Ukraine mulls next step after Putin’s no-show for talks
Russia's Vladimir Putin has bucked Ukraine's challenge to attend talks in Turkey, throwing the meeting into doubt as Volodymyr Zelenskiy decides his next move.
International News
Israeli air strikes kill scores in Gaza, medics say
Air strikes have hit Gaza's city of Khan Younis, killing more than 50 people as Israel intensifies its offensive and little comes from new ceasefire talks.
Uncertainty hangs over planned Ukraine peace talks
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy is challenging Vladimir Putin to face-to-face talks, but the Kremlin isn't saying who will turn up to negotiate for Russia.
Israeli intensifies Gaza bombing as Trump visits region
Israel has escalated its bombardment in Gaza despite Palestinian hopes that President Donald Trump's Middle East trip might prompt a reduction in violence.
Trump urges Syrian leader to establish ties with Israel
US President Donald Trump has met Syria's interim president during a visit to Saudi Arabia and called for Damascus to upgrade its relations with Israel.
Menendez brothers clear legal hurdle in bid for release
Two brothers serving life in prison for murdering their parents with a shotgun have a new chance of freedom after a US judge reduced their sentences.
Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills wounded journo
A well-known Palestinian journalist has been killed in an Israeli air strike on a hospital where he was recovering from an earlier attack, local officials say.
Pakistan commits to truce, unless further aggression
After four days of intensified fighting, Pakistan has committed to a truce with India, providing there is no further aggression from India.
Zelenskiy insists on talks with Putin in Istanbul
The Kremlin is yet to say whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend scheduled war talks in Istanbul.
Rainbow Warrior in NZ return, 40 years after bombing
Greenpeace Aotearoa say they will use the return of the Rainbow Warrior to campaign against the New Zealand government's "war on nature".
Kardashian feared she’d be raped, killed, trial told
Kim Kardashian has told a Paris court she feared she would be raped and killed and wouldn't make it back to her "babies" when she was held at gunpoint.
Diddy’s ex Cassie testifies to frequent beatings
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex girlfriend testified to "frequent" beatings and being blackmailed to participate in his infamous Freak Offs, the rapper's trial heard.
Saudi crown prince meets Trump at start of Mideast tour
US President Donald Trump has met Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler as he opens his tour of the Gulf, where he's expected to hold talks and announce deals.
UN aviation body rules Russia downed MH17: Netherlands
Dutch and Australian officials say a council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation concluded Russia was responsible for the downing of MH17 in 2014.
Trump order demands US medicine industry cuts prices
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order setting a 30-day deadline for drug makers to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the United States.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy wants face-to-face talks with Putin
Volodymyr Zelenskiy insists that Ukraine-Russia talks with Vladimir Putin can only happen in person, while US President Donald Trump muses about attending them.
Hamas frees Israeli-American as Trump heads to Mideast
Israeli-US citizen Edan Alexander has been released by Hamas after 19 months of captivity in Gaza as the US president prepares to visit the Middle East.
Russia faces sanctions if truce ignored, Germany says
Germany warns Russia that "the clock is ticking" on abiding by a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine or else European countries will hit Moscow with new sanctions.
Kurdish PKK disbands and ends 40-year Turkey insurgency
The Kurdistan Workers Party has decided to disband and disarm as part of a peace initiative with Turkey after four decades of armed conflict.
Voting ends in Albania’s election amid bid to join EU
Voting has closed in Albania's parliamentary election after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country's uphill effort to join the European Union.
Hamas to release US hostage, Israel says no ceasefire
Hamas is promising to release an American-Israeli hostage held in Gaza within hours, but Israel still intends to ramp up its offensive in Gaza.
Zelenskiy flags that he will meet Putin in Turkey
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has agreed to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey for direct talks.
India, Pakistan militaries to talk as ceasefire holds
After days of heavy firefights, calm has returned to India and Pakistan's borders as the neighbours' military chiefs meet to discuss their next steps.
US and China reach deal to cut trade tariffs – for now
The US and China have agreed to slash tariffs for 90 days following talks aiming to end a trade war that's raised fears for the global economy.
At least 13 killed overnight in Israeli strikes on Gaza
Palestinian health officials say overnight strikes by Israel have killed at least 13 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children.
Iran, US to resume nuclear talks as red lines clash
Iran and the US are holding their fourth round of nuclear talks as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit the Middle East.
Trump hails China talks, says ‘total reset’ negotiated
Donald Trump says a "total reset" has been negotiated during tariff talks between the US and China, and "great progress" has been made.
Twenty killed in Sudan after RSF drone hits jail: govt
Sudanese authorities say a suspected drone attack has killed at least 20 prisoners in the southern region of Kordofan
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‘No more war’: Pope calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza
Pope Leo XIV has called for peace in Ukraine, a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in his first Sunday blessing as pontiff.
Putin-proposed Ukraine peace meet ‘positive’: Zelenskiy
Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to restart direct talks with Ukraine is "positive", Volodymyr Zelenskiy says as he insists on a ceasefire.
India, Pakistan ceasefire holds as US offers more help
India and Pakistan are blaming each other for overnight violations of a ceasefire reached after US diplomacy and pressure, as Donald Trump offers more help.