Kazakhstan has approved a plan to build its first nuclear power station in a referendum, overcoming lingering resentment over massive radiation exposure from Soviet-era nuclear tests
Kazakhstan has approved a plan to build its first nuclear power station in a referendum, overcoming lingering resentment over massive radiation exposure from Soviet-era nuclear tests.
The Central Asian country is the world's largest producer of uranium and has massive oil reserves but it suffers from chronic energy shortages.
The "Yes" vote won 71.12 percent in the referendum on October 6 and the turnout was 63.66 percent, the Kazakh electoral commission said on Monday.
China, France, Russia and South Korea are in the running to build the new power station, which is to be located on the shores of Lake Balkhash.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says the plant would be "the biggest project in the history of independent Kazakhstan". Tokayev indicated that he preferred an "international consortium made up of global companies equipped with cutting-edge technologies".
The issue of nuclear power is sensitive given that between 1949 and 1989, the Soviet Union carried out around 450 nuclear tests there, exposing 1.5 million people to radiation.
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Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to attend the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, as preparations continue for a possible fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman over the weekend.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
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