UK to up army spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, cut aid
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says spending on the military will be increased while funds for foreign aid will be cut.
International News
South Korea’s Yoon defends martial law as ‘warning’
President Yoon Suk-yeol has defended his martial law decree as a warning of the South Korean opposition Democratic Party's abuse of its parliamentary majority.
Pope resting after quiet night in hospital: Vatican
Pope Francis has had a quiet night in hospital and is resting, the Vatican says, as the pontiff remains in a critical condition battling double pneumonia.
Israel, Hamas agree on new swap, keeping fragile truce
A standoff over the release of dead Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners appears to ended with Israel and Hamas reaching an agreement.
US, Ukraine may sign critical minerals deal within days
Kyiv and Washington have made a deal that would include access to Ukrainian minerals, with Donald Trump signalling a visit from Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sign it.
Hamas calls for talks on next phase of ceasefire
After the latest exchange of prisoners for hostages by Israel and Hamas, the militant group says it's ready to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump confirms Zelenskiy visit to sign minerals deal
Volodymyr Zelenskiy will visit the White House to sign a minerals deal, President Donald Trump says, as the Ukrainian leader seeks US security guarantees.
China has agreed to consider concerns about drills: NZ
New Zealand's foreign minister says he has raised concerns over China's live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea during meetings with Chinese leaders.
Pope Francis resting as he continues pneumonia recovery
Pope Francis slept well and is resting, the Vatican says, as he continues his slow recovery from double pneumonia and shows he's still getting work done.
Israel seeks to extend phase-one of Gaza ceasefire
Israel wants to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and get more hostages home, saying it was in a stronger position to negotiate because of US backing.
Pope reaches two-week mark at hospital with pneumonia
A guarded sense of optimism surrounds Pope Francis and his recovery from pneumonia as he reaches the two-week mark in hospital.
Gene Hackman, wife and dog were ‘dead for some time’
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are "suspicious enough" to warrant an investigation, authorities say.
Trump dodges UK plea for Ukraine security guarantee
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says there can be no long-term peace in Ukraine without firm US security guarantees, an argument Donald Trump has dismissed.
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".
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.