Kazakhstan’s population hits 17 million. Italy investigating deportation of Kazakh oligarch's wife. Chevron oil, gas output falls due to maintenance work.

Trend - Kazakhstan’s population hits 17 million - Some 9,339,200 of them live in the urban areas, while 7,671,400 - in rural areas.

Radio Free Europe - Amnesty International Calls On Nazarbaev To Stop Kazakh Torture - Amnesty International has accused Kazakhstan's president of concealing evidence of torture and the use of excessive lethal force by police.

Scoop - Kazakhstan-United States Strategic Partnership Dialogue - The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s leadership role in supporting security in Afghanistan and the region, including through its assistance to the Afghan National Security Forces and contribution to the Istanbul Process.

Reuters - Chevron oil, gas output falls due to maintenance work - Chevron Corp, the second-largest U.S. oil company, said on Wednesday its oil and gas production declined last quarter, mainly due to various shutdowns and maintenance work in Kazakhstan, Australia and Nigeria.

The Courant - Italy investigating deportation of Kazakh oligarch's wife - Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta has ordered an investigation into the deportation in May of the wife and daughter of fugitive Kazakh oligarch and dissident Mukhtar Ablyazov as questions about its legality multiply.