49rd calendar week
Meridian-Top-20.TV Maritime will only appear sporadically
in the coming days,
but stay tuned.
20251205-L3718
Leidos
Australia and Kongsberg seek to up-arm USV with NSM
Leidos Australia Sea Archer USV Indo Pacific 2025 - Sea Archer scale
model on Leidos Australia booth at Indo Pacific 2025. Sea Archer is a long
range, stealthy, multipurpose uncrewed surface vessel (USV). Is this
configuration it is shown with 16x launchers for loitering munitions. Leidos
Australia and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace have signed an
Memorandum of Understanding at Indo Pacific 2025, signifying an intent to
assess possible integration of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) into
Leidos’s Sea Archer and Long Bow unmanned surface vessels. The combination
outlined in a proof of concept has these pair of systems eyed to increase
anti-ship capabilities possessed by the Royal Australian Navy. Mounting NSM
onto Sea Archer and Long Bow would provide a more flexible and numerous option to pursue anti-ship mission sets than existing
Australian capabilities...
20251205-L3717
Israel and
Lebanon break decades-long silence with first direct talks
Israel and Lebanon hold direct talks for the first time in decades.
Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct civilian-level talks in
decades, meeting at the UN peacekeeping base in Naqoura under a US-brokered
ceasefire that halted the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the Wednesday meeting as
“historic,” while US envoy Morgan Ortagus was also present. The talks were
conducted under a mechanism created after the November 2024 truce, marking a
shift from previous military-only channels. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
cautioned that any economic cooperation with Israel could only follow a full
peace agreement, stressing “we are still far from that.”
20251205-L3716
Merz’s
approval rating crashes to record low
https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/world/merzs-approval-rating-crashes-to-record-low/
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has hit a record-low approval rating,
with only 22% of respondents in a new Forsa poll expressing satisfaction with
his leadership—worse than the lowest score ever recorded by former chancellor
Olaf Scholz. The survey of 2,501 people found that 76% are unhappy with Merz’s
performance just six months into his term, as his CDU/CSU-SPD coalition battles
internal rifts over a contentious pension reform package. The coalition is now
polling one point behind the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), which leads at 26% and is currently the most popular
party nationwide. Public confidence in the government’s ability to solve
Germany’s mounting challenges has also plunged, with only 15% believing the
CDU/CSU can address the country’s problems—its lowest level in 18 months.
20251205-L3715
India to
lease submarine from Russia in 2028 — Indian government
https://tass.com/economy/2053713
NEW DELHI, December 4. /TASS/. India will lease a submarine from Russia
in 2028 under a contract signed in 2019; and a new agreement is not under
discussion, the Indian government information bureau has reported. The bureau
denied a recent Bloomberg report alleging that during Russian President
Vladimir Putin's visit to India, the parties would reach a deal under which New
Delhi would pay approximately $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine
from Russia. "No new agreement has been signed between India and Russia.
The submarine lease is based on an old contract signed in March 2019," the
government information bureau stated...
20251205-L3714
The Epoch
Times Headlines today
·
Too many errors: Potsdam
Institute retracts Nature climate study
·
CDU wants to create a
majority on its own - "incompatibility resolution" exists with the
Left Party
·
NATO examines "more
aggressive action" in cyberspace - Moscow warns of escalation
·
IPAC condemns forced organ
harvesting in China - sanctions and transparency adopted
·
Sanctions package:
More and more financial services sever ties with
Russia and Belarus
·
US and Ukraine continue
peace talks - Putin travels to India
·
Climate research in
twilight: Late corrections to study reinforce doubts
·
Asylum applications sharply declining - total number will remain above 100,000
in 2025
·
13 luxury brands targeted by
the judiciary for exploitation of suppliers
·
Merz demands parliamentary
group approval for pension package
·
Pension package becomes a
power struggle: SPD raises coalition question - sharp criticism of Bas
·
Test vote causes alarm:
Pension package threatens to fail due to internal resistance
·
Why the US is targeting
Maduro: A background commentary
·
US explains European Antifa
groups as terrorist organizations – what are the implications?
·
Study shows: Half of welfare
recipients are not looking for a job
·
US auto industry – Trump
relaxes emissions rules – combustion engines favored again
·
SPD interior ministers push
for review of AfD ban
20251205-L3713
under fire
Georgia to
sue BBC over ‘absurd’ and ‘baseless’ chemical agents report
Georgia says it will take the BBC to international court after the
British broadcaster published a report accusing Tbilisi of using chemical
weapons against protesters during the pro-EU unrest of late 2024. The
demonstrations erupted after the Georgian government paused EU integration
talks, claiming Brussels was exploiting the accession process for political
pressure. In a recent article, the BBC alleged that authorities deployed a
World War I–era chemical agent mixed into water cannon tanks to disperse crowds—claims
the ruling Georgian Dream party has denounced as “absurd,” “baseless,” and
unsupported by evidence. Officials say they provided extensive responses to the
BBC’s inquiries but received what they described as “a cornucopia of lies” in
return...
20251204-L3712
Drug war with
cocaine and fentanyl
Trump against
drug trafficking: Venezuela is not the only country facing attacks.
🚁 US President Trump doesn't necessarily want to limit his fight against
drug traffickers to Venezuela. Colombia's president sees this as a threat to
his country. Trump also announced the pardon of the former president of
Honduras. In the fight against organized drug trafficking from the Caribbean,
US President Donald Trump is not ruling out targeting other countries besides
Venezuela. He had heard that Colombia was producing cocaine in factories, which
was then sold to the US, Trump told reporters on Tuesday (local time) after a
cabinet meeting. "Anyone who does that and sells it into our country
should expect to be attacked." When asked who that might apply to, he
added: "Not just Venezuela..."
20251204-L3711
Daily
Telegraph Headlines Today
·
UK grooming gangs: 385
hidden convictions reveal decades of child rape and state failure
·
Afghan accused pleads not
guilty to D.C. National Guard shooting
·
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of killing one National Guard member and
injuring another in a shooting in Washington,...
·
Ex-Ukrainian FM says Kiev
may need to accept a ‘tactical defeat’ to end conflict
·
Former Ukrainian foreign
minister Dmitry Kuleba says Kiev may have to accept an agreement to prevent the
conflict with...
·
Namibian politician Adolf
Hitler Uunona drops controversial name after fifth
election win
·
Namibian regional councillor Adolf Hitler Uunona
says he is officially removing “Hitler” from his name after securing
re-election to...
·
Four arrested in Sydney over
alleged ‘international satanic child abuse network’
·
Australian police have
charged four Sydney men after uncovering what they describe as an international
child abuse ring trading...
·
India warns world of rising
bioterrorism threat
·
India has issued a stark
warning about the growing danger of bioterrorism, calling it a fast-moving,
border-defying threat that...
·
HSBC warns OpenAI may need
over $200 billion just to stay afloat
·
Musk predicts future where
AI makes work ‘optional’ and money ‘Irrelevant’
·
ASX 200 suffers $60bn rout
·
Wendy’s to shut hundreds of
U.S. stores as sales slump
·
South Africa accuses credit
agencies of ‘unfair bias’ against African economies
Retreat of the French Army, 1812 – A painting
by Adolph Menzel
20251204-L3710
Napoleon's
Russian Campaign – A Historical Warning
An Essau by Aurelia Varnholt - The Russian campaign of 1812 is considered
one of the most consequential military failures in history. Napoleon Bonaparte,
then at the height of his power, opted for a swift, decisive offensive against
the Russian Empire. His "Grande Armée" initially comprised around
600,000 soldiers – people from virtually every corner of Europe.
But the campaign turned into a disaster. The Russian army systematically
retreated, employing a scorched-earth policy: cities were evacuated, supplies
destroyed, and infrastructure demolished. Napoleon marched ever deeper into the
interior, without the swift decisive battle he had
hoped for.
The turning point came with the entry into Moscow in September 1812. The
city was largely deserted and soon afterward burned to the ground. Without
winter quarters, supplies, or a negotiated political solution, the French army
had no option but to retreat – in the midst of the
onset of winter.
Cold, hunger, disease, and constant skirmishes with Russian troops
decimated the army. In the end, less than 10% of the soldiers reached the
borders of the empire. The campaign marked the beginning of Napoleon's
downfall.
The historical lesson
The Russian campaign vividly demonstrates where political hubris, a lack
of diplomacy, and the illusion of quick victories can lead. Decisions that
affect entire regions or even continents require prudence, strategic foresight,
and the ability to learn from history.
20251204-L3709
CHAOS in
Australia!
Queensland
Hailstorm Destroys 1,950 Homes and Smashes 6,400 Vehicles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F25AQPtJm1E
🚁Australia is facing a full-scale emergency as a destructive Queensland
hailstorm blasts through communities, tearing apart homes and turning roads
into rivers. Giant hailstones hammered the region, with the Queensland
hailstorm smashing vehicles, collapsing roof panels, and flooding entire
neighborhoods within minutes. Rescue teams worked nonstop as the Queensland
hailstorm knocked down power poles, uprooted trees, and left thousands without
electricity. Residents described terrifying scenes as the Queensland hailstorm
shattered car windows, ripped through siding, and forced families to flee to
higher ground. By nightfall, the Queensland hailstorm had caused widespread
devastation, overwhelming emergency services and leaving Queensland in urgent
need of relief and recovery...
20251203-L3708
China–Japan
tensions flare after confrontation near contested islands
...Senkaku/Diaoyu islands confrontation between China and Japan - China
and Japan have issued sharply conflicting accounts of a tense encounter near
the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, a long-standing flashpoint in the East
China Sea that lies close to Taiwan. China accused a Japanese fishing vessel of
illegally entering its waters and said its coast guard took “necessary law
enforcement measures,” while Japan said it was forced to intervene after two
Chinese coast guard ships entered Japanese territory and approached the fishing
boat. The incident comes at a moment of fraying diplomatic ties, following
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments suggesting Tokyo could
respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan—remarks that enraged Beijing. Tensions
have been escalating steadily, with both governments trading increasingly
hostile rhetoric and the number of Chinese patrols near the islands reaching
record highs. The uninhabited islands remain a symbol of the growing strategic
rivalry between the two nations, which once agreed to jointly develop the
surrounding waters but have since drifted into deeper mistrust...
20251202-L3707
Leonardo
Unveils Michelangelo Dome Security System
https://www.deagel.com/news/n000026541
Leonardo today unveiled “Michelangelo Dome” at the Officine Farneto in Rome, introducing a new, advanced integrated defence system designed to counter emerging threats in an
increasingly complex global landscape. The project, developed to protect
critical infrastructure, sensitive urban areas, territories and assets of
national and European interest, through a modular, open, scalable and
multi-domain solution, forms part of Leonardo’s broader strategy to consolidate
its position as a leading player in the field of Global Security. “With
Michelangelo,” said Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo’s Chief Executive Officer and
General Manager, “Leonardo reaffirms its commitment to developing solutions
that safeguard citizens, institutions, and infrastructure by combining advanced
technology, a systemic vision, and strong industrial capabilities. In a world
where threats evolve rapidly and become ever more complex - and where defending
is costlier than attacking - defence must innovate,
anticipate, and embrace international cooperation.” Michelangelo Dome is not a
standalone system...
20251202-L3706
Haida 1929,
71.1-metres, Krupp Germaniawerft History and more…
https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/yachts-on-film-film-awards
The classic motor yacht Haida 1929 took centre
stage in the hit musical Mamma Mia! during the exuberant performance of “Money,
Money, Money.” In this unforgettable scene, Christine Baranski and Julie
Walters ride JetSkis alongside the yacht, while Meryl
Streep commands attention from the bow, anchoring the moment with her iconic
presence. The cast are seen raising glasses of champagne, and dancing on the
deck as the sun sparkles across the Aegean waters. launched in 1929, Haida 1929
is among the oldest yachts still sailing today. Built in Germany, her elegant
lines were designed by Cox & Stevens, while her original interiors were
crafted by J.G. Verges Design, with later refinements by Adam Lay Studio.
Throughout her storied life, she has sailed under several names, including Dona
Amelia, and undergone multiple refits, most notably in 2016, 2018, and most
recently in 2023...
20251202-L3705
The Epoch
Times Headlines today
·
Incoherent appearance at AfD youth congress: informant, fictional character, or
provocateur? The mystery surrounding Alexander Eichwald
·
Explosive memo: First link
between COVID-19 vaccination and child deaths
·
AfD investigates candidate after disturbing speech: Eichwald causes uproar
at youth congress
·
Bas links coalition's
survival to pension package
·
Costs for citizen's
allowance recipients: Health insurance companies sue federal government
·
Association backtracks:
Invitation to AfD was a "mistake"
·
The double face of immunity
·
Secret trial: Chinese
general refused to participate in the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre
·
Trump sees "good
chance" of a Ukraine deal - what's next?
·
Material shortages in
industry are increasing - China's export controls are burdening EU companies
·
Coalition plans tax breaks
for union dues and party donations
·
Study: Offshore wind farms
are warming the ocean
20251202-L3704
The Expose
Headlines Today
·
Are you taking the right
vitamin D supplements?
·
Dr. Guy Hatchard: Open
letter to New Zealand’s covid inquiry
·
Everything is Watching: A
Field Guide to Everyday Surveillance Tech
·
UK’s open border policy is
not normal; nor is it acceptable
·
AI isn’t just taking over
jobs; it’s now taking over creation itself
·
They have been pushing for
carbon labelling on food for years – why?
·
AI Toys Tell Young Kids to
Start Fires and Initiate Sex Talk: A Stark Warning to All
·
EU employs an army of NGOs
to ensure internet users don’t stray from its approved narrative
·
The end is nigh for the climate industrial complex
·
Labour government avoids increasing taxes by increasing taxes
·
Thailand orders suspension
of iris scans and deletion of data collected from 1.2 million users
·
Right to criticise
Islam is protected under the Equality Act, UK judge rules
·
NHS Doctors Were Paid to
Knowingly Implant Deadly Heart Device
·
A new actuarial study shows
a link between covid vaccination and deaths from March 2021
·
You are the target of a
carefully orchestrated war
·
UK Covid Inquiry chose to
learn nothing because learning anything would have exposed too much
·
Canada’s healthcare system
collapses while Carney gives a billion dollars to healthcare in other nations
·
UN loses touch with reality:
Declares “World Toilet Day” and says its climate summit demonstrated climate
cooperation is “alive and kicking”
·
Ofcom seeks to expand its
censorship role
·
UK Covid Inquiry’s
conclusions are as farcical as its “investigations”
20251201-L3703
Offshore
Giants: The World’s Deepest Wells & Biggest Platforms
https://gcaptain.com/offshore-giants-the-worlds-deepest-wells-biggest-platforms/
When the first offshore well was drilled off the coast of Summerland,
California, in 1896, few could have imagined just how far the industry would
go. That wooden pier-mounted rig stood just a few feet above the water, using
the same cable-tool method employed on land. Its operators ventured only a
short distance from shore to tap into shallow reservoirs. Now, more than a
century later, offshore oil and gas operations have pushed
to extremes that early drillers would have considered impossible. Some of today’s
wells extend more than 40,000 feet below the seabed, drilled in water depths
exceeding 12,000 feet. Platforms have transformed from modest wooden structures
to towering engineering marvels—some heavier than skyscrapers, standing
hundreds of feet above the sea, and capable of producing over 200,000 barrels
of oil a day. Floating facilities like the Prelude FLNG, nearly 1,600 feet
long, house hundreds of workers and process gas directly at sea. These
achievements are more than records. They represent the technical ingenuity of
working at the edge of what’s possible. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the
deepest offshore wells ever drilled and the largest rigs and platforms in the
world, offering a glimpse into the scale and ambition of the offshore oil and
gas industry...
20251201-L3702
Monsoon chaos
leaves hundreds dead and millions displaced across
Southeast Asia
Monsoon extreme weather and floods kills
hundreds across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Southeast Asia is
reeling from one of its most devastating bouts of extreme weather in decades,
as intensified monsoon rains and rare tropical storms have triggered
catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread destruction. Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka have been hit hardest, with the regional death
toll already in the hundreds and expected to rise as emergency crews battle
damaged infrastructure and treacherous conditions. Indonesia’s Sumatra island has suffered the deadliest impact so far,
with more than 300 people confirmed dead after Cyclone Senyar
unleashed torrents of water that swept away homes, submerged entire neighbourhoods and severed major roads. Electricity and
internet remain only partially restored, and dozens are still missing.
Survivors described terrifying scenes as water surged through streets in
seconds, leaving residents clinging to rooftops and makeshift debris to survive…
***