WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday said Russia acted irresponsibly by boasting of new nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin says are impervious to US defenses.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says it was “unfortunate” to watch a video animation depicting “a nuclear attack on the United States” that accompanied Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state-of-the-nation speech Thursday. She called the video “cheesy” and said that “we don’t think it’s responsible.”
Nauert said the animation confirms that Russia has been creating destabilizing weapons systems for more than a decade in “direct violation” of its treaty obligations. She said the US has long known that but that Russia had previously denied it.
The Pentagon downplayed Putin’s announcement of new nuclear weapons, saying Moscow’s weaponry was long under development and had already been factored into US assessments.
“We’re not surprised by the statements and the American people should rest assured that we are fully prepared,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White, after Putin, speaking ahead of a March 18 election, showcased missiles that he said could hit almost any point in the world.
US says Russia nuclear weapons boast irresponsible
US says Russia nuclear weapons boast irresponsible
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes Japan’s Chugoku region
- Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said there were no irregularities at the plant
TOKYO: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 hit the western Chugoku region of Japan on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, followed by a series of sizeable aftershocks.
The epicenter of the first earthquake was in eastern Shimane prefecture, the agency said, adding that there was no danger of a tsunami. Chugoku Electric Power operates the Shimane Nuclear Power Station, about 32 km (20 miles) away.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said there were no irregularities at the plant.
A spokesperson said the utility was checking on any impact on the plant’s No.2 unit, which has been operating since December 2024 after being shut down following the March 2011 disasters in Fukushima.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas.
The earthquake had a seismic intensity of upper-5 on Japan’s 1-7 scale, strong enough to make movement difficult without support.
West Japan Railway said it had suspended Shinkansen bullet-train operations between Shin-Osaka and Hakata following the quake.
