Russia hits Ukraine city as talks reach crucial point
Ukraine's port city of Odesa has come under a "massive attack" by Russian drones, as countries prepare to meet for potentially decisive talks to end the war.
International News
Cardinals set date for Pope’s viewing and funeral
The public viewing of Pope Francis will begin on Wednesday and his funeral will be on Saturday, the Vatican says, as the faithful grieve the pontiff's death.
Professional failures in Rafah medic killings: Israel
A probe into the killings of 15 medics in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces notes a chain of "professional failures," with a deputy commander to be dismissed.
Air raid alerts in Ukraine after Russian ceasefire ends
Kyiv and the eastern half of Ukraine are under air alerts, hours after the one-day Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin expired.
Defence secretary ‘shared another chat on Yemen strike’
A report claiming the US defence secretary shared sensitive military details on another Signal chat has renewed criticism of the Trump administration.
US deportees offered in swap for ‘political prisoners’
Venezuela's top prosecutor has criticised a proposal by El Salvador to swap hundreds of "political prisoners" for deportees from the US being held in a prison.
Pope Francis has ‘returned to the house of the Father’
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88 after suffering various ailments in his 12-year papacy.
US top court blocks deportations under old wartime law
The US Supreme Court has paused the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan men in immigration custody following an emergency appeal by rights activists.
Iran, US agree on third round of talks after ‘progress’
Iranian officials say indirect talks with the United States have been held in a "constructive atmosphere" and that further expert-level discussions are planned.
Attacks in Ukraine, Russia, during Easter ‘ceasefire’
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russian attacks have not stopped during the Easter ceasefire declared by Vladimir Putin.
Israeli strikes pound Gaza as Hamas rejects new truce
The fate of an Israeli soldier believed to be the last American held captive in Gaza remains unknown after Hamas said it recovered the body of his captor.
US senator meets wrongly deported man in El Salvador
US senator Chris Van Hollen has met Kilmar Abrego Garcia, coming face-to-face with the wrongly deported man after visiting El Salvador to push for his release.
Thousands join Stations of the Cross route in Jerusalem
Thousands of pilgrims have marked Good Friday in Jerusalem by joining a Stations of the Cross procession.
Russia, Ukraine ‘to swap POWs’ after bodies exchanged
Ukrainian authorities says the bodies of 909 troops have been received from Russia after mediation from the International Red Cross.
Mediators trying to revive Gaza ceasefire talks
A Gaza ceasefire offer that reached Egyptian mediators includes talks on a final settlement to the war but no firm agreement.
Almost 150 dead after boat catches fire in DR Congo
A boat carrying as many as 500 passengers in Democratic Republic of Congo has caught fire, killing almost 150 people, the country's media report.
Europe and Ukraine make case as Rubio visits Paris
The US's Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff are meeting Ukrainian and European officials worried about America's overtures towards Russia in talks to end the war.
US will drop Russia-Ukraine deal if no progress: Rubio
The US may be ready to "move on" from efforts for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if there's not progress in the coming days, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns.
Deputy sheriff’s son shoots two dead at US university
Two people have been killed and four injured in a shooting at Florida State University, with the shooter identified as a deputy sheriff's son.
Hamas ‘ready to release all hostages’ to end Gaza war
Hamas says they are ready to return all remaining Israeli hostages as part of a broader deal for peace in Gaza, and will no longer agree to interim deals.
Trump signals tit-for-tat China tariffs may be near end
"I don't want them to go higher because at a certain point you make it where people don't buy," Donald Trump says of the tariffs he has imposed on China.
UK’s top court rules ‘woman’ refers to biological sex
Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that trans women are not "women" under equalities law, but says the decision "does not remove protection from trans people".
Ukraine, US make ‘substantial progress’ on mineral deal
Talks on a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine are reportedly advancing, and it is likely a provisional memorandum could be signed very soon.
Visiting NATO chief says support for Ukraine unwavering
The head of the NATO military alliance says its support for Ukraine is unwavering while visiting the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Israel to keep Gaza buffer zone, as truce efforts stall
Troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip indefinitely, Israel's defence minister says, as a ceasefire deal with Hamas remains elusive.
Trump plays critical minerals card in tariff trade war
A national security review of critical minerals imports has been ordered by President Donald Trump in an escalation of his dispute with global trading partners.
Frugal Kiwi government takes axe to central bank budget
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is "redesigning" its operations after the government announced funding cuts of 25 per cent from July.
Global pact to shore up world’s future pandemic defence
A global supply chain and logistic network features in a proposed pact to fight future pandemics that has been agreed by World Health Organisation members.
‘Woman’ refers to biological sex, top UK court rules
Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that trans women are not "women" under equalities law, but says the decision "does not remove protection from trans people".
Trump hails ‘big progress’ in tariffs talks with Japan
Donald Trump and Japanese officials have taken part in talks on tariffs, as the US president's trade war continues to spook global markets.
Truce bid stalls as Israel eyes Gaza Strip buffer zone
Israel's defence minister says the army will remain in occupied "security zones" to act as a buffer between hostile fighters and Israel.