Warning Israel’s aid agency ban could be ‘catastrophic’
Israel has violated international law by moving against a key UN aid group, which could result in sanctions from Australia and other nations, an expert says.
diplomacy
Climate tops agenda at Australia, UK PMs’ first meeting
The prime ministers of Australian and the UK have pledged greater investment in green hydrogen and offshore wind during their first meeting in Samoa.
PM: ‘Security of any one of us, matters to all of us’
The prime minister has celebrated a collaboration between Australian and Pacific Islands police, emphasising the initiative is led by and for Pacific nations.
Peru proposes investment ahead of major mining forum
A Peru trade delegation led by its prime minister will attend a major mining conference in Australia as Canberra works to diversify its international trade.
Commonwealth leaders say time for discussion on slavery
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has selected a new secretary-general who supports reparations for slavery and colonialism.
Commonwealth nations make first ocean declaration
Commonwealth countries have adopted the first ocean declaration during a summit held in the Pacific island nation of Samoa.
Climate, reparations top agenda at ‘successful’ meet
Climate, policing and reparations have emerged as key issues at a meeting of Commonwealth heads as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hails the summit a success.
King Charles becomes Samoan ‘high chief’ and tries kava
King Charles has been declared a Samoan "high chief" during his visit to the Pacific island.
Commonwealth should acknowledge ‘painful’ history: King
King Charles says he understands how the Commonwealth's "most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate".
PM defends energy transition after Pacific criticisms
Pacific leaders and King Charles have called for greater action on climate change as the region hosts its first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Climate action call as King presides over leaders meet
Australia and wealthier Commonwealth nations are being told to pay the rent on climate action as the Pacific faces an existential threat from rising sea levels.
Death of Hamas boss ‘can be turning point in conflict’
Australian politicians have called for urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza and an end to the war in the middle east after Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Political prisoners concerned by diplomacy red tape
Australians wrongfully detained oversees are decrying being freed only to fall through the cracks back home, citing lack of support for them and their families.
G7 reassures Ukraine on NATO bid
Defence ministers from G7 countries have backed Ukraine's bid for NATO membership during talks in Italy.
Xi says China willing to be a friend with the US
President Xi Jinping says China-US relations are among the most important bilateral relations in the world.
Australia admonishes Israeli, backs US Gaza aid call
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned the number of civilian deaths in Gaza and backed an American ultimatum to Israel to force an rise in the flow of aid.
A lobster in every pot at Christmas and the New Year
Australia's lobster fishers are confident of being able to meet renewed demand from China and satisfy local customers this Christmas.
Australia ‘appalled’ at Gaza deaths, aid blockade
Australia IS "appalled by the unacceptable deaths of innocent civilians" following Israel's operations in Gaza, as food shortages spark outrage.
Australia urged to press Chinese premier on security
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has touched down in Laos, where he will meet with the Chinese premier against the backdrop of security tensions and trade bans.
Trade war fully thawed as China drops live lobster ban
Australia and China have effectively ended a years-long trade dispute after Beijing agreed to drop an import embargo on live rock lobsters.
‘Enough blood has been spilled’: concern over Gaza toll
A senior Australian minister has questioned whether Israel is complying with international law in its bombing of schools and hospitals in Gaza.
China’s actions ‘dangerous’ in disputed sea: Blinken
The US has delivered a firm message to Beijing at the ASEAN summit over its "increasingly dangerous and unlawful" actions in the South China Sea.
Blinken to discuss Myanmar at ASEAN talks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to warn Southeast Asian leaders that premature elections in Myanmar could exacerbate violence.
Trump ‘called Putin seven times since leaving office’
Bob Woodward writes in his new book "War" that Donald Trump has had up to seven private phone calls with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since leaving office.
Hungary’s PM says Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes Ukraine's war effort is doomed while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says it will face its toughest winter yet.
Hezbollah ‘Golan Heights’ member eliminated: Israel
Israel's military has reportedly hit targets in Syria and killed a member of Hezbollah's "Golan Terrorist Network" as it ramps up its war against the group.
House divided: leaders spar over Israel-Gaza motion
As Australians continue to flee escalating violence in the Middle East, a potential moment of unity between the nation's leaders has been rejected.
Iran summons Aust ambassador over ‘biased stance’
Australia's envoy to Iran has been summoned to explain protests against Iran's attacks in Israel.
Mercy flights to rescue Australians stranded in Lebanon
Australians in Lebanon will be transported by two mercy Qantas flights from Cyprus to Sydney as tensions in the region remain ongoing.
PM sidesteps immunity question on drunken street fight
Trans-Tasman diplomats are working through the case of an Australian diplomat's partner allegedly involved in a late-night drunken fight in Wellington.
Australia backs Israel-Lebanon 21-day ceasefire plan
Australia has called on Israel and Lebanon to endorse a temporary ceasefire to allow a lasting peace to be negotiated as rocket attacks kill hundreds.