Biden pledges billions to Ukraine in final weeks
Weeks before he is due to step down as US president, Joe Biden has pushed through close to $A10 billion of military and budget aid to Ukraine.
International News
Trump loses appeal of E Jean Carroll defamation verdict
US President-elect Donald Trump has lost his appeal of the multi-million dollar E Jean Carroll defamation verdict.
Displaced Gaza newborn freezes to death, twin fights on
One 20-day-old twin froze to death and his brother is fighting for life after their makeshift tent in a central Gazan camp was hit with intense cold and rain.
National day of mourning declared for Jimmy Carter
US President Joe Biden has declared a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter, whose death at 100 has sparked global tributes for his life's work.
Sudan army reports killing 460 paramilitary fighters
Sudan's army has reported killing at least 460 fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in an ambush in North Darfur.
Syria’s de facto leader says vote could take four years
The leader of Syria's rebellion who is serving as the country's de facto leader says it might be another four years before a national election can be held.
Azerbaijan president points finger at Russia for crash
Azerbaijan's president says Russia accidentally shot down their passenger plane, killing 38, and then attempts were made to cover it up.
S.Korea probes all air operations after plane disaster
South Korea's entire airline system is undergoing an urgent safety check as officials scramble to learn what caused a plane crash that killed 179 people.
Israel detains 240 including medics after hospital raid
The World Health Organization says it is "appalled" by Israeli raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
Lebanon returns 70 officers and soldiers to Syria
About 70 Syrian officers and soldiers were detained by Lebanese officials after entering the country illegally.
Putin apologises for ‘tragic’ Azerbaijan plane crash
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologised for the "tragic incident" which resulted in the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in Russian airspace.
Israel detains director of hospital in northern Gaza
The director of one of Gaza's last functioning hospitals has been detained by Israeli forces, Palestinian officials say, after troops stormed the facility.
Mass North Korean troop casualties on Ukraine frontline
Some 3000 North Korean troops are reported to have been killed on the frontline in Ukraine, as fighting continues.
Crash over Kazakhstan caused by “external interference”
Russia says it will not comment on the cause of the Azerbaijan Airline plane crash until its official investigation is complete.
South Korean MPs impeach acting president Han
South Korea's political crisis is threatening to intensify with the impeachment of the acting president, amid fears it could trigger a new financial crisis.
Uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs
Syria's new rulers are scrambling to impose order as security forces checked IDs and searched cars in Homs, a day after protests erupted in gunfire.
Russian drone attack kills two in Ukraine’s Donetsk
A Ukrainian town in Donetsk on the front lines of the war has been hit with Russian drones, which struck a multi-storey apartment building, killing two people.
Israel loosened rules at start of Gaza war: NYT
Israel changed its rules of engagement at the start of the Gaza war to allow commanders more flexibility to order attacks on targets despite civilian risks.
Azerbaijan plane downed by Russian air defences: report
There is mounting speculation an Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day was downed by a Russian air defence system.
Fins stop Russia-linked vessel over cable damage hunch
Finnish authorities have detained a Russia-linked ship as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables.
Cambodian opposition leader sentenced to two years jail
A Cambodian court has convicted an opposition party leader of inciting social disorder and sentenced him to two years in prison.
Houthis fire missile at Israel after Yemen airport hit
Houthi rebels have retaliated to Israel's airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa International Airport, described by the UN as alarming.
Prayers and tears 20 years after the Boxing Day tsunami
Mourners have visited mass graves and held ceremonies in Indonesia, Thailand and beyond to mark two decades since a massive tsunami killed 230,000 people.
Biden condemns Russian Christmas Day attacks in Ukraine
Ukrainians have been hit by blackouts and left without heating after Russia's Christmas Day strike on the country's power infrastructure.
Clashes between Syria’s new regime and Assad loyalists
Clashes between the Islamists who overthrew the Assad government in Syria and supporters of the former president have killed 14 insurgents and wounded others.
Russia looking into alleged capture of Aussie mercenary
Moscow officials are seeking to verify reports the Russian army may have captured an Australian citizen fighting with Ukrainian forces.
Baby freezes to death in Gaza as ceasefire talks stall
A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war
Gaza war overshadows Bethlehem midnight mass
The Catholic Church's highest representative in the Holy Land, has told Palestinians in Gaza they are not alone, during a Christmas mass.
Energy systems hit in Christmas Day attack on Ukraine
Ukrainian officials say Russia has used Christmas Day to attack the country's energy systems.
Trump pushing death for ‘rapists, murderers, monsters’
US President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to pursue the death penalty for "monsters", after President Joe Biden commuted sentences for 37 death row inmates.
Israeli strike on West Bank refugee camp, eight dead
At least eight people have died in Israeli raids on a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, in what it described as a counter-terrorism operation.