Tue Dec 16 07:13:53 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the key events from The Hindu’s December 17, 2025 e-paper:

Headline: Southeast Asia Instability Grows: Thai-Cambodia Conflict Escalates, Bondi Beach Massacre Shakes Australia

New Delhi – December 17, 2025 – Southeast Asia faces growing instability as renewed fighting erupts along the Thai-Cambodian border and a mass shooting targeted the Jewish community in Australia.

The Thai-Cambodian conflict, rooted in historical border disputes, has reignited despite a ceasefire brokered earlier this year. Fighting escalated after a landmine incident led to Thai airstrikes, with the death toll rising to at least 28 in recent days. The conflict has colonial roots and centres around the Preah Vihear temple. Experts warn that the ongoing crisis undermines the region’s stability and economic cooperation, urging ASEAN to facilitate dialogue and confidence-building measures.

In Australia, a devastating mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Sydney, has left at least 16 dead and 40 wounded. The attack, targeting a Jewish gathering on the first day of Hanukkah, was carried out by two men, identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram, reportedly influenced by the Islamic State. The tragedy highlights a concerning rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia, sparking calls for the government to combat hate crimes and address gun violence. Prime Minister Albanese has condemned the attack.

In other news:

  • Activists in Sri Lanka are calling for a revision of the country’s IMF deal, arguing that austerity measures hinder recovery.
  • With Jair Bolsonaro imprisoned, Brazil’s right-wing is in disarray, even as Donald Trump shows signs of warming up to Lula.
  • Nepalese officials and a Chinese firm have been implicated in a corruption scandal surrounding the Pokhara airport project.
  • The U.S. National Security Strategy outlines a foreign policy focused on strategic stability and a new balance of power.
  • Australia’s new social media ban aims to protect children under 16, sparking debates about online safety and platform accountability.

    Read More