Stories about Kazakhstan from March, 2008
Kazakhstan: Podcast Interview with Joanna Lillis
Adam Kesher meets Joanna Lillis, a journalist working in Kazakhstan for Eurasianet.Org and Al-Jazeera television. She’s been living in Kazakhstan for 3 years already, and they talk about her first impressions about the country and how they changed over these years.
Kazakhstan: Olympic Torch Lands in Almaty
KZBlog reports that the Olympic Torch will pass through Almaty on 2 April on its way out from Beijing to Istanbul. Almaty, former capital of Kazakhstan and its largest city, will be the first city on the way of relay.
Kazakhstan: Khabar TV Channel Fully Nationalized
KZBlog reports that Joint Stock Company Khabar, the television service of the government of Kazakhstan, is now fully nationalized after State Holding Company Samghau bought the remaining 49.999% of shares this week, ensuring full government control.
Kazakhstan: “Alash”, a new magazine for young patriots
Askhat reports that the Kazakhstani youth movement “Bolashak” is to create their own magazine and newspaper to cover the problems of students and resist the growth of violence and skinheads’ movement in Russia.
Kazakhstan: Former Presidential Son-in-Law Named Plotter
Zhanna Zhukova reports on the outcome of the second trial in absentia over presidential foremer son-in-law and key figure in the Kazakhstani establishment Rakhat Aliev. He was earlier sentenced for creation of a mafia gang and abduction of people. Now he is found guilty of plotting a coup.
Kazakhstan: Stock Exchange As a Game
Lena B-va tells that a new educational game simulating Kazakhstani real stock exchange will go online in May-June this year.
Kazkahstan: China’s Territorial Claims
Adam Kesher reviews posts from the Kazakh blogosphere about China’s rumoured territorial claims towards neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: 6% of .kz Domain Works
KZBlog reports that according to a media outlet's research, there are 16 431 domains that end in .kz, but of those only around 1 000 are actually functioning. Many of the idle .kz domains were bought in the hopes of selling them.
Kazakhstan: Oddities of the Digital Present
In the most recent counple of weeks the Kazakhstani blogosphere – usually heavily politicized – was focused more on the developments in telecoms sector and Internet-related novelties in Kazakhstan. The country's authorities are still aiming to enter top 50 of the most competitive countries, although the Economist's index of “e-readiness”...
Kazakhstan: Opposition Starts Drive for Signatures Campaign
Lena B-Va reports on the Kazakhstan's major opposition party’s call for drive for signatues campaign in support of its suggeted measures to combat poverty and promote democracy.
Kazakhstan: Allco Avoided Kazakhstan
KZBlog reports that Allco, an Australian bank that had planned to invest in Kazakhstan, shortly after the Parliament elections pulled out saying it was “too risky”.
Kazakhstan: Turkish Saga Continued
Zhanna Zhukova reports on unexpected continuation of the story around the attack on Turkish construction company’s workers in Almaty, as Turkish side accuses the Kazakh president’s relatives of raider attack and illegal pressure.
Kazakhstan: South Korean Kookmin Buys Kazakh Bank
Adam Kesher reports that one of the major Kazakh banks is to be acquired by South Korea’s largest private bank. This is a third such deal in Kazakhstan, by which local banks hope for additional liquidity and foreign banks eye future dividends.
Kazakhstan: Shadow Puppet Master Comes Up as Billionaire
Sean R. Roberts reports that the Forbes’ list of billionaires has added another Kazakhstan name to its list – Bulat Utemuratov– bringing the country’s “official” members in the elite billionaire club to 8.
Kazakhstan: Pictures from the West
Mikhail is on the road again with his photo-camera, offering a breath-taking set of pictures from Mangyshlak, a mountaneous peninsula on the Caspian Sea, Western Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Mittal Forced to Separate Kazakh Oil Assets
Zhanna Zhukova tells about yet more new problems the Mittal’s business is starting to face in Kazakhstan, now in the oil-and-gas sector.
Kazakhstan: Some Facts About Our Health
Adam posts some facts and figures about the condition of health of the Kazakhstani citizens today, including a couple of comparisons with other Central Asian countries and EU.
Kazakhstan: ENRC Sues Brussels
Yuri updates on the developments around one of the most controversial companies originating from Kazakhstan. ENRC, majorly owned by the Forbes-listed post-Soviet oligarchs, prosecuted by Belgian law enforcement bodies, aspires to enter the top third of the FTSE100, and sues the European Commission.
Kazkahstan: “Freedom” Party to Be Re-registered
KZBlog reports that the Kazakhstan's opposition party “Nagyz Ak Zhol” has changed its name to “Azat”, which means “freedom” in Kazakh. It has also changed its leadership structure.
Kazkahstan: Kazakh-Scottish Music
KZBlog writes about a Kazakh lead singer in a Scottish band. Gulzhan Ibrayeva has moved to Scotland with her husband and her band is hitting the top hot spots in Edinburgh.
Kazakhstan: J.Lo Still Can Come to Astana
Arman tells the readers that although the Kazakhstan president ordered to curtail pompous celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Astana amidst the liquidity and growth crisis, Jennifer Lopez still may come to Astana and sing it out.
