Kazakhstan removes Taliban from list of prohibited groups
Kazakhstan has removed the Taliban, the militant Islamic movement that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, from its list of banned organizations, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
HUMO Air: new low-cost airline takes off in Uzbekistan
HUMO Air, a new low-cost airline based in Uzbekistan, launched its first scheduled flight on Wednesday, connecting the capital city of Tashkent with the historic city of Samarkand.
Debate rages in Kyrgyzstan over contentious flag redesign
The initiative has drawn criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and ordinary citizens, who accuse the president and his allies of trying to impose their personal preferences on the nation and distract from more pressing issues.
Kazakhstan and EU begin visa facilitation talks
Kazakhstan and the European Union have agreed to officially launch talks on facilitating the visa regime for Kazakh citizens who wish to travel to the Schengen Area.
State regulator loosens grip on Tajikistan’s internet
The decision, which was made public last weekend, is expected to improve the quality and speed of the internet service in the country, which has been severely compromised by the monopoly of EKTs, operated by the joint-stock company Tojiktelecom.
National Bank of Kazakhstan introduces digital currency
Kazakhstan has become the latest country to launch a digital version of its national currency, the tenge, in a bid to modernize its payment system and reduce corruption.
Kyrgyzstan considers banning niqab, citing security concerns
The bill, which was made public for discussion by the parliament on November 14, proposes fines and community service for those who violate the ban, which it says is necessary to ensure public security and identify individuals.
Kazakhstan: new legislation to tackle personal debt burden
The upcoming legislation focuses on stricter lending rules. Lenders will face lowered government-set interest rates, enhanced borrower assessment protocols, and restrictions on new loans for those who have delayed repayments for over 90 days.
Pakistan, Turkey and Iran leaders in Uzbekistan for ECO summit
The leaders of Pakistan, Turkey and Iran arrived in Uzbekistan on Thursday for a regional economic summit, amid a diplomatic push by the Muslim countries to assert their influence in Central Asia.
45 dead in Kazakhstan mine fire disaster
Kazakhstan was in national mourning on Sunday after a fire at an ArcelorMittal mine killed 45 people, the worst accident in the Central Asian country’s post-Soviet history.