(260314) -- ASTANA, March 14, 2026 (Xinhua) -- People embrace each other during a Nauryz festival celebration in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 14, 2026. Regarded as the beginning of a New Year and one of the most important festivals in Central Asian countries, Nauryz (also known as Nowruz) marks the first day of spring. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)


















