jan. 8, marking a major milestone...


Kazakhstan, China Discuss $15 Billion Industrial Park Project

ALMATY — Kazakhstan is considering the creation of a large-scale industrial park valued at $15 billion, as First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar met on Jan. 8...


Ticket Sales Open for Kairat vs. Club Brugge UEFA Champions League Match

ALMATY — Tickets are now on sale for the UEFA Champions League match between FC Kairat and Belgium’s Club Brugge, which will take place on Jan. 20...


Automotive Industry Posts Strongest Results on Record

ASTANA – Kazakhstan produced 171,144 motor vehicles of all types, including passenger cars, buses and trucks, in 2025, with total output valued at more than 2.3 trillion...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Trade and Economic Cooperation With Turkic States

ALMATY — Kazakhstan is stepping up trade, investment, and industrial cooperation with member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), as officials and business leaders gathered...


Kazakhstan Shifts Aid From Relief to Development, Says KazAID Chairman

ASTANA —  Five years after the establishment of the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), the country has shifted from ad hoc humanitarian assistance toward a structured...


Kazakhstan’s Industrial Emissions Top 2 Million Tons in 2024 

ALMATY — More than 232,800 stationary sources of pollution were operating nationwide in 2024, releasing 2.27 million tons of harmful substances, a 0.6% increase compared to 2023,...


Your January Weekend Culture Guide to Astana and Almaty

ASTANA – Cold winter days feel warmer when filled with culture, shared moments, and quiet escapes. The Astana Times editorial team has curated a line-up of events...


US Introduces Visa Bond Requirements of Up to $15,000 for Citizens of Central Asia

ASTANA — The United States has introduced visa bond requirements of up to $15,000 for citizens of several Central Asian countries applying for tourist and business visas....


Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva Rises to Third in FIDE World Blitz Rankings

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva rose to third place in the latest FIDE women’s world blitz rankings following her triumph at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Blitz...


Kazakh Athletes Gear Up for 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

ASTANA – With one month remaining until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, scheduled for Feb. 6-22, Kazakhstan’s athletes are finalizing preparations and...


Chinese Tourist Flow to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Doubles During New Year Holidays

ASTANA – Chinese tourism to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan surged, with flight bookings doubling compared to last year over the New Year period, according to leading online travel...


Kazakhstan Recovers Over $30 Million in Anti-Corruption Efforts in 2025

ASTANA – The National Security Committee of Kazakhstan has reported the results of its anti-corruption activities for 2025, highlighting the recovery of 16.1 billion tenge (US$31.5 million)...


Kazakhstan Expands Renewable Energy Capacity as Clean Generation Reaches 7% in 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its transition to sustainable energy, with the share of clean electricity generation rising to 7% in 2025, up from 6.43% in...


How Artificial Intelligence Transforms Education in Kazakhstan

Artificial intelligence technology is transforming education across the globe. Educational institutions now use AI-based systems which deliver customized learning experiences while enhancing student involvement and streamlining educational...


Kazakhstan Sees Steady Rise in Pension Literacy, Survey Finds

ASTANA – Financial literacy in Kazakhstan’s pension system continued to improve in 2025, according to a nationwide survey of 3,000 adults conducted across all regions of the...


Kazakhstan to Strengthen Sustainable Energy Base to Support Digital and Industrial Growth 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan will accelerate the development of a reliable and sustainable energy base to support digital infrastructure, data centers, and automated industrial production, Prime Minister Olzhas...


Kazakhstan to Provide High-Speed Internet to 99% of Population by 2027

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is accelerating its nationwide digital transformation, with plans to ensure high-speed internet access for 99% of the population by the end of 2027, said...


Kazakhstan’s Inflation Tops 12% in 2025, Almaty Among Lowest Rate Regions

ASTANA — Inflation in Kazakhstan reached 12.3% in 2025, reflecting sustained price pressures across food products, non-food goods, and paid services. At the same time, monthly inflation...