Around the Globe

Thailand and Cambodia announced an immediate ceasefire on Saturday after three weeks of heavy border clashes that killed at least 47 people and displaced more than one million, according to a joint statement. The agreement halts fighting involving artillery, tanks, drones and jets along disputed frontier areas and commits both sides to stop hostilities, protect civilians and pursue dialogue. Authorities began assessing damage and coordinating humanitarian aid while officials prepared monitoring mechanisms and follow-up talks to stabilize the border.

A Malaysian court in Putrajaya on Friday convicted former prime minister Najib Razak of abusing his power in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB graft scandal. The ruling, which found that Najib used his position to influence decisions linked to the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, adds to a separate six-year prison term he is already serving in another 1MDB-related case. Prosecutors presented financial records and witness testimony to support the charges, while the court set a later date for sentencing and outlined Najib’s right to appeal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in Kyiv on Friday that he will meet former U.S. President Donald Trump in the near future for high-level talks aimed at helping end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky said the two sides agreed to hold the meeting soon and suggested that many key issues related to the war could be decided before the New Year, although he did not provide a specific date or location. Ukrainian officials said they will release more details once they finalize the agenda and logistics.

Fourteen people sustained injuries on Friday in a stabbing and liquid spray attack at a factory in Mishima city in Japan’s central Shizuoka region, according to a local firefighting department official. Emergency services transported all 14 victims to medical facilities after reports of the incident. Authorities confirmed that the attack involved both stabbing and the use of an unspecified liquid but did not immediately release information on the suspect, motive, or the severity of the injuries. Local police and emergency responders secured the factory area and opened an investigation into the circumstances of the attack.

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday called for a global truce on Christmas Day, urging all warring parties to observe 24 hours of peace and expressing sadness over Russia’s apparent rejection of a truce proposal in its war with Ukraine. Speaking at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pope said peace efforts in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement were “unrealistic” and warned that US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could bring a “huge change” to the transatlantic alliance.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a nuclear submarine plant in Sinpo and received a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin praising the “invincible friendship” between their countries, state media reported. The visit highlighted North Korea’s efforts to advance nuclear-capable submarine development and underscored deepening military and political ties with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and international sanctions. Authorities showcased submarine construction, modernization plans, and strategic cooperation, while outside verification of the plant’s capabilities remained unavailable.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass as pope at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, greeting thousands of faithful in rainy St. Peter’s Square and emphasizing faith, charity, and hope in his homily. The 70-year-old U.S. pontiff criticized a “distorted economy,” renewed a call for a global Christmas truce, and prepared to deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing. The 2025 Christmas celebrations also marked the close of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year, which brought millions of pilgrims to Rome.

A shallow 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, according to the US Geological Survey, which reported the quake at 5:47 p.m. local time (0947 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued its own magnitude estimate earlier, and local authorities and emergency services began assessments of possible impact. No immediate reports of damage or casualties emerged following the seismic event, while regional and international monitoring centers continued to track aftershocks and review updated seismic data for Taiwan.