Latest news with #pro-Western
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
IAEA warns of nuclear disaster if Israel attacks Iran's Bushehr
West Asia risks a nuclear catastrophe if Israel strikes Iran's southern nuclear plant of Bushehr, the head of the UN atomic watchdog warned on Friday. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the UN Security Council that he has not yet detected radiation resulting from Israel's week-long military campaign against Iran, including attacks on nuclear sites. But he said that a strike on Bushehr — West Asia's first civilian nuclear reactor, which so far appears to have been spared — would spell the most serious consequences as it contains thousands of kilograms of nuclear material. "Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity," Mr. Grossi said. Mr. Grossi warned of equally dire consequences even if Israel strikes the lines that supply electricity to Bushehr, saying such disabling of power could trigger a meltdown. In a worst case scenario, evacuations and orders to take shelter would need to be issued for areas within several hundred kilometers of Bushehr, which would include population centers in Gulf Arab monarchies, a major artery of the global economy. The population would also need to take iodine and may see restrictions in food supply, Grossi said. Construction on Bushehr began in the 1970s as the pro-Western shah sought to develop civilian nuclear power. German scientists initially worked on the plant but since the 1990s the Islamic republic has worked with Russia to develop and maintain Bushehr. Grossi appealed for a diplomatic solution and repeated his willingness to travel to negotiate a deal. "The IAEA can guarantee through a watertight inspection system that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran," he said.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Israel-Iran conflict: UN atomic watchdog warns of nuclear catastrophe if Israel strikes Bushehr plant
The atomic watchdog of the United Nations on Friday said that the Middle East will be risking a nuclear catastrophe if Israel makes a strike on Iran's southern nuclear plant of Bushehr. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council that he has not yet detected any radiation due to Israel's week-long military attack on Iran, including attacks on its nuclear sites. However, he warned that a strike on Bushehr – the Middle East's first civilian nuclear reactor, which so far appears to have been spared – would result in the most serious consequences as the facility houses thousands of kilograms of nuclear material. 'Armed attack for nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with great consequences within and beyond boundaries of the state which has been attacked,' he said. He said countries in the region had expressed concerns regarding the same. 'Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear -- in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,' Grossi said. The IAEA director also warned that consequences will be dire even if Israel strikes the lines that supply electricity to Bushehr, as such disabling of power can result in a nuclear meltdown. In the worst case scenario, Grossi warned that people living within several hundred kilometres of Bushehr will be needed to evacuated or be ordered to take shelters. These could include population centers in Gulf Arab monarchies, a major artery of the global economy. The population will also face restrictions in food supply and would need to take iodine, Grossi said. Construction on Bushehr began in the 1970s as the pro-Western shah sought to develop civilian nuclear power. German scientists initially worked on the plant but since the 1990s the Islamic republic has worked with Russia to develop and maintain Bushehr. Grossi appealed for a diplomatic solution and repeated his willingness to travel to negotiate a deal. 'The IAEA can guarantee through a watertight inspection system that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran,' he said.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UN watchdog warns of nuclear disaster if Israel attacks Iran's Bushehr plant
A strike on Iran's southern nuclear plant Bushehr would spell the most serious consequences, as it contains thousands of kilograms of nuclear material. PHOTO: REUTERS – The Middle East risks a nuclear catastrophe if Israel strikes Iran's southern nuclear plant of Bushehr, the head of the UN atomic watchdog warned on June 20. Mr Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the UN Security Council that he has not yet detected radiation resulting from Israel's week-long military campaign against Iran, including attacks on nuclear sites. But he said that a strike on Bushehr – the Middle East's first civilian nuclear reactor, which so far appears to have been spared – would spell the most serious consequences as it contains thousands of kilograms of nuclear material. 'Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear: in case of an attack on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,' Mr Grossi said. He warned of equally dire consequences even if Israel strikes the lines that supply electricity to Bushehr, saying such disabling of power could trigger a meltdown. In a worst-case scenario, evacuations and orders to take shelter would need to be issued for areas within several hundred kilometres of Bushehr – which would include population centres in Gulf Arab monarchies, a major artery of the global economy. The population would also need to take iodine and may see restrictions in food supply, Mr Grossi added. Construction on Bushehr began in the 1970s as the pro-Western shah sought to develop civilian nuclear power. German scientists initially worked on the plant. Since the 1990s, however, the Islamic republic has worked with Russia to develop and maintain Bushehr. Mr Grossi appealed for a diplomatic solution and repeated his willingness to travel to negotiate a deal. 'The IAEA can guarantee through a watertight inspection system that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran,' he said. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
San Francisco Chronicle
4 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Romania's new president nominates center-right former mayor as prime minister
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's new pro-Western president on Friday nominated a center-right former mayor to be prime minister, as the European Union and NATO member state seeks to usher in a new government to end a protracted political crisis that has gripped the nation since last year. President Nicusor Dan nominated 56-year-old Ilie Bolojan of the center-right National Liberal Party, or PNL, after a fresh round of talks Friday following weeks of deliberations. Bolojan previously served as acting president between February and May, when Dan decisively beat a hard-right opponent in a heated presidential election rerun. That closely watched vote came months after the previous election was annulled by a top court, which plunged Romania into a deep political crisis. At the presidential Cotroceni Palace in the capital Bucharest, Dan said Bolojan is the 'most suitable person" for the job, which includes tackling a budget crisis. 'It is in Romania's interest for the Government to be supported by a solid majority, and the parties have understood this,' Dan said. 'Romania's urgent priority is economic recovery, but ... you need a solid foundation." The president's nomination will need to be approved by lawmakers. A new government is expected to be comprised of the leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD, the PNL, the reformist Save Romania Union party, and the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party. The PSD has pushed for a power-sharing agreement that would see a rotation of the prime ministerial post. After he was nominated, Bolojan said he's 'fully aware of the great responsibility' the role will bring, and acknowledged it 'will not be an easy undertaking.' 'I will continue discussions with political parties to secure a parliamentary majority, finalize the government, and define the governing program,' he said. 'I will pursue three priorities: to restore order to the country's finances, to work toward good governance that creates conditions for development in Romania, and ... to show proper respect to the Romanian people." One of the biggest issues a new government will face is how to reduce Romania's large budget deficit, one of the highest in the 27-nation EU bloc. The presidential election furore also exposed deep societal divisions in the country. Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says that a new government will face the challenge of reaching a longer-term consensus over already delayed state reforms. 'There is only a disputed agreement on very short-term measures, for the economic and budget crisis," he told The Associated Press. 'If the short-term measures come with a social cost, inflation ... (and) will not be met by profound changes in policies and institutions, then the political crisis will loom over the next years and (future) elections.' After the first round of the May presidential vote, Bolojan, as acting president, appointed Catalin Predoiu of the PNL to helm the government, following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu, who stepped down after his coalition's candidate failed to make the runoff.
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Romania's new president nominates center-right former mayor as prime minister
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's new pro-Western president on Friday nominated a center-right former mayor to be prime minister, as the European Union and NATO member state seeks to usher in a new government to end a protracted political crisis that has gripped the nation since last year. President Nicusor Dan nominated 56-year-old Ilie Bolojan of the center-right National Liberal Party, or PNL, after a fresh round of talks Friday following weeks of deliberations. Bolojan previously served as acting president between February and May, when Dan decisively beat a hard-right opponent in a heated presidential election rerun. That closely watched vote came months after the previous election was annulled by a top court, which plunged Romania into a deep political crisis. At the presidential Cotroceni Palace in the capital Bucharest, Dan said Bolojan is the 'most suitable person' for the job, which includes tackling a budget crisis. 'It is in Romania's interest for the Government to be supported by a solid majority, and the parties have understood this,' Dan said. 'Romania's urgent priority is economic recovery, but ... you need a solid foundation.' The president's nomination will need to be approved by lawmakers. A new government is expected to be comprised of the leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD, the PNL, the reformist Save Romania Union party, and the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party. The PSD has pushed for a power-sharing agreement that would see a rotation of the prime ministerial post. After he was nominated, Bolojan said he's 'fully aware of the great responsibility' the role will bring, and acknowledged it 'will not be an easy undertaking.' 'I will continue discussions with political parties to secure a parliamentary majority, finalize the government, and define the governing program,' he said. 'I will pursue three priorities: to restore order to the country's finances, to work toward good governance that creates conditions for development in Romania, and ... to show proper respect to the Romanian people.' One of the biggest issues a new government will face is how to reduce Romania's large budget deficit, one of the highest in the 27-nation EU bloc. The presidential election furore also exposed deep societal divisions in the country. Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says that a new government will face the challenge of reaching a longer-term consensus over already delayed state reforms. 'There is only a disputed agreement on very short-term measures, for the economic and budget crisis,' he told The Associated Press. 'If the short-term measures come with a social cost, inflation ... (and) will not be met by profound changes in policies and institutions, then the political crisis will loom over the next years and (future) elections.' After the first round of the May presidential vote, Bolojan, as acting president, appointed Catalin Predoiu of the PNL to helm the government, following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu, who stepped down after his coalition's candidate failed to make the runoff . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
