Here’s what happened in the first week of August: The Big Takeaways for Payments and Commerce$1.2 Billion in financial activity was observed across a variety of investment types – VC funding, private placements, etc. Source: http://www.pymnts.com

Much debate on cryptocurrencies has gone on over the past few years, driven by the cult-like following of Bitcoin and the general transaction anonymity most of the so-called virtual currencies support that has led on occasional to illicit use. Source:…

Heartland Payment Systems may not be turning over a new leaf, but it’s finished taking over an old one. Heartland has announced that it acquired 100 percent of mPOS tablet maker Leaf. Source: http://www.pymnts.com

Kazakhstan: Legendary Almaty Bazaar Going UpmarketEurasiaNetThe markets of Barakholka are undergoing a transformation, turning many of the old container shops and wooden-table stands into modern, glass-and-steel malls. Source: http://www.eurasianet.org

Xinhua Kazakh troops reach SCO anti-terror drill site People’s Daily Online Russia hopes its military officers can gain experience in anti-terror missions through the six-day joint drill, which will involve over 7,000 personnel from China, Russia,… Source: english.peopledaily.com.cn

TengrinewsReconstruction shows how ancient Scythian ‘Princess’ discovered in Kazakhstan …TengrinewsThe archeological find made 2 years ago in West Kazakhstan contained the skeleton of a noble woman in the burial mound called Taksay-1. Source: en.tengrinews.kz

Starwood set to debut St Regis brand in KazakhstanBreaking Travel NewsStarwood Hotels & Resorts will debut the St. Regis brand in Kazakhstan’s lively capital city with the opening of The St. Regis Astana and The Residences at The St. Source:…

Kazakh scientist invents all-healing ointment Tengrinews Murat Gilmanov, Sc.D., a scientist from Almaty, has invented an ointment that is based on antibiotics but has close to no side effects, excellent skin penetration and is effective against… Source: en.tengrinews.kz

postzambia.comKazakh women’s chess team in Top-10 of Chess OlimpiadTengrinewsAll in all, the Kazakh team won 8 rounds straight. One round ended with a tie and the team lost 2 rounds. Source: en.tengrinews.kz

AzerNewsKazakhstan sees 4 pct GDP growthAzerNewsGDP growth hit 4 percent in Kazakhstan in January – July 2014, Chairman of Kazakh Statistics Committee Alikhan Smailov said at the briefing in the Central Communication under Kazakh President. Source: http://www.azernews.az