Exclusive: U.S. researchers find probable launch site of Russia's new nuclear-powered missile

Two U.S. researchers say they have identified the probable deployment site in Russia of the 9M730 Burevestnik, a new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile touted by President Vladimir Putin as "invincible."
Using images taken on July 26 by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, the two researchers identified a construction project abutting a nuclear warhead storage facility known by two names - Vologda-20 and Chebsara - as the new missile's potential deployment site.
The identification of the missile's probable launch site suggests that Russia is proceeding with its deployment after a series of tests in recent years marred by problems, said Eveleth and the second researcher, Jeffery Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

6 Killed, 13 Wounded In Suicide Bombing In Afghanistan's Kabul

Kabul: A suicide bomber triggered explosives in the Afghan capital on Monday, police said, killing six people and wounding 13 more.
Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said "a person wearing explosives on his body detonated", and one woman was among the fatalities.
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have declared security their highest priority since surging back to power following the chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces three years ago.

Afghanistan's escalating repression of women sparks global outrage

“Whenever an adult woman leaves her home out of necessity, she is required to conceal her voice, face, and body,” states a new law from the Afghan Ministry of Justice, aimed at “promoting virtue and preventing vice” among the Afghan population.
The plight of Afghan women, already banned from many jobs and with 4 million girls barred from secondary school, has sparked outrage worldwide.
“Today, in Afghanistan, no woman can walk the streets with peace of mind,” said Sarah, a 27-year-old Afghan refugee in France. “They are afraid. I hope things will change one day, but sometimes I lose hope.”

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised the importance of Kazakhstan’s commitment to progress, urging the nation to look beyond provocations and rely on the rule of law in his Monday’s 2 state-of-the-nation address.
Tokayev emphasised the need for a peaceful and balanced foreign policy, stressing that diplomacy is essential in strengthening Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, protecting the rights of its citizens abroad, promoting national interests and attracting investment.
Tokayev also stressed the necessity of developing air hubs to double the 150,000 tons of air cargo currently handled annually in Kazakhstan over the next four years.

Russia is now making changes to its nuclear doctrine in response to what it perceives as an escalation driven by Western powers in Ukraine, suggesting potential changes to the conditions that might lead to the use of nuclear weapons.

The recent cross-border incursion by Ukraine into Russia's Kursk region, employing weapons supplied by Western nations, has enhanced apprehensions regarding the possibility of Russia resorting to nuclear arms as a means of protecting its territory, representing a notable intensification of the ongoing conflict.

Global and domestic ramifications are evident as Russia has been signalling to both its internal and external constituents the potential for modifications to its nuclear strategy. There have been continuous dialogues regarding the conceivable employment of nuclear arms in reaction to perceived threats against its territorial sovereignty, which has heightened apprehensions about a direct clash with Western nations.

Notwithstanding an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes, Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome in Mongolia with governmental authorities sidestepping calls to arrest the Russian president during the meeting with the Mongolian head of state Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.

While a member of the ICC, Mongolia has stayed silent on any move against Russia over Ukraine and assumed a more neutral stance, abstaining from UN votes on the conflict-a position also driven by dependence on Russia for fuel and electricity, and China for mining investments.

Throughout the visit, both Putin and Khurelsukh joined in a ceremony commemorating the 1939 Soviet-Mongolian victory against Japan while holding discussions on various prospective economic initiatives, including the Trans-Mongolian gas pipeline and a possible trilateral summit involving China.

Pakistan is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in October, but much attention is on whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend amid lingering tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan has previously hampered organisations such as SAARC, with some apprehension that it may affect the SCO, though the latter is far better placed under the leadership of China and Russia.

Analysts are sceptical of Modi attending the summit,given the tense relations between the two countries, especially in light of India's recent hardline stance over dialogue with Pakistan.

Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia, targeting key infrastructure including a refinery and a power station close to Moscow, in yet another signal of the increasingly violent conflict.

The Ukrainian President, Zelensky said this is the only reasonable response after the relentless Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, and called on the West to drop restrictions on long-range weaponry that can hit key Russian targets.

The government of Ukraine is pressing the US to supply Army Tactical Missile Systems [ATACMS] for deeper strikes within Russia on the grounds that many critical Russian military targets remain within reach despite current limitations.

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