New Year's Eve

Super Buskers NYE in the UK

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Praise Be to Trump von Toad de la Epstein 
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Melania (here and above) wins a Christmas Nobel Prize for tolerating Trump.
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Truth or Fiction? Russian Submarine Reactors Sunk

From AI report possibly originating from the US and South Korean governments eg: see WON Sunwoo at South Korean news site CHOSUN ILBO of December 31, 2025 at https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/russian-ship-sunk-transporting-nuclear-submarine-reactor-to-north-korea/ar-AA1Ti97k?cvid=6953fedfa898469392b7bba19ac42889&ocid=hpmsn .] 

“The Ursa Major was a Russian cargo ship that sank in December 2024 while allegedly transporting nuclear reactor components intended for North Korea.

Background

The Ursa Major was a heavy-lift cargo ship that operated from 2009 until its sinking in December 2024. Originally built in Germany, it underwent several name changes before being registered as Ursa Major in 2021. The ship was managed by the Russian state corporation Oboronlogistika and was known for carrying large and heavy cargoes, including cranes and other equipment.

Sinking Incident

On December 23, 2024, the Ursa Major sank approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cartagena, Spain, after a series of explosions ruptured its hull. Spanish authorities initially responded to a distress signal from the ship, which was reported to be listing heavily and losing propulsion. Fourteen of the sixteen crew members were rescued, but two were reported missing.

Cargo and Investigations

Investigations revealed that the Ursa Major was not carrying the declared cargo of empty containers and cranes. Instead, it was found to be transporting two VM-4SG nuclear submarine reactor [casings - each weighing 65 tons ], [see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VM_reactor and https://www.bing.com/search?q=VM-4SG+reactor&PC=U316&FORM=CHROMN ]  which are critical components for nuclear-powered submarines. These reactor casings were believed to be intended for North Korea, potentially aiding its nuclear submarine program. The ship's unusual route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, passing through the Mediterranean, raised suspicions about its true destination, which was likely the North Korean port of Rason.

Circumstances of the Sinking

The sinking of the Ursa Major has been described as potentially resulting from an external attack, with evidence suggesting that the hull was damaged by an external explosion rather than an internal failure. The nature of the damage indicated a possible strike from a supercavitating torpedo [Pete Comment: Or a conventional torpedo or sabotage?] or an underwater drone, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Following the incident, a Russian naval ship arrived at the scene, demanding that Spanish vessels withdraw, which further complicated the situation.

Conclusion

The Ursa Major's sinking has significant geopolitical implications, particularly concerning the relationship between Russia and North Korea, as well as the ongoing tensions in international waters. The incident highlights the complexities of maritime security and the clandestine transport of military technology.”

[Much from WON Sunwoo at South Korean news site CHOSUN ILBO (here https://www.chosun.com/english/  and here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chosun_Ilbo  ) December 31, 2025 Title “Russian ship sunk transporting nuclear submarine reactor to North Korea” at https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/russian-ship-sunk-transporting-nuclear-submarine-reactor-to-north-korea/ar-AA1Ti97k?cvid=6953fedfa898469392b7bba19ac42889&ocid=hpmsn  “Analysis suggests this aligns with evidence that North Korea is receiving Russian nuclear technology in exchange for deploying troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine… The sinking coincided with confirmed reports of over 10,000 North Korean troops being deployed to support Russian forces in Ukraine.” ]

New Women Bosses, High Turnover in "Bondi Agencies"

The appointment of women as heads of security and intelligence agencies has been occurring only recently in Australia.

This began in February 2023 with Kerri Hartland being appointed Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) covering foreign intelligence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Secret_Intelligence_Service

Then in September 2024 with Abigail Bradshaw as Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) covering signals intelligence and cybersecurity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Signals_Directorate

Then October 2025 with Krissy Barrett as Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Federal_Police

and lastly the early? December 2025 commencement of Kathy Klugman, in the most senior analysis and coordinating position, Director-General, Australian Office of National Intelligence (ONI) https://www.oni.gov.au/leadership-team

Australia has subsequently suffered its worst intelligence failure with the killing by Islamist extremists of 15 Jewish people at Bondi Beach Sydney on December 14, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Bondi_Beach_shooting 

Any misplaced gender connection can be discounted, as Mr Mike Burgess has held  the Director-General, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) position since September 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Burgess_(intelligence_chief)

Having 3 new bosses in 16 months (Sep 24, Oct 25 and Dec 25) may equal organisational and inter-organisational disruption, especially if male deputies, unwilling to accept the rapid influx of women, decide to quit. We'll never know, because these are largely secret organisations. Maybe Albanese might permit a less than a year inquiry. Ms Klugman might be well placed to talk to many senior security leaders and to Jewish leaders.

Trump-class Battleship?

This is all over the news, so I’m not going to repeat the well researched article from theWarZone.com regarding Donald Trump’s announcement of two 30-40,000 ton warships, which won’t begin construction until the early 2030s.  

Trump appears unaware that he is reprising the failed Zumwalt-class destroyer concept - so expensive, long in development and poorly armed that only 3 were built.

image: USN, via twz.com
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More information will come to light as this program expands, but the new BBG(X) project will replace the current DDG(X) program, which replaced the CG(X) project that ran from 2001 to 2020. The US Navy has been trying to procure a major surface combatant class to replace the retiring Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers for 25 years, none of which have come to fruition, while the Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyers are new boats built on a maxed-out, forty-year-old hull design. 

While the USN does not need two gold-plated battleships in the 2030s that will be too expensive to operate and too politically glamorous to get in harms way, like the Russian Kirov-class showboats missile cruisers, the USN does need a major surface combatant with a high VLS capacity, and integrated command systems for fleet operations, to act as the core node of a surface task group escorting a carrier or amphibious group, and the Trump-class, which is a multi-billion dollar vanity project by a president who’s ego is bigger than the Death Star, may eventually emerge as a sensible 20,000+ ton surface combatants in the USN.

On December 27, 2025, here 6:48 in and above, Retired Navy Commander Bobby Jones very clearly states why Trump's Zumwalt 2.0 vanity project will not work.

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Update 29 December 2025

Military YouTuber @PerunAU has produced a comprehensive video on the Trump-class BBG(X) that is worth a view, and noticed that the announced dimensions are almost exactly the same as an Iowa-class battleship.

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TKMS-Canadian Marmen Collaboration: Has Type 212CD Won the CPSP?

Does the TKMS-Canadian Marmen Collaboration Mean the Type 212CD has won the Canadian future submarine competition?

See Fatima Bahtić's NavalToday article TKMS teams up with Canadian manufacturer on Type 212CD submarine segments of December 19, 2025 at https://www.navaltoday.com/2025/12/19/tkms-teams-up-with-canadian-manufacturer-on-type-212cd-submarine-segments/

Pete Comment

I think only if South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has been eliminated from Canada's future submarine competition (CPSP) could a Canadian company be permitted by TKMS to have knowledge of highly confidential TKMS submarine design details and manufacturing processes. 

Also TKMS may be benefitting from the "NATO First" policy (eg. described in the UK) shift that may have benefitted Sweden's SAAB in winning the Polish submarine competition against (non-NATO country) South Korea's Hanwha Ocean.

Merry Christmas and a Peaceful 2026

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) sung with feeling by Canada's Sarah McLachlan.

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Genuine plastic Christmas Song: Holiday Barbie.

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More dignified a Celtic Trio and Choir from Ireland's Affinity Archive..
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