Russia has right to defend against Ukraine: Kim Jong-un
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says 'the West made Kyiv authorities attack Russia's territory' and Russia should take action, according to state media.
International News
FBI probes bomb threats to lawmakers, Trump nominees
The US government and FBI are looking into a series of hoax threats aimed at Democratic politicians and some of Donald Trump's cabinet picks.
Leader of an Irish party gives birth on election day
Voters across Ireland have headed to the polls in a parliamentary election to decide the next government, with the leader of an opposition party giving birth.
Medics report 19 dead as Israeli tanks leave Gaza camp
Medics say they have recovered 19 bodies of Palestinians killed in northern areas of Nuseirat as Israeli tanks withdrew from some parts of the refugee camp.
Ukraine commander vows to boost troops on eastern front
Ukrainian forces are continuing to repel Russian advances on the country's eastern front, army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi says.
UK MPs give initial support to assisted dying bill
A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has passed in parliament, setting up months of further debate on the issue.
NZ Navy report finds Manawanui sinking ‘human error’
Human error was behind the sinking of New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui, which crashed into a Samoan reef in October.
Jets bomb northwest Syria areas held by Islamist rebels
Russia and Syria have joined forces to bomb the rebel-held northwest of Syria, and push back an insurgent offensive.
Israel, Hezbollah accused of violating 60-day ceasefire
Hours after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, both sides are accusing the other of violating the pact.
Russia hits Ukraine energy facilities in massive attack
A massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russia has cut power to more than one million people across the country.
Trump selects special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
Incoming US President Donald Trump has chosen one of the architects of an 'America First' policy, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
Trump cabinet picks ‘targeted’ with threats, swatting
The FBI says it is investigating several bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming nominees and appointees of US president-elect Donald Trump.
US urges Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds to bolster ranks
A senior US official wants the Ukrainian government to increase the size of its army by drafting more troops and allowing for the conscription of 18-year-olds.
Lebanese returning as Israel-Hezbollah truce holds
Displaced Lebanese people have been heading toward home, as an Israeli-Hezbollah truce is hailed as a 'first ray of hope' by the UN chief.
Police arrest 1000 amid Pakistan demos over ex-PM Khan
Almost 1000 supporters of jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan have been arrested following clashes in Islamabad.
Russia accelerates advance in Ukraine’s east
Russian forces that control 18 per cent of Ukraine are advancing at their fastest pace since early 2022, according to analysts.
Troubled New Caledonia at ‘turning point’: New Zealand
Veteran Kiwi foreign minister Winston Peters has travelled to Paris to deliver a speech urging France to consider new constitutional futures for New Caledonia.
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire holds in first hours
A ceasefire accord has cleared the way for an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that was ignited by the larger Gaza war in 2023.
Four bodies recovered from Egypt capsized tourist boat
Four bodies have been recovered and five more people have been rescued after a tourist boat capsized off Egypt's Red Sea coast.
US judge dismisses federal Trump 2020 election case
The latest legal move represents a remarkable shift from the special prosecutor who obtained indictments against Donald Trump in two separate cases.
Russian drones, missiles hit Kyiv and Kharkiv
Ukrainian officials say about 30 people have been injured in Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa.
Sixteen missing as tourist yacht sinks off Egypt
Egyptian officials say at least 16 people are missing while 28 others have been rescued after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea.
Israel expected to approve ceasefire with Hezbollah
Lebanese sources say a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah is near and expected to be announced by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Hard-right populist shocks Romanian presidential vote
A little-known, far-right NATO critic has taken a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election and is set to face a centrist opposition leader in a run-off.
Moscow offers debt forgiveness to new recruits
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will write off debts of new army recruits in a bid to increase military recruitment.
Hezbollah rockets land near Tel Aviv
Hezbollah has fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, destroying houses near Tel Aviv, after Israel killed at least 29 people in Beirut.
Trump Jr helps pick most controversial cabinet
Donald Trump Jr is said to have the ear of his father and has been instrumental in deciding the most controversial cabinet in modern history.
Gaza City suburb evacuated, spurs wave of displacement
Residents of the eastern Gaza City suburb of Shejaia were forced to flee on donkey carts and rickshaws or by foot after Israel ordered a mass evacuation.
US summons for India’s Adani, nephew on bribery claims
A summons has been issued for the head of the Adani Group, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, and his nephew Sagar Adani over US bribery allegations.
Laos ‘profoundly saddened’ by tourist poisoning deaths
Authorities in Laos are under pressure to get to the bottom of a mass methanol poisoning tragedy that claimed the lives of two Australian teenagers.
Former White House aide picked as agriculture secretary
Donald Trump has selected a woman who is president of right-leaning think tank the America First Policy Institute, to be the US agriculture secretary.