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On December 22, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the Panama Canal's high tolls for U.S. naval and commercial ships on the social media platform Truth Social, calling it a "rip-off" for the United States. He warned that if prices aren't reduced, he would demand Panama return control of the canal to the U.S. Trump noted that transit fees, calculated based on vessel size and container count, range from $0.50 to $300,000 per ship, which he argued is overly costly for frequent U.S. users.

The Panama Canal, a crucial maritime hub connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, holds significant strategic importance for global trade. The U.S. built and managed the canal in 1914 but transferred control to Panama in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaty. Currently, the U.S. is the canal's largest user, with approximately 70% of cargo passing through annually. Trump also expressed concern over China's influence in Panama, noting that a Hong Kong-based company operates a port at the canal's terminus. He criticized former President Carter's decision to relinquish control of the canal.

According to Bloomberg News, while Trump has threatened to demand Panama return the canal, international treaties do not grant the U.S. legal rights to reclaim it. Experts suggest that this stance is more of a political gesture aimed at reinforcing U.S. influence in canal-related affairs and addressing concerns about China's rising power. The Panamanian government has yet to issue an official response. Moving forward, the management and toll policies of the Panama Canal are likely to draw greater international attention.

The U.S. temporary funding bill, after undergoing multiple revisions and votes, sparked intense debates within Congress. Ultimately, the latest version of the bill was passed late at night on December 20 (local time) through bipartisan compromise, saving the U.S. government from a shutdown. This bill differs from the proposals by President Trump but temporarily provides funding for disaster relief and federal government operations.

The temporary funding bill will sustain federal government operations until early next year, giving Congress more time to resolve long-term budget disputes. The bill covers expenditures for core areas such as defense, healthcare, and infrastructure development but excludes additional funding requested by some lawmakers, including allocations for border security and supplemental budgets for social welfare programs.

The passage of this bill was the result of multiple rounds of negotiations between the two parties. Conservative Republican lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the scale of spending, calling for further cuts to curb the federal deficit. Meanwhile, Democrats insisted on maintaining essential funding for social welfare and infrastructure projects.

The Speaker of the House remarked that while the temporary bill is not a perfect solution, it prevents the severe economic and social impacts of a government shutdown. He also urged both parties to show greater cooperation in future budget discussions.

Following the passage of the bill, the White House welcomed the development, emphasizing that stable government operations are critical for the ongoing economic recovery and national security. The Treasury Secretary also warned that a government shutdown could undermine market confidence and further weaken the competitiveness of the U.S. economy globally.

On the other hand, some policy analysts argued that the temporary funding bill is merely a stopgap measure and fails to address the structural issues in U.S. budget management. They urged Congress to swiftly reach a comprehensive budget agreement to avoid facing similar crises in the future.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new food labeling regulations on December 19, revising the standards for using the "healthy" label on food packaging. The updated definition removes white bread and breakfast cereals from the list, while adding foods such as eggs, olive oil, and salmon.

This marks the first update to these definitions in 30 years, with the last revision occurring in the 1990s. At that time, the standards were based on nutritional science and federal dietary guidelines, which focused on reducing the intake of various fats.

Under the new guidelines, companies wishing to use the "healthy" label on their products must include one or more of the foods recommended in the FDA's dietary guidelines, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, or proteins. Additionally, limits will be placed on added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, depending on the product category.

Sugary cereals, high-sugar yogurts, white bread, and granola bars can no longer carry the "healthy" label, but foods like avocados, olive oil, salmon, eggs, and dried fruits are now eligible to display the label. Although water is not classified as food, the FDA’s dietary guidelines consider it the best beverage choice.

According to U.S. chronic disease statistics, 77% of Americans exceed the recommended intake of saturated fats, 63% consume too much added sugar, and 90% have excessive sodium intake. Nearly 80% of people do not consume enough dairy, fruits, and vegetables, which increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

The FDA is currently designing a new label to help manufacturers quickly comply with the new health standards. The new regulations are expected to take effect within two months, with food manufacturers required to comply by February 2028.

To avoid a government shutdown, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson proposed a temporary spending bill aimed at cooperation with the Democrats. However, the proposal has faced sharp criticism from both Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who are calling for the Speaker to come up with a new plan. If the bill is not passed in time, a complete government shutdown could begin early Saturday (21st), with operations impacted starting next Monday. Since 1980, the U.S. government has experienced 14 shutdowns, three of which lasted more than a week.

The current bill extends funding through March 14 and provides nearly $100 billion in disaster relief funds for federal emergency operations, as well as aid for farmers. However, the bill also includes numerous unrelated provisions, many of which are aligned with Democratic priorities, such as raising congressional salaries, funding for football stadiums, and measures to combat deepfake pornography.

Trump believes there is no need for negotiations with the Democrats and argues that the U.S. debt ceiling should be raised or eliminated outright, instead of continuing to extend the "debt ceiling suspension." Musk has also taken to social media to slam the bill, calling it political payoffs and demanding that lawmakers who support it step down. This has put Speaker Johnson in a difficult position, as he has been attempting to help Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy understand that the bill will require Democratic votes to move forward.

Meanwhile, Musk's actions have angered Democrats, who accuse him of acting like a shadow president and interfering in politics. Over the next four years, they believe the U.S. will be under his control. During his previous term, Trump communicated with Congress via Twitter; this time, Musk’s involvement in amplifying the message through social media will make the U.S. political landscape even more unpredictable and chaotic.

After the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip appears to be on the horizon. A Palestinian official revealed on the 17th that negotiations between Israel and Hamas have entered a decisive stage, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reporting to the Israeli Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that there is consensus on an agreement regarding the release of hostages.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated on the 16th that he hopes Israel and Hamas will reach an agreement before he takes office, or else "unpleasant things" will happen. His statements seem to have accelerated the ceasefire negotiations. According to BBC reports, the ceasefire talks, facilitated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, have resumed, with both sides seeking to end the 14-month conflict. A Palestinian official interviewed by BBC mentioned that the ceasefire would be implemented in three phases. First, Hamas would release the captured civilians and Israeli female soldiers within 45 days. Simultaneously, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza City's center, the coastal highway, and the Rafah crossing. Then, Hamas would release the remaining hostages in exchange for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza. Finally, the war would come to an end.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 17 years, has become incapable of governing under continuous Israeli attacks for the past 14 months. Even its supporters are angry with the group, hoping to end the war at any cost. A poll conducted in September by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah found that the satisfaction of Gaza residents with Hamas' performance dropped from 64% in June to 39%. Last week, Hamas began softening its negotiating stance, no longer insisting on Israel's complete cessation of the war and full withdrawal of its troops.

However, Gaza residents still harbor greater disdain for Israel, and some continue to hope that Hamas can maintain a prolonged insurgency to increase the cost of Israel's occupation of Gaza. Political analyst Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, who has close ties with Hamas, noted, "Although internal members of Hamas have publicly criticized and called for ending the war at any cost, it is simply a natural response to the suffering from a prolonged conflict." However, "once the war ends, many perspectives and viewpoints may change again."

On December 16, the German Bundestag voted on a confidence motion for Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Only 207 lawmakers voted in favor of him, while 394 opposed, and 116 abstained. A minimum of 397 votes in favor was needed to pass the confidence motion, meaning Scholz did not secure the vote, and Parliament will be dissolved for new elections. Scholz stated that the real confidence vote should be decided by voters in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In 2021, Scholz formed a coalition government with three parties: the Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Scholz; the Green Party, represented by Economy Minister Robert Habeck; and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), led by former Finance Minister Christian Lindner. However, policy differences, especially on economic matters, led to the collapse of the coalition. The SPD and the Greens believed in raising taxes and increasing borrowing, while the FDP advocated for avoiding excessive debt. This disagreement led to the government's downfall. On November 6, Scholz dismissed FDP Finance Minister Lindner, further deepening the rift.

Scholz criticized the FDP for undermining the government and damaging its reputation and that of democracy. He will propose to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve Parliament. The President stated he would agree to the request by law and hold new elections within 60 days, expected to take place on February 23, 2025—seven months earlier than the previously scheduled election in September.

The leader of the largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, criticized Scholz's economic policies, accusing him of "sacrificing the interests of the younger generation to increase debt" and blaming him for plunging Germany into one of its worst post-war economic crises. According to a recent Politico poll, the CDU leads with 32% support, and Merz is seen as a potential new Chancellor. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has 19%, while Scholz’s SPD stands at 17%.

Dozens of North Korean soldiers were killed on December 14 during combat in Russia's southwestern Kursk region. Ukrainian forces released footage showing the bodies of Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk, with around 20 corpses lined up in the snow, their faces covered with scarves and snow, creating a chilling scene.

The Ukrainian 414th Attack Drone Unit shared the footage, claiming the bodies belonged to fallen Russian and North Korean soldiers. The corpses appeared to have been in the snow for several hours. A suspected Russian military truck attempted to retrieve the bodies but fled after spotting Ukrainian drones. After each assault, 4-5 North Korean soldiers reportedly transported the bodies away by vehicle.

Ukraine estimates that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers are currently deployed in the Kursk region. On December 15, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported that around 200 soldiers from the Russian-North Korean joint forces had been killed in the region, including eight Chechen soldiers who were accidentally killed by North Korean friendly fire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia has deployed a significant number of North Korean troops in Kursk to push Ukrainian forces out of the region. He warned that North Korean soldiers might also be sent to fight on the Ukrainian frontlines, signaling an escalation in the conflict.

U.S. President Biden Affirms Strong U.S.-South Korea Alliance in Call with Acting President Han Duck-soo

On December 14, U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, emphasizing the unwavering strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Following the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol by the National Assembly, Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of acting president.

According to AFP, the White House stated that President Biden reaffirmed that the U.S.-South Korea alliance would continue to be a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Han's tenure as acting president. Biden also praised the resilience of South Korea’s democracy and rule of law and reiterated the steadfast commitment to bilateral relations.

On the night of December 3, without prior warning, President Yoon caused a political shock by proposing "martial law," sparking instability in South Korea's political landscape. An initial impeachment vote on December 7 failed to pass, but a second vote on December 14 succeeded with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid ballots.

With the impeachment approved by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, President Yoon’s powers were suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumed the duties of acting president. The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to deliver a final ruling on the impeachment, with a deadline set for mid-June next year.

The Constitutional Court, which comprises nine justices, currently has three vacancies. At least seven justices must be present to proceed with the case, and a minimum of six votes is required to uphold the impeachment. If the impeachment is confirmed, a presidential by-election must be held within 60 days. If the impeachment is overturned, Yoon will immediately resume his presidency.

During this period, Acting President Han Duck-soo will carry out the constitutional and legal duties of the presidency, including commanding the military, declaring martial law, and signing or approving treaties. Although President Yoon is suspended, he retains his presidential status, allowing him to continue residing in the presidential residence, receiving a basic monthly salary, and enjoying state-provided security and ceremonial privileges.

South Korean Parliament Approves Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol with 204 Votes in Favor, 85 Against

On the afternoon of December 14 (Saturday), the South Korean National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol with 204 votes in favor and 85 against. President Yoon's position will now be suspended until the Constitutional Court delivers its final ruling. However, some observers believe the political instability in South Korea may not subside in the short term.

Earlier this month, on December 3, President Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law under the pretext of combating anti-state forces, aiming to overcome opposition party resistance. However, facing a strong public backlash and an emergency parliamentary resolution that overturned the martial law decree, Yoon was forced to rescind it just six hours later.

Subsequently, the opposition-led National Assembly initiated an impeachment motion against Yoon. While the ruling People Power Party initially managed to block the first impeachment attempt through procedural tactics, the opposition party launched a second attempt, gaining support from several dissenting members of Yoon's own party. This led to the successful passage of the impeachment motion, which now awaits a decision from the Constitutional Court.

In a statement following the impeachment vote, President Yoon said, "With all the encouragement and support I have received, I will dedicate myself to serving the nation until the very last moment." Following the impeachment, Yoon's powers will be suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president. Han pledged to maintain government stability and strengthen vigilance against North Korea to address any potential threats.

The Constitutional Court will now deliberate on the impeachment. If it rejects the motion, Yoon can resume his duties as president. However, if it upholds the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a presidential election within 60 days. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae announced that the court would convene on December 16 (Monday) to discuss the case timeline and assured that the proceedings would be conducted "swiftly and fairly."

If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Yoon Suk-yeol will become the second South Korean president to be removed from office through impeachment, following Park Geun-hye, the nation's first female president.

TIME Magazine announced on December 12, 2024, that President-elect Donald Trump has been named its Person of the Year, marking his second time receiving the honor, the first being in 2016. After winning the presidential election in 2016, Trump was also selected as TIME's Person of the Year. Over the years, 13 U.S. Presidents, including current President Joe Biden, have been awarded this recognition.

This year’s list of honorees includes 10 individuals: Trump, current Vice President Kamala Harris, Britain's Princess Kate Middleton, entrepreneur Elon Musk, Russian dissident Alexey Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, American actor Joe Rogan, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

After being named Person of the Year, Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Ariana Trump, and Vice President-elect James David Vance, was invited to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

TIME also published an exclusive interview with Trump, in which he was asked about the possibility of war with Iran during his presidency. Trump responded that the situation is very unstable, and anything could happen. He also suggested that the U.S. may change its policy towards Ukraine, noting that Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided missiles to strike Russian territory could further escalate the conflict. Trump also emphasized his plan to expel illegal immigrants to the fullest extent allowed by law. Additionally, he stated that discussions would be held with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regarding the potential termination of the children's vaccination program, hinting that certain vaccines for children could be canceled in the future.