NATO calls for 3.5% of GDP on defence budgets: Dutch PM
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says the NATO's chief wants allies to agree to start spending at least 3.5 per cent of GDP on their defence budgets.
defence
Israel’s plans for aid supply will endanger lives: UN
Aid agencies warn that plans presented by Israel to control aid distribution in Gaza will only increase suffering and death in the Palestinian territory.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 nine people in northern Gaza
An Israeli air strike on a northern Gaza town has killed at least nine people including some local reporters.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.