Latest posts by Adil Nurmakov from December, 2009
Kazakhstan: Journalist murdered, professional motives excluded
Sayat Shulembayev, 28, journalist of the news video-portal “Stan” was brutally murdered in Almaty. As “Stan” producer Michael Pak says, Sayat rented a room in the house near bus station. The murderers killed the landlord and the journalist, apparently, to eliminate the possible witness [ru]. The news portal does not...
Kazakhstan: Another Mass Infection Scandal
KZBlog reports that 150 children suffering from leukemia were infected with hepatitis C. This is not the first case when children get infected during blood transfusions in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Oil Refinery to install aromatics complex
Atyraujournal reports on the plans of the Atyrau Oil Refinery in Western Kazakhstan to upgrade it's facilities and to install aromatics complex by 2013.
Afghanistan: Opium not so profitable
Nick Fielding reports that according to the newly released United Nations's survey, opium cultivation in Afghanistan decreased by 22 per cent, while production fell by 10 per cent to 6,900 tons.
Uzbekistan: People are indifferent towards elections
Musafirbek writes that two online surveys, held by loyal to the Uzbek government news agency, reveal that people are not interested in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Tajikistan: The price tag of truth
The Tajik government has recently instituted fees for information requests from journalists and the general public. Botur examines how putting a price tag on information will hurt freedom.
Turkmenistan: Hip-hop in the country of Turkmenbashi
Turkmenistan's isolation and autocracy hasn’t stopped the global phenomenon of “urban culture”, especially in the form of Hip Hop. Annasoltan explores how Hip Hop can thrive — or die — in a police state.
Turkmenistan: TB is a serious problem
Annasoltan writes that drug resistant tuberculosis is a serious problem in Turkmenistan. Yet, the government is doing little to find the solution – even more so, its actions often aggravate the situation.
Kazakhstan: War on Corruption and Political Interests
Alexander_Visotzky reviews the developments in Kazakhstan's uranium industry after arrest of the head of the national nuclear company on charges of embezzlement, and concludes that fight against corruption in Kazakhstan, is more of a political game than it is an attempt to root out corruption.
Afghanistan: Comparing the costs of two wars
Peter Marton suggests his readers to compare the costliness of the Afghan vs. the Iraqi campaign, based on the data from several different sources.
Afghanistan: Taliban Offer
Daffyd ponders on the speculations about an alleged Taliban proposal that it would sever ties with al Qaeda in return for withdrawal of foreign troops, and says it's seems like a very clever strategic move.
Kyrgyzstan: Critics attacked
Nathan reports that former head of Kyrgyzstan’s National Security Council Bolot Djanuzakov and Russian political scientist Aleksandr Knyazev were attacked near their homes on December 9. Both have been critical of the Kyrgyz government.
Uzbekistan: A withdrawal from regional electricity grid
Elina writes that Uzbekistan withdraws from the power grid linking the region in an apparent attempt to put pressure on Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as Uzbek power supplies both these countries.
Kazakhstan: Taking the blogosphere’s pulse for the month
Bloggers continue to share their opinions on current events, from questions of government and regional development in the republic, to musings on the interrelatedness between social behavior and consumer priorities.
Kazakhstan: Big city lights, gerontocracy and Photoshop
Kazakhstan’s bloggers continue to monitor the state’s traditionally non-transparent politics and comment on the news. Among their concerns is the government’s announcement that due to the economic crisis, wage increases for state employees, pensioners and students on stipend, scheduled for the beginning of 2010, would have to be postponed for...
