As of the end of 2025, Japan hosted a record 4.12 million foreign residents, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year. This figure represents the first time the foreign resident population has surpassed 4 million. Concurrently, the number of foreign overstayers saw a decline, falling by 8.5% to 68,488, a trend attributed to a government program aimed at reducing such instances. The total number of foreign nationals entering Japan also reached a record high of 42 million.
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The Associated Press, an independent global news organization established in 1846, is the most trusted source for fast, accurate, and unbiased news across all formats. Today, AP provides essential technology and services to the news industry, ensuring its continued vital role. Its journalism reaches over half the world’s population daily.
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A video captured the scene of a main road with traffic flowing, the sports hall visible in the background. Suddenly, a bright yellow fireball erupted on the sports hall. Although the missile itself was not visible from this angle, shockwaves emanating from the explosion caused windows across the street to shatter, and a man was observed fleeing in panic.
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Britain faces potential medicine shortages, including painkillers and cancer treatments, within weeks if the Iran conflict persists. Disrupted supply chains for crucial raw materials, coupled with increased air and sea freight costs due to the closure of key shipping routes, are straining pharmaceutical deliveries. Experts warn that if the situation deteriorates, drug prices could also rise, ultimately impacting patients and public health systems.
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BA.3.2, informally known as “Cicada,” is a subvariant of the Omicron family of COVID-19 currently under monitoring by the World Health Organization. While detected in over a dozen countries, it has not been classified as a variant of concern and represents less than 5% of recent submitted sequences, indicating a limited global share. Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 are primarily upper respiratory and consistent with other recent COVID variants, such as sore throat, runny nose, and fatigue.
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Tiger Woods was arrested and taken to jail Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled onto its side following a collision with a pickup truck. Authorities stated Woods exhibited signs of impairment and was charged with DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test, despite a breathalyzer showing no alcohol. The investigation indicated Woods was driving erratically and at high speeds prior to the crash. This incident marks Woods’ second DUI arrest, with a prior one in 2017 and a serious car accident in 2021.
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Bank of America has agreed to a $72.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging it facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. This agreement, which does not admit wrongdoing by the bank, is the fourth such settlement with a major financial institution by Epstein victims. The funds will compensate women sexually abused or trafficked by Epstein or his associates between June 30, 2008, and July 6, 2019, with lawyers identifying at least 60 potential plaintiffs within that period. The resolution aims to provide closure for the victims and allow Bank of America to move past the matter.
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This breakthrough food supplement, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Oxford and collaborating institutions, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to reverse the decline of honeybee populations. By engineering yeast to produce a precise mix of six essential sterols, mimicking the critical nutrients found in pollen, the supplement allows colonies to thrive. Colonies fed this enriched diet produced up to 15 times more young, with larvae reaching a similar nutrient profile to those feeding on natural pollen, offering a significant advancement in bee nutrition. This innovation has the potential to bolster bee health, reduce competition for wildflowers, and support the future of food production.
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Farmers globally are facing a significant crisis as Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt vital fertilizer supplies. This shortage, particularly of nitrogen and phosphate, arrives during crucial planting seasons, threatening crop yields and potentially leading to higher food prices worldwide. Developing nations, heavily reliant on these imports and already contending with climate change impacts, are especially vulnerable, with some facing dire circumstances if governments cannot provide subsidies. The ongoing conflict highlights the fragility of global food systems and underscores the need for more resilient and localized fertilizer supply chains.
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Astronaut Mike Fincke, who experienced the first medical evacuation from the International Space Station this year, stated that the cause of his sudden illness remains unknown. The episode, which occurred during dinner on January 7, rendered him unable to speak and caused distress to his crewmates, prompting a medical emergency response. While doctors have ruled out a heart attack and choking, the exact reason for the incident, which lasted about 20 minutes, is still under investigation, with potential links to his extensive time in weightlessness. NASA is examining other astronauts’ medical records for similar occurrences as they continue to investigate the event.
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John Q. Hosedrinker