This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe.
We begin with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Hamas, the Palestinian armed faction, has appeared to express willingness to release hostages in line with Israel’s demands.
According to Reuters, a Hamas official stated on Sunday, local time, that the group had “approved the list of 34 hostages proposed by Israel.” However, the official said that the agreement’s success hinges on whether Israel agrees to withdraw its military forces from the Gaza Strip and commit to a permanent ceasefire.
In response, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying “Hamas has yet to provide a list of hostages.”
On December 31st,.. Israel had requested the release of 34 hostages as a first step if a ceasefire was established. Hamas countered by proposing to return 22 surviving hostages and the remains of 12 deceased individuals. Israel rejected this offer at the time.
New York City has implemented its controversial congestion pricing system, becoming the first U.S. city to impose such charges.
Starting Sunday local time, drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district will need to pay a fee of 9 U.S. dollars per day for standard vehicles.
The toll varies depending on the type of vehicle and the time of day.
The initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion in the city center and address the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s financial struggles. However, it has faced significant opposition, including from prominent New Yorkers such as President-elect Donald Trump. Critics also argue that while the toll may not significantly ease traffic congestion, it could impose an undue financial burden on drivers.
Over in Tokyo
In the early hours of Sunday, at Toyosu Market’s first tuna auction of the year, a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna fetched 207 million yen, approximately 1.3 million U.S. dollars.
This winning bid marks the second-highest price recorded since auction records began in 1999 and is nearly double last year’s top bid of 114.2 million yen. The all-time highest price was set in 2019 at 333.6 million yen or about 2.1 million dollars.
A representative of the company with the winning bid said that tuna is a symbol of good fortune and he participated in the auction with the hope of bringing smiles to everyone through food.
The world’s oldest living person has been identified as a Brazilian Catholic nun.
On Sunday local time, the longevity research organization Gerontology Research Group announced that Sister Inah Canabarro had reached 116 years and 211 days, making her the oldest living person in the world. This comes after the passing of the previous record-holder, Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who died in late December last year at the age of 116.
Born on June 8, 1908, Sister Canabarro resides in the Teresa Sisters’ convent in Porto Alegre.
She attributes her health and longevity to her faith and a positive mindset.
She is a passionate fan of local soccer team SC Internacional, who celebrated her birthday by gifting her a personalized team jersey.
Yoon Se-young, Arirang News
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279628
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