Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's record in nuclear diplomacy is being put forward as a rare model for resolving the standoff over Iran's uranium stockpile. Analysts argue Astana's experience — giving up the nuclear weapons it inherited from the Soviet Union and hosting disarmament talks — offers lessons as negotiations over Iran's enriched uranium face mounting technical and political hurdles, leaving the non-proliferation framework under strain.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on nuclear-armed states to return to negotiations, marking 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. He warned that global arms-control safeguards are weakening, framing Kazakhstan's history as the Soviet Union's main testing ground as a reason to press for renewed disarmament efforts.

Kazakhstan is signalling its readiness to act as a technical partner in diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme, particularly if negotiations address what happens to Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium. The Central Asian country, which gave up its own nuclear arsenal after the Soviet collapse and hosts uranium-related industry, is presenting itself as a credible intermediary as the dispute between Iran and the IAEA and Western powers intensifies.

Kazakhstan has appointed Myrzakhmetov as its new defense minister. The appointment places him in charge of the Central Asian nation's armed forces at a time when regional security remains a key concern for the government in Astana. The move comes through an official government announcement, though details about the reasons for the change in leadership at the Defense Ministry have not been elaborated in initial reporting.

Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic and professional links with Central Asia. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, together with the city's Department of Justice, led the Collaborate2Win campaign across Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, promoting Hong Kong's financial, legal and professional services as it seeks new markets and partners in the region.

Russia's Evgeni Semenenko held onto his overnight lead to win the men's event at the ISU Challenger Series Nepela Memorial 2026 in Bratislava, delivering a strong free skate. Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan finished third after the free skate. The result offers an early-season form check for the men's field heading toward the Olympic season.

Kazakhstan's president has posthumously awarded military personnel who died during naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, according to Qazinform. The state honour recognises the service members killed in the training incident. Details on the cause of the deaths or the exact date of the drills have not been disclosed, and officials have not yet published further information about the exercise.

Archaeologists in southern Kazakhstan have uncovered an ancient burial containing the remains of a woman with a fatal skull injury, prompting researchers to question whether she was murdered thousands of years ago. The find is drawing attention for what it may reveal about violence and burial practices in the region's ancient societies.