The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced that Iran has launched its first pilot project to extract and purify helium from natural gas, calling it a "strategic step" for the country.

The authorities in Kyrgyzstan will spend 1.6 billion som ($18m) to pay the Kara-Balta Mining Combine’s tax debts. In addition, the enterprise’s specialists will be paid wages they have yet to received in years, News.Az reports citing the Times of Central Asia.