Israel postpones prisoner release over Hamas ceremonies
Israel is delaying the release of 620 Palestinians until it is assured Hamas will hand over hostages in Gaza "without humiliating ceremonies".
International News
Prayers as Vatican says Pope passes ‘tranquil’ night
The Pope is resting in hospital after a "tranquil" night, the Vatican says, as he thanks doctors and supporters in a written message.
Trump-Putin summit preparations underway, Russia says
A senior Russian official says preparations have begun for a face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Holocaust Memorial attack suspect planned to kill Jews
The suspect accused of stabbing a man at Berlin's Holocaust memorial is a Syrian refugee who wanted to kill Jews, German police say.
Trump revels in mass federal firings and jeers at Biden
Donald Trump says "nobody has ever seen anything" like his administration's sweeping effort to fire thousands of federal employees and shrink the US government.
Australia accused of ‘hyping’ Chinese naval drills
China has hosed down complaints about live-fire naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, saying its actions were lawful.
Sudan RSF, allies sign to form alternative government
Sudan's paramilitary RSF and allies have signed a charter to pave the way for the establishment of a parallel government, as Sudan's army makes advances.
Germany’s Merz faces tough talks to find coalition ally
Germany's conservative opposition leader will have to negotiate with Olaf Scholz's centre-left party to form a coalition after a national election.
Ukraine hosts leaders three years after Russia invasion
Leaders from Europe and Canada have arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in a show of support on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Pope Francis remains in critical condition
The Pope's supporters have been told to make their prayers for him "stronger and more intense" as he remains in a critical condition.
Ceasefire talks depend on Palestinian prisoner release
Hamas says it won't participate in further Gaza ceasefire talks until more than 600 Palestinian prisoners are released by Israel.
Conclave, Chalamet win at Screen Actors Guild Awards
Conclave has won the top accolade at The Screen Actors Guild Awards while Timothee Chalamet took out best actor for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
German election winner Merz seeks coalition with SPD
Germany's CDU leader Friedrich Merz says his conservative bloc has won a sufficient number of seats in elections to build a coalition with the Social Democrats.
Pope well enough to talk about saints with Vatican No.2
Pope Francis rested well throughout the night and has had enough strength for a meeting to discuss candidates for sainthood, the Vatican says.
Ukraine marks invasion anniversary amid talk of US deal
French President Emmanuel Macron believes a truce in Ukraine is feasible in the next few weeks following three years of war after the Russian invasion.
Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas: Netanyahu
Israel is demanding Hamas hand over the body of a mother who was held captive in Gaza, saying the remains the military received don't belong to her.
Pope’s health ‘slightly improving’, Vatican says
The Pope's health is improving and he is alert, able to move around and even doing some work, the Vatican says.
Trump loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director
The US Senate has approved Kash Patel as Donald Trump's FBI chief despite concerns about his qualifications and fears he'll go after the president's opponents.
Ukraine talks with US envoy ‘restore hope’: Zelenskiy
Talks with Donald Trump's envoy have buoyed Volodymyr Zelenskiy a day after the US and Ukrainian leaders traded barbs amid a push to end the war with Russia.
Hamas frees Israeli hostages in Gaza as body identified
Hamas has freed five more Israeli hostages in Gaza as a body released by the militant group hours earlier is confirmed to be that of Israeli mother Shiri Bibas.
Germany’s far-right party to gain ground in the west
Long seen as having a stronghold in eastern Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany is poised to make major gains in the west this election.
Trump reverses course, admits ‘Russia attacked Ukraine’
Ukraine "don't have any cards, but they're playing tough", Donald Trump says as he predicts a deal on critical minerals and admits Russia attacked Ukraine.
Pope ‘rested well’ but won’t lead Sunday prayers
The Pope "rested well" overnight, the Vatican says, but will not lead Sunday prayers for a second consecutive week as he's treated for double pneumonia.
Diplomats discuss Ukraine war at G20 in South Africa
Foreign ministers from developing countries focused on global conflicts, including the Ukraine war, on the last day of a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Anger over climate assessment delays after US exit
Donald Trump's decision to halt US scientists' participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have implications for key reports.
Stabbing at Holocaust memorial in Berlin, man arrested
German police have given no details on the identity of a suspect who they arrested after a man was stabbed at Berlin's Holocaust memorial.
Hadi Matar guilty of attempted murder of Salman Rushdie
A US jury has found Hadi Matar guilty of attempting to murder the novelist Salman Rushdie.
Trump is in a Russian ‘disinformation space’: Zelenskiy
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says his country is hoping for an "allied position in Europe, in the EU and the US around Ukraine in this unjust war".
Hamas will free six hostages and hand over bodies
In a surprise announcement, a top Hamas leader says the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages and the bodies of four more.
Better water systems needed to survive firestorms
Recent fires that consumed entire Los Angeles neighbourhoods showed water utilities generally are not designed to respond to large urban fires.
Pope had ‘peaceful’ night despite pneumonia diagnosis
The Vatican says Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia, after new tests showed a further complication in the condition of the 88-year-old pope.