Independence day celebrations in Kazakhstan have been marred by violence, with clashes that killed at least ten people. The fighting broke out Friday in the western Kazakh city of Zhanaozen, where oil workers — including some fired from their jobs — have been demanding better wages. Kazakhstan Prosecutor General Ashkat Daulbayev told reporters Friday that […]
Kazakh Independence Ceremony Turns Deadly
Posted December 16th, 2011 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
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US Peace Corps Withdrawing from Kazakhstan
Posted November 18th, 2011 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Peace Corps is ending its presence in Kazakhstan in a move that follows a wave of Islamist militant attacks. The Peace Corps said Friday that it is pulling its nearly 120 volunteers from the Central Asian nation. The organization said it suspended the program “based on a number of operational considerations,” but did […]
Kazakhstan President Calls for Snap Elections in January
Posted November 16th, 2011 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has dissolved the lower house of parliament and called snap elections for January 15 in an attempt to shake up what is basically a one-party legislature. In a decree on his website Wednesday, Mr. Nazarbayev, who has ruled Kazakhstan for more than 20 years, called for the Mazhilis parliament of Kazakhstan […]
Islamist Militant Kills 7 in Kazakhstan
Posted November 12th, 2011 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
An Islamist militant killed seven people, including five law enforcement officers, before blowing himself up during a rampage Saturday in a southern Kazakh city. Authorities say the violence began Saturday morning in the city of Taraz when the militant opened fired on security forces trailing him. He then hijacked a car and raided a weapons […]
Kazakhstan Hires Former British PM Blair as Consultant
Posted October 24th, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
Kazakhstan has hired former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a consultant to attract new investment to the Central Asian nation. Kazakh officials Monday said Mr. Blair has set up an advisory group to help President Nursultan Nazarbayev implement economic reforms. It has been reported that Mr. Blair will be paid millions of dollars for […]
Kazakhstan Hires Former British PM Blair as Consultant
Posted October 24th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Kazakhstan has announced it has hired former British prime minister Tony Blair as a consultant to attract new investment to the Central Asian nation. Kazakhstan made the formal announcement Monday, saying Mr. Blair has set up an advisory group to help President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s regime implement economic reforms. Mr. Blair will reportedly be paid millions […]
Kazakhstan Parliament Passes Tough Religious Legislation
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 8:27 am (UTC-5)
The upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament has approved tough new legislation on religious activity. Supporters of the measure say it will help combat the growing threat of religious extremism, while opponents call it a blow to religious freedom. The measure is expected to quickly be signed into law by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed the […]
Kazakhstan Parliament Passes Tough Religious Legislation
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 7:45 am (UTC-5)
The upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament has approved tough new legislation on religious activity. Supporters of the measure say it will help combat the growing threat of religious extremism, while opponents call it a blow to religious freedom. The measure is expected to quickly be signed into law by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed the […]
Kazakh Parliament Passes Controversial New Religion Law
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 9:45 pm (UTC-5)
Kazakhstan’s parliament has voted in favor of a controversial law to limit foreign religious missionaries operating in the country. The lower house passed the bill Wednesday. The Senate is expected to approve it and President Nursultan Nazarbayev plans to sign it. The new law would require missionaries to register once a year with the government […]
ISS Crew Returns to Earth
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 2:27 am (UTC-5)
A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying three people from the International Space Station has landed safely. Russian space officials say the Soyuz landed Friday on its side in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan. It carried U.S. astronauts Ron Garan and Russian cosmonauts Andrey Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev. The safe return of the three-man crew follows […]
