Xi, Zelenskiy hold ‘long and meaningful’ Ukraine call
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have held a phone call for the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
International News
Ukrainian counter-offensive ‘inevitable’: Wagner chief
The head of Russia's private Wagner militia says Kyiv is preparing a counter-offensive as China's Xi Jinping speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Not a ‘he said, she said’ case: Trump rape trial begins
Former US president Donald Trump is unlikely to testify at or even attend a trial in which he is accused of historic rape against a former magazine columnist.
Bashir and allies out of jail as Sudan fighting flares
Questions have been raised over the whereabouts of jailed former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir as fighting continues in Khartoum despite another ceasefire.
One killed, 10 hurt in Russian attack on Ukraine museum
A museum in the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk has been struck by a missile, killing an employee and injuring 10 others, Volodymyr Zelenskiy says.
Tsunami warning lifted after Indonesia earthquake
A tsunami warning after magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck west of Indonesia's Sumatra Island has been lifted.
Sudan fighting abates, allowing more people to flee
An apparent pause in fighting in Sudan has allowed more foreign citizens to evacuate the country as a rival paramilitary force battles for power.
Fleeing Sudan violence, first foreign evacuees land
Countries are rushing to evacuate diplomats and other citizens from Sudan where raging violence has already killed hundreds.
Russia says it repels naval drone attack on Sevastopol
Russia says Ukraine tried to attack the Crimean port of Sevastopol using unmanned, high-speed boats, but it destroyed them with no casualties suffered.
Russia claims progress in battle for Bakhmut
The Russian defence ministry says its forces have secured two blocks in western districts of Bakhmut and airborne units are providing reinforcements.
Foreign citizens rush to leave Sudan amid conflict
Countries are rushing to get their citizens in Sudan to safety as battles continue around the army's headquarters and the airport in the capital Khartoum.
Russia claims territorial gains in battle for Bakhmut
Russian forces have claimed more territory in the city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's east, the defence ministry says.
Governments race to pull diplomats, citizens from Sudan
The US has closed its embassy in Sudan, with President Joe Biden urging the warring sides to implement an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian access.
New Zealand PM welcomes drop in Australian deportations
As New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins heads across the Tasman to meet Anthony Albanese, he is heartened fewer Kiwis are being deported from Australia.
UK deputy PM quits after bullying investigation
UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned after an investigation into complaints he bullied civil servants
Fighting in Sudan continues despite truce declaration
Gunfire is still ringing in the embattled Sudanese capital Khartoum after army and rebel forces agreed to a three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
British Deputy PM Raab resigns after bullying probe
UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab's resignation means a third senior minister has departed over their personal conduct since PM Rishi Sunak took office.
Aussies together! Citizenship opens for Kiwi residents
Some 400,000 New Zealanders living in Australia will become eligible for citizenship from July, following a huge shift by Anthony Albanese's Labor government.
Russia ‘accidentally’ fires on city near Ukraine border
Two people have been injured and buildings have been damaged after a Russian warplane accidentally fired on the city of Belgorod, near the Ukraine border.
Shootouts in Sudan capital Khartoum on Eid holiday
Unabated fighting in Sudan has undermined an effort by the United Nations to broker a temporary truce over the Eid holiday and allow civilians to reach safety.
Ukraine appeals to NATO chief for membership, more arms
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has offered its solidarity with Ukraine on his first trip to Kyiv since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly 14 months ago.
New fighting rattles Sudan’s capital as residents flee
Khartoum and and other Sudanese cities have been rocked by fierce battles this week between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Cocaine hippos: What to do about Pablo Escobar’s rather large former pets
Colombia has recorded its first road traffic incident involving a hippopotamus. The hippo was a descendent of the four animals that notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar imported from a zoo in the US to his estate in the 1980s.
New Zealand to make fresh pledge of support for Ukraine
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is poised to announce New Zealand's first major contribution in six months to support Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia.
Fox settles Dominion defamation lawsuit for $A1.2b
Fox Corp has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, saying it wanted to avoid the "acrimony of a divisive trial".
Heavy gunfire quickly shatters Sudan truce deal
Fighting continued in Sudan despite initial hopes of a ceasefire, according to eye witnesses and media reports.
Zelenskiy, Putin visit troops in Ukraine amid fighting
Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met their commanders as fierce fighting continues in Bakhmut.
Fire kills 21 at hospital in China’s capital: report
A fire at Beijing's Changfeng Hospital in China's capital has killed 21 people, state media reports say.
Sudan’s warring generals agree 24-hour ceasefire
Warring Sudanese generals agreed a 24-hour ceasefire to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded after days of intense fighting.
Putin visits Ukraine, G7 condemn nuclear plan
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Kherson and Luhansk in Ukraine - the two regions it proclaimed annexed last year.
Sudan ruling council declares rival faction ‘rebels’
Sudan's military has labelled the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces "rebels" as the United Nations envoy says the combatants seem unwilling to start talks.