President-elect Donald Trump has suggested retaking control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of excessive usage fees and warning against potential Chinese influence. His remarks drew sharp rebuttals from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, who defended the canal’s independence and denied Chinese involvement. This marks another instance of Trump’s bold territorial rhetoric, echoing past comments on Greenland. The canal, a vital trade route handling 2.5% of global seaborne trade, was handed to Panama in 1999. Experts note Trump’s threat has no international legal basis but signals a potential shift in U.S. diplomacy.
NORTH KOREA AIDS RUSSIA’S WAR
North Korea plans to send additional troops and weapons, including kamikaze drones, to support Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Reports indicate over 1,100 North Korean casualties, with Seoul estimating 12,000 soldiers deployed. Kyiv uncovered fake Russian IDs issued to North Korean troops, exposing their involvement. The Joint Chiefs of Staff in South Korea noted that North Korea seeks practical warfare experience while modernizing its arsenal. Kim Jong-un has prioritized suicide drones for mass production. This collaboration reflects North Korea’s growing military engagement with Russia amid intensifying global conflict.
SLOVAKIA PM MEETS PUTIN OVER GAS
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico held an unannounced meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, addressing gas transit disputes and the Ukraine war. This visit followed Kyiv’s refusal to extend gas transit contracts, impacting Slovakia’s energy supply. Fico criticized Ukraine’s stance, calling it financially damaging and threatening to Slovakia’s energy sector. Despite EU goals to reduce dependence on Russian gas, Slovakia retains an exception. Opposition leaders condemned Fico’s visit, urging negotiations with Kyiv instead. Fico, who ended Slovak military support for Ukraine, seeks normalized relations with Russia while discussing potential peaceful resolutions to the war.
IRAN REACTS TO SYRIAN TRANSITION
Iran reaffirmed its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty after opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad’s presidency. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called for regional stability and opposed Syria becoming “a haven for terrorism.” HTS, labelled a terrorist group internationally, has sought to moderate its stance but remains critical of Iran’s influence. Iran declared no direct contact with Syria’s new leadership. Meanwhile, new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed foreign diplomats, including U.S., Turkish, and Jordanian representatives, raising questions about Iran’s future role in Syrian politics.
SMART GLASSES: THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE TECH
2025 is set to witness a revolution in smart glasses, bridging the gap between virtual reality and practical, real-world functionality. Major players like Meta, Google, and Snap are advancing augmented reality (AR) glasses, while startups innovate niche applications, such as medical monitoring and media viewing. Despite advancements, AR faces challenges like integrating displays into stylish frames without overheating. Display-free options like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses gain traction with practical features like music streaming and AI-powered assistance. With big tech acquisition trends, smaller companies might struggle to compete long-term.
