16 killed in Kazakhstan warehouse fire

ASTANA/MOSCOW - At least 16 people were killed Monday in a fire in a warehouse for synthetic building materials in the central Asian republic of Kazakhstan, the Interfax news agency reported.

Ensuring national and linguistic unity key to Kazakhstan’s well being: Nazarbayev

ASTANA - The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has appealed to the citizens of his country to take the unique model of “Kazakhstan Unity” for a multi-ethnic society forward, adding that till now, it has stood the test of time wonderfully in spite of the global financial crisis.

French president secures transit of military hardware through Kazakhstan on way to Afghanistan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan — French President Nicolas Sarkozy scored a diplomatic coup Tuesday during a visit to energy-rich Kazakhstan, overseeing an agreement to allow military hardware for French forces fighting in Afghanistan to pass through Kazakh territory and clinching a raft of lucrative energy deals.

38 killed in Kazakhstan drug abuse clinic fire

ASTANA - At least 38 people were killed in a fire that broke out in a drug abuse clinic in southern Kazakhstan, authorities said Sunday.

Indo-Kazakh expedition team reaches Mount Marble Wall summit

ASTANA - A mountaineering expedition team comprising six members of the Indian Army and eight from the Kazakhstan Army has successfully scaled the Mount Marble Wall Peak in Kazakhstan.

India Week and Indian Food Festival opens in Astana

ASTANA - An India Week and Indian Food Festival underway in this Kazakhstan capital is giving people here a unique opportunity to enjoy the delicious cuisine of India prepared with original Indian spices and traditional flavours and with Indian music and films making for a genuine Indian ambiance.

India Week and Indian Food Festival on in Kazakhstan

ASTANA - The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan has organized an “India Week and Food Festival” in Astana and Almaty from September 8 to 18 in collaboration with the Rixos President Hotel Astana, Intercontinental Hotel Almaty and Air Astana as part of its continued efforts to promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Kazakhstan.

Kazakh satellite on course for ’space burial’

ASTANA - Kazakhstan’s first satellite KazSat-1 has been put into orbit for a “space burial”, the country’s mission control reported Friday.

India’s Independence Day celebrated in Kazakh capital Astana

ASTANA - India’s 63rd Independence Day was celebrated in this Kazakhstan capital Saturday with a flag hoisting by Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar and the singing of the national anthem and patriotic songs.

Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan celebrates Independence Day

ASTANA - The 62nd anniversary of India’s Independence Day was celebrated at the residence of India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ashok Sajjanhar, this morning.

Kazakhstan ‘very keen’ on Indian vice president’s visit

ASTANA - Kazakhstan is “very keen” on Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari visiting the Central Asian republic and is waiting for its next big international event that would give him an opportunity to do so, a top official said.

Kazakhstan resolves issues with Lakshmi Mittal, ONGC Videsh

ASTANA - Kazakhstan has resolved its issues with steel magnate Lakshmi N. Mittal and with India’s largest oil explorer ONGC Videsh and the “situation is coming to a successful end”, a top diplomat has said, adding that the country supported India’s aspirations for a greater role in an expanded UN Security Council.

Global faith meet will promote dialogue among religions: Kazakh president

ASTANA - The curtain came down Thursday evening on a two-day global faith meet, with its host Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressing confidence it would promote a dialogue between civilisations and religions.

‘India’s Muslims, Hindus don’t know about each other’

ASTANA - Tensions exist between India’s Muslims and Hindus because the two communities do not know enough about each other, an Indian delegate at the global faith conference here contended Thursday.

Where are the women religious leaders?

ASTANA - Whatever the third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Kazakhstan might have achieved, it did prove that when it comes to religious leadership, women are yet to break through the glass ceiling.

India-Pakistan tensions surface at global faith meet

ASTANA - Simmering India-Pakistan tensions came to the fore on the concluding day of a global faith meet here Thursday but the blip was taken in its stride.

Kazakhstan prepares to head European security grouping

ASTANA - Eighteen years ago, Kazakhstan became the last of the former Soviet republics to reluctantly part ways with Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now the strategically located Central Asian nation is preparing to head a key European-led security grouping as it asserts the right to fashion its own foreign policy initiatives.

Manipulation of religion should be prevented: Religion Congress

ASTANA - Politicians and civil society around the world were Wednesday urged to “counteract” the manipulation of religions or religious differences for political ends to preserve the unity of society at an international conference on religion organised by the Kazakhstan government.

Climate change to AIDS, religious leaders can right many wrongs

ASTANA - Religious leaders are trusted and listened to and should leverage this advantage to change what is wrong with the world, speakers at a global faith meet here maintained Wednesday.

Is man creating god to suit his image, asks Peres

ASTANA - Did god create man in his image or was it the other way around, Israeli President Shimon Peres wondered while addressing a global faith conference that opened here Wednesday.

Let us make peace, Israel tells Arab world

ASTANA - Israel Wednesday utilised the platform of a global faith conference to reach out to the Arab world to bring about lasting peace in the Middle East.

Religious leaders must play role in building a more tolerant, inter-communal world: Kazakhstan

ASTANA - In hosting the two-day Third Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions here from today (July 1 and 2), Kazakhstan and its President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, will promote the key theme of an increased role for religious leaders in building a more tolerant world even as it cuts across national boundaries to globalize.

‘India very important for world religions’ conference’

ASTANA - India is a very important player in the two-day global conference of faiths and civilisations that opened in this Kazakh capital Wednesday, a top diplomat says.

India among 60 nations attending Kazakh world religious meet

ASTANA - Academics, clerics and leaders from 60 nations, including India, have gathered in the Kazakhstan capital for a global conference of faith and civilisations where they will deliberate on prospects of peaceful coexistence among the world’s religions amid growing extremism and violence.

Kazakhstan observes anniversary of decision to end nuke tests

ASTANA - Over 25,000 locals, Kazakh dignitaries and world media assembled at Semipalatinsk on Thursday toelebrate the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s decision to stop nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS).

Petacchi outsprints Cavendish to win 2nd stage of Giro; Armstrong gains on Basso, Leipheimer

TRIESTE, Italy — Alessandro Petacchi edged Mark Cavendish to win the second stage of the Giro d’Italia in a mass sprint Sunday, while Lance Armstrong finished in the main pack and gained time on overall race favorite Ivan Basso.

Tour of the Gila salvaged by Lance Armstrong and sponsor Sram, but will star return?

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Long before Lance Armstrong showed up, the Tour of the Gila was widely respected within the tight-knit cycling community. With a fresh 3-year sponsorship commitment, the race looks stronger than ever.

Armstrong, Mellow Johnny’s teammates miss pile up on second to last lap of Tour of Gila stage

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Lance Armstrong didn’t disappoint the fans who traveled to this sleepy mining town from as far as the Netherlands to see him take on a speedy — and potentially dangerous — race around 1-mile downtown course in the Tour of the Gila.

Kazakh anti-crisis plan deals with global meltdown head on

ASTANA - Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has once again reiterated that his government’s “Anti-Crisis Program”, introduced to counter the ongoing global financial crisis, will ensure the stability of the national financial system, support the key construction sector, small and medium-sized businesses, the agro-industrial complex and other innovation projects.

Armstrong in ’superb shape’ for return to cycle racing

SYDNEY - Seven-time Tour de France champion cyclist Lance Armstrong Thursday was geared up for a practice ride on the hilliest stage of next week’s Tour Down Under.