Israel clears for Eurovision, prompts multiple boycotts
Several European countries have pulled out of competing in Eurovision 2026 after Israel was cleared to enter.
International News
Deforestation in spotlight as Asia flood toll hits 1500
Calls are growing to fight deforestation in parts of Asia after devastating floods killed more than 1500 people and left hundreds more missing.
Russia will take all Ukraine’s Donbas, Putin says
Vladimir Putin considers talks with the US on ending the war in Ukraine "very useful", but insists Russia will keep its seized territory one way or the other.
Israel IDs remains, leaving one last hostage in Gaza
Israel has identified the remains of a returned hostage as a Thai worker, meaning one last hostage is to be returned from Gaza under the agreement with Hamas.
HK races to remove mesh blamed for fuelling deadly fire
Hong Kong is stripping scaffolding nets off all buildings undergoing renovation after the material was suspected of powering an inferno that killed 159 people.
HK fire toll rises to 159 as authorities arrest six
Hong Kong police have completed a search for bodies inside all seven of the eight high-rise residential towers as the death toll from a fire rises to 159.
Next steps for Ukraine talks unclear, Trump says
The White House says US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet with Ukrainian officials in Miami.
Five killed as Israel launches strikes in Gaza: report
Israel says it launched an air strike in southern Gaza in retaliation for an attack by militants earlier in the day.
Deadly floods in Asia kill more than 1400 people
Rescue teams are racing to reach isolated villages and relief efforts are ramping up after deadly floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia.
Israel says remains Hamas handed over aren’t of hostage
The remains Hamas handed over to Israel don't belong to either of the last two hostages left in Gaza, the Israeli government says.
Baby among dead as Hong Kong fire toll hits 159
More bodies have been found at a Hong Kong apartment complex following the city's deadliest fire in decades, including an infant and a 97-year-old.
Deep-sea search for MH370 to resume on December 30
The hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will resume on December 30, renewing hopes of finally locating the jet that vanished more than a decade ago.
Asian floods toll surges past 1300, millions displaced
The death toll in floods which struck Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand has climbed past 1300, with rescue workers still battling to reach affected areas.
Officer recalls confronting Mangione during manhunt
A police officer who arrested accused assassin Luigi Mangione has testified about locating him at a McDonald's five days after a Manhattan shooting.
Pope urges Middle East to reject ‘horror of war’
Pope Leo XIV has issued a "heartfelt appeal" for peace in Lebanon, regretting that he could not visit the country's south because of "a state of conflict".
Hamas hands over one of two last hostage bodies in Gaza
The Israeli government says it has received what are thought to be some of the last hostage remains from militants in the Gaza Strip.
US talks on Ukraine ‘no closer to peace’: Russia
Russia and the United States did not clinch a compromise over peace in Ukraine, and peace is no closer, the Kremlin says.
Rescue efforts intensify in Asia as flood deaths surge
Crews are scrambling to reach survivors in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand following floods and landslides that have killed more than 1300 people.
Witkoff and Kushner to meet Putin for Ukraine talks
President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is joining US envoy Steve Witkoff on a visit to Moscow for more talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Pope wraps Lebanon visit with prayer at port blast site
Pope Leo has paid his respects to the victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, offering a silent prayer at the site on the last day of his trip to Lebanon.
Hong Kong leader orders probe into deadly inferno
Authorities have set up an independent inquiry to investigate a horrific fire in Hong Kong that burned seven apartment buildings and killed at least 156 people.
Trump invites Israel PM Netanyahu to White House
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have discussed disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza.
Alleged CEO killer Mangione ‘spoke of 3D-printed gun’
The man accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has appeared in court as lawyers challenge the admissibility of evidence in his case.
Zelenskiy says ‘tough issues’ remain, meets Macron
Tough issues have yet to be resolved after US-Ukrainian talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says as a US envoy prepares to visit Russia.
Pope urges faith leaders to unite for peace in Lebanon
Pope Leo is near the end of his first overseas trip as pontiff, visiting Turkey and Lebanon, where he has championed the advancement of religious unity.
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Flood recovery efforts under way in Asia as deaths rise
Rescuers continue to search for survivors and aid operations is advancing as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia recover from devastating floods and landslides.
UK MP sentenced to prison in Bangladesh graft case
British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced to prison in absentia by a Bangladesh court along with her aunt, ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, for corruption.
HK arrests more suspects in fire probe as deaths rise
The netting on apartment buildings that caught fire in a horrific inferno in Hong Kong wasn't up to code, authorities say, as the death toll rises to 151.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers’, Pope Leo tells Lebanon
The Pope has emphasised the a message of peace during his visit to Lebanon, giving blessings to "those who choose peace even when conflict seems easier".
Mass shooting at kid’s birthday party leaves four dead
A gunman has opened fire at a child's birthday party in California, killing four people, as authorities reveal three of the victims were kids.
‘Good chance’ of Ukraine peace deal, Trump
US and Ukrainian officials have wrapped up high-level negotiations as Donald Trump talks up the chance a deal can be struck to bring peace to war-torn Ukraine.