Tuesday☕️

28 Jan 2025 — 5 min read

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Yesterday, January 27, 2025, China agreed to accept the return of its citizens living illegally in the United States after President Trump threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions if they refused. This marks a significant policy shift for China, which had previously resisted taking back deported nationals. The decision demonstrates how even the second most powerful country in the world can be swayed by the sheer economic leverage of the United States.

This followed a similar event just one day earlier, on January 26, 2025, when Colombia agreed to accept deported migrants. This agreement came after President Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Colombian goods and additional sanctions if they continued to refuse deportation flights. Both cases highlight the unmatched influence of U.S. economic power in shaping international decisions, with even major powers like China unable to counteract the pressure.

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

As of yesterday, January 27, 2025, the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing heavy conflict, with the rebel group M23 now controlling about half of the city. The Congolese army, known as FARDC, has pulled back to the southern and western parts of Goma to defend those areas, but the ongoing clashes have forced thousands of residents to flee.

M23, a rebel group made up mostly of ethnic Tutsis, claims they are fighting to protect their communities and other minorities in eastern Congo, saying the government has broken promises from past peace deals. The DRC government, however, accuses M23 of destabilizing the area and says they are receiving support from Rwanda.
The fighting is also tied to competition over eastern Congo’s resources, like minerals, which has made the conflict even more complicated. The situation in Goma reflects a larger struggle in the region, where armed groups and government forces continue to fight for power, leaving ordinary people to suffer the most.

Environment & Weather:

Space:

Yesterday, January 27, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, deploying 21 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). Thirteen of these were Starlink V2 Mini satellites equipped with direct-to-cell technology, while the remainder were standard models. SpaceX’s frequent launches, occurring multiple times per week, include missions for Starlink, the government-focused Starshield program, and rideshare services that allow individuals, companies, and organizations to send their own satellites into orbit on shared launches.

As of January 2025, SpaceX operates more than 7,500 satellites in low Earth orbit, the largest satellite network ever built. Starlink is designed to provide internet connectivity globally, with a focus on remote and underserved areas. Starshield, meanwhile, supports government projects, including secure communications, Earth observation, and satellite payload hosting, with a primary focus on U.S. Department of Defense needs. SpaceX has announced plans to expand its constellation to 12,000 satellites, with potential for up to 35,000 in the future.

Science & Technology:

Neuralink has chosen the University of Miami‘s Miller School of Medicine as the second site for its Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface (PRIME) Study. This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) in patients with quadriplegia caused by spinal cord injuries or ALS. The study focuses on enabling participants to control external devices, such as computers, using their thoughts, with the aim of improving independence and quality of life.

As of January 2025, Neuralink has successfully implanted its BCI devices in three human patients. The first patient, in January 2024, demonstrated the ability to control a computer and play video games using thought alone. The second patient, in August 2024, used the device to perform activities like 3D design with computer-aided tools. Details about the third implant, announced in early 2025, have not yet been disclosed.
Neuralink is not the only company developing brain-computer interfaces; others, such as Synchron and Blackrock Neurotech, are also advancing this field and have already implanted their devices in multiple humans. The ultimate goal of brain-computer interface technologies across these organizations is to merge technology with the brain and body to restore or enhance human capabilities, improve cognitive function, and unlock new possibilities for human potential.

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