(SRI) - Local authorities, and representatives of KazMunaiGas Exploration and Production (KMG EP), trade unions and striking workers have agreed to form a working commission to resolve the strike at the Karazhanbasmunai oil facility, the Kazakhstan-Novosti news agency last week.

Ablyazov is a controversial figure who is being sued for £1.3bn in civil actions and is alleged to be behind a fraud of up to £7.6bn

A shake-up of Kazakhstan's political scene is under way with a revamped political party in Astana seemingly destined to play the role of tame opposition to the ruling party, Nur Otan. Analysts are cautioning that the apparent attempt by Astana officials to micromanage politics could backfire.

(AP) ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — The life story of Kazakhstan's authoritarian president has already been the subject of a glowing cinematic biopic and a play. Now, it is getting the fairy tale treatment.

A newly published book heralds Nursultan Nazarbayev's achievements on the international diplomatic scene in the form of illustrated fables, state news agency Kazinform reported.

The book, titled "Leader of the Nation Nursultan," is being published to coincide with the president's 71st birthday Wednesday.

There have been a few interesting twists and turns lately in the fortunes of some implacable foreign-based foes of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

In the early post-independence years, Serik MEDETBEKOV was a well-known successful businessman. In 1994, he opened the РИК (RIK) radio station and set up the first digital animation studio in Kazakhstan.