Russia signed a landmark nuclear agreement with Kazakhstan on Thursday to build the Central Asian country’s first-ever commercial power plant, marking a major geopolitical and economic victory for President Vladimir Putin, according to reports. The $16.5 billion project, signed during high-level bilateral talks in Astana between Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will be backed by a Russian export loan covering roughly 85% of the total cost, Reuters reported. Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, will lead construction near the village of Ulken in southeastern Kazakhstan along the shores of Lake Balkhash. Rosatom secured the primary construction mandate after beating out competition from China National Nuclear Corp., France’s EDF and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the outlet said. NO LIMITS, NO INSPECTIONS: US AND RUSSIA FACE POST–NEW START ERA AS TRUMP PUSHES NEW NUCLEAR DEAL The pact directly advances the Kremlin’s efforts to anchor its economic and geop...
Mike Vrabel stepped away from the New England Patriots during the third day of the NFL Draft and had previously said he'd be getting "counseling" following the soap opera revelations of his relationship with reporter Dianna Russini. Well, speaking with reporters for the first time since the draft, the coach offered an update on the process of getting things back in order. " Really good," Vrabel said. "I appreciate that my family is great. I love [wife] Jen [Vrabel], I love the boys, I love my personal friends..." This is nice. It obviously doesn't mean the scandal that plagued Vrabel throughout April is over. No telling what another photo drop of Vrabel and Russini together, of which there have been a few, might do. And his update on Wednesday is also only his opinion and we don't know how his family members feel. DRAKE MAYE VOICES SUPPORT FOR PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL AS OFF-FIELD CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO SWIRL But this seems positive. Vrabe...