Culture

China has announced plans to gradually increase the retirement age for both men and women for the first time since the 1950s. Under the new policy, the retirement age for men will be increased from 60 to 65 for five years. Meanwhile, the retirement age for women will rise from 55 to 60. China announced it would gradually raise its retirement age for the first time since the 1950s. This decision aims to address the country’s ageing population and the strain on its pension system. However, it has been met with mixed reactions. Currently, China’s retirement age is one of the lowest in the world. The new plan, starting in January 2025, will raise the retirement age for men from 60 to 63 by 2040. For women in white-collar jobs, the age will increase from 55 to 58, while those in blue-col...

Today, as the world marks another Friday the 13th, many people are feeling a sense of unease or even fear. This superstition, which has been around for centuries, is rooted in a combination of historical, cultural, and psychological factors. Friday the 13th is a date many people see as unlucky. The fear surrounding it has developed over hundreds of years, but in reality, it's just another day on the calendar. The idea of Friday the 13th being unlucky comes from old stories and traditions, especially in Western culture. Origins of the Superstition The number 13 has often been seen as unlucky in Western culture. Some people believe this goes back to the Bible, where Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Friday also has negative associations, as some beli...

Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman, is on the brink of becoming the world's oldest living person. Following the recent passing of the previous title holder, Maria Branyas Morera, Itooka is the leading candidate for this prestigious distinction. A 116-year-old Japanese woman named Tomiko Itooka is set to be recognized as the world’s oldest living person by Guinness World Records. Born on May 23, 1908, Tomiko lives in Ashiya, a city in Japan’s Hyogo province. Her recognition comes after the previous titleholder, Maria Branyas Morera from Spain passed away at the age of 117. Tomiko led an active life, even climbing mountains into her 70s. She scaled Japan’s Mount Ontake, which is 3,067 meters high, wearing sneakers instead of hiking boots. Remarkably, at the age of 100, she c...