European leaders and Ukraine press for 30-day ceasefire
Ukraine and its allies are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as European leaders visit Kyiv to show unity after Vladimir Putin's parade in Moscow.
defence
‘Unimaginable grief’ as army chopper crash inquiry ends
The families of four air crew killed in an army helicopter crash have broken down at an inquiry, describing how their lives had been shattered by the tragedy.
Helicopter in fatal army crash a known ‘underperformer’
A former army aviation commander has been grilled at an inquiry over why a risky helicopter was not swapped out before a crash that killed "four good men".
Soldier fatigue in focus at fatal chopper crash inquiry
A senior officer identified fatigue as a key issue for an army aviation unit but a sleep study was rejected before a fatal helicopter crash, a probe has heard.
armed conflict
armed forces
breaking_news
defence
military equipment
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
Israel approves plan to capture ‘all of Gaza’
Israeli officials say ministers have approved a plan to capture the entirety of the Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time.
Over 200 clashes with Russian forces in eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is calling on Kyiv's allies to up the pressure on Moscow to achieve a ceasefire.
Albanese and UK PM Starmer discuss AUKUS submarine plan
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will soon dispatch a top defence adviser to Australia to discuss the AUKUS submarine program.
Japan, China trade airspace violation accusations
Japan and China have both lodged protests about airspace violations around the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Beijing also claims.
Putin hopes nukes ‘will not be required’ in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin says there's no need to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine and expressed hope that such a scenario will not arise.
Coalition unpacks tax hike plan to fund defence splurge
Peter Dutton has promised a coalition government would raise defence spending and rely on higher income taxes to partially fund the pledge.
Defence secretary ‘shared another chat on Yemen strike’
A report claiming the US defence secretary shared sensitive military details on another Signal chat has renewed criticism of the Trump administration.
Army chopper crash report delivers families answers
A report into a fatal army helicopter crash that killed four men will be released in May after families were briefed on the findings.
Europeans blame Moscow for thwarting peace in Ukraine
Britain and France accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet over Ukraine talks and want to pressure Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.
civil unrest
crisis
defence
disaster (general)
disaster and accident
earthquake
emergency incident
unrest, conflicts and war
Toll from devastating Myanmar earthquake climbs
Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble days after a massive earthquake in Myanmar as rescue workers desperately search for survivors.
Trump threatens tariffs if Moscow blocks Ukraine deal
"If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine ... I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil," Donald trump says.
Ukraine urges strong Western response to drone attacks
Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in the coming weeks to strengthen the Kremlin's negotiating position in ceasefire talks.
Finnish president’s golf diplomacy in surprise US visit
After talking about annexing Greenland, Donald Trump has played golf with the prime minister of Finland - the world's leading producer of icebreakers.
US Pentagon staff could face lie detectors over leaks
The Pentagon's intelligence and law enforcement arms are investigating what it says are leaks of national security information.
Israeli air strike kills Hamas political leader in Gaza
Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel has been killed in an Israeli air strike on his tent shelter in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Palestinian media says.
Coalition backs AUKUS as sub concerns rise to surface
The coalition reaffirms its support for the AUKUS partnership as voices on both sides of politics raise concerns about the multibillion-dollar defence pact.
US launches large-scale strikes on Yemen’s Houthis
The US has launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis after they resumed attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
armed conflict
defence
defence equipment
diplomacy
military equipment
peace negotiations
peacekeeping force
politics
UK to step up Ukraine peacekeeping planning
Planning for a peacekeeping force for Ukraine will move to an "operational phase," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says.
Australia may back Ukraine peacekeeping after talks
Ukraine's fight against Russia has implications for the world, the prime minister says, as Australia contemplates contributing to peacekeeping efforts.
Israeli air strike kills nine people in northern Gaza
An Israeli air strike on a northern Gaza town has killed at least nine people including some local reporters.
US to assess Ukraine’s peace stance in Saudi meeting
Donald Trump has suggested the pause on sharing US military intelligence with Ukraine will be lifted, ahead of talks it's hoped will map out a path to peace.
Iran, Russia and China navy drills to start: report
China, Iran and Russia will reportedly hold joint naval exercises off the Iranian port of Chabahar.
Australia to send official to Ukraine defence talks
Australia will send a senior official to attend talks in Paris between European defence ministers on the pathway to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Tariff fickleness sparks call for business to diversify
Australia is still pushing for an exemption to US tariffs but businesses are waking up to the possibility they may need to be flexible to mitigate their impact.
US sending ‘tectonic changes’ over security commitments
If the US pulls all support for Ukraine, it could send a dangerous signal about its commitment to security in the Pacific, the Ukrainian ambassador says.
Cause for Australian optimism despite US-Ukraine stoush
Australian ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has launched a staunch defence of the alliance between the two nations amid a shake up under Donald Trump.
Cyclone-battered rower gets medical treatment
A Lithuanian rower battered by a tropical cyclone while attempting a solo ocean crossing is receiving medical treatment on a navy ship after being rescued.