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IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Obligations

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The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors has declared Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

The resolution, passed on Thursday with 19 votes in favor out of 35 countries, marks the first time in 20 years that such a declaration has been made against Iran.

According to the vote breakdown, 19 countries voted in favor of the motion, submitted by the US, UK, France, and Germany while 3 countries – Russia, China, and Burkina Faso – voted against the resolution with 11 countries abstained and 2 countries did not vote.

The IAEA’s report highlights Iran’s “many failures” to provide full answers about its undeclared nuclear material and activities, constituting non-compliance with its obligations.

The agency is concerned about Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which can be used for both reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.

The report also notes that Iran has enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, near weapons-grade, to potentially make nine nuclear bombs.

Iran’s government condemned the resolution as “political” and announced plans to open a new uranium enrichment facility at a secure location.

They also intend to replace first-generation centrifuges with sixth-generation ones at the underground Fordo facility. “Other measures are also being planned,” the statement added.

This development could further complicate talks between Tehran and Washington on a new nuclear agreement.

US President Donald Trump hopes to see Iran end its enrichment program and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

However, Trump expressed growing skepticism about striking a deal earlier this week.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the US advising non-essential staff at some embassies to leave and reports suggesting Israel is preparing to launch strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran’s defense minister has warned that any attack would be met with retaliation against US military bases within reach.

Diaspora Watch recalls that the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

However, the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear pathway.

Since then, Iran has increasingly breached restrictions on enriched uranium production.

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Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations

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US Congress to Review Relations with South Africa, Sudan

Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations

 

US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.

 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”

 

The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.

 

Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.

 

Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.

 

Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.

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UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief

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Trafficking: Libya Deports 700 Sudanese Migrants

UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief

 

The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.

 

In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.

 

The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.

 

South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.

 

Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.

 

The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.

 

The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.

 

The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.

 

Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.

 

South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.

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Diplomacy

Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments

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Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments

 

The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.

 

Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.

 

The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.

 

UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.

 

Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.

 

The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.

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