Stories about Kazakhstan from February, 2009
Kazakhstan: Rally of the opposition
Zhanna writes a post about the rally staged by the leading Kazakhstani opposition party in Almaty.
Kazakhstan: Lomography
Ehot posts a collection of images taken in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the legendary Lomo camera, which gave name to the whole trend in photo art called lomography.
Kazakhstan: Politics and Society in Times of Crisis
Politics remain the major topic of the online discussions in Kazakhstan – much more frequently and intensely than in public life. One of the most recent events, widely discussed by the bloggers, was the establishment of the new state award – the title of the Kazakhstan's Hero of Labor (an...
Kazakhstan: Three years after the assassination
Zhanna Zhukova writes that it has been 3 years since brutal assassination of the democratic politician in Kazakhstan, and reports on the recent actions of the opposition in this regard.
Kazakhstan: Grand External Debt
Askhat writes about the size of the Kazakhstan’s consolidated external debt.
Kazakhstan: Singles unlucky in Pattaya Open
Dina reviews the performance of Kazakhstani tennis players in the Pattaya Open tournament.
Kazakhstan: Ban on Scientology Church
KZBlog reports that the public prosecutor of Karaganda oblast is seeking to close its Scientology Center on charges that they cause physical and psychological harm to people.
Kazakhstan: A Kazakh Video Tube
On St. Valentine’s Day, February 14, a Kazakh video hosting project Kaztube.kz came to life. Dozens of videos with congratulations from celebrities and government officials had been uploaded for the opening of the website. Even the prime minister congratulated on the opening of new service — such PR is unheard...
Kazakhstan: Legislative reforms ahead of OSCE chairmanship
Arman reports on the most recent developments in the legislative background of the Kazakhstani political system.
Kazakhstan: Nationalisation, devaluation and what next?
Ben reports that the Kazakh government first took over majority shares in BTA and Alliance Bank via its holding company Samruk-Kazyna and then proceeded to devalue the tenge by around 20%.
Kazakhstan: Opposition Insists on Government’s Resignation
Adam Kesher informs the readers that the opposition in Kazakhstan calls recent economic measures of the authorities “inadequate” and repeatedly urges for resignation of the government.
Kazakhstan: Devaluation and Blogospghere
On February 4, the National Bank of Kazakhstan ceased maintenance of the national currency tenge (KZT). The measures on retention of the overestimated exchange rate during the last 6 months has cost nearly $6 billion, while national currencies in the neighboring countries have dropped down significantly. The new exchange rate...
Kazakhstan: Blogger Establishes Contact with the Minister
Askhat writes about his communication with the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, which he has established via the official’s blog.
Kazakhstan: Railroad Sketches
Mikhail posts a new set of his roadtripping pictures, capturing the moments of life on the railways in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Nur Media is On the Air
KZBlog writes that Nut Otan, the ruling party in Kazakhstan, led by the president, is creating a media holding.
Kazakhstan: Devaluation and threat of growing prices
KZBlog says that as the tenge has been devalued and the banking sector has been shown to be weak in Kazakhstan, people start panicking and increase of prices can be expected.
Kazakhstan: Kazakh economic miracle shaken
Sean Roberts reflects on whether the global economic crisis is to bring down the “Kazakh Economic Miracle”.
Kazakhstan: End of private banks
Recently, odd things have happened to a number of Kazakh banks and the Kazakh stock market. The spread of ungrounded controversial information sent stocks of three banks plummeting, leading to nationalization of two major private banks. Today, there is little doubt that the action was intentional. There are various hypothetical...
Kazakhstan: Religious Issues Discussed by Bloggers
Adam reviews the Kazakhstani blogosphere’s musings about religion and faith.