First Thing: Global spending on nuclear weapons up 13% in record rise

World's nuclear states on course to spend $100bn in 2024. Plus, Benjamin Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet

Good morning.

Global expenditure on nuclear weapons is estimated to have risen by 13% to a record $91.4bn in 2023, according to calculations from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican), propelled by a sharp increase in US defense budgets.

Which nuclear powers have increased spending? All nine: US, China, Russia, the UK, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea.

What does Ican say about this trend? With funding forecast to hit $100bn in 2024, Susi Snyder, one of the research's authors, argued that it could be spent instead on environmental and social programmes.

What will Netanyahu do after dissolving the cabinet? Netanyahu is expected to hold consultations about the war with a small group of ministers.