Russia, one of the world's space powerhouses, has been launching its rockets from Kazakhstan since the early days of its space program, but now plans to shift its launches to Russian soil within five years. But some experts question whether such a pace is realistic. Full story
ASTANA (Reuters) - Kazakhstan has launched a new transit railway linking China to Europe, aiming to beat rival routes for journey time in the competition to handle a growing flow of goods along the ancient Silk Road trade route. Full story
ALMATY (Reuters) - Fugitive Kazakh oligarch and dissident Mukhtar Ablyazov said on Saturday his wife and daughter were with relatives in the city of Almaty, after earlier accusing President Nursultan Nazarbayev of "kidnapping" them following their deportation from Italy. Full story
BISHKEK (Reuters) - An emotional Kyrgyzstan president on Tuesday said "mob rule" had wrecked the sale of a gold field, blaming local clans for tripling the asking price and scaring off investors. Full story
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Kazakhstan said on Thursday it condemned any form of terrorism and was cooperating with the United States after two of its citizens were charged with interfering with the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing. Full story
ASTANA/ALMATY (Reuters) - State-run KazMunaiGas, Kazakhstan's second-largest oil producer, said it would invest 1.5 trillion tenge ($9.9 billion) in exploration in the next 10 years as it aims to nearly double its reserves of crude oil and gas condensate. Full story
Men practice Kazakh national string instrument dombra in a park in Almaty June 11, 2013. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KAZAKHSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY)
Couples take part in a bridal bouquet throwing contest in Almaty June 8, 2013. Twenty women attempted to make the most distant throw of a bridal bouquet created by her bridegroom. The couple who won the contest with a distance of 13 metres , was presented with a free overnight stay at a luxury hotel
Women take part in a bridal bouquet-throwing contest in Almaty June 8, 2013. Twenty women attempted to make the most distant throw of a bridal bouquet created by her bridegroom. The couple who won the contest with a distance of 13 metres , was presented with a free overnight stay at a luxury hotel,
A couple arrives on bicycles to take part in a bridal bouquet throwing contest in Almaty June 8, 2013. Twenty women attempted to make the most distant throw of a bridal bouquet created by her bridegroom. The couple who won the contest with a distance of 13 metres , was presented with a free overnigh
Karina and Vadim Belyaev smile after winning a bouquet-throwing contest in Almaty June 8, 2013. Twenty women attempted to make the most distant throw of a bridal bouquet created by her bridegroom. The Belyaevs, who won the contest with a distance of 13 metres , were presented with a free overnight
Brides take part in a bouquet-throwing contest in Almaty June 8, 2013. Twenty women attempted to make the most distant throw of a bridal bouquet created by her bridegroom. The couple who won the contest with a distance of 13 metres , was presented with a free overnight stay at a luxury hotel, accor
