The rapid increase in oil production coupled with the rise in world oil prices have been the main engine of economic growth of Kazakhstan after the transformational recession of 1990s that followed the independence. But its favourable macroeconomic indicators do not entirely reflect the country's level of social development.

The high income inequality, large numbers of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and poor economic and social conditions in underdeveloped regions, small towns and rural areas remain the country's

Source: Reuters

MOSCOW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Wildfires swept through several villages in Siberia, burning down over 400 homes on Wednesday, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said, following a wave of blazes that killed over 50 people earlier in the summer.

No casualties were reported from the flames in the Altai region bordering Kazakhstan that followed wildfires which killed 54 in central Russia in July and August, during Russia's worst heat wave since records began 130 years ago.

Emergencies Ministry spokeswoman Irina