News Roundup - February 25, 2008

EurasiaNet: Kazakhstan to foreign investors: It’s our way, or the highway

The Kazakhstani government’s no-nonsense approach toward foreign investors is expanding beyond the energy sector. And there are signs that Astana’s assertiveness is intimidating even major international energy conglomerates…

Reporters without Borders: Kazakhstan - annual report 2008

As well as the usual problems journalists get when they expose corruption or criticise President Nazarbayev, the media was the victim of power struggles inside the regime. Three opposition journalists died in suspicious circumstances and coverage of the August 2007 parliamentary elections was biased…

Chicago Tribune: Astana: A skyline transformed

At the top of the “Tree of Life” Tower in the heart of this remote capital, visitors can put their hand in the large, gold handprint of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, a gesture locals say brings luck…

New York Times: A wandering Kazakh, before Borat

And you thought Genghis Khan was just the scourge of nations, the slayer of millions. Little did you know that he was, as a young man, a sensitive, enlightened husband and doting father…

Eurasia Daily Monitor: Winter shows need for Central Asia energy coordination

An unusually cold winter has gripped Central Asia, causing severe energy shortages in all countries for almost two months. Throughout the region the lack of electricity and gas has revealed the urgent need to develop inter-state energy cooperation that would allow a coordinated response to crisis situations…

Reuters: Major energy pipelines in central/southern Europe

Here are some key facts on major oil or gas pipelines in central and southeastern Europe…

The Carmi Times: Local couple adopts boy from Kazakhstan, recommends adoption to anyone interested

A Carmi couple, Brian and Sandra Bryant, recently adopted an 18-month-old boy from Kazakhstan and are sharing their story of the adoption process to encourage others who may be interested in adoption to go through with the process…