Russia may have helped North Korea build its first nuclear-powered submarine

North Korea has shown progress in the construction of its first Nuclear-Powered submarine, with state media images revealing a largely completed hull. The country has suggested that it plans to arm the submarine with nuclear weapons, calling it a “ strategic guided missile submarine ” or a “ strategic nuclear attack submarine ”.

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un, visited a shipyard to inspect the construction of the 8,700-ton-class nuclear-propelled submarine, which he described as a crucial step in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrent against what he described as enemy threats.

During the visit, Kim denounced South Korea’s efforts to acquire the technology as an “ offensive act ” that violates North Korea’s security and Maritime sovereignty. experts suggest that Russia may have helped North Korea build its first Nuclear-Powered submarine in exchange for troops and weapons for use in the war in Ukraine.

Hong Min, an expert on the North Korean military at the Korea Institute for National Unification, suggested that Moscow may have provided this assistance in exchange for the deployment of North Korean troops and the supply of weapons to Russia to continue the war in Ukraine.

The completed and welded hull “means that they have already mounted a nuclear reactor inside,” he said.

Reference Sources

1. express - WW3 fears erupt as North Korea releases images of new nuke sub
2. newssky - North Korea touts progress on nuclear-powered submarine
3. newsukraine - Russia may have helped North Korea build its first nuclear-powered submarine – NYT
4. nikkei - North Korea displays apparent progress on nuclear-powered submarine
5. thestar - North Korea displays apparent progress in construction of nuclear-powered submarine

UFO secret files, drone swarms, and nuclear-linked sightings stun experts in 2025 

In 2025, scientists at California’s Palomar Observatory discovered several instances of transient, star-like flashes in photographs taken over 70 years ago that may hold the key to answers regarding instances of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) appearing near nuclear testing sites.

The images originated from Digitized astronomical plates – pieces of glass that capture images of the night sky – compiled by the Observatory from 1949 to 1957, while also predating the launch of the first artificial satellite in October 1957.

While many of the objects were determined by scientists to be errors or markings on the physical plates, thousands of other Sightings reportedly correspond with various documented Sightings of Uaps appearing near nuclear testing sites.

In one instance, bright objects were spotted in the night sky within the same two weeks when witnesses reported numerous UAPs above Washington, D. C., from July 19 to July 27, 1952, according to the report.

The final documented sighting within the Timeframe was over a nuclear testing site on March 17, 1956, just one day after the “ Joe 21 ” test conducted by the Soviet Union. Researchers also observed transients hovering over at least 124 above-ground nuclear tests at sites that were active from 1951 until the launch of Sputnik in 1957.

Reference Sources

1. newyorkpost - UFO secret files, drone swarms and nuclear-linked sightings stun experts in 2025 | New York Post

Second humanoid robot half-marathon to be held in Beijing in April, eyeing more tech breakthroughs

The 2026 Humanoid robot Half-Marathon will be held in Beijing on April 19, 2026, following the world's first edition in 2025.

The event will be held concurrently with the Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon, with Humanoid robot competitors racing alongside human runners on the same day.

Under the competition rules, human runners and Humanoid robots will start simultaneously and share the same course, while being separated by barriers or green belts to ensure safety.

The Humanoid robot race will feature both autonomous navigation and Remote-Controlled categories, with a hybrid timing system used for on-site competition. Notably, winning teams will gain fast access from the competition to the commercial market, receiving support including research and development subsidies, project incubation space, and access to application scenarios, and the champion team will also be eligible for industrial orders worth more than CNY1M ($142,278).

The race will introduce special awards, including the "best endurance award" to encourage energy efficiency, "most beautiful gait award" for natural and Human-Like movement, "best design award" focusing on Bionic hand design and facial expressions, and "best perception award" rewarding real-time environmental adaptation.

Reference Sources

1. xinhua - Beijing E-Town humanoid robot half-marathon set for April 2026
2. xinhua - Update: Beijing E-Town humanoid robot half-marathon set for April 2026
3. globaltimes - 2nd humanoid robot half-marathon to be held in Beijing in April, eyeing more tech breakthrough

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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