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Iran expands uranium stockpile to near weapons-grade levels

Iran has further increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade, defying international demands, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, viewed by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report revealed that, as of October 26, Iran possessed 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking a 17.6 kg (38.8 lb) increase since the last report in August.

Uranium enriched to 60% purity is just a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile stood at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds) as of October 26, reflecting an 852.6 kg (1,879.6 lb) increase since August. According to the IAEA, approximately 42 kg (92.5 lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity could theoretically be further enriched to 90% and used to produce a nuclear weapon.

While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels to build “several” nuclear bombs if it chooses. Grossi has also acknowledged that the UN agency cannot verify whether any of Iran’s centrifuges are being used for clandestine uranium enrichment.

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International

Marco Rubio warns Venezuela against military action against Guyana

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuela on Thursday that a military attack on Guyana would be “a big mistake” and “a very bad day for them,” expressing his support for Georgetown in its territorial dispute with Caracas.

“It would be a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime if they attacked Guyana or ExxonMobil. It would be a very bad day, a very bad week for them, and it would not end well,” Rubio emphasized during a press conference in Georgetown alongside Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.

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International

Ecuador oil spill worsens as containment dam collapses

The collapse of a containment dam holding back part of the 25,000+ barrels of oil spilled from a pipeline rupture nearly two weeks ago has worsened the environmental crisis in northwestern Ecuador, contaminating rivers and Pacific beaches.

The Ecuadorian government attributed the March 13 pipeline rupture—which led to the spill of 25,116 barrels of crude—to an act of sabotage. The spill affected three rivers and disrupted water supplies for several communities, according to authorities.

On Tuesday, due to heavy rains that have been falling since January, a containment dam on the Caple River collapsed. The Caple connects to other waterways in Esmeraldas Province, a coastal region bordering Colombia, state-owned Petroecuador said in a statement on Wednesday.

Seven containment barriers were installed in the Viche River, where crews worked to remove oil-contaminated debris. Additional absorbent materials were deployed in Caple, Viche, and Esmeraldas Rivers, which flow into the Pacific Ocean.

Authorities are also working to protect a wildlife refuge home to more than 250 species, including otters, howler monkeys, armadillos, frigatebirds, and pelicans.

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“This has been a total disaster,” said Ronald Ruiz, a leader in the Cube community, where the dam was located. He explained that the harsh winter rains caused river levels to rise, bringing debris that broke the containment barriersthat were holding the accumulated oil for extraction.

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International

Federal court blocks Trump’s use of Enemy Alien Act for deportations

A federal appeals court upheld the block on former President Donald Trump’s use of the Enemy Alien Act on Wednesday, preventing him from using the law to expedite deportations of alleged members of the transnational criminal group Tren de Aragua.

With a 2-1 ruling, a panel from the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals affirmed previous decisions by two lower court judges, maintaining the legal standoff between the White House and the judiciary.

On March 14, Trump invoked the 1798 Enemy Alien Act, a law traditionally used during wartime, to deport hundreds of Venezuelans whom he accused of belonging to Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that originated in Venezuelan prisons.

The centuries-old law grants the president the power to detain, restrict, and expel foreign nationals from a country engaged in a “declared war” or an “invasion or predatory incursion” against the United States, following a public proclamation.

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