IAEA: Iran enriching uranium - again - almost to nuclear weapons level

Today's news: China won't join US in curbing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea; In Japan, the world's largest nuclear power plant is about to be switched on again; Ousted from the Russian presidential election is journalist Ekaterina Duntsova, the only one to condemn the invasion of Ukraine;The Philippine army attacks the New People's Army rebel base.

IRAN

Iran is “increasing production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous reduction in production from mid-2023,” the IAEA said. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the country is enriching l 60% uranium, close to the 90% destined for nuclear weapons, in the Natanz and Fordow plants.

CHINA

For the moment, China will not deploy naval forces in the Red Sea against the Houthi militiamen, "as this could jeopardize the position taken on the Israel-Palestine conflict" according to Beijing. The Houthis, supported by Iran, continue to attack Israeli commercial ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, in response to the prolonged military attack on Gaza.

More than 20 countries took part in the US-led coalition to safeguard commercial traffic. Despite the impact of the attacks on its supply chains, China will not take part in the anti-piracy campaign “until Chinese vessels are involved”.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

“Israel's war against Hamas will last months,” said Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, “as a series of clashes outside the Gaza Strip have highlighted the risk of the conflict expanding.” Israeli actions intensified around Christmas, particularly in the area that bisects the Gaza Strip. Palestinian health authorities say nearly 21,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, and thousands more are feared buried under the rubble.

JAPAN

On Wednesday 27 December, the Japanese nuclear energy regulator lifted the operating ban imposed on the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the largest in the world. The recovery still needs approval in Niigata Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast. With a capacity of 8,212 megawatts, the plant was shut down in 2011, when the Fukushima disaster led to the closure of all of Japan's nuclear power plants. Restarted for the first time in 2018, its operation was suspended in 2021 due to security breaches.

RUSSIA

Journalist Ekaterina Duntsova, the only possible candidate in the March presidential elections who condemns the special operation in Ukraine among the 30 who ran, was rejected by the Election Commission, and now intends to appeal to the Supreme Court of Russia to obtain admission, having presented the necessary signatures.

PHILIPPINES

The army carried out an offensive against New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Malaybalay town, Bukidnon, on Christmas Day as the guerrillas prepared to celebrate and receive guests during the 55th anniversary of the Party's founding Communist Philippines the next day, for which they had declared a unilateral ceasefire. The death toll is 10 NPA rebels.

SOUTH KOREA - RUSSIA

South Korea has stopped the production of blocks and equipment for Russian cargo ships in compliance with international sanctions, suspending the contract between Samsung Heavy Industries and the Russian company Zvezda for which government permission had previously been issued, pending to be able to complete the work at a later period.

MYANMAR

Heavy artillery shelling by the coup junta's army against the ancient capital of Myanmar, Mrauk-U, in Rakhine state, between Sunday and Monday resulted in the deaths of three civilians. The bombing also caused enormous damage to an archaeological museum which houses priceless finds from ancient pagodas and Buddhist temples.

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