Central Asia

14:51, february 6

CENTRAL ASIA

Up to five years in prison: Kazakhstan defines punishment for bride kidnapping

Members of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament) have proposed amendments to the country’s Criminal Code introducing sanctions for bride kidnapping.

14:34, february 4

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan to refund 50% of VAT to livestock farmers

In Uzbekistan, livestock and poultry farms will receive a 50% refund on the value-added tax (VAT) from April 1, 2025, to January 1, 2028.

13:59, january 31

CENTRAL ASIA

The number of migrants from Kyrgyzstan in Russia halved, but remittances somehow increased

The number of Kyrgyz citizens in Russia has dropped from 650,000 to 350,000 over the past year.

10:41, january 29

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan Airways starts flying to Europe, bypassing Russia and Belarus

Uzbek media reports say that as of January 20, Uzbekistan Airways has begun operating flights to European countries while avoiding the airspace of Russia and Belarus.

16:47, january 28

CENTRAL ASIA

Creating a nuclear cluster: Tokayev proposes building three nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan needs to embark on creating a nuclear cluster and build not one but three nuclear power plants (NPPs).

14:22, january 28

CENTRAL ASIA

Following Tajikistan’s example, Kyrgyzstan proposes regulating weddings and funerals

Kyrgyz MP Zamirbek Mamasadykov has proposed a draft law aimed at combating extravagance during funerals, weddings, and other family events.

16:34, january 21

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan receives 474 bodies from Russia in 2024

Gazeta.uz , citing representatives of the Agency for Migration under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, says the bodies of 483 Uzbek citizens were returned to Uzbekistan from abroad in 2024.

11:10, january 21

CENTRAL ASIA

Low-Income residents of Uzbekistan to be offered forest planting opportunities

Low-income residents of Uzbekistan will be encouraged to create forest and nursery lands as part of government initiatives.

10:09, january 20

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan publishes president’s income declaration: how much did he earn?

In 2023, President Sadyr Japarov earned 2,760,335 som (over US$31,500 at the current exchange rate), with an average monthly income of 230,000 som ($2,600).

11:11, january 16

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbek government authorizes measures to diversify trade routes bypassing Russia

Eurasianet reports that a decree issued by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlines a five-year improvement plan to facilitate commerce via the Middle Corridor, an emerging network connecting

10:09, january 15

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan limits the validity period of bank cards for non-residents

Media reports say Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM) has set limits on the validity period of payment cards for non-residents of Kazakhstan, as

13:59, january 14

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan introduces legislative support for women’s entrepreneurship

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has signed amendments made to the "Law on the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights," adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) in December 2024.

14:20, january 13

CENTRAL ASIA

Influential Uzbek criminal boss released from prison due to health reasons

Uzbek media reports say influential Uzbek criminal boss Salim Abduvaliyev, also known by the nicknames Salimboy and Salimboyvachcha was released from prison on January 12 due to health reasons.

14:23, january 10

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan significantly expands the list of extremist materials and social media accounts

The Supreme Court of Uzbekistan has updated the list of social media accounts, websites, and books identified as promoting extremist, terrorist, and fanatical ideas, Fergana reports , noting that

17:37, january 9

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan launches new bus routes to Central Asian nations

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport announced plans to launch new international bus routes connecting Uzbekistan with Central Asia’s countries, as well as with Russia and China.

15:44, january 8

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan reduces quotas for foreign workers in 2025

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Labor has set quotas for attracting foreign labor in 2025. Zakon.kz says the quotas are: 0.

11:19, january 8

CENTRAL ASIA

Two Uzbeks sentenced for fighting in Ukraine on Russia's side

Courts in the Andijan and Fergana regions of Uzbekistan have sentenced two citizens who fought in Ukraine as part of the Russian military's "Special Military Operation" (SMO).

17:05, january 7

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan has highest number of deportees from US among Eurasian nations in 2024

Uzbekistan was the Eurasian nation with the most deportees in 2024 at 572, a more than six-fold increase over 2023’s total of 88, Eurasianet reported on January 6, citing U.S.

10:38, january 6

CENTRAL ASIA

Traffic accidents involving 95 vehicles reportedly leaves 20 injured in Kazakhstan

Some media reports says massive pile-up of 95 vehicles in Kazakhstan has left 20 injured after drivers go too fast in treacherous conditions.

15:14, january 2

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan introduces life imprisonment for drug production and trafficking

Kazakhstan has toughened penalties for drug production and trafficking, up to life imprisonment.

10:56, december 27, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approves a ban on wearing niqab in public places

Kyrgyzstan approves a bill imposing a US$230 fine on women who wear the niqab, a face veil worn by some Muslim women, in public places and government buildings.

09:38, december 26, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

The death toll in Aktau air crash rises to 38

Media reports say the Embraer 190 jet crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, after diverting from an area of Russia that Moscow has recently defended against

14:13, december 24, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Construction of railway connecting China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to start on December 27

The 523-kilometer line – which will connect China’s Kashgar with several cities in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – had been in limbo for decades, but the project is now officially

09:37, december 24, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Tajik aircraft to undergo maintenance in Aktau

Aktau airport is set to become a multimodal aviation hub with a cargo capacity of up to 200,000 tons per year.

14:13, december 23, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Russian analysts identify key challenges for Central Asian nations

Experts from the Russian Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) say Central Asia’s countries face various challenges, including global warming and aging energy infrastructure.

15:11, december 18, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Tragedy in Uzbekistan Zoo: escaped lions maul caretaker

Three lions escaped their enclosure and killed a 44-year-old caretaker at Lion Park in Krasnogorsk, Parkent district, Tashkent region. Podrobno.

10:34, december 18, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan introduces "mahalla bankers" to support entrepreneurs

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved the creation of "mahalla bankers," a new initiative to assist budding entrepreneurs.

10:16, december 13, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Blind spot: Trump urged to pay attention to Central Asian countries

Former U.S. Navy officer James Durso has pointed out that no U.S.

11:49, december 11, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbek politician advocates for visa regime with Russia

In Uzbekistan, the leader of the Milliy Tiklanish party, Alisher Qodirov, has called on Central Asian countries to support Russian politicians' proposals to tighten entry and residency rules for

09:16, december 11, 2024

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan Muftiate deems praying on roadways unacceptable

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (Muftiate -- an administrative territorial entity, mainly in the post-Soviet and Southeast European nations, under the supervision of a mufti)