Atoms

Bill Gates told interviewer Ezra Klein that artificial intelligence makes nuclear weapons look like nothing, arguing the technology's transformative power exceeds even that of atomic arms. The remarks come amid ongoing debate over AI's risks and benefits, with Gates among the most prominent tech figures weighing in on how quickly the technology could reshape economies, work and global security.

A widely shared explainer estimates that the Earth's climate system is accumulating heat at a rate equivalent to roughly four Hiroshima atomic bombs detonating every second, with most of that energy absorbed by the oceans. The comparison is being used to make the scale of global warming tangible, and commenters are debating whether such visceral analogies help or distort public understanding of climate science.

New analysis of surviving uranium cubes from Nazi Germany's wartime nuclear program indicates the project never came close to building an atomic bomb. Researchers studying the cubes' dimensions and material suggest Germany lacked the fissile material and scale of effort needed, reinforcing the historical view that its reactor experiments fell far short of weapons capability.

An essay in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists argues that fears of catastrophic artificial intelligence rest on weak science, and that those fears nonetheless benefit major technology companies. The piece contends that dire warnings about superintelligence distract from concrete harms and can even help large AI firms shape favorable regulation, framing doom narratives as a business asset rather than a genuine risk assessment.

Indian broadcaster NDTV is highlighting India's nuclear arsenal and the long-range missile systems that deliver it, framing the combination as the country's strategic deterrent. The report focuses on how India pairs atomic weapons with missiles capable of striking distant targets, a capability central to its defence posture. Details beyond the headline framing were not provided.

Japan's defense minister has once again raised the idea of Japan acquiring nuclear weapons, a striking statement in the only country to have suffered atomic bombings. Discussion centers on whether this marks a real shift in Japan's postwar nuclear taboo or political posturing, amid regional security concerns.

Iranian official Baghaei says the return of IAEA inspectors to Iran has not been decided, leaving the status of international nuclear monitoring in the country unresolved. The statement comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog. No timeline or conditions for the inspectors' return have been announced.

A new web tool has been launched that maps the atomic-level interactions — described as 'atomic handshakes' — that determine how proteins function. The tool is aimed at helping researchers understand protein behaviour at the molecular level. Details about who developed it and its availability remain limited.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists argues that artificial intelligence does not need to reach superintelligence or act with evil intent to start a nuclear war. The piece warns that ordinary errors, miscalibration, or misinterpretation in AI-assisted military systems could be enough to escalate a nuclear crisis, prompting renewed debate about integrating AI into command-and-control systems.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, long known for its Doomsday Clock warning about nuclear risk, has published an argument that AI doomerism amounts to bad science. The piece pushes back on claims that artificial intelligence poses existential threats, framing such fears as unsupported by evidence. It has drawn attention in discussions about whether AI alarmism distracts from more concrete technological and nuclear dangers.

Researchers are promoting an experiment dubbed the 'atomic cannon,' which would fire atoms to test gravity at extreme precision and potentially challenge Einstein's general theory of relativity. According to SciTechDaily, the approach could reveal deviations from Einstein's predictions. Details beyond the headline remain scarce, and no specific institution or results have been named.

Nikkei Asia argues that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki hold lessons for governing artificial intelligence. Drawing on the history of nuclear weapons, the piece suggests humanity should establish international rules and oversight for powerful technologies before, not after, catastrophe strikes. The article adds to a growing debate over how to regulate AI development globally.

Two young people from Malta met with survivors of the atomic bombings in Japan, according to Maltese broadcaster TVMnews. The encounter brought together Maltese youth and hibakusha, the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks, reportedly as part of efforts to pass on firsthand testimonies of the bombings to a younger generation and promote peace and nuclear disarmament.

Researchers in Singapore have built what is described as the world's most accurate clock, a device so precise it would lose only one second over 260 billion years. The claim, reported by Yahoo News, has drawn attention as a landmark in timekeeping precision, far surpassing the accuracy of existing atomic clocks used for global time standards.