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August 23, 2024 - Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant On Verge Of Blackout. Russia: Rostov NPP Power Unit In Russia Turned Off Due To Defect. Energoatom: "Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is again on the verge of blackout". Read more

August 20, 2024 - Pakistan Conducts "Successful" Launch Of Surface-To-Surface Ballistic Missile Shaheen-II. Pakistan Army: "Pakistan today conducted successful training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II". Read more

August 15, 2024 - Belarus: Use Of Nuclear Weapons Possible If Enemies Breach Border, US Considers Sending Longer-Range Missiles To Kyiv. Although Belarus has stated repeatedly that it has control of the nuclear weapons placed within its territory, Moscow has stated that Minsk does not. Read more

August 13, 2024 - Ukraine Advances On Kursk, Belarus Lodges Complaint Against Ukraine, IAEA Warns Of Nuclear Incident In Russia. The IAEA has given a warning of fighting taking place in Russia around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) which could create a nuclear incident in the region. Read more

August 11, 2024 - Fire Burning Within Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian President: "The radiation levels are currently normal, but the situation is not normal". Read more

August 11, 2024 - Belarus: Tanks, Iskander Missile Systems Deployed To Border After Claiming Ukrainian Drones Violated Airspace. Lukashenko: The air defense forces were put on full alert to intercept targets. Read more

July 11, 2024 - Russia: US Plans To Deploy Long-Range Missiles In Germany In 2026 May Trigger Uncontrollable Escalation. Moscow says the plans by the United States to deploy long-range missiles in Europe could trigger an "uncontrollable escalation" and a new missile arms race. Read more

July 9, 2024 - US, Philippines Enter Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Thailand Also Plans Installing Reactors. The agreement allows the transfer of nuclear equipment, material, and information from the US to the Philippines. Read more

July 5, 2024 - Russia Carries Out Planned Nuclear Exercises With Yars Land-Based Mobile Missile Systems. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense: "A similar exercise will soon be carried out in other missile formations". Read more

July 1, 2024 - North Korea Says It Fired New Missile Capable Of Carrying 4.5 Ton "Super Large" Warhead, US Tests Hypersonic Missile. Read more

June 30, 2024 - North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles Eastward - North Korea had warned of countermeasures against a joint military exercise between the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Read more

June 27, 2024 - Russian Satellite Breaks Up In Low-Earth Orbit Resulting In Over 100 Pieces Of Space Debris. USSPACECOM has observed no immediate threats and is continuing to conduct routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain. Read more

June 26, 2024 - Russia's Nuclear Forces Carry Out "Planned" Yars Land-Based Mobile Missile System Training. Russian Ministry of Defense: "During planned drills of Russian Strategic Missile Forces in Irkutsk region, Yars land-based mobile missile system perform intensive maneuvering". Read more

June 25, 2024 - North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea, Hundreds Of Trash-Filled Balloons. North Korea is estimated to have launched a total of around 2,000 trash and feces-filled balloons toward South Korea since May 28th. Read more

June 25, 2024 - Russia Revises Nuclear Doctrine, ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Two Russian Military Officials. On June 5th, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West was wrong to assume that Moscow would never use nuclear weapons. Read more

June 14, 2024 - Iran Installs New Centrifuges As Its Enriched Uranium Stockpile Continues To Grow. According to the IAEA, the amount of enriched uranium that Iran now possesses has reached 30 times more than was agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal framework. Read more

June 12, 2024 - Russian Navy Docks In Cuba, Moscow Carries Out Nuclear Exercise With Belarus To Send "A Message To Washington" (Report): Russian state-run media reported that the purpose of the visit to Havana, Cuba, and the nuclear drills was to send a message to Washington. Read more

June 10, 2024 - Houthis Launch 4 Missiles Into Gulf Of Aden Hitting Merchant Vessels, US Forces Destroy 1 UAS Drone, 2 Cruise Missiles, 1 Missile Launcher. Read more

June 9, 2024 - Tensions Escalate Between North And South Korea, US Worried About Increase In Nuclear Threats, Cooperation Between Adversaries. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States is worried about the rising nuclear threat, including the increase in cooperation between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Read more

June 7, 2024 - Houthis Unveil "Palestine" Missile Similar To Iranian Hypersonic "Fatah" Missile. The Houthi's Ansar Allah Media Office released a video showing the launch of the "Palestine" missile, which was shown being fired in the Gulf of Aqaba port of Eilat, in Israel. Read more

June 5, 2024 - US Holds Joint Bombing Drills In South Korea For First Time In 7 Years. The last such bomber drill by the United States within South Korea was 7 years ago, in 2017, and is being held amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea. Read more

June 5, 2024 - US Carries Out Minuteman III ICBM Test To Demonstrate Nuclear Deterrent, Reassure Allies. "This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective to deter 21st-century threats". Read more

May 31, 2024 - North Korea Reports Firing Off 18 Missiles After South Korea, Japan Report Launches. 18 different ballistic missiles were fired at once, which North Korea said shows that the country, “will not hesitate to carry out a preemptive attack by invoking the right to self-defense”. Read more

May 29, 2024 - North Korea Launches More Than 12 Suspected Ballistic Missiles Into Sea. Update: South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that it had detected more than 12 suspected short-range ballistic missiles launched near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang toward the sea. Read more

May 29, 2024 - North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile. Japanese Prime Minister's Office: North Korea has launched ballistic missile. Instructions issued on the launch. Read more

May 28, 2024 - Attempt To Put Second Reconnaissance Satellite Into Orbit By North Korea Ends In Failure. The failed rocket is an attempt by North Korea to put a second reconnaissance satellite into orbit around the Earth. Read more

May 22, 2024 - Pentagon: Russia Launched Likely Counter-Space Weapon In The Same Low-Earth Orbit As US Government Satellite This Month. In 2021 Russia carried out an anti-satellite (ASAT) test on one of its own satellites and created thousands of pieces of dangerous space debris. Read more

May 21, 2024 - Russia Carries Out Tactical Nuclear Drills In Response To "Threats" By "Western Officials" Against Russia. Russia also reported the United States carried out a “subcritical” experiment at a specialized underground laboratory on the nuclear test site in Nevada on May 14th. Read more

May 19, 2024 - Condition Currently: Relatively Calm. NASA: This week's space weather report includes: 52 M-class flares 9(!) X-class flares, 45 coronal mass ejections, 4(!) geomagnetic storms. Video: This Week's Solar Activity: Read more

May 17, 2024 - North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) off its eastern coast toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) on Friday, according to the South Korean military. Read more

May 14, 2024 - US: We Will Not Allow Iran To Obtain Nuclear Weapon, We See No Efforts By Iran To Do So. Iranian lawmaker: Iran has already obtained nuclear weapons, "but do not announce it". Read more

May 13, 2024 - Iranian Lawmaker Says He Believes Iran Already Has Nuclear Weapons But Does Not Announce It. The IAEA announced earlier this year that Iran had obtained enough enriched uranium to make "several" nuclear bombs if Iran chose to build them. Read more

May 11, 2024 - Sun Emits Numerous Strong X-Class Flares. One X5.4 solar flare erupted in the last few hours, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. Read more

May 6, 2024 - Russian Military Increases Readiness Of Nuclear Forces In Response To "Threats" Made Against Russia, Including Testing Ability To Deploy Tactical Nuclear Weapons. Read more

Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant On Verge Of Blackout. Russia: Rostov NPP Power Unit In Russia Turned Off Due To Defect - Energoatom: "Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is again on the verge of blackout".

KYIV - Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear energy company claimed on August 23rd that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), which is currently occupied by Russia, is on the verge of a blackout due to Russian shelling, though Russia's own state-owned energy group Rosatom claimed it was due to "nuclear terrorism" by Ukraine after one of the cooling towers caught fire earlier this month.

"Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is again on the verge of blackout," the latest statement by Energoatom said.

The statement added, "Currently, the ZNPP is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by only one power transmission line – 750 kV “Dniprovska”. In the event of its damage, an emergency will occur due to the loss of external power to the pumps that cool the reactor cores and spent fuel ponds of the ZNPP."

It also said, "In addition to the recent fire, when one of the two existing cooling towers of the nuclear power plant completely burned down due to negligence or deliberate incendiary fire, the threat of losing the plant’s external power supply has been added now." Russia: Rostov Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Switched Off Due To Detected Defect. Full Statements, Reports, Updates: Read more.

Pakistan Conducts "Successful" Launch Of Surface-To-Surface Ballistic Missile Shaheen-II - Pakistan Army: "Pakistan today conducted successful training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II".

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani Army has carried out a “successful training launch” of the Shaheen-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying both a nuclear and conventional warhead. Pakistan: Launch Aimed At Training Troops, Validating Technical Parameters, Improve Accuracy And Enhanced Survivability: Read more.

Belarus: Use Of Nuclear Weapons Possible If Enemies Breach Border, US Considers Sending Longer-Range Missiles To Kyiv - Although Belarus has stated repeatedly that it has control of the nuclear weapons placed within its territory, Moscow has stated that Minsk does not.

MINSK/MOSCOW - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday during an interview with a Russian state-run television program that while Belarus refrains from using nuclear weapons, it could use them if its borders are breached by an adversary, adding that it warned its adversaries of this fact when Russia moved nuclear weapons to Belarus in 2023.

Ukraine has also begun receiving American-made F-16 fighter jets from Europe, and a new report says that the Biden Administration is working out the details on sending Ukraine longer-range cruise missiles that could be capable of hitting Moscow from Ukrainian territory. Russia has stated that providing longer-range missiles to Ukraine would be crossing a red line. Read Full Report.

Ukraine Advances On Kursk, Belarus Lodges Complaint Against Ukraine, IAEA Warns Of Nuclear Incident In Russia - The IAEA has given a warning of fighting taking place in Russia around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) which could create a nuclear incident in the region.

RUSSIA - Ukraine continues to advance on Kursk, Russia as Moscow pulls a "relatively small" amount of troops from Ukraine to defend against the incursion within its territory. The IAEA is warning of a possible nuclear incident as a result of fighting around the Kursk nuclear power plant.

The IAEA has also released multiple assessments regarding the fire that was reported to be at the base of the base of one of the cooling towers at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

According to the IAEA: “Based on the observations, the team assessed that it was unlikely that the primary source of the fire began at the base of the cooling tower, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. During the team’s visit to the cooling tower, it determined that the damage was most likely concentrated on the interior of the tower at the water nozzle distribution level”.

Zelensky: Our Forces Continue To Advance On Kursk. IAEA Issues Nuclear Warnings, Gives Assessments On ZNPP Incident: Read more.

Fire Burning Within Territory Of The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - Ukrainian President: "The radiation levels are currently normal, but the situation is not normal".

UKRAINE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posted a video showing smoke billowing out of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant location and claiming that Russian troops have started a fire within the territory of the plant. Russia, however, claims that Ukrainian shelling started the fire.

Zelensky went on to say that the radiation levels are currently normal, but the situation is not normal and that Ukraine is “waiting for the world to react, waiting for the IAEA to react”. Full Report.

Belarus: Tanks, Iskander Missile Systems Deployed To Border After Claiming Ukrainian Drones Violated Airspace - Lukashenko: The air defense forces were put on full alert to intercept targets. , helicopter. And also the MLRS weapons were put on high alert.

BELARUS/UKRAINE - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense says that Belarus is deploying tanks along the country's border with Ukraine after its leader Alexander Lukashenko said that several Ukrainian drones were shot down over the country's airspace, putting its air defense forces on high alert.

The Ministry added that parts of its mechanized forces have been put on alert and that tanks and other vehicles will be sent via rail to the Gomel and Mozyr regions along the Ukrainian border after "about a dozen" targets were intercepted and shot down over Belarusian and Russian airspace. Lukashenko Declares High Readiness, Transports Tanks And Iskander Missile Systems To Border With Ukraine: Read Full Report.

Russia: US Plans To Deploy Long-Range Missiles In Germany In 2026 May Trigger Uncontrollable Escalation - Moscow says the plans by the United States to deploy long-range missiles in Europe could trigger an "uncontrollable escalation" and a new missile arms race.

MOSCOW - After the White House released a joint statement with Germany ahead of the NATO Summit revealing plans for the US to deploy long-range missiles to Germany in 2026, Russia said the action could trigger an "uncontrollable escalation" and a new missile arms race.

The White House released a joint statement on July 10th, 2024 just before the NATO Summit that said the following:

"The United States will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fires capabilities of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future.

When fully developed, these conventional long-range fires units will include SM-6, Tomahawk, and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe.

Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States’ commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence." Russia: Deployment Directly Threatens International Security, Americans Increasing Risk Of Missile Arms Race: Read more.

US, Philippines Enter Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Thailand Also Plans Installing Reactors - The agreement allows the transfer of nuclear equipment, material, and information from the US to the Philippines. Read more.

Russia Carries Out Planned Nuclear Exercises With Yars Land-Based Mobile Missile Systems - According to the Russian Ministry of Defense: "A similar exercise will soon be carried out in other missile formations".

MOSCOW - Russian strategic missile forces carried out planned nuclear exercises with Yars land-based mobile missile systems. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense: "A similar exercise will soon be carried out in other missile formations". Full Video, Statements, Information On Exercise: Read Report.

China, Russia Bolster Influence In Latin America - New satellite photo shows additions to space-monitoring sites in Bejcual and Calabazar, which the report said is "notable" since Cuba does not currently possess its own satellite or space program.

LATAM - New satellite imagery posted by Maxar Technologies indicates that China has been bolstering its "space monitoring" and intelligence-gathering capabilities at multiple bases in Latin America as Moscow and Beijing continue to gain military and economic influence in South America.

As China bolsters its ability to gather intelligence in Latin America, two Russian navy vessels docked in Venezuela on Tuesday to maintain its naval presence in the region after three Russian ships and a nuclear submarine visited Cuba earlier in early June.

China Bolstering Cuban Bases, Russian Navy Docks In Venezuela

Satellite images captured in March and April of this year were released in a report on Tuesday by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that indicated that China has undergone new construction at three sites located near the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Sites that show additions or new construction include: Bejcual, Calabazar, Wajay, and El Salao.

The new construction shows additions to its space-monitoring sites in Bejcual and Calabazar, which the report said is "notable" since Cuba does not currently possess its own satellite or space program.

“Without access to classified materials, pinpointing the specific targets of these assets is nearly impossible,” the report said, adding, "Nonetheless, the growth of space-monitoring equipment at sites like Bejucal and Calabazar is notable given that Cuba lacks its own satellites or space program".

The largest of the four sites where new activity was discovered was Bejucal, the same base used by the Soviet Union to store nuclear weapons during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Where it was once a base used to store nuclear weapons, it is now being used as an intelligence monitoring station, which is suspected of being used to monitor electronic communications for the Chinese government.

The Bejucal site has undergone a large amount of recent construction, including a new enclosure for its electronic antenna. The new construction at the Wajay and Calabazar sites also indicates the installation of a new antenna, radar dishes, and other satellite monitoring equipment.

The El Salao site, which is located near the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay close to the city of Santiago de Cuba looks to be currently under construction and poses a particular concern for the United States.

The CSIS report revealed that China appears to be building a 425 to 655-foot diameter antenna array, and added that other arrays with a similar diameter have been capable of tracking electronic signals up to 9,300 miles away. Antenna Array Of This Diameter Could Cover Entire North American Continent: Read Full Report.

North Korea Says It Fired New Missile Capable Of Carrying 4.5 Ton "Super Large" Warhead, US Tests Hypersonic Missile - PYONGYANG - North Korea has released a statement saying that it has test-fired a new-type tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a 4.5-ton "super-large" warhead after the country fired 2 ballistic missiles toward the east on June 30th, one of which the South Korean military says likely failed.

The statement said, "The test-fire was conducted with a missile tipped with a simulated heavy warhead to verify flight stability and hit accuracy at the maximum range of 500 km and the minimum range of 90 km."

It added, "The Missile Administration said that it will test-fire new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 to verify flight characteristics, hit accuracy, and explosion power of super-large warhead at the medium range of 250km in July."

US Completes “End To End” Flight Test Of A Hypersonic Missile From Hawaii, North Korea Fired 2 Ballistic Missiles: On July 28th, the Pentagon reported that the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army recently completed an end-to-end flight test of a hypersonic missile from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii: Read more.

North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles Eastward - North Korea had warned of countermeasures against a joint military exercise between the United States, Japan, and South Korea dubbed “Freedom Shield” which ended on Saturday and lasted for three days.

SEOUL - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have reported that North Korea fired 2 ballistic missiles eastward. Further Information And Updates: Read more.

Russian Satellite Breaks Up In Low-Earth Orbit Resulting In Over 100 Pieces Of Space Debris - USSPACECOM has observed no immediate threats and is continuing to conduct routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain.

U.S. Space Command: "U.S. Space Command can confirm the break-up of RESURS-P1 (#39186), a Russian-owned decommissioned satellite, that occurred in low-Earth orbit on 26 June 2024 at approximately 1000 MT (1600 UTC) resulting in over 100 pieces of trackable debris.

USSPACECOM has observed no immediate threats and is continuing to conduct routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain.

As such, USSPACECOM has notified commercial, governmental, Allied, and partner organizations via Space-Track.org, to include Russia as the satellite owner."

Russia's Nuclear Forces Carry Out "Planned" Yars Land-Based Mobile Missile System Training - Russian Ministry of Defense: "During planned drills of Russian Strategic Missile Forces in Irkutsk region, Yars land-based mobile missile system perform intensive maneuvering".

MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that its nuclear forces carried out "planned" Yars land-based mobile missile system training as its strategic missile forces in Irkutsk, Russia performed "intensive maneuvering". Statement By Russia On The Training Of Its Nuclear Forces On The Yars Land-Based Mobile Missile System In Irkutsk: Read more.

North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea, Hundreds Of Trash-Filled Balloons - North Korea is estimated to have launched a total of around 2,000 trash and feces-filled balloons toward South Korea since May 28th.

SEOUL - The South Korean military and Japanese Prime Minister's office and Coast Guard have announced that North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) just hours after Pyongyang had released at least 350 trash-filled balloons toward South Korea for the second day in a row.

Japan detected the missile launch by North Korea, and had initially said it had spotted the launch of a "suspected ballistic missile".

North Korea is estimated to have launched a total of around 2,000 trash and feces-filled balloons toward South Korea since May 28th. Increase In Tensions With North Korea As US Carrier Group Arrives Near Korean Peninsula: Read more.

Russia Revises Nuclear Doctrine, ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Two Russian Military Officials - On June 5th, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West was wrong to assume that Moscow would never use nuclear weapons. Read Report.

EUROPE - The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for former Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, and Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov for crimes alleged to have occurred during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The ICC statement said that the judge found that there were, "Reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023".

Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin is revising the country's nuclear doctrine in order to "bring the doctrine into line with current realities," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

On June 25th, the ICC issued a statement on the arrests that said, "On 24 June 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”), composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Presiding, Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez and Judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh, issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu and Mr Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov, in the context of the situation in Ukraine for alleged international crimes committed from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023."

The statement went on to say Sergei Shoigu, and Valery Gerasimov are, "Allegedly responsible for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects (article 8(2)(b)(ii) of the Rome Statute) and the war crime of causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects (article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the Rome Statute), and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts under article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute.

There are reasonable grounds to believe they bear individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes for (i) having committed the acts jointly and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute), (ii) ordering the commission of the crimes (article 25(3)(b) of the Rome Statute), and/or (iii) for their failure to exercise proper control over the forces under their command (article 28 of the Rome Statute)."

It added that, "The two warrants of arrest were issued following applications filed by the Prosecution. Pre-Trial Chamber II considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023.

During this time-frame, a large number of strikes against numerous electric power plants and sub-stations were carried out by the Russian armed forces in multiple locations in Ukraine."

.. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged strikes were directed against civilian objects, and for those installations that may have qualified as military objectives at the relevant time, the expected incidental civilian harm and damage would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage."

The ICC added it, "Also determined that the alleged campaign of strikes constitutes a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts against a civilian population, carried out pursuant to a State policy, within the meaning of article 7 of the Statute.

Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects intentionally caused great suffering or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health, thus bearing criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of other inhumane acts, as defined in article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute".

"Considering that the key factual allegations are duly supported by evidence and other relevant material submitted at this stage of the proceedings by the Prosecution, the Chamber considered that the statutory requirements are met to issue the sought warrants of arrest."

Russia's 2020 Nuclear Doctrine, Putin Said West Is Wrong To Assume Moscow Wouldn't Use Nuclear Weapons Just Before Visit To Havana, Cuba: Read Full Report.

IAEA: Iran Installs New Centrifuges As Its Enriched Uranium Stockpile Continues To Grow - According to the IAEA, the amount of enriched uranium that Iran now possesses has reached 30 times more than was agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal framework.

IAEA - The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on Friday that Iran has been expanding its capacity to enrich uranium at its two underground sites by installing new centrifuges. The agency also passed a resolution this month calling on Tehran to allow its inspectors at its nuclear sites.

The IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors voted on the resolution earlier this month, with 20 countries voting to pass the resolution, 12 countries abstaining, and two countries (Russia and China) voting against passing the resolution.

The last resolution passed 18 months ago called on Iran to comply with an investigation into traces of man-made uranium that have been found at Iran's undeclared sites.

The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report sent to member states on Thursday said, "On 9 and 10 June ... Iran informed the Agency that eight cascades each containing 174 IR-6 centrifuges would be installed over the next 3-4 weeks in Unit 1 of FFEP [Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant]."

The report added, "On 11 June 2024, the Agency verified at FFEP that Iran had completed the installation of IR-6 centrifuges in two cascades in Unit 1. Installation of IR-6 centrifuges in four additional cascades was ongoing".

Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Now 30 Times More Than Agreed Upon In 2015 Deal: According to the IAEA, the amount of enriched uranium that Iran now possesses has reached 30 times more than was agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal framework. Read more.

Russian Navy Docks In Cuba, Moscow Carries Out Nuclear Exercise With Belarus To Send "A Message To Washington" (Report) - Russian state-run media reported that the purpose of the visit to Havana, Cuba, and the nuclear drills was to send a message to Washington.

RUSSIA/CUBA - Russian vessels have docked in Havana, Cuba for a planned visit, while Russian nuclear forces carry out joint exercises with Belarus to send “a message to Washington”.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said the purpose of the joint nuclear drills with Belarus was to maintain the readiness of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia, as well as to ensure its territorial integrity.

The Ministry of Defense stated, “During the exercise, issues of joint training of units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will be worked out”.

Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported that the purpose of the visit to Havana, Cuba, and the nuclear drills was to send a message to Washington. It said, “The fact is that tactical nuclear weapons, unlike strategic ones, have not been the subject of international agreements in which Russia participates, so the number of such ammunition in arsenals is not known for certain”.

It also claimed that the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which can carry both a conventional or a nuclear warhead are invulnerable to air defense systems and have been used “more than once” to strike Ukrainian military targets. Read more.

Russia Begins "Second Stage" Of Non-Strategic Nuclear Forces Exercise -Russian Ministry of Defense: "In accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the second stage of the non-strategic nuclear forces exercise has begun".

"In the course of the second phase of the non-strategic nuclear forces drills, personnel of the Leningrad MD's missile formation train to receive special training warheads for the Iskander operational-tactical missile system, equip launchers with it, and covertly advance to the designated position area for preparation for missile launches.

The Russian Navy ship crews involved in the exercise will equip sea-based cruise missiles with special training warheads and move to designated patrol areas."

Poland Warns Of Increased Polish, Allied Aircraft Activity Amid Russian Missile, Drone Strikes In Western Ukraine - Polish Armed Forces: "All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been launched, and the RSZ Operational Command is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis". Read more.

Polish Operational Command: "Please note that in the south-eastern part of the country there may be increased noise levels associated with the commencement of Polish and allied aircraft operating in our airspace.

Tonight we are observing the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, carrying out strikes using cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles of the SHAHED type against objects located, among others, in the western territory of Ukraine.

The last such intensified activity of Russian aviation, during which there were strikes in western Ukraine, was recorded on the night of June 6-7 this year.

All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been launched, and the RSZ Operational Command is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis."

Houthis Launch 4 Missiles Into Gulf Of Aden Hitting Merchant Vessels, US Forces Destroy 1 UAS Drone, 2 Cruise Missiles, 1 Missile Launcher - U.S. forces destroyed 1 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS drone), 2 land attack cruise missiles, and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

GULF OF ADEN - U.S. Central Command reported that four missiles were launched by Houthi militants into the Gulf of Aden, at least one was a cruise missile. Missiles struck multiple merchant vessels during the attacks.

Additionally, U.S. Central Command carried out a humanitarian aid airdrop into Northern Gaza on June 9th, 2024 in a joint operation, dropping over 10 metric tons of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).

Central Command said, "To date, the U.S. has airdropped more than 1,050 metric tons of humanitarian assistance in addition to the assistance delivered by the Joint Logistics Over the Sea (JLOTS) corridor". Statements, Incident Reports, More Information: Read more.

Tensions Escalate Between North And South Korea, US Worried About Increase In Nuclear Threats, Cooperation Between Adversaries - National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States is worried about the rising nuclear threat, including the increase in cooperation between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.

SEOUL - The South Korean Presidential Office said that the country is set to begin broadcasting propaganda over the country’s border with North Korea in response to the recent launches of trash and feces-filled balloons into South Korea, adding that it may be difficult for North Korea to endure, but will deliver “messages of light and hope to the North Korean military and citizens”.

"We make it clear that the responsibility for any escalation of tension between the two Koreas will lie entirely with North Korea," the Presidential Office added.

During an emergency meeting by the South Korean National Security Council (NSC), the members stated that attempts by Pyongyang to raise public concerns and instigate confusion are “unacceptable”. The council agreed to take “corresponding measures” against the recent escalatory actions by North Korea

“The government will maintain a firm and thorough state of readiness against any provocations from North Korea to ensure public safety and national security," it stated.

330 More Trash-Filled Balloons Spotted By South Korea On Saturday

Since Saturday, 330 more trash-filled balloons were detected by the South Korean military with over 80 of the balloons landing within South Korea, according to South Korean media.

Last month, and last week North Korea immediately began sending over 1,000 trash and feces-filled balloons into South Korea.

North Korea began sending the balloons over its border with South Korea after it announced “tit-for-tat action” in response to anti-Pyongyang propaganda pamphlets that have been sent to North Korea by South Korean activists, which South Korean media says are mainly from North Korean defectors and “conservative activists” to help encourage North Koreans to rise against the North Korean leadership.

First Time Since 2017 South Korea Broadcasts Propaganda Over Its Border To The North

This will be the first time since 2017 that South Korea blared propaganda over its border with the North. The last time the South resumed its propaganda campaign over its border was after Pyongyang carried out its 6th nuclear test on September 3rd, 2017, which North Korea said was a hydrogen bomb.

There was an incident in 2014 that occurred after North Korean forces fired anti-aircraft rounds at propaganda balloons carrying leaflets criticizing Pyongyang. The balloons were launched from Paju.

After North Korea fired at the balloons, which were sent by South Korean activists, and included North Korean defectors, South Korea returned fire after warning the North of its intentions.

“Our military first broadcast a warning and then fired 40 machine-gun rounds toward a North Korean guard post,” a spokesman stated at the time, adding, “We remain vigilant, carefully watching the situation.” North Korean Leader’s Sister Warns Of “New Responses” Against South Korea, US Worried About Rising Nuclear Threats And Cooperation Between Russia, China, North Korea, Iran: Read more | See All Reports.

Houthis Unveil "Palestine" Missile Similar To Iranian Hypersonic "Fatah" Missile - The Houthi's Ansar Allah Media Office released a video showing the launch of the "Palestine" missile, which was shown being fired in the Gulf of Aqaba port of Eilat, in Israel.

YEMEN - Houthi rebels have now unveiled a new solid-fuel missile that is similar to a missile previously shown by Iran which Tehran claimed has the capability of traveling at hypersonic speeds.

Although Houthis claimed they successfully tested a hypersonic missile capable of going Mach-8 speeds in March, the White House refuted the claims, saying the reports were inaccurate and that there's "absolutely no indication" the Houthis have access to a hypersonic weapon.

The Houthi's Ansar Allah Media Office released a video showing the launch of the "Palestine" missile, which was shown bein, in Israel on Monday.

Although the missile firing by Houthi forces is reported to have set off air raid sirens in the region, there were no reports of injuries or damages as a result of the launch.

A mobile launcher was shown by Houthi media being deployed with the engines of the Palestinian missile ejecting white smoke, which is a sign that the missile is likely being powered by a solid-fuel engine.

In March Houthi Rebels Claimed To Have Tested A Hypersonic Missile, US Denies Houthi Possesses Capability

In March, Russian state-run news agency Sputnik cited a Houthi military source as saying, "Missile forces of the movement have successfully tested a missile that can reach speeds of up to Mach 8 [Around 6,214 miles per hour] and is powered by solid fuel".

It added, "Yemen plans to begin manufacturing it for use in attacks in the Red and Arabian Seas and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel".

US Reestablishes Temporary Pier In Gaza After Being Damaged By Rough Seas - US Forces successfully reestablished the temporary pier in Gaza, "enabling the continued delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza". US Denies Houthi Possesses Hypersonic-Capable Weaponry: Read More.

US Holds Joint Bombing Drills In South Korea For First Time In 7 Years - The last such bomber drill by the United States within South Korea was 7 years ago, in 2017, and is being held amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

SEOUL - The United States and South Korea held joint bombing drills with at least one B-1B bomber on Wednesday for the first time in 7 years, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

During the drills, the B-1B dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions as they were escorted by South Korean fighter jets. South Korean F-15Ks also participated in the live-fire bomber drills along with U.S. F-35B and F-16 jets.

The statement did not mention the number of American B-1B bombers participating in the exercise which took place amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

The last such bomber drill by the United States within South Korea was 7 years ago, in 2017, and is being held shortly after North Korea sent a large number of trash and feces-filled balloons into South Korea, and as Pyongyang recently carried out GPS jamming attacks on the South.

The South Korean defense ministry said, "Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, this exercise took place with a focus on implementing the U.S. extended deterrence commitment and strengthening the combined defense posture". USINDOPACOM Commander Visits South Korea, Extra Data/Fact Sheets: Read More.

US Carries Out Minuteman III ICBM Test To Demonstrate Nuclear Deterrent, Reassure Allies - "This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective to deter 21st-century threats".

CALIFORNIA - The United States carried out a test of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with one re-entry vehicle on June 4th, 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

"This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective to deter 21st-century threats and reassure our allies," the U.S. Air Force stated.

US Air Force: Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent

US Air Force: BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen supported by Space Force Guardians launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with one re-entry vehicle at 12:56 a.m. Pacific time June 4 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies. Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events.

“Our Strikers and our nuclear mission are the bedrock of our nation’s defense and international security,” said Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander, Air Force Global Strike Command.

“As part of that mission, our ICBM force provides 24/7 strategic deterrence and stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice as the most responsive leg of the nuclear triad, and our test launches demonstrate and confirm our readiness to deliver a safe, secure, effective, and credible, global combat capability.”

The ICBM's re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Reagan Test Site sensors, including high-fidelity metric and signature radars, as well as optical sensors and telemetry, support the research, development, test and evaluation of America's defense and space programs.

For these tests, RTS team members collect radar, optical and telemetry data in the terminal phase of flight to evaluate system performance.

"RTS brings a range of sensors with decades of experience in collecting and analyzing truth data to support range customers," said Col. Juan R. Santiago, Reagan Test Site director.

“The U.S. nuclear enterprise is the cornerstone of security for our allies and partners across the globe,” said Col. Chris Cruise, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group.

“Today’s test launch is just one example of how our nation’s ICBMs, and the professional Airmen who maintain and operate them, demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It showcases our commitment to deterrence as we stand on continuous alert, 24/7/365.”

The test launch is a culmination of months of preparation that involve multiple government partners, including the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Airmen from the all three missile wings were selected for the task force to support the test launch, and maintainers from 90th Missile Wing at FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, provided maintenance support. The missile bases within Air Fore Global Strike Command have crew members standing alert 24 hours a day, year-round, overseeing the nation’s ICBM alert forces.

The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and U.S. Strategic Command, uses data collected from test launches for continuing force development evaluation.

The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States’ ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.

Air Force Global Strike Command is a major command with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in the Shreveport-Bossier City community.

The command oversees the nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force, to include B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings, the Long Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems, and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise.

Approximately 33,700 professionals are assigned to two Numbered Air Forces, nine wings, two geographically-separated squadrons and one detachment in the continental United States and deployed to locations around the globe. AFGSC marks its 15th year anniversary in 2024.

The LG-35A Sentinel will replace the Minuteman III ICBM with an initial capability of 2029. Until full capability is achieved in the mid-2030s, the Air Force is committed to ensuring Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent.

Unarmed Minuteman III Test Launch To Showcase Readiness Of U.S. Nuclear Force's Safe, Effective Deterrent: Read More.

North Korea Reports Firing Off 18 Missiles After South Korea, Japan Report Launches - 18 different ballistic missiles were fired at once, which North Korea said shows that the country, “will not hesitate to carry out a preemptive attack by invoking the right to self-defense”.

Although North Korea called the missiles fired a “salvo” without reporting how many there were, photos the country’s state media posted show 18 different ballistic missiles being fired at once, which the North said shows that the country, “will not hesitate to carry out a preemptive attack by invoking the right to self-defense”.

A statement released by North Korean state media said that South Korea “Committed a hideous act of infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK that can never be overlooked by staging a clumsy counteraction of [a] dangerous armed demonstration against the exercise of [the] legitimate sovereign right of the DPRK,” using the formal name for North Korea “DPRK” which stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The statement went on to say, “In this regard, the super-large multiple rocket sub-units conducted the power demonstration firing aiming at them for ensuring the sovereignty and security of the state with powerful and overwhelming means of war and clearly showing the DPRK's corresponding will not to hesitate to carry out a preemptive attack by invoking the right to self-defense at any time when the enemies attempt to use military force against the DPRK.”

It then said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave the order to organize the “power demonstration firing” directly, and said that the leader “guided it on the spot”.

South Korea and Japan Reported On The Launch, The Number Of Launches Were Uncertain. North: Launches Retaliatory In Nature: Read Full Report | Read All Reports On North Korea.

North Korea Launches More Than 12 Ballistic Missiles Into Sea - Update: South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that it had detected more than 12 suspected short-range ballistic missiles launched near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang toward the sea.

It added that the South Korean military has increased both surveillance and vigilance and is closely sharing data on the launches with the United States and Japan.

North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile - Japanese Prime Minister's Office: "North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow."

Japanese Prime Minister’s Office: "[North Korea related/Prime Minister's instructions] Regarding the missile launch by North Korea, the Prime Minister said:

1. Make every effort to gather and analyze information and provide prompt and accurate information to the public.

2 Thorough safety confirmation of aircraft, ships, etc."

3. Prepare for unexpected situations and be fully prepared. Instructions on the following three points (instructions at 6:19).

Attempt To Put Second Reconnaissance Satellite Into Orbit By North Korea Ends In Failure - The failed rocket is an attempt by North Korea to put a second reconnaissance satellite into orbit around the Earth.

PYONGYANG - North Korean state-run media has reported a failed launch of a reconnaissance satellite it dubbed "Malligyong-1-1" on May 27th aboard the "new-type satellite carrier rocket" at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province in North Korea.

The statement was released after South Korean and Japanese officials reported that a launch by North Korea appeared to have ended in failure. The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported, "North Korea fired the projectile on a southern path off its west coast at around 10:44 p.m. (1344 GMT)".

It added that it detected debris coming from the rocket which fell into the Yellow Sea (aka North Sea) two minutes after it was launched.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said of the launch, "These launches are in violation of relevant security council resolutions and are a serious matter concerning the safety of our people".

The Deputy director general of North Korea's National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) said, "The launch of the new satellite carrier rocket failed when it exploded in mid-air during the flight of the first stage".

The U.S. military released a statement on the launch, which it used "ballistic missile technology, which, is a brazen violation of multiple unanimous UN Security Council resolutions".

North Korea cited the vice general director of NATA as saying that the launch failed "due to the air blast of the new-type satellite carrier rocket during the first-stage flight".

The statement cited experts who it said examined the field headquarters of the "non-permanent preparatory committee for launching satellites," and said that the cause of the accident "is attributable to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen + petroleum engine".

The statement released by North Korea's state-run media added that other causes, "will be examined".

North Korea's Attempt To Put Second Reconnaissance Satellite Into Orbit Ended in Failure: The failed rocket is an attempt by North Korea to put a second reconnaissance satellite into orbit around the Earth. The first satellite, named Malligyong-1 was placed into orbit in February, but the satellite's capabilities are not yet known.

The country put the satellite into orbit after multiple failed attempts, after which its state-run media claimed it had taken photos of the Pentagon and the White House, but did not publicly release any of the images it claimed to have taken. Read Full Report | Read All Reports

Pentagon: Russia Launched Likely Counter-Space Weapon In The Same Low-Earth Orbit As US Government Satellite This Month - In 2021 Russia carried out an anti-satellite (ASAT) test on one of its own satellites and created thousands of pieces of dangerous space debris. Read Alert | Read Full Report On SJ.

PENTAGON - Russia has launched a low-orbit satellite that the Department of Defense assesses is likely a counter-space weapon which it says it presumes has the purpose of attacking other satellites in low orbit around the earth.

Furthermore, the orbit of the device launched by Russia has been placed within the same orbit as a U.S. Government satellite, according to the Pentagon, which says it's currently monitoring the device.

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said during a briefing, "we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the domain - the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force.

And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment."

Ryder said during the briefing, "What I'm tracking here is on May 16th, as you highlight, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we - that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.

Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite. And so assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter-space payloads from 2019 and 2022. And so, you know, obviously that's something that we'll continue to monitor.

Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the domain - the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force. And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment."

When Ryder was asked whether it posed a threat to the U.S. Government satellite right now, he replied and said, "Well, it's a counter-space weapon in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite, so.."

When asked if the Pentagon knew there was a launch by Russia into space he said, "Typically when there - when there are launches into space, there are requirements in terms of notifications - international notifications, notifications to airmen, things like that.

So the question is did we have advanced notice of that launch? As it relates to payloads and - and what we know about and what we don't know about, i.e. intelligence, that - that is not something I can get into."

During a United Nations Security Council meeting on a resolution on the prevention of an arms race in outer space & outer space security, Robert Wood, U.S. representative in the UN, highlighted Russia's actions in space & how the U.S. will continue to demonstrate safe space activities.

During the meeting, he addressed the launch by Russia, saying that the United States will continue to put a "bright spotlight" on Russia's "troubling actions in space", and how the actions "diverge from its statements here in the Security Council".

He told the Security Council, "On March 16th Russia launched a satellite into low-earth orbit that the United States assesses is likely a counter-space weapon that is presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low-earth orbit.

Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon in the same orbit as a U.S. Government satellite. Russia's May 16 launch follows prior Russian satellite launches likely of counter-space systems into low-earth orbit in 2019 and 2022".

In 2021 Russia Conducted An Anti-Satellite Test Creating Thousands Of Pieces Of Space Debris. Pentagon: In The Last Few Years Counterspace Threats Have Increased Significantly: Read Alert | Read Full Report On SJ.

Russia Carries Out Tactical Nuclear Drills In Response To "Threats" By "Western Officials" Against Russia - Russia also reported the United States carried out a “subcritical” experiment at a specialized underground laboratory on the nuclear test site in Nevada on May 14th.

MOSCOW - Russia has begun carrying out tactical nuclear drills in the southern military district to test the use of "non-strategic nuclear weapons" in response to what it says are "threats" that have been made by "individual Western officials" against Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense and state-run media.

The Russian military said, "In accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the first stage of the exercise with practical testing of the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons began in the Southern Military District under the leadership of the General Staff of the Armed Forces".

The Russian Foreign Ministry also reported the United States carried out a “subcritical” experiment at a specialized underground laboratory on the nuclear test site in Nevada on May 14th.

Russian state-run media reported that missile formation personnel of the Southern Military District are "practicing combat training tasks of obtaining special ammunition for the Iskander tactical missile system, equipping launch vehicles with them and covertly moving to positions in preparation for launches".

Aerospace Forces aviation units, it says, are training to install "special combat units of aviation weapons," including the Kinzhal aeroballistic hypersonic missiles, and conducting sorties to "designated patrol areas" according to Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, "The ongoing exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to respond and in order to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation".

Russian Foreign Ministry: Drills Being Carried Out In Response To Recent Statements By Western Officials, Destabilizing Actions By NATO. The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement that said the drills are being carried out in response to recent statements by Western officials, as well as what it calls destabilizing actions by NATO. Read Full Report | Russia Increases Readiness Of Nuclear Forces.

Space Weather Condition Currently: Relatively Calm. Video: This Week's Solar Activity - NASA: This week's space weather report includes: 52 M-class flares 9(!) X-class flares, 45 coronal mass ejections, 4(!) geomagnetic storms.

NOAA/NASA: A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation, or light, on the Sun. Flares are our solar system’s most powerful explosive events – the most powerful flares have the energy equivalent of a billion hydrogen bombs, enough energy to power the whole world for 20,000 years. 

Light only takes about 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to Earth, so that’s how long it would take the energy from a flare to reach our planet.

How do solar flares affect Earth? Solar flares only affect Earth when they occur on the side of the Sun facing Earth. Solar flares are rated into different classes based on their strength, or energy output, and the effect a flare will have on Earth depends on what class it is (B, C, M, and X classes, with X being the most intense).

Earth’s atmosphere absorbs most of the Sun’s intense radiation, so flares are not directly harmful to humans on the ground. However, the radiation from a flare can be harmful to astronauts outside of Earth’s atmosphere, and they can affect the technology we rely on.

Stronger solar flares – those rated class M5 or above – can have impacts on technology that depends on Earth’s ionosphere, our electrically charged upper atmosphere, like high-frequency radio used for navigation and GPS.

When the burst of light from a flare reaches Earth, it can cause surges of electricity and scintillation, or flashes of light, in the ionosphere, leading to radio signal blackouts that can last for minutes or, in the worst cases, hours at a time.

One risk of a radio blackout is that radios are often used for emergency communications, for instance, to direct people amid an earthquake or hurricane. Current space weather conditions: Relatively Calm. Video from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the week’s activity, see more: Read Full Report | Read All Reports.

North Korea Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea Of Japan - SEOUL - North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) off its eastern coast toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) on Friday, according to the South Korean military.

The missiles traveled for around 186 miles before falling into the sea, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff which said it shared data on the launch with the United States and Japan and currently analyzing the missile perimeters.

US: We Will Not Allow Iran To Obtain Nuclear Weapon, We See No Efforts By Iran To Do So - An Iranian lawmaker recently said that Iran has already obtained nuclear weapons, "but do not announce it". Iran: There Has Not Been Any Change In Nuclear Doctrine. Iranian Lawmaker Says He Believes Iran Already Has Nuclear Weapons But Does Not Announce It: US: We Will Not Allow Iran To Obtain Nuclear Weapon | Iranian Lawmaker: Iran Already Has Nuclear Weapons.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department says that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon after the Iranian supreme leader’s senior advisor Kamal Kharrazi said that if Iran's existence is threatened Tehran would have "no choice but to produce a nuclear bomb".

Iran had also threatened to change its nuclear doctrine if Israel attacked its nuclear facilities, after which Israel targeted Iran's air defenses near one of its nuclear facilities in response to an Iranian attack on Israeli territory in April.

An Iranian lawmaker also recently said that the country has already obtained nuclear weapons, "but do not announce it".

Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said during a department briefing that, "President Biden, Secretary Blinken will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, period".

He added, "We continue to assess, though, that Iran is not currently undertaking the key activities that would be necessary to produce a testable nuclear device, and we don’t believe that the supreme leader has yet made a decision to resume the weaponization program that we judge Iran suspended or stopped at the end of 2003. But again, we will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, period."

Speaking to Iran International correspondent Samira Gharaei Patel said, “We continue to assess, though, that Iran is not taking any key activities that would be necessary to produce a testable nuclear device".

Iranian Lawmaker Says He Believes Iran Already Has Nuclear Weapons But Does Not Announce It - The IAEA announced earlier this year that Iran had obtained enough enriched uranium to make "several" nuclear bombs if Iran chose to build them. Read Full Report | Read All Reports.

TEHRAN - After Iran said it would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel attacked its nuclear facilities, an Iranian lawmaker told an Iranian news agency that the country has already obtained nuclear weapons, "but do not announce it".

This, after the IAEA had announced that Iran had obtained enough enriched uranium to make "several" nuclear bombs if Iran chose to build them.

At the end of April, Israel had carried out a limited strike on one of Iran's nuclear facilities in response to an Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel, which confirmed that Iran's ballistic missiles were capable of hitting Israeli territory.

The Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facility was "very limited" according to a U.S. official at the time, and targeted an air defense radar site protecting the Natanz nuclear facility in Central Iran.

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani Iranian news outlet Rouydad 24 on Friday, "In my opinion, we have achieved nuclear weapons, but we do not announce it. It means our policy is to possess nuclear bombs, but our declared policy is currently within the framework of the JCPOA.

The reason is that when countries want to confront others, their capabilities must be compatible, and Iran's compatibility with America and Israel means that Iran must have nuclear weapons."

Ardestani added, “In a climate where Russia has attacked Ukraine and Israel has attacked Gaza, and Iran is a staunch supporter of the Resistance Front, it is natural for the containment system to require that Iran possess nuclear bombs. However, whether Iran declares it is another matter". Iran Had Warned If Israel Dared To Strike Its Nuclear Facilities It Could Change Its Nuclear Doctrine. What Is The JCPOA And What Happened To It: Read Full Report | Read All Reports.

Sun Emits Numerous Strong X-Class Flares - One X5.4 solar flare erupted in the last few hours, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

SPACE - The sun has emitted numerous x-class (the strongest class) solar flares in the month of May, with a number of them occurring within the last few days. Read Full Report | Read All Reports.

Russian Military Increases Readiness Of Nuclear Forces In Response To "Threats" Made Against Russia - The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed "They are deliberately leading the situation towards a further escalation of the Ukrainian crisis towards an open military clash between NATO countries and Russia".

MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that it is increasing the readiness of its nuclear forces and plans to hold aviation and naval drills involving the country's missile formations, and to test its ability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.

The MOD said that the drills will be carried out to ensure Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in light of what it calls "provocative statements and threats made by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation".

Another statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the simulated nuclear drills will be carried out in response to "Provocative statements and threats from France, Britain and the United States regarding the Russian Federation". Read Full Report | Read All Reports On Europe.