Rights group says prominent jailed Kazakhstan activist files complaint with UN

Lost amid the lonesome waste spaces of the Asian steppe, the next North Korea is slowly appearing amid the winter blizzards and the blast-furnace summer heatwaves of one of the most inhospitable climates in the world.

KazMunaiGaz National Co., a Kazakh state-owned oil and gas producer, withdrew $1 billion from BTA Bank in September on concerns that access to its deposit was "limited," and used the money to redeem bonds and make loans.

ORAL, Kazakhstan -- The website of an independent weekly in western Kazakhstan has been inaccessible since November 2, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

KazMunaiGas Exploration Production, a unit of state-owned KazMunaiGaz National Co., said output declined after 1,000 workers walked off the job to protest the arrest of a company driver for alleged possession of heroin.

Kazakhstan's presidential race is off to an early start: following last month's announcement that incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev plans a re-election bid in 2012 [5], an opposition leader has now thrown his hat into the ring [6].

ZHANA OZEN, Kazakhstan -- Hundreds of oil company workers in western Kazakhstan went on strike on October 21 to demand the release of a detained union activist, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

ASTANA, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan said on Thursday it wanted an end to a row between current and former owners of KazakhGold Group (KZGq.L) before deciding on whether to approve the sale of KazakhGold shares to Russia's Polyus Gold (PLZL.MM).