The elite golf resort of Almaty hosted the sixth professional golf tournament – Kazakhstan Open 2010 European Challenge Tour, which will last until September 12. about 100 professional players from Europe came to participate in the event. Famous tennis player Evgeny Kafelnikov who is also well known for his passion to golf also came to participate in the tournament, the main prize of which is estimated at 400 thousand Euros.

The traditional Pro-M tournament was held as part of the Kazakhstan Open yesterday. Both professional and amateur players took part in it, including the head of the Kazatomprom Vladimir Shkolnik, Almaty City Mayor Ahmetjan Yesimov, and the ENERGY company co-owner Alidjan Ibragimov, who is also a President of the Golf Club...

The government has decided to provide 120 million dollars for the completion of shared construction objects. The aid will be given only to those who paid for the elite housing. This is the capital’s “Grand-Astana” and “Premier” complex in the Almaty region. The renewed budget will be presented to the Parliament on September 13. According to the Finance Minister Bolat Zhamishev the money will be provided according to the well-tested scheme. For the shareholders this decision of the government was a total surprise...

A minute of silence in commemoration of late journalists was part of the action held near the Press Club building in Almaty. By lit candles, journalists from various media outlets have marked the journalists’ international solidarity day. The profession remains one of the most risky and dangerous in the world. Relatives of STAN.TV reporter Sayat Shulembayev killed on December 24 last year doubt the journalists’ solidarity. This is the 9th month since the tragedy happened, but the criminals have not yet been established...

Officials of the Stress Fund profiteer on the assets allocated by the state to complete problematic real estate development projects. The interest holders and the mortgagers presented journalists with documents that supposedly prove that on February 3rd, 2009 the Fund has bought 118 million dollars upon the old exchange rate one night prior to the devaluation. Two days later the money was sold back at the new rate, thus making a profit of 20 million dollars...

The residents of Almaty’s Bakay micro district are protesting against the unlawful legalization of land lots by citizens who are not the residents of the area, including local pop stars. A famous pop band Jigitter is currently touring in Uralsk. Its producer Ergali Abdraimov said over the phone that the pop stars also have the rights for housing...

Riots in the southern city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Osh was the scene of clashes of ethnic grounds. The large-scale conflict has resulted in a series of clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbek nationalities. The law enforcement authorities were unable to separate the warring parties. At night Osh was hit with street fights and shootouts lasted all night and still continue. According to witnesses, machine-gun fire could be heard in different parts of the city. Mass disorders have erupted. Government buildings, shops and homes are on fire. Troops and armored vehicles have entered the city but so far failed to bring the situation under control.

Members of the interim government who were sent to the scene, Ismail Isakov, Omurbek Tekebayev and Azimbek Beknazarov noted that the situation is extremely tense. According to latest official figures, clashes killed at least 12 people, more than a hundred injured. According to eyewitnesses, the number of victims may be much greater, and official statistics do not reflect the real picture. According to our colleagues in Osh, the events resemble the real battle with streets in smoke, and burned cars along the edges of the road. The military and special forces retained only the central part of Osh, whereas the residential areas where there are no forces are concentrated by armed groups...

Kazakhstan intends to obtain a share in the last major project owned exclusively by foreign oil companies. However, the Consortium Karachaganak Petroleum Operating so far refuses to comment on the proposal of KazMunaiGaz to acquire ten percent of the shares. The confirmation of a KazMunaiGaz proposal to the consortium came through the head of the national company during an investment summit in Almaty...

The review of Dilfuza Auezova’s appeal against Timur Kalmurzaev, Erzhan Bostanov and Timur Kilybaev began on Tuesday in Southern Kazakhstan. All three were accused of gang rape. During the initial trial Judge Saparali Ablayev made a scandalous ruling that semen found on the victim during the examination, actually belonged to the woman. The appeals hearing was held behind the closed doors, and even public defenders were not allowed inside. The victim's mother is still afraid to talk to the press, but at the same time she cannot stay silent...

The mass death of saiga antelopes in the West Kazakhstan Region could have been caused by the pasteurellosis outbreak, resulting from the chlorine poisoning. The contamination of the chemical was found on the samples of soil, plants and water at the site of the disaster. According to the head of the Fauna Management of the Forest and Hunting Economy Committee Bakytbek Duysekeyev, specialists are currently looking for the link between the mysterious mist that was seen over the pasture and the chlorine...

The Social-Democratic party “Azat” is facing a split in its ranks, as Aydos Sadykov, the former head of the party's Aktyubinsk branch quit his membership. Another 90 members left with him, and 4700 people refused to join the united party. Sadykov claims the organization acts in alliance with the authorities and cites the example of the 2007 parliamentary elections. Bolat Abishev, who quit the authorities to join the opposition, says the statements are not serious, and this is the matter of a personal grudge...