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The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported today that Japan's oldest person, Tomiko Itooka, passed away on December 29, 2024, due to natural causes related to aging. She was 116 years old. Officials from the Ashiya City government stated that Ms. Itooka spent her later years in a local nursing home and passed peacefully from old age late last year.

Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka City, Ms. Itooka later moved to Nara Prefecture before settling in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1990. Media reports previously highlighted her vitality, noting that she visited the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage twice in her 80s and could still climb stairs to visit shrines without the aid of a cane at the age of 100.

In August 2024, following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain, Ms. Itooka was recognized by Guinness World Records in September 2024 as the world's oldest living person.

Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima expressed deep condolences, saying, “Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope throughout her extraordinarily long life. We extend our gratitude for her inspiration and offer our heartfelt sympathies to her family.”

Ms. Itooka, born six years before the outbreak of World War I and in the same year the Ford Model T was introduced, enjoyed bananas and the popular Japanese lactic acid drink Calpis in her later years, according to the mayor. She is survived by a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren. Her funeral will be held privately by her family.

The world's verified longest-lived person remains Jeanne Louise Calment of France (1875–1997), who lived to the age of 122 and is the only person on record to have surpassed 120 years.

As of September 2024, Japan had over 95,000 centenarians, with women accounting for 88% of this figure. Nearly 30% of Japan’s 124 million people are aged 65 or older.

Apple, the U.S. tech giant, has been accused of violating user privacy by having its voice assistant Siri eavesdrop on conversations and sharing the contents with third parties. Several users have filed a collective lawsuit against the company. While Apple denies any wrongdoing, it has recently submitted a preliminary settlement agreement, agreeing to pay $95 million in compensation.

The lawsuit claims that Apple device users often unknowingly activated Siri, causing private conversations to be recorded. Two users specifically mentioned that after discussing Air Jordan sneakers and the Olive Garden restaurant, they started receiving related advertisements. Another user reported having private discussions with a doctor about a specific surgical treatment, only to later receive promotional ads for that treatment. As a result, they questioned whether Siri was recording private conversations, tracking user locations, and collecting personal data, which was then leaked to third parties, violating Apple's commitment to protect user privacy.

The lawsuit covers the period from September 17 to December 31, 2014, the same time Apple introduced the "Hey Siri" voice assistant feature, which was capable of recording conversations without authorization. Consequently, all users of Apple devices supporting Siri, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, are eligible for the settlement. The estimated number of affected individuals could reach tens of millions, with each person potentially receiving up to $20 in compensation.

The case is currently being heard by a federal court in Oakland, California. While Apple denies any improper behavior, it submitted the preliminary settlement agreement to the court on the evening of December 31, agreeing to pay $95 million to resolve the issue. The settlement is now awaiting approval from the judge.

The H-1B work visa for skilled immigrants is an important source of talent for the U.S. tech industry. However, the question of whether skilled immigrants are taking away jobs from Americans has recently caused division within Donald Trump's camp. Trump had previously stated at a campaign rally that immigrants were stealing jobs from Americans and that they should be required to leave the U.S. This led some companies to issue warnings, advising immigrant employees to return to the U.S. before Trump’s inauguration. However, as Elon Musk became a key advisor to Trump, the former president changed his stance on December 28, expressing strong support for Musk and emphasizing the importance of high-skill immigration visa programs.

Musk and Silicon Valley’s support for the H-1B visa program has recently come into conflict with traditional right-wing anti-immigrant supporters within Trump's camp. Both Musk and biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy argue that the H-1B visa program should be strongly supported to boost the pool of skilled talent within the U.S., which they believe is crucial for maintaining America's competitive edge. Musk himself came to the U.S. on an H-1B visa and later became a naturalized citizen. Last year, Tesla applied for 724 H-1B visas. Ramaswamy, who is of Indian immigrant descent, has also openly criticized "American culture" for promoting mediocrity, which he believes could result in the U.S. being overtaken by China. In an interview with the *New York Post*, Trump expressed his support for Musk's views, stating, "I’ve always liked the H-1B visa and have always supported such visas."

However, far-right figures like Laura Loomer have expressed frustration, claiming that many in Trump’s camp are unwilling to challenge Musk. Loomer and other accounts with hardline immigration stances have been restricted from verification and other functions on Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter). Loomer emphasized, "When a billionaire donates $200 million to help a presidential campaign, that's a problem. We should clearly define campaign finance regulations." According to the Federal Election Commission, Musk donated $239 million to the America PAC, which is supporting Trump’s campaign. Loomer further accused, "We must protect President Trump from the influence of technocrats."

After 13 years of waiting, Romania and Bulgaria from Eastern Europe officially became members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. The number of countries in the border-free zone has now increased to 29.

Romania and Bulgaria became European Union (EU) member states in 2007. In March of last year, the two countries partially joined the Schengen Area, lifting border checks at ports and airports. Although Austria has long complained about the ineffective defense of the Schengen Area's external borders, which led to the forced accommodation of too many undocumented migrants, an agreement on a "border protection plan" was finally reached between Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria. After this agreement, Austria withdrew its veto in December 2024, allowing Romania and Bulgaria to smoothly become Schengen Area members on the first day of 2025.

The Schengen Area, established in 1985, includes 25 of the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, totaling 29 countries with a population of over 400 million.

A Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korea's Jeju Air crashed on December 29, resulting in 179 fatalities, making it the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea's history. In the aftermath, Jeju Air faced a massive wave of ticket cancellations, with travel agencies also experiencing a large number of order cancellations. Additionally, Boeing's stock price dropped nearly 5% during early trading on December 30.

Experts have pointed out that the crash has severely damaged the image of low-cost carriers, and there are growing concerns in the industry about a potential decline in future demand for air travel. Industry insiders reported that their companies held urgent meetings on the day of the crash to discuss its impact and formulate response strategies. One insider remarked, “This incident is likely to have an unavoidable impact on operations.”

What is particularly worrying is that the involved Boeing 737-800 is the main aircraft type used by South Korean low-cost carriers. Jeju Air currently operates 39 of these aircraft, while T'way Air, Jin Air, and EasyJet Korea have 27, 19, and 10 of these planes, respectively.

Jeju Air revealed that by 1 p.m. on December 31, it had received around 68,000 ticket refund requests, including approximately 33,000 for domestic flights and 34,000 for international flights. Despite the increase in refund requests, the airline emphasized that the number of new bookings remained stable. A Jeju Air official stated at a press conference, "Although the refund rate is higher than usual, new bookings have not changed."

Travel agencies have also been affected. One large travel agency disclosed, “In the first hour of business after the crash, over 400 orders were canceled.” Many customers also inquired about whether their flights were operated by a Boeing 737-800, and if so, they requested to cancel their trips.

Following the crash, Jeju Air's flight schedule also faced scrutiny. According to data from Flightradar24, the involved aircraft had completed 38 flights in the past week, including 6 routes the day before the accident, with almost no rest periods in between. Experts believe that the densely packed flight schedule may have compromised maintenance and inspection processes, thereby posing a threat to flight safety.

Boeing has also suffered from the fallout of the crash, with its stock price dropping 4.9% during early trading on December 30. Meanwhile, South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced that it would conduct special inspections on the 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating domestically to identify potential safety issues.

This crash serves as a wake-up call for the low-cost aviation industry and highlights the need for airlines to strike a balance between safety and operational efficiency. Industry experts noted that the incident is not only a tragedy but also an opportunity for the aviation industry to strengthen safety measures and improve operational practices.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on the 29th at his home in Georgia, reaching the remarkable age of 100. Earlier this year, on October 1, he celebrated his centennial birthday, becoming the first U.S. president in history to reach this milestone. During his presidency, Carter announced the severance of diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and faced the Iran hostage crisis, which led to his defeat in his reelection campaign. However, his tenure also saw significant achievements, including brokering peace between Israel and Egypt through the Camp David Accords. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian efforts.

Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981. In 1979, he announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established formal ties with the People's Republic of China, significantly impacting U.S.-Taiwan relations. That same year, Carter approved the admission of the ousted, pro-American Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, sparking a crisis when Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 hostages for 444 days. The "Iran Hostage Crisis" exacerbated Carter's political challenges and was a key factor in his loss to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, alongside issues such as the energy crisis and inflation.

After leaving office, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center in 1982 to promote peace, human rights, and socio-economic development. Carter became actively involved in international mediation efforts, easing tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, persuading Haiti's military government to step down peacefully, and facilitating a temporary ceasefire during the Yugoslav Wars. These contributions solidified his reputation as a model former president in the eyes of many Americans.

Carter, who had been battling cancer, spent his final two years receiving hospice care at his home in Georgia. His wife, Rosalynn, passed away last November after 77 years of marriage, a partnership celebrated as a political and personal love story. President Joe Biden praised Carter as an outstanding statesman and humanitarian, ordering all federal government buildings and military installations to fly flags at half-staff for 30 days to honor a former president dedicated to a lifetime of public service.

On December 29, a Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 181 passengers and crew members, crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea after departing from Bangkok, Thailand. The plane veered off the runway, collided with the airport's perimeter wall, and exploded into flames. Emergency crews were deployed in large numbers, but the death toll has risen to 179, with only two survivors. This incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korean history. The South Korean government has declared a national mourning period from now until January 4, 2025.

A total of eight aviation accident investigators and nine aviation safety inspectors are conducting a preliminary investigation at the crash site. Over 1,500 personnel, including 490 firefighters, 455 police officers, and 340 military personnel, have been mobilized for rescue and recovery efforts. Lee Jung-hyun, head of the Muan Fire Department, stated during a briefing that only two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the plane. He added, "Only the tail is somewhat recognizable; the rest of the aircraft is almost unidentifiable."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced at a press conference that the plane's two black boxes have been recovered from the wreckage. While possible causes such as bird strikes and landing gear failure are being considered, the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Regarding concerns about the shorter runway at Muan International Airport potentially contributing to the crash, the ministry clarified that the runway, measuring 2,800 meters, has previously accommodated similar aircraft without incident, making it unlikely to be the cause.

The airport’s runway is expected to remain closed until 5 a.m. on January 1, 2025. A temporary morgue has been set up at the airport, and authorities are working with the victims' families to transfer the identified bodies to external facilities. Founded in 2005, Jeju Air is one of South Korea's largest low-cost carriers. This crash is the airline's first fatal accident. The last major aviation disaster in South Korea occurred in 2002 with China Airlines Flight 129, and before that, the Korean Air Flight 801 crash in 1997.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently urged the Supreme Court to delay the TikTok ban set to take effect next month. In a court filing submitted on the 27th, Trump argued for a postponement to allow the new administration to "pursue a negotiated resolution," a stance at odds with the current Biden administration.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on January 10, deliberating whether the TikTok ban, approved by Congress in April, violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The ban requires TikTok's parent company, China-based ByteDance, to sell its U.S. subsidiary by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. Congress and the government claim TikTok collects massive amounts of data from millions of Americans and allege that ByteDance could hand this information over to Chinese intelligence, aiding surveillance against the U.S.

ByteDance has previously stated that selling TikTok is not feasible as it would require approval from the Chinese government, which has already signaled it would refuse. The company asserts that U.S. user data is not stored in China and cannot be transferred there, though its neutrality continues to face widespread skepticism.

Trump's stance on TikTok has evolved. While serving as president in 2020, he signed an executive order to ban the platform, which was later blocked by the courts. However, Trump has since softened his position, partly due to using TikTok to reach younger voters. Earlier this month, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Hours before the meeting, Trump told reporters, "You know, I’ve always had a fondness for TikTok."

Earlier on the 27th, the Biden administration urged the Supreme Court to uphold the ban, claiming TikTok’s ties to China pose a "grave" threat to the U.S. They argued that China could manipulate TikTok covertly to advance its geopolitical interests and harm U.S. national interests through misinformation. The administration’s position highlights the tension between national security and free speech, as 170 million Americans use TikTok for news and entertainment.

Countries like India, Nepal, and Afghanistan have already banned TikTok. The international version of TikTok is also banned in China. The European Commission and the U.K. government have advised employees not to install the app on work devices. Observers believe that if the U.S. bans TikTok, many of its allies may follow suit.

On the 27th, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that he has officially ordered the dissolution of the Bundestag, with a general election scheduled for February 23, 2024.

On December 16, the "Traffic Light Coalition," a coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, failed to secure a vote of confidence in the Bundestag. Following this, Chancellor Scholz recommended to President Steinmeier that the parliament be dissolved and a new election be held.

The "Traffic Light Coalition" consists of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), symbolized by the color red, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), represented by yellow, and the Green Party, represented by green. However, due to internal divisions, the FDP withdrew from the coalition last month, leaving only the SPD and the Greens in the government. Together, these two parties hold 207 and 117 seats, respectively, in the Bundestag, which falls short of the 367 seats needed for a majority, making it difficult to pass legislation.

This marks the fourth time since World War II that the German parliament has been dissolved before the end of its term. According to the German constitution, only the president has the authority to dissolve the Bundestag and call for an election. The president can dissolve parliament within 21 days of the chancellor's recommendation, and an election must take place within 60 days of the president's announcement.

President Steinmeier has confirmed that the election will be held on February 23, 2024, and emphasized that the country needs a stable majority and a capable government. The results of this election are expected to have a profound impact on Germany's political landscape in the years to come.

Ukraine's Christmas was far from peaceful as Russia launched a massive airstrike, firing over 70 missiles and deploying hundreds of drones targeting energy infrastructure. This resulted in power outages and a lack of heating in Kyiv, the capital, and other cities in the northeast, such as Kharkiv. Even Moldova, located to the southwest of Ukraine, experienced missiles crossing its airspace. Poland urgently scrambled fighter jets for defense, and its air defense systems were on high alert.

Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed that the strikes were aimed at key energy facilities within the "military-industrial complex." The attacks led to one death and six injuries, with cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava being hit. In Kharkiv, more than half a million people were forced to spend Christmas near freezing temperatures without water, power, or heat.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's actions, accusing it of spreading terror on Christmas by intentionally cutting off heat and power during the harsh winter, calling it an inhumane tactic. Biden also reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to continuing military aid to Kyiv. However, with less than a month before Donald Trump’s potential return to office, there is growing uncertainty about future U.S. policy toward Ukraine, as Trump had promised to swiftly end the war during his campaign.