Benin government says armed forces foil coup attempt
Fourteen people have been arrested over a coup bid in Benin, a government spokesperson says after a minister declared the attempt had been foiled.
International News
Israeli PM says second phase of Gaza Strip plan ‘close’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a meeting with the US president will focus on peace and an end to Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip.
Chinese jets directed radar at Japanese planes
Japan has lodged a protest over a "regrettable" incident where Chinese fighter jets directed their radar at Japanese aircraft over international waters.
South African bar shooting leaves 12 dead
Three gunmen have opened fire inside a bar at a South African hostel, killing at least 12 people, including a three-year-old boy.
Nightclub fire in India kills 25 in tourist hotspot
At least 23 people, including several tourists, have died after a fire broke out in a nightclub in the popular Indian beach resort state of Goa.
Russian strike on Ukrainian city cuts off utilities
Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine's power, heating and water infrastructure, hitting the city of Kremenchuk and cutting power and water supplies.
Gaza Strip talks at a critical moment, Qatari PM says
Qatar's prime minister says the Gaza Strip talks have reached a critical moment, with the remains of one Israeli hostage still held by militants.
US, Ukraine meeting ‘constructive’, further talks set
President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held productive talks with Ukraine's senior negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami, US officials say.
FIFA gives Trump a peace prize
President Donald Trump has described being given the new FIFA peace prize as "one of the great honours of my life".
Roads slow relief efforts after Asia’s deadly floods
As the waters recede from Asia's deadly floods and landslides, survivors find themselves cut off from crews trying to deliver them urgently needed aid.
Asia floods death toll passes 1500, more rain expected
The death toll from floods in parts of Asia has surpassed 1500, as meteorologists warn of renewed rainfall.
Ukraine wants ‘real peace, not appeasement’ with Russia
Ukraine's foreign minister has pledged his nation will "use every opportunity to try to end this war".
Man charged with planting bombs before US Capitol riot
Nearly five years after the January 6 riots that shook the US Capitol, a man has been charged on suspicion of planting pipe bombs across Washington.
Israel clears for Eurovision, prompts multiple boycotts
Several European countries have pulled out of competing in Eurovision 2026 after Israel was cleared to enter.
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.