Runway Design May Have Cost Lives in South Korean Air Disaster, Experts Say

 Al Jazeera,

As the investigation into the deadly crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 continues, aviation experts are questioning whether a concrete embankment at the end of the runway at Muan International Airport contributed to the disaster. The Boeing 737-800 crashed after an emergency landing, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. The pilot had reported a bird strike before the aircraft belly-flopped on the runway. Experts suggest that the rigid concrete structure may have exacerbated the crash, proposing that a softer impact zone could have led to a higher survival rate. Investigators are also looking into whether the runway’s design, including a downward slope and lack of an “engineered material arresting system,” played a role in the accident. South Korean authorities are collaborating with U.S. officials to probe multiple possible causes, including the failure to deploy the landing gear and the bird strike’s impact on the aircraft’s critical systems.

South Korea Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

Financial Times,

A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his attempt to impose martial law. This marks a historic first, as no sitting South Korean president has ever faced an arrest warrant. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials has filed the warrant, accusing Yoon of treason and abuse of power. The warrant follows Yoon’s refusal to cooperate with repeated summons. Meanwhile, the political crisis has intensified with the impeachment of acting president Han Duck-soo, and the dispute over the constitutional court’s decision on Yoon’s fate continues. The case underscores the deepening political instability in South Korea, with legal experts and opposition parties divided over whether detaining a sitting president is appropriate.

Bitcoin Suddenly Adds $3,000 in Mere Hours

 U.Today,

Bitcoin has made an unexpected recovery, rising by $3,000 within hours, reversing recent losses. After dipping to as low as $91,315, the cryptocurrency rebounded sharply, sparking optimism in the crypto market. Despite earlier concerns about a bear market, Bitcoin’s sudden rally has led to the liquidation of short positions worth $40 million. Although still far from its record high, the cryptocurrency’s swift recovery has fueled speculation that it could reach new heights in 2025, with some predicting a rise to $150,000 or even $250,000. Analysts and traders are cautiously optimistic, with some expecting Bitcoin to outperform in the upcoming year despite the volatile market.

Vietnam Cracks Down on $1 Million Crypto Scam, Saving Hundreds from Financial Ruin

Bitcoinist,

Vietnamese authorities have dismantled a massive cryptocurrency scam worth over $1 million, saving nearly 300 individuals from financial ruin. The scam, orchestrated by a company called ‘Million Smiles,’ involved a fictitious cryptocurrency token, QFS, which promised exaggerated returns and financial freedom. The scheme had swindled over $1.17 million from investors, including individuals and businesses. The scam’s promoters used aggressive marketing tactics, including false claims tied to historical treasures, to lure victims. Authorities raided the company’s offices just before a planned promotional conference, arresting key figures involved in the operation. Investigations revealed that the company had no tangible backing for QFS tokens, and the funds were being used to maintain a false image of success. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious about unregulated investment schemes.

History-making Probe Achieves Closest-ever Approach to the Sun

 CNN,

The Parker Solar Probe made a historic flyby of the sun, coming within 3.8 million miles of its surface, setting a new record for humanity’s closest approach to a star. This breakthrough occurred on Christmas Eve, as the probe traveled at speeds of 430,000 miles per hour, making it the fastest human-made object in history. The spacecraft, part of NASA’s ongoing mission to study the sun, has been collecting data to answer long-standing questions about the solar wind, coronal mass ejections, and the sun’s magnetic fields. This flyby marks a key milestone in the probe’s seven-year mission, offering unprecedented insights into the sun’s activity and its effects on Earth. The probe is expected to conduct two more close passes in 2025, continuing its mission to explore the mysteries of the solar system’s star.

The Comb Jelly, One of the Oldest Animals on Earth, Can Fuse with Another

 CNN,

The comb jelly, a species considered one of the oldest animals on Earth, has been found to possess the unique ability to fuse its body with another, merging not just physically but also its nervous and digestive systems. Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution observed this phenomenon when two jellies spontaneously fused during an experiment. This discovery, published in Current Biology, raises intriguing questions about identity, neural signaling, and what constitutes “self” in biology. The comb jelly’s ability to fuse and function as a single organism challenges our understanding of biology, as it lacks the allorecognition mechanisms that would typically cause rejection of foreign cells. The findings have opened up new avenues for studying the adaptability and complexity of animal development, particularly in the context of stress and environmental change.