Morning Briefing: Oct. 27, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Cambodia and Thailand signing a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to resolve their longstanding border dispute, the Gaza Tribunal declaring that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave and urging action from world powers, and the US signing trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and a critical minerals deal with Thailand.

​​​​​TOP STORIES

• Cambodia, Thailand sign peace pact following deadly July clashes

Cambodia and Thailand signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to resolve their longstanding border dispute.

"Both countries are agreeing to cease all hostilities and work to build good, neighborly relationships," US President Donald Trump said at the signing ceremony alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The accord, signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit, includes the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war.

"Under this agreement, observers from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, will be deployed to make sure that the peace prevails and endures," Trump said.

• Gaza Tribunal declares Israel committing genocide in Palestinian enclave, urges action from world powers

The Gaza Tribunal issued its final findings and “moral judgment” in Istanbul, declaring that Israel is perpetrating genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and calling on the international community to take urgent measures to stop it.

The statement, delivered on Sunday, concluded four days of public hearings where international jurists, experts and witnesses presented evidence and testimonies on what they described as systematic crimes. It was read out by Christine Chinkin, who chaired the Jury of Conscience.

“The Jury, guided by conscience and informed by international law, does not speak with the authority of states, but when law is silenced by power, conscience must become the final tribunal,” the members said, stressing that the tribunal “is a civil society response to the continuing lack of accountability for the commission by Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip. We believe that genocide must be named and documented and that impunity feeds continuing violence throughout the globe.”

• US signs trade deals with Malaysia, Cambodia after peace agreement

The US signed trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and a critical minerals deal with Thailand following the signing of a peace accord between Phnom Penh and Bangkok in Kuala Lumpur.

"Alongside this peace treaty, we are also signing a major trade deal with Cambodia and a very important critical minerals agreement with Thailand," said US President Donald Trump.

He linked continued economic cooperation to maintaining peace between Cambodia and Thailand.

"The United States will have robust commerce and cooperation, transactions...with both nations, as long as they live in peace," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Argentine President Javier Milei's ruling party won Sunday's parliamentary elections with 40.8% of the vote, according to initial results, with 96% of the ballots counted.
• US President Donald Trump held a call with Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said she is determined to elevate the bilateral alliance.
• Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya expressed the group’s determination to hand over the remains of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire agreement and prevent Israel from creating excuses to resume the war in the Gaza Strip.
• Southeast Asian nations backed US President Donald Trump’s plan on Gaza, urging a “just and durable peace” in the Middle East.
• Japan launched a new unmanned cargo spacecraft aboard an H3 rocket from a space center on a southwestern island to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).
• A Palestinian man was injured by Israeli gunfire in the town of Al-Ram, north of occupied East Jerusalem, according to medics.
• The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said the Gaza ceasefire agreement is a “vital chance” to protect one million children in the Palestinian enclave.
• French authorities arrested two suspects linked to last week’s burglary at the Louvre Museum, where eight of France’s crown jewels worth an estimated €88 million ($102 million) were stolen.
• Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party welcomed the recent announcement by the terrorist group PKK on pulling out of Turkish territory and taking steps toward disarmament.
• A China-supported robotic rehabilitation center in Bangladesh has brought advanced treatment facilities to the doorstep of patients in urgent need of physical recovery.
• One person was killed and three others were injured when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a hospital in El-Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur state in western Sudan.
  
• Russia said it had completed the testing of its new nuclear-powered cruise missile, Burevestnik, as President Vladimir Putin met top military officials.
• Any summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump requires “a great deal of homework,” the Kremlin said.
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told him that Kyiv is prepared to continue its fight against Russia for “another two to three years.”
• Ukraine said at least three people were killed and 32 injured in the capital Kyiv in an overnight Russian drone attack.
• The Jerusalem District Court rejected a request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s defense team to reduce the number of days he is required to testify in his ongoing corruption trial.
• Malaysia is ready to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission in Gaza alongside other countries, including members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
• Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Natangwe Ithete, the presidency said.
• Red Cross and Egyptian teams have been allowed beyond the “yellow line” in Gaza to help in the search for hostage remains, a government spokesperson said.
• Germany has culled more than 400,000 poultry as bird flu cases continue to rise across the country.
• Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants were killed during clashes in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border.
• A Palestinian worker was killed and three others were injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank, medics said.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the prospects for holding a Russia-US summit would depend on Washington.
• McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris claimed victory at the 20th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, the Mexico Grand Prix.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says US to make deal with Brazil, predicts China agreement

US President Donald Trump said he expects to reach a deal with Brazil, as he met with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"It's a great honor to be with the president of Brazil -- it's a great country. It's a big, beautiful country," Trump said. "I think we'll be able to do some pretty good deals. We've been speaking, and I think we'll end up having a very good relationship."

• Mali suspends education nationwide amid fuel crisis

Mali has suspended education nationwide for two weeks due to an ongoing fuel shortage, the country’s education minister announced.

Amadou Sy Savane said on state-owned public broadcaster ORTM that all educational institutions across the West African country will suspend activities from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9 because of the crisis.

For weeks, Mali has faced a fuel crisis caused by armed groups blocking routes used by fuel tankers, particularly affecting the capital Bamako. Savane said schools are scheduled to reopen on Nov. 10.

• China, India resume direct flights after 5-year hiatus

China and India resumed direct flights after a five-year break, with a new daily non-stop service connecting Guangzhou and Kolkata.

India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, operated the inaugural flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China, carrying 176 passengers.

The Indian government said the resumption of flights will enhance “people-to-people contact” and support the “gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.”