Stories about Kazakhstan from June, 2008
Russia: Dostoevsky Museums
Josefina of Russian Blog visits Dostoevsky Museum in Moscow – and writes briefly about the other six, in St. Petersburg, Staraya Russa, Darovoye, Novokuznetsk, Omsk, and Semipalatinsk.
Kazakhstan: Freedom House blames Astana
Zhanna Zhukova reports that Freedom House said yesterday that the resource curse in energy-rich Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is taking root.
Kazakhstan: Highway to prosperity
Ben reports on the World Bank’s president, Bob Zoellick, visit to Kazakhstan, which has resulted in a $2.5 billion infrastructure project.
Kazakhstan: Astana Anniversary
Joshua Foust is ironic saying that Kazakhstan seems to have no other problems than how to light its not-fake capital’s overly elaborate 10th anniversary.
Kazakhstan: Astana’s Pyramid
Adam posts a picture of the notorious Pyramid of Peace, whose project was developed by the project by Sir Norman Foster, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Sputnik lost
Lena B-va reports that the first and the only Kazakh satellite, which was launched last year with a great PR and pompous celebrations, is out of control due to a computer glitch and is likely to be lost.
Kazakhstan: Living Under Cult
The main discussion this week in Kazakhstani blogosphere was caused by the suggestion that was voiced by a number of MPs to rename the capital city Astana to Nursultan, in the honor of the long-ruling president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who retains power for more than 18 years already. It is worth...
Kazakhstan: General prosecutor reaches out to Austria
Adam reports that the Kazakhstan's General Prosecutor visites Austria in an apparent attempt to foster extradition of the disgraced former presidential son-in-law Rakhat Aliyev.
Kazakhstan: Petrodollars, English Teachers
Adam links to a blog-post saying that Kazakhstan has decided to attract English-language teachers from abroad and pay tham 2-5,000 dollars a month.
Kazakhstan: Religious Communities Cautious Over Law
Zhanna says that the Kazakhstan’s state apparatus is continuing its consolidation efforts by introduction of stricter control over relidious organization and their activities.
Kazakhstan: Astana Construction
Adam shares his photos of the construction sites in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, which will be having a pompous celebration of its 10-year anniversary in early July.
Kazakhstan: Gay Parade Cancelled
KZBlog says that the hearsay on the first Kazakhstani gay pride event was reported by the news agencies, but later both the LGBT umbrella organization and the city administration disproved the information, calling it a provocation and hoax.
Kazakhstan: ENRC versus Kazakhmys
Adam reports on the Kazakh government’s decision to exchange part of its share in ENRC metals corporation for 15% stake in Kazakhmys copper giant [rus].
Kazakhstan: Kazak-Russian Relations
Patrick Frost reviews the relations between Kazakhstan and Russia after the change of president in Kremlin and Medvedev's first official visit to Astana.
Kazakhstan: Astana Won’t be Renamed. So far
Adam tells about the initiative by the former Defense Minister and incumbent MP to rename Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, to Nursultan in honor of the president of Kazakhstan, and the president’s reaction to this idea.
Kazakhstan: Pictures of Nature
Mikhail posts his new photos from the trips around Kazakhstan, focusing on the contrasts of nature of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Astana to be Renamed Nursultan?
KZBlog reports on a proposal by a Kazakhstan Parliament deputy to rename the capital city to Nursultan in honor of the President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The latter eventually said he is against such renaming.
Kazakhstan: New symbols of Astana
KZBlog reports that Astana, the Kazakhstan's young capital city, has got a new flag and seal, designed by the President to fit more for the fast-growing capital of “a modern nation”.
Kazakhstan: Pictures of nature
Mikhail posts his new photos from the trips around Kazakhstan, this time focusing on the contrasts of nature of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Did Kazakhstan Give the Election to Obama?
Joshua Foust opines on the Kazakhstan connection in a Clinton affair, which subsequently had an undermining effect on the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.
Kazakhstan: Re-repatriant wave coming?
Zhanna Zhukova reflects on the publications in the Kazakhstani media about the alleged return of former ethnic emigrants from Germany to Kazakhstan.