Iran accelerates production of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA says

VIENNA (AP) — A report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium as tensions between Tehran and Washington rise after the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Associated Press has seen the report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. The report says that as of Feb. 8, Iran has 605.8 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%, up by more than 200 pounds since the IAEA’s last report in November. That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA says it is a significant increase and of serious concern.

Israeli official says Hamas has handed to Red Cross 4 bodies of Israelis held hostage

CAIRO (AP) — An Israeli security official says Hamas has handed to Red Cross the bodies of four Israelis who were held hostage in Gaza. Hamas handed over the bodies late Wednesday, and Israel was set to release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, days before the first phase of their ceasefire will end. Israel has delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it called the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas. The militant group has called the delay a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and said talks on a second phase aren’t possible until the Palestinians are freed. The handover would complete both sides’ obligations under the ceasefire’s first phase.

18 dead in a bus crash in eastern Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — A chartered bus overturned in eastern Thailand early Wednesday morning, killing 18 people and injuring 31, officials said. The accident occurred in Prachinburi province during an overnight journey from northern Thailand to coastal Rayong province for a municipal study tour. The Department of Land Transport said it would coordinate with police in investigating the latest road accident and would intensify inspections of all public transport vehicles to ensure they meet safety standards. Road safety is a major problem in Thailand, which according to the World Health Organization ranks ninth out of 175 member countries for road traffic deaths.

Bosnian Serb leader Dodik is convicted and sentenced for separatist activities

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A court in Bosnia has sentenced the pro-Russia Bosnian Serb president, Milorad Dodik, to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years over his separatist actions as tensions mount in the fragile Balkan state. Dodik had been accused of disobeying the top international envoy overseeing peace in the country. The judgment becomes final after the expected appeal process. Dodik has said he would disobey any conviction and threatened “radical measures” in response, including eventual secession of the Serb-run entity in Bosnia called Republika Srpska from the rest of the country.