Best architects to plan Kazakh capital

The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, said he will invite the world's best architects to submit plans for the development of the new Kazakh capital, Akmola.

Speaking at the cabinet session devoted to problems of moving the seat of government from Almaty to Akmola, Mr Nazarbayev said he would officially inaugurate the new capital in June.

Meanwhile, workers employed by one of the foreign companies developing the city have staged a protest against poor working conditions and job insecurity.

The Iterfax news agency said the workers complained of being treated by foreigners in a manner which insulted their dignity.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service