Around the Globe

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.

Ukrainian emergency officials said a Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa on Saturday killed eight people and wounded 27, as a Kremlin envoy prepared to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Authorities reported significant damage to Black Sea port facilities, ongoing rescue and investigative operations, and parallel diplomatic efforts involving Russia, the United States, and international partners on a potential framework for ceasefire and security arrangements.

Australian authorities on Sunday investigated possible foreign terror links and confirmed a gun law review after a father-and-son pair allegedly carried out a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney that killed at least 16 people. Officials said the suspects appeared to have acted alone, prompting renewed concern about “lone wolf” attacks. Police recovered multiple firearms, treated the case as a potential terrorism-related incident, and increased security in crowded public areas while hospitals continued to care for injured victims.

South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Monday confirmed the nation’s 11th case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this season at a broiler breeder farm in Namwon, about 265 kilometers south of Seoul. Authorities implemented quarantine, culling, movement controls, and disinfection measures at and around the affected site and ordered poultry farms nationwide to reinforce biosecurity. The government continues intensive surveillance and monitoring of poultry facilities and pledged to release further information as new test results and reports emerge.