Kazakhstan's capital Astana has been renamed Nursultan in honour of long-time leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down as president on Tuesday, Telegraph.co.uk reports.
Mr Nazarbayev's ally Kassym Jomart-Tokayev proposed the change in his first act as president after being sworn in on Wednesday, and parliament unanimously approved it.
He also awarded his predecessor the titles of people's hero and hero of labour, pinning a golden star to Mr Nazarbayev's chest in front of politicians.
