Kazakh ruling party nominates Nazarbayev for new presidential termMarch 11, 2015 - 17:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The long-serving president of oil-rich Kazakhstan says he will stand again in snap April elections, and he is all but guaranteed to win. According to the Associated Press, state news agency Kazinform reported that the ruling Nur Otan party formally nominated President Nursultan Nazarbayev, 74, to run during its congress Wednesday, March 11, in the capital, Astana. Nazarbayev has maintained a firm grip over power in the vast and sparsely populated Central Asian nation for more than two decades. Genuine opposition has been actively repressed and critics of the government either jailed or chased into exile. Kazakhstan's economy has surged on the back of energy and mineral riches. But plummeting prices for oil and Kazakhstan's interdependence with neighboring Russia, whose economy is entering a period of extended doldrums, are threatening to usher in stagnation. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |