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The U.S. military said a joint convoy of American and Syrian forces came under attack on the 13th in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, killing two U.S. service members and one civilian interpreter, and wounding three other U.S. troops. The unit was meeting with key local leaders at the time, and the gunman is suspected to have been a member of the Syrian security forces. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed the “harshest retaliation.”

In a post on social media, Trump said the incident was “an attack by ISIS in an extremely dangerous area of Syria, targeting the United States and Syria.” He pledged severe retaliation and said Syrian President al-Sharaa was shocked and disturbed by the incident. Pentagon officials said U.S. forces were providing security for a meeting related to counter-ISIS operations, attended by U.S. commanders and Syrian Interior Ministry officials, with both sides jointly responsible for security.

According to officials, during the meeting a gunman suddenly opened fire with a machine gun from a window. U.S. and Syrian forces returned fire and killed the attacker, but the assault left three Americans dead and three wounded, and injured three members of the Syrian security forces. Reuters reported that the shooter was a member of the Syrian security forces who was about to be dismissed due to extremist views. Pentagon officials said the attack occurred in an area not fully under the control of the Syrian government, and ISIS has not claimed responsibility.

Russia–Ukraine peace talks have recently reached an impasse. Ukrainian officials said that Kyiv has submitted an updated proposal to Washington outlining steps to end Russia’s invasion. According to the proposal, the United States hopes Ukrainian forces would withdraw from parts of Donetsk Oblast, where a demilitarized “free economic zone” would be established as a buffer between the two armies, while Russian forces would not be required to pull back.

Ukrainian officials reiterated today that these ideas remain under discussion and have not been finalized. Russia, meanwhile, said that even if its troops were to withdraw, other law-enforcement forces would be deployed to maintain order in the area.

France’s Le Monde reported that Ukraine has accepted the relevant arrangements in the draft and that the plan has received backing from European leaders. However, Ukrainian media quoted presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak as denying this claim. Podolyak said that any buffer zone or demilitarized area must be discussed within a broader security-guarantee framework.

Russia has maintained a hardline stance. Russian foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov told media that Russian forces would also withdraw from Donbas, but would be replaced by other Russian personnel, reiterating Moscow’s position that Donbas will ultimately belong to Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that territorial issues and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain the two main unresolved elements in Ukraine’s peace proposal. Earlier on the 12th, a German government spokesperson said Zelenskyy will travel to Berlin on the 15th to meet with several European leaders, as well as senior officials from the European Union and NATO, with a focus on progress in Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations.

Brazil’s lower house of Congress passed a bill early on the 10th that could significantly reduce the prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup. Attempts by some lawmakers to disrupt the agenda ahead of the vote triggered turmoil inside Congress.

Bolsonaro has been serving a 27-year-and-three-month sentence since November for allegedly orchestrating efforts to overturn the results of the 2022 election and block current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office. For months, Bolsonaro’s supporters have floated various proposals to ease his punishment, including an amnesty plan that previously collapsed amid nationwide protests.

Lawmakers have continued debating legislation that would substantially cut sentences for several offenses, including attempted coup d’état. If approved and applied, the changes could reduce the 70-year-old Bolsonaro’s remaining prison term to just over two years. Any final reduction, however, would still require the judiciary to resentence him under the new provisions approved by Congress.

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced the 2025 “Kanji of the Year” on the 12th at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. The character “Bear” (熊) won first place with 23,346 votes. The annual event selects a single kanji through a nationwide public vote to symbolize the social mood or most representative events of the year in Japan, making it highly symbolic.

This year, Japan has faced an especially severe problem of bear-related incidents due to climate change and poor fruit harvests in mountainous areas. Bears have frequently wandered into urban districts, intensifying human–bear conflicts, which have so far resulted in more than ten deaths. The bear problem has become a nationwide social issue in Japan. Along with major events such as the return of giant pandas to China, it formed important background for the selection of “Bear” as the 2025 Kanji of the Year.

The second-ranked kanji was “Rice” (米), which received 23,166 votes. Rising rice prices became a major livelihood issue this year. Factors such as abnormal weather, panic buying, and a surge in tourists significantly increased demand for rice. At the same time, the weakening yen affected everyday life, placing heavy pressure on households, the restaurant industry, and food manufacturers.

Third place went to the character “High” (高), reflecting a wide range of developments, including soaring prices, stock prices reaching record highs, record-high temperatures, a rising aging population, and Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, among other “high”-related phenomena.

After Thailand and Cambodia experienced a border military clash in July, the two sides—already under pressure from Trump’s tariff threats—had successfully reached a ceasefire agreement, and formally signed the *Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord* on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur. Unexpectedly, the situation escalated again on the 7th after Cambodian troops opened fire on a Thai engineering team that was repairing a road along the disputed border, injuring two Thai soldiers. The clashes have already forced more than 500,000 civilians to flee their homes, about 400,000 of whom are Thai.

Beginning on the 8th, the Thai military launched attacks using F-16s and drones on the town of Samraong, about 20 kilometers from the border. The Thai military accused Cambodian forces of firing rockets that landed near Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin Province, while Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that at dawn on the 11th, the Thai military shelled the area around Khnar Temple in Oddar Meanchey Province. The Thai military also announced that a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. would be imposed starting on the night of the 10th in parts of Sa Kaeo Province.

In addition, the fighting has endangered valuable local cultural heritage. UNESCO has expressed particular concern over hostilities near the Preah Vihear Temple—a World Heritage Site—and has provided both sides with the coordinates of relevant cultural monuments to help prevent irreversible loss to humanity.

In an interview, Trump said he planned to speak with leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia to urge an immediate ceasefire. The Pope has also called for an immediate halt to fighting and a resumption of dialogue. In an interview with Reuters on the 9th, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that tariff threats should not be used as leverage to pressure Thailand and Cambodia into negotiations or to end border clashes. He added that the current situation is not suitable for third-party mediation, emphasizing that the cessation of conflict depends on whether Phnom Penh is willing to take the first step to halt its actions and ease tensions.

A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture late on the night of the 8th, with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 and a shallow depth, affecting Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate, and surrounding regions.

So far, at least 50 people have been reported injured—mostly minor injuries—and no fatalities have been confirmed. A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the quake, and a wave of up to 70 centimeters was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. All tsunami warnings have since been lifted. Sporadic fires, road collapses, and brief power outages were reported, and Shinkansen services were temporarily suspended.

Japan Meteorological Agency issued, for the first time, a “Major Aftershock Advisory” for earthquakes off Hokkaido and Sanriku, warning that there is a high likelihood of a magnitude 6 or stronger quake—and even the possibility of a magnitude 8 event—within the next week.

Disaster-preparedness measures have been fully activated across the Tohoku region, including the opening of autonomous evacuation shelters staffed around the clock. Residents are being urged to remain on high alert and be ready to evacuate at any time.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on residents in affected areas to maintain maximum vigilance. She emphasized that the government has established an emergency response team and will prioritize the safety of the public above all else. Takaichi stressed: “Please stay tuned to information from your local authorities. If you feel any shaking, take immediate action to evacuate.”

A ceasefire agreement that had been in effect for less than two months has collapsed as Thailand and Cambodia once again clash along their shared border. Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military bases, leaving four Cambodian civilians and one Thai soldier dead, with several others injured. The Thai government has ordered the urgent evacuation of roughly 400,000 residents in border areas, while more than 600 schools and multiple hospitals have been temporarily closed. The escalation threatens the ceasefire deal brokered in October by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The confrontation began on the afternoon of the 7th. Thailand accused Cambodian forces of firing first on Thai soldiers repairing a road inside Thai territory, prompting return fire. Early the next morning, Cambodian troops again opened fire on several locations in Ubon Ratchathani Province, killing one Thai soldier and injuring four. Cambodia, however, countered that Thai forces had launched pre-dawn attacks on positions in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey Provinces. Thailand later dispatched F-16 jets to conduct precision strikes on Cambodian targets, insisting the attacks were limited to military facilities and aimed at “crippling Cambodia’s military capability” to ensure Thailand’s long-term security.

The fighting has triggered panic across border communities, with residents fleeing en masse. Streets have emptied as civilians seek refuge in warehouses, tunnels, and makeshift bomb shelters. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar urged both sides to halt fire immediately and resolve their disputes through diplomacy, but Thai Prime Minister Anutin reiterated that Thailand would not tolerate violations of its sovereignty and rejected calls for restraint. The century-old border dispute, now flaring again just weeks after the ceasefire took effect, has cast a dark shadow over regional peace.

The UK’s Financial Times has released its inaugural Influence List, naming the 25 people who will truly “change the world” in 2025. Unlike rankings based on status, power, or wealth, the FT emphasizes that its selections are individuals whose talent, breakthroughs, creativity, ideas, and actions are reshaping the world we live in. The list spans politics, business, media, the arts, and sports, and is divided into three categories: Creators, Leaders, and Heroes.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is included in the Leaders category, with an accompanying appraisal written by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman notes that Huang has spent years preparing for the AI era, placing early bets on new computing architectures that laid the foundation for today’s “digital intelligence.” He praises Huang’s deep technical vision, relentless drive, and long-term investment in infrastructure, which have accelerated the scale and pace of AI hardware and systems in ways few can match. Altman adds that he values their nearly decade-long collaboration and looks forward to continuing to work together.

Beyond Huang, the list highlights a diverse array of influential figures, including the first female White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles; New York City’s first Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani; MI6’s first female chief, Blaise Metreweli; PayPal co-founder, Peter Thiel; BYD Senior Vice President, Stella Li; Korean American entrepreneur, Michele Kang; golf star, Rory McIlroy; and Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda—showcasing wide-ranging influence across fields and backgrounds.

On the 5th, the German Bundestag passed a military service bill introducing a voluntary service system—marking a major shift in Germany’s defense policy. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany has decided to strengthen its national defense, echoing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s goal of building Europe’s strongest army.

The Bundestag approved the reform with 323 votes in favor and 272 against, making Germany the latest European country to adopt a hybrid military service model. The goal is to gradually increase troop numbers from the current roughly 182,000 to 260,000 active soldiers by early 2030, along with 200,000 reservists, in order to meet NATO’s new force requirements. However, if the security situation deteriorates or volunteer numbers fall short, the parliament can activate conscription when necessary.

Under the new law, starting in January 2026, all German male citizens who turn 18 will receive a questionnaire about their willingness to join the military, while women may respond voluntarily. Beginning in July 2027, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo a health examination to assess their fitness for potential service. If war breaks out, the military can use these questionnaires and medical evaluations to draft potential recruits. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that only universal health screening can ensure that Germany does not waste time determining “who can serve as defenders of the homeland and who cannot” in the event of an attack.

Although the government emphasizes that the system remains primarily voluntary, the policy has nonetheless sparked protests among young people. Organizers of the demonstrations wrote on social media: “We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked in barracks, marching in formation, obeying orders, and learning how to kill.”

During the Cold War, Germany maintained nearly 500,000 troops. But after the Cold War ended, European nations steadily downsized their militaries, and Germany abolished compulsory service in 2011 under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Now, facing the threat from Russia and pressure from the United States, Chancellor Merz has pledged to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most powerful conventional force.

To attract young recruits, the German military is offering a monthly salary of about €2,600. By comparison, France’s voluntary military service program pays only €800 per month.

On December 4 in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump, together with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, signed a peace agreement and a critical-minerals cooperation plan. The initiative aims to end the decades-long conflict between the two countries and open a channel for the United States to access key rare-earth minerals. Despite strong U.S. backing, violence in eastern Congo has yet to subside, leaving the effectiveness of the agreement in question.

At the ceremony held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Trump said the deal could be a “great miracle,” emphasizing that the U.S. would work with both countries on rare-metal extraction—an endeavor expected to generate significant business opportunities. Eastern DRC, a region plagued by frequent unrest, contains abundant critical materials needed for modern technologies such as electric vehicles. However, the two African leaders were more cautious: Kagame acknowledged that “there will certainly be ups and downs ahead,” while Tshisekedi described the agreement as “a new beginning, but a difficult path.”

The long-standing turmoil in eastern Congo has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Recently, clashes have intensified between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the Congolese government forces. The United Nations has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, raising further concerns over whether the peace agreement can truly bring an end to the conflict.