South Korea is facing an urgent demographic crisis, rapidly becoming a "super-aged" society in 2024 with a critically low birth rate and one of the world's fastest-aging populations. This alarming trend threatens the nation's long-term economic stability and government finances, prompting President Yoon Suk-yeol to declare a "national emergency on population" to address the profound challenges.
Iran's national currency, the rial, has plummeted to an unprecedented 1.5 million to the US dollar, marking the country's deepest economic crisis amidst escalating nationwide protests and a brutal government crackdown. These demonstrations, initially sparked by severe economic hardship, have evolved into a movement demanding political change, met with thousands of reported deaths and a near-total internet shutdown by the regime.
Indonesia is set to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in May 2026, aiming to decarbonize its transportation sector and significantly reduce carbon emissions from vehicles and infrastructure across the archipelago. This strategic initiative, announced by Coordinating Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, underscores the nation's commitment to achieving its Net Zero Emission target by 2060 and fulfilling international climate pledges, with the roadmap expected to be presented at COP31.
India and the European Union are set to officially sign a landmark security and defense partnership agreement on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, significantly deepening strategic cooperation between the two global powers. This pact, following high-profile EU leadership visits to India's 77th Republic Day, aims to address complex global security threats through collaboration in areas like maritime security, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism.
Scientists at the University of Vienna have made a groundbreaking discovery, observing a new "hexatic" phase of matter—an elusive intermediate state between solid and liquid—in a crystal just one atom thick. This unprecedented finding, which resolves a decades-old question in condensed matter physics, was achieved by meticulously filming an ultra-thin silver iodide crystal as it melted, with AI assisting in tracking individual atoms.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a stark warning, threatening 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports if Canada proceeds with a new trade agreement with China. This aggressive move highlights deepening rifts in international trade relations and could have severe economic repercussions for Canada, while China advocates for global economic cooperation.
