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European nations condemn Iran’s accelerated nuclear enrichment

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European nations condemn Iran’s accelerated nuclear enrichment

France, Germany and the United Kingdom have joined the United States in condemning Iran’s sharp increase in enriched uranium production as part of its nuclear programme.

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A report published on Tuesday by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Iran had accelerated its production of 60% enriched uranium to a rate of nine kilograms a month since the end of November, up from around three kilograms in the previous months since June.

The four Western nations said in a joint statement on Thursday that this represents a “backwards step” in what had previously been a slowdown of Tehran’s nuclear activities.

“We condemn this action, which adds to the unabated escalation of Iran’s nuclear programme,” they said, adding that the production of high-enriched uranium by Iran “has no credible civilian justification.”

Uranium enriched to 60% is considered close to weapons-grade level, with 90% enrichment required for nuclear devices.

Upping the enrichment level from 60% to 90% can be achieved through a technical process.

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Diplomatic efforts to address the threat of nuclear warfare saw Iran and many world powers sign the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. Iran agreed to keep within the 3.67% ceiling for enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

But the deal collapsed when former US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018 and reimposed a raft of sanctions on Tehran.

The EU launched talks to reinstate the deal in 2021 but the war in Ukraine and more recently between Israel and Hamas have severely hampered relations with Tehran. The international community has feared that Iran, a Hamas ally whose foreign policy is shaped by its long-standing hostility towards Israel, could be pulled into the devastating conflict in the Middle East.

In their statement Thursday, the four Western nations said in relation to the acceleration of uranium production: “These decisions demonstrate Iran’s lack of good will towards de-escalation and represent reckless behaviour in a tense regional context.”

“We urge Iran to immediately reverse these steps and de-escalate its nuclear programme,” they added. “We remain committed to a diplomatic solution and reaffirm our determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.”

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The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel movement in Yemen, have also been attacking international commercial ships navigating in the Red Sea, marking a further escalation in tensions. 

A spokesperson for the German foreign ministry confirmed earlier this week the country was in talks with its EU allies over a potential mission to safeguard commercial vessels.

On December 19, the US launched its own multinational maritime mission, but many EU nations have since distanced themselves from the plan, which is seen as having the potential to escalate tensions.

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Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest: Who Won the Annual Fourth of July Binge-a-thon? (Watch Video)

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Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest: Who Won the Annual Fourth of July Binge-a-thon? (Watch Video)


Who Won Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024 — Winner, Results



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Australian girl, 12, killed by crocodile while swimming in creek

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Australian girl, 12, killed by crocodile while swimming in creek

Australian authorities discovered the remains of a 12-year-old girl Thursday after she was reportedly snatched by a crocodile while swimming in a creek.

Police Senior Sgt. Erica Gibson told reporters, “It was an extremely difficult, essentially 36 hours, difficult for the first responders involved in the search.”

The child’s disappearance began a nearly two-day search by land, air and water.

Her remains were discovered near the river where the girl had gone missing, southwest of the Northern Territory capital Darwin, in the Indigenous community of Palumpa. 

Sgt. Gibson confirmed that the girl’s injuries were from a crocodile attack, saying “The recovery has been made. It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome.”

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AUSTRALIAN FAMILY DISCOVERS VENOMOUS SNAKE IN CHILD’S BED

A girl was snatched by a crocodile while swimming in a river in Palumpa, Australia Tuesday, according to police. (Associated Press)

“However, for the family, it is the most devastating outcome possible for them. They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief,” Gibson added.

Saltwater crocodiles are known to be territorial and the killer reptile may still be in nearby waterways. They are known to be a general risk in the Northern Territory, according to The Associated Press.

SLY ALLIGATOR LURKING UNDER PUBLIX SHOPPING CARTS CAUGHT ON VIDEO IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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Northern Australia is a tropical climate, supporting a boom in saltwater crocodile populations since populations have been conserved under Australian law beginning in the 1970s.

A view of the riverway where a 12-year-old's remains were discovered in Australia

A girl was snatched by a crocodile while swimming in a river in Palumpa, Australia Tuesday, according to police. (Associated Press)

The population of large crocodiles is on the rise in Northern Australia, with some reptiles reaching up to 23 feet long. The animals grow throughout their lives, and crocodiles can live up to around 70 years of age.

Sgt. Gibson told reporters that the search efforts for the killer crocodile are still underway.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Remains of destroyed Kharkiv stadium exhibited in Berlin

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Remains of destroyed Kharkiv stadium exhibited in Berlin

The joy of the European Championship exists parallel to the suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression, says Bärbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag.

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Remains of the Sonyachny Stadium from Kharkiv, damaged by Russian missiles, have found a new temporary home in Berlin.

German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev unveiled the interactive installation by the Ukrainian Association of Football in front of the German Parliament building.

The stand includes an interactive installation with the story of Sonyachny. Using virtual reality, it’s possible to experience the stadium in real-time, seeing its current state.

The damaged tribune was first displayed in Munich, where the Ukrainian team has played their first match at this year’s euros against Romania. The team has since been knocked out of the tournament.

Kharkiv was one of four Ukrainian host cities for the Euros in 2012. In 2022, the stadium on display was destroyed by Russian attacks.  

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So far, 500 sports facilities in Ukraine, including 77 football stadiums, have been damaged or destroyed by Russian bomb and missile attacks. 

Speaking to the press, Bas emphasized how this project communicates a message of duality: the joy of the European Championship exists in parallel to the suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression.

She also expressed her support for the Ukrainian people.

“Today is the 19th day of the European Championship in Germany. That corresponds to the number of days in June alone on which air strikes were launched in Kharkiv. 468 hours. 19.5 days. In this sense, this stand is a memorial – a reminder that not far from here Russia is committing genocide on a daily basis, from which even soccer is not immune,” Ambassador Makeiv told journalists.

‘Peace has a price’

The damaged stand was first exhibited in Munich, where the Ukrainian team played its first match at this year’s European Championships against Romania. The Ukrainian team lost the game 3-0.

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The stand then travelled with the team to Düsseldorf where it was again put on display.

After three games resulting in a loss, a win and a draw, the Ukrainian team was eliminated from the tournament.

During the team’s last match in Stuttgart against Belgium, Ukrainian fans sent a sign. From the stands, they held a banner with the words “Peace has a price” along with a portrait of fallen soldier and football fan Nazariy Hryntsevich.

The image of Hryntsevich was created using artificial intelligence (AI) and the photos of 182 other fallen Ukrainian soldiers, all of whom were known to be avid fans of their local soccer clubs.

If the circumstances had been different, they would probably have been at the games in person or supporting their team in front of the TV. Instead, their static images radiate emotion and resilience.

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