FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS

Why is Russia holding nuclear exercises - and what to watch for?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to conduct drills involving the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, citing perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. The drills will include missile forces, aviation, and the navy from the Southern Military District, near Ukraine, as well as Belarus. Russia linked the drills to what it called "militant statements" by Western officials. While nuclear powers routinely conduct nuclear exercises, it is rare to explicitly link such drills to ongoing conflicts.

Donald Trump's attacks on his trial judges trigger widespread calls for violence

New York Justice Juan Merchan, Trump declared on Truth Social, is a "highly conflicted" overseer of a "kangaroo court." Trump supporters swiftly replied to his post with a blitz of attacks on Merchan. The comments soon turned ugly. Some called for Merchan and other judges hearing cases against Trump to be killed.

Russia's nuclear arsenal: How big is it, and who controls it?

Vladimir Putin's warning about Russia's nuclear readiness has sparked global concern. With the world's largest nuclear warhead stockpile at about 5,580 warheads, Russia's nuclear policy allows their use in response to attacks using nuclear or other mass destruction weapons, or when conventional weapons threaten Russia's existence. While Russia has not tested nuclear weapons since 1991, Putin's signing a law to withdraw from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty indicates a willingness to resume testing. The president holds sole authority over nuclear weapon use, facilitated by the "Cheget" briefcase, a communication tool for nuclear launch orders.

Rick and Morty Season 8: Decoding the finale and exploring clues for what comes next

Leaving fans eager for more intergalactic adventures, Rick and Morty Season 7 successfully navigated the absence of Justin Roiland, introducing new narrators Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden in their respective character roles.

China's nuclear arsenal at more than 500 warheads -Pentagon report

China currently possesses over 500 operational nuclear warheads, which is expected to surpass 1,000 by 2030, according to a Pentagon report. However, China's nuclear arsenal still lags behind that of the United States and Russia. The US has approximately 3,700 nuclear warheads, while Russia has around 1,550. The report also highlighted China's rapid modernization and expansion of its nuclear forces, as well as its growing naval force, which now consists of over 370 ships and submarines.

Vladimir Putin says suggestions of US war against Russia and China are nonsense

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the suggestion that the United States should prepare for a war against Russia and China, calling it nonsense. He warned that any war with Russia would be on a different level than the conflict in Ukraine. A U.S. bipartisan panel recently stated that Washington should be prepared for possible simultaneous wars with Moscow and Beijing.

Pakistan has 170 nuclear warheads, may increase it to 200 by 2025: Nuclear Notebook

​​The US Defense Intelligence Agency projected in 1999 that Pakistan would have 60 to 80 warheads by 2020, but several new weapon systems have been fielded and developed since then, which leads us to a higher estimate," the Nuclear Notebook column published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on September 11 said.

Where bankrupt Pakistan has hidden its nuke weapons? Report reveals Pak's nuclear secrets

Amidst economic challenges and turmoil, Pakistan is reportedly increasing its nuclear arsenal, according to a report. Despite protests over high fuel prices and power outages, the country is expanding its nuclear capabilities, with new launchers and facilities observed in satellite imagery. The report estimates that Pakistan currently has around 170 warheads.

Hail the new stars aiming for the Moon

As the cameras showed the simulated image of the lunar lander Vikram touching down softly on the moon, the soul of a nation (to borrow a phrase from Jawaharlal Nehru's 14 August 1947 speech) found utterance: India was over the moon about landing on the Moon. And it was also the moment when a few hundred avowedly nerdy looking scientists at the mission control centre at Sriharikota became the darlings of over a billion proud Indians around the world.

White House welcomes Tesla to take advantage of federal subsidies for chargers

The statement follows separate announcements by US automakers Ford Motor and General Motors that they were adopting the Tesla model of charging, known as the North American Charging Standard.

Vladimir Putin says Moscow to place nuclear weapons in Belarus, US reacts cautiously

The United States - the world's other nuclear superpower - has reacted cautiously to Putin's statement, with a senior administration official saying there were no signs Moscow planned to use its nuclear weapons. Putin likened his plans to the U.S. stationing its weapons in Europe and said that Russia would not be transferring control to Belarus. But this could be the first time since the mid-1990s that Russia were to base such weapons outside the country.

Russia's nuclear arsenal: How big and who controls it?

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday delivered a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, suspending a landmark nuclear arms control treaty, announcing new strategic systems had been put on combat duty and warning that Moscow could resume nuclear tests.

Nuclear risk seen rising as Vladimir Putin unpicks last treaty with US

Now it may be beyond repair, raising the risk of a new arms race - in parallel with the war in Ukraine - in which neither side can rely on the stable, predictable framework that successive nuclear accords have provided for more than 50 years. Security analysts said that could hugely complicate the delicate calculus that underpins mutual deterrence between the two countries, while also spurring other powers such as China, India and Pakistan to build up their nuclear arsenals.

China blasts US report, reiterates 'no 1st use' nuke policy

The Pentagon last week released an annual China security report that warned Beijing would likely have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, and that it has provided no clarity on how it plans to use them.

What is ethical animal research? Scientist and veterinarian explain 4 R's of care

There is no single standard definition of ethical animal research.

Russia's nuclear missiles inventory may be the biggest in the world

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West regarding the numerous nuclear destruction weapons in his hands. In a televised address, Putin said that if Russia's territorial integrity is threatened, Moscow will take all possible measures to protect the country.

President Biden nominates Indian-American scientist Arti Prabhakar as top science advisor

If confirmed by the Senate, Dr Prabhakar would make history as the first woman, immigrant, or person of colour to head Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). She will also be the latest highly-qualified professional from the Indian-American community to be named for a key position in the Biden administration.

It's irresponsible to talk about herd immunity: Eric Feigl-Ding, Federation of American Scientists

People had said earlier that there was herd immunity in India in February 2021. And then Delta came. This is where so many people have been wrong on this before. I don't want to give false hope because I think false hope is very dangerous.

Data from federal scientists raise questions about J&J booster shots

Some scientists question how the federal government is considering boosters of any brand, given the limited data provided not only by Johnson & Johnson but also the other companies as well.

Time running out on the last US-Russia nuclear arms treaty

If President Trump doesn't extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty — only remaining US-Russia arms control pact — or succeed in negotiating a replacement treaty, it will expire on February 5. That's just 16 days after Trump begins a second term or his successor is sworn into office. Russia has offered to extend New START for up to five years, but Trump is holding out.

US adds 'low yield' nuclear weapon to its submarine arsenal

It is the first major addition to the strategic nuclear arsenal in recent decades and is a departure from the Obama administration's policy of lessening dependence on nuclear weapons in pursuit of a nuclear-free world. The Pentagon's top policy official asserted that the weapon makes Americans safer by making nuclear war less likely.

US targeting of Chinese scientists fuels a brain drain

Like tens of thousands of China’s best and brightest, Zhao came to the U.S. to earn his doctorate and settled down as a permanent U.S. resident.

Growing nuclear stockpile: Here's the list of nations in the race