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Irish Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Vladimir Putin's chilling nuclear threat as he locks horns with the West
Vladimir Putin has sent a shiver down the spine of the Western world with his statement: "there has been no need to use (nuclear) I hope they will not be required". As Russia's conflict with Ukraine drags on into its fourth year, the Russian leader made the comment in a propaganda documentary celebrating 25 years at the helm. With an arsenal of 5,449 nuclear warheads, Russia boasts the most substantial stockpile of atomic firepower on the planet, deployable via missiles, subs, and aircraft. Security analysts have voiced concerns that Putin, who has gained notoriety for dodging peace talks, is not reliable in his promises or actions. He has escalated tensions by putting his nuclear forces on "combat duty" and redefining the threshold for using these weapons from facing annihilation to threats against the nation's sovereignty, reports the Express. However, despite this unsettling posturing, the autocrat, who came to power upon Boris Yeltsin's stepping down in 1999, declared: "We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires." In a bold move last November, Putin revised Russia's nuclear strategy document, detailing when he can call upon Moscow's nuclear capabilities, extending the scenarios to include non-nuclear strikes from a nuclear state. Marking a first in his presidential tenure, Putin has essentially put his nuclear forces on alert, signalling a clear readiness for conflict. No other state has deployed nukes since the US used them in WWII against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending approximately 200,000 lives instantly. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons [ICAN] confirms America's arsenal includes a staggering 5,277 warheads. The vast majority of nuclear arms are held between Russia and the US, claiming close to 90% of the world's active military slocks. China, France, the UK, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea are the only other countries with access to such destructive firepower. Geneva's ICAN warns: "A single nuclear warhead could kill hundreds of thousands of people, with lasting and devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences. Detonating just one nuclear weapon alone over New York would cause an estimated 583,160 fatalities." ICAN reports: "Combined, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States possess over 12,300 nuclear weapons, most of which are many times more powerful than the nuclear weapon dropped on Hiroshima. Thirty-two other states are also part of the problem, with six nations hosting nuclear weapons, and a further 28 endorsing their use." Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine surrendered its 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads after the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, whereby Russia and America vowed not to invade—the nukes were returned to Russia. Dr Patricia Lewis from Chatham House has sounded the alarm on the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia, asserting: "It was believed that if Russia were to use nuclear weapons it would likely be in Ukraine, using short range, lower yield 'battlefield' nuclear weapons. Russia is thought to have more than 1,000 in reserve. These would have to be taken from storage and either connected to missiles, placed in bombers, or as shells in artillery." She further highlighted a shift in Moscow's menacing language, noting: "Increasingly the rhetoric from Russia suggests nuclear threats are a more direct threat to NATO – not only Ukraine – and could refer to longer range, higher yield nuclear weapons." Dr Lewis also pointed out the absence of nuclear posturing from NATO, stating: "There have been no expressed nuclear weapons threats from NATO states. NATO does rely on nuclear weapons as a form of deterrence and recently committed to significantly strengthen its longer-term deterrence and defence posture in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Labour government has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to British nuclear weapons – including before the general election." Meanwhile, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics reports that Russian economy is tottering under sanctions, finding itself in an "increasingly precarious state". Whilst appearing outwardly stable, experts suggest the Russian economy actually masks deep-seated instability, with underlying imbalances and structural weaknesses steadily worsening. The European Union has enforced 17 rounds of sanctions on Russia since the Ukraine war began in February 2022, primarily targeting Moscow's key revenue streams - oil, gas, and coal exports. Other Western nations, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Japan, have also imposed sanctions. In an attempt to downplay the effectiveness of Western sanctions, Russia claims its gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.3% in 2024, following a 3.6% expansion in 2023. Meanwhile, tensions between the East and West continue to escalate, with Donald Trump announcing plans to make the proposed €208 billion Golden Dome missile defence programme "fully operational" by 2029. This programme aims to develop ground and space-based capabilities to detect and intercept missiles at all stages of a potential attack, including before launch, during the initial stages of flight, mid-course, and in the final minutes before impact. The Pentagon has long warned that China and Russia's latest missile developments are so advanced that updated countermeasures are necessary. Both nations have deployed offensive space-based assets, such as satellites capable of disabling critical satellites, leaving the US vulnerable to attack. Last year, the US alleged that Russia was developing a space-based nuclear weapon that could linger above the Earth before releasing a burst to take out surrounding satellites. Mr Trump, who instructed the Pentagon to develop space-based interceptors via executive order at the start of his presidency, revealed he has not yet discussed Golden Dome with Putin. However, in a joint statement earlier this month, China and Russia described the concept as "deeply destabilising in nature", cautioning it would transform "outer space into an environment for placing weapons and an arena for armed confrontation."
News18
25-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Pakistan Modernising Nuclear Arsenal, Sees India As An Existential Threat: US Report
Last Updated: A global threat assessment report in the United States said that Pakistan views India as its "existential threat" and is prioritising the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal. In the wake of a recent military confrontation between the two rival neighbours, a US global threat assessment report has said that Pakistan is prioritising nuclear arsenal modernisation in the near future, as Islamabad regards New Delhi as its 'existential threat". 'Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage," the report said. US Report Exposes Pakistan's Nuclear Obsession Pakistan, which recently got an IMF bailout of $1 billion under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme despite India's strong objections on May 9, is maintaining the security of its nuclear materials. As per an ICAN report, Pakistan spent $1.0 billion to maintain its nuclear weapons in 2023. 'Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD-applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," the US report said. It noted Pakistan's close military and economic ties with China and said that the programmes of weapons of mass destruction are largely supported by Beijing, which likely provides materials and technology to Islamabad. 'Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates," the report said. The report, however, also mentioned that the killings of Chinese workers engaged in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects have resulted in a 'point of friction" between the two countries. As many as seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024. Mentioning Pakistan's hostilities with the Taliban along its western borders, the report said that they have clashed near border posts, resulting in the killing of eight Taliban fighters in September 2024. 'In March 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged air and artillery strikes on each other's territory, each citing alleged militant infrastructure as the targets," it said. What Does US Report Say About India? The report said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's defence priorities will likely focus on demonstrating global leadership, countering China and enhancing the country's military power. 'India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more as an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India's and Pakistan's militaries," the report said. The report acknowledged India's counterstrike deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during Operation Sindoor and said that missile strikes were conducted on terrorism-related infrastructure facilities. The report also said that India is looking to counter Chinese influence by prioritising advancing its bilateral defense partnerships in the Indian Ocean region through exercises, training, arms sales, and information sharing. India will continue pushing its 'Make in India' initiative to boost its domestic defence industry, mitigate supply chain concerns, and modernize its military, the report said. 'India continued to modernize its military in 2024, conducting a test of the nuclear-capable developmental Agni-I Prime MRBM and the Agni-V multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle while also commissioning its second nuclear-powered submarine to strengthen its nuclear triad and bolster its ability to deter adversaries," it added. The report further said that India will 'maintain its relationship with Russia" through 2025 as it views Moscow as 'important for achieving its economic and defense objectives". 'Under Modi, India has reduced its procurement of Russian-origin military equipment but still relies on Russian spare parts to maintain and sustain its large inventory of Russian-origin tanks and fighter aircraft that form the backbone of its military's ability to counter perceived threats from China and Pakistan," the report said. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Al Jazeera
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
India and Pakistan in conflict – are there nuclear risks?
International concern is mounting over the India-Pakistan conflict, as both are armed with substantial nuclear arsenals. Atomic bombs have only been used twice – 80 years ago on Japan. What nuclear risks do the current hostilities pose? James Bays Dan Smith – Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a think tank focusing on global security Susi Snyder – Programme co-ordinator at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Elizabeth Threlkeld – Senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Children's Museum reopens in new Parkway building
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The Utica Children's Museum cut the ribbon on its new building on the Parkway in South Utica on Tuesday. The $8 million project was part of a bigger $14 million project by Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) to create a first-of-its-kind human services non-profit and children's museum hybrid. 'Today marks an incredible milestone not just for the Utica Children's Museum, but for our entire community,' Meghan Fraser McGrogan, the museum's executive director, said in a statement. 'We are so excited to celebrate the hard work of our team and all of our partners who made this project possible. We have thoughtfully designed this museum to be an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring environment for children to learn and grow. Our new museum is truly a place where families can come together to play, learn and create lasting memories.' Thank you Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Hope Knight for your unwavering support and investment in our vision.' The museum's new building features a 4,000 square-foot rotunda and a 10,000 square-foot second floor. The second floor showcases six galleries and 60 exhibits focusing on Central New York, entitled 'Love Where You Live!' The museum also features multiple play zones for children, including: The Climber, providing two stories of physical challenges, The Meeting Place, which is common space for groups and other programs, The World Market, a global gallery that allows children to experience world cultures, Build It Up, a place for children to get hands on with building structures, Let's Experiment, a zone that allows children to get creative through STEAM-based challenges, Seasons, a zone that allows children to learn about weather, The Cove, a zone that promotes the importance of pausing and calming down by providing an 'oasis of calm,' and Several other multi-purpose rooms for groups and programs to enjoy. ICAN and the Children's Museum announced the move in 2020, a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the museum earlier than expected. While the new museum was being built, a Mobile Museum was sent out into the community to 'take the fun out on the road.' Groundbreaking on the museum began in a ceremony in 2021, while the new Rotunda was completed in 2023. The project was funded by a $750,000 grant from the Governor's state capital funding sources, $1 million from the Market New York program from Empire State Development, and $300,000 in a capital grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon also secured another $125,000 in funding through last year's state budget. 'The Utica Children's Museum is a place where families can gather and watch their children thrive, and I am proud to celebrate this wonderful space for the Mohawk Valley,' Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. 'These exciting exhibits and additions to the project will become an important extension of the community — families and children from across the region will experience the new museum together and create a welcoming environment for many years ahead.' The museum will officially open on Thursday, May 1. Tickets are $15 for adults and children above the age of one. Children under one year old are admitted free. Museums for All members can get in for three dollars with an ID and EBT card. Visitors can book reservations and purchase memberships on the Children's Museum website. 'The opening of the Utica Children's Museum is a shining example of what our community can accomplish when we come together to invest in our future,' Mayor Mike Galime said in a statement. 'Whether it was through a financial contribution or the sharing of ideas, I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this incredible space a reality. I look forward to creating memories here with my own family and seeing generations of children and families enjoy it for years to come.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Nobel laureates urge Trump, Putin to meet on denuclearisation
GENEVA: Three Nobel Peace Prize-winning groups campaigning to eliminate nuclear weapons joined forces on Monday to urge the US and Russian presidents to meet and agree on significant denuclearisation. The joint appeal came from Japan's atomic bomb survivors' group Nihon Hidankyo, which won last year's Nobel; 2017 laureate the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN); and the 1985 winner, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. They sent a joint letter to the two leaders, ICAN said in a statement Monday. 'At this moment of extreme nuclear danger, we call on you to take urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and to engage in meaningful negotiations for nuclear disarmament,' they wrote to US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two countries between them control 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons. The groups said they were prompted to write their letter following Trump's suggestion after returning to power in January that he wanted the world to 'denuclearise', and the Kremlin's expressed openness to the idea. 'The current climate surrounding nuclear weapons is the most volatile in decades,' they said, warning of potential 'catastrophic consequences for all humankind'. The Nobel laureates called in their letter on the two leaders to follow the example set by their predecessors Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The then US and Soviet leaders met in Iceland in 1986 during the Cold War and agreed the deepest cuts ever in their countries' nuclear forces. 'The expansion of nuclear weapons capabilities is not a route to safety,' the groups argued. 'It only increases the risk these weapons will be used by accident or design. 'The only viable security strategy is one that moves the world away from the brink of nuclear catastrophe and prioritises disarmament,' they added. 'Nuclear weapons are not an inevitable force of nature that must be endured,' they said. 'They were built by human hands, and they can be dismantled by human hands. All that's required is political will.'
