🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister arrived in Lebanon to meet with key officials.

It is the first visit by a high-ranking Saudi official to Beirut in 15 years.

FM Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud's trip aims to express support for Lebanon’s newly elected president and congratulate him, as well as to engage with the interim government to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional issues.

At a press conference in Baabda Palace Al Saud:

▪️Expressed confidence in President Joseph Aoun and his prime minister to bring stability to Lebanon;

▪️Highlighted the need to maintain the ceasefire and implement UN Resolution 1701;

▪️Reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon and its people;

▪️Expressed optimism for Lebanon’s future with reforms boosting global trust.

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🗺 The battle for the Panama Canal: Are there real trade alternatives?

Not quite, as it remains a vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, cutting travel time and managing 5% of global trade worth $270 billion annually. However, some projected alternatives are being explored:

▫️The Nicaragua Canal: A proposed alternative to the Panama Canal designed for larger ships, but construction has stalled due to financial and political issues. In 2024, hopes for the project revived, excluding the Great Lake Cocibolca. The government is negotiating with Chinese investors.

▫️Mexico’s Corridor: The Tehuantepec Isthmus corridor offers a multimodal land route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. While it could reduce transit times, it faces high maintenance costs and logistical challenges, limiting its viability as a long-term alternative.

▫️Honduras’s Dry Canal: The proposed corridor would connect Amapala Island (Pacific) to Puerto Castilla (Caribbean) over 280 km, with a possible link to El Salvador's La Union port. Estimated at $20 billion, it remains a concept offering shorter transit times than the Panama Canal.

▫️Guatemalan Canal: A proposed 370 km dry canal with a double-track railway and highway, connecting San Luis (Pacific) to San Jorge (Caribbean), with an estimated cost of $450 million.

Other projects in Costa Rica and northern Colombia exist, but none match the Panama Canal’s convenience - perhaps explaining Trump’s eagerness to retake it.

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🇰🇵 From missile site to tourist paradise

North Korea is turning a former missile test site into a tourist destination. Here’s its price tag and what makes it unique: 👇

▪️"North Korea’s Benidorm": The resort boasts strikingly modern architecture, promising a vibrant experience. Looking at the photos, can it rival Spain?

▪️An unmatched view with plenty to explore: With 54 hotels, a water park, stadium, and even an airfield, the resort stands out — but its proximity to former missile testing grounds makes it truly one-of-a-kind.

▪️Kim Jong-un recently inspected the site alongside his daughter. Both seemed pleased.

▪️Affordable yet exclusive: A week-long vacation here is estimated at around $2,000 for a couple - a price that combines exclusivity with accessibility.

▪️A beach lover’s dream: Golden-hued sand and a beautiful sea set the stage for a picturesque and peaceful escape.

▪️Winter fun nearby: For those seeking adventure beyond the beach, a ski resort just a short distance away offers year-round appeal.

▪️A rare taste of opulence: With high-end facilities and carefully designed luxury, this resort aims to leave a lasting impression on its visitors.

▪️Promoted to the world: In 2024, North Korea’s tourism agency released a video showcasing the resort and its surrounding attractions, signaling ambitions to attract international travelers.

▪️Who can visit? For now, Russian tourists seem to have the easiest access to this exclusive getaway, making it a rare opportunity for foreign visitors.

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