Kyrgyz Journalists Reject Japarov Criticism of Foreign Funding in the Media
Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov has criticized the country's media for its willingness to accept foreign funding. American diplomats disagree with the government’s “accusations,” while local journalists pointed out that Kyrgyz media operates with the help of advertising and grants. Speaking at the recent People's Kurultai (Congress) in Bishkek, Japarov criticized...
Kazakhstan Plans to Accelerate Construction of First Nuclear Power Plant
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister, Almasadam Satkaliyev, has announced that the selection of a contractor for the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP) will be finalized in the first half of 2025. The government is awaiting proposals from bidders that focus on shortening construction timelines and reducing project costs. This follows President...
Exploring Uzbekistan’s Cultural Tapestry – Trio Fadolín’s From Near and Far in NYC
Earlier this month, the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center resonated with the vibrant sounds of From Near and Far, a new musical project by the New York-based ensemble Trio Fadolín. The performance, part of the New York Public Library’s cultural programming, captivated audiences with its rich exploration of...
Questions Mount After Azeri Plane Crash with Focus on Russian Air Defenses
On December 25, an Azerbaijani Embraer 190 aircraft operating a Baku-Grozny flight made a hard emergency landing near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. The aircraft, carrying five crew members and 67 passengers, suffered devastating consequences. Both pilots were killed, along with 38 passengers. Additionally, 29 people, including three children, were...
What Happened Over Russia? Probe Into Fatal AZAL Crash in Kazakhstan Begins
Investigators into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people are trying to determine what caused the aircraft to divert from its planned landing in Grozny, the capital of Russia-controlled Chechnya. The Embraer 190 passenger plane, which was carrying 62 passengers and five crewmembers, crashed...
Deportations of Central Asians from the U.S. Increased in 2024
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, detailing the agency’s accomplishments over the past year. The report highlights how ICE’s directorates and program offices met their mission objectives. Established in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, ICE is tasked with protecting the American...
How Christmas is Celebrated in Central Asia
In predominantly Islamic countries, celebrating Christian Christmas reflects a spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. On December 25, people of all backgrounds are welcome to join the celebrations. Catholics and Protestants are minority Christian groups in Central Asia. Catholicism was introduced to the region as early as the 12th century,...
Bishkek Court Upholds Decision to Dismantle Trolleybus Lines
The Bishkek Administrative Court has ruled in favor of a decision by the city's Mayor’s Office to dismantle trolleybus lines legally. Representatives of the municipality successfully argued the legality of their actions. The city government plans to completely replace trolleybuses, an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, with buses. To implement...
Sunkar Podcast
How Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Anchor a Strategic Middle-Power Hub in Central Asia
