ALMATY, Kazakhstan — The last time this happened — that is, the last time a former Soviet republic from Central Asia bid to host an Olympics — the entire thing was a joke. Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.bendbulletin.com

The culture of hospitality is supreme among the people of Kazakh in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Linguists say that ldquo;Kazakh rdquo; decodes ldquo;free, Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com

Spending grows at restaurants, cafes and bars in Kazakhstan Sourced through Scoop.it from: kazakh-tv.kz

The warehouse division of Walmart will offer members a new way to save online. The company announced yesterday (June 23) the launch of its Shocking Values Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

Are consumers addicted to mobile banking? Well, if pulling out a mobile phone to check a bank account balance during dinner — and even on a date – qualifies as Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

Online business models have been disrupting “traditional” channels of direct-to-consumer sales — and now it may be shaving’s turn, The Wall Street Journal Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus took to its Facebook page yesterday (June 23) to reveal that it is now accepting MasterCard’s MasterPass payment option during Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

In the exact type of shopping spree eBay doesn’t want t0 see, Walmart is looking for technical employees – sand eBay looks to be its new favorite Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

In what may be termed a milestone of sorts, Facebook is now a bigger company than Walmart — if only on the stock exchanges. The Associated Press reported Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com

Progress in payments, like most things in life, does not come all at once. Or at all evenly distributed for that matter — a situation made starkly noticeable by Sourced through Scoop.it from: http://www.pymnts.com