Maersk preparing for resumption of Red Sea voyages
Maersk vessels will soon resume sailing through the Red Sea, the shipping company says, following the establishment of an international naval operation there.
unrest, conflicts and war
Russia, Ukraine report six civilians killed in attacks
Russia's military says it has shot down four Ukrainian army aircraft in 24 hours as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declares "evil will be defeated".
Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in Christmas Eve attack
Air strikes in central Gaza have killed at least 78 people, Palestinian officials say, as Pope Francis laments war in the land of the birth of Jesus.
Fighting rages in Gaza as Biden speaks with Netanyahu
An Israeli minister says the country's forces will continue operations in Gaza "until Hamas is eliminated" and all hostages are returned.
Ukraine reports warding off Russian attacks on Avdiivka
The Ukrainian general staff says Russian attempts to dislodge its forces that have crossed the Dnipro river in the southern Kherson region have failed.
Once-forgotten WWI veterans honoured a century later
World War I veterans who did not die on the frontline but suffered from "shell shock" after returning home will be commemorated for their sacrifice.
Israeli forces battle Hamas in northern Gaza
Hamas' armed wing says it has engaged in combat with Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalia.
Mass drone attack hits several Kyiv districts
Kyiv has been hit with a Russian drone attack for the sixth time this month, setting off blazes in residential buildings and injuring two people.
PM defends decision not to send warship to Red Sea
Anthony Albanese says the US administration respects the call not to send a Royal Australian Navy ship to the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping lanes.
Israel broadens Gaza assault ahead of UN aid vote
Israel's military has ordered residents of Al-Bureij to move immediately as Gazan health authorities say 20,057 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.
Australia rejects US appeal for warships in Red Sea
Australia will send more navy personnel to the Middle East but has rebuffed a US request to deploy a warship to the Red Sea to help secure vital shipping lanes.
Houthis threaten US warships if they target rebels
Yemen's Houthi leader says his militia does not fear the United States and has warned outsiders not to target the rebels over attacks in the Red Sea.
Ukraine mulls army proposal to call up more civilians
Residents of Kyiv have given a mixed reaction to proposals by the Ukrainian army to conscript up to 500,000 more civilians amid the war against Russian forces.
Gaza ceasefire talks as Hamas, Israel assert demands
"Very serious" negotiations are taking place on a second Gaza ceasefire, the US says, but Hamas and Israel's conditions make the chances of a deal uncertain.
Ukraine says it defeated Russian drone attack on Kyiv
Russia's fifth air strike on Kyiv this month has been thwarted by Ukraine's air defence system with no injuries or damage reported.
Diplomacy favoured by PM over warship to Red Sea
Australia could contribute better to Middle East stability through diplomacy, says the prime minister as the government mulls a request to send a warship.
Ukraine to produce 1m drones next year: Zelenskiy
Over one million drones will be made in Ukraine in 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says as the country works to increase its domestic weapons production.
US leads Red Sea operation amid attacks trade fears
The United States says "Operation Prosperity Guardian" will defend against attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Israel battles Hamas in streets as UN delays vote again
The UN has delayed a vote on boosting aid deliveries to Gaza, while residents report fierce gunbattles on the streets of the enclave's second-biggest city.
Putin says Russia is ready to talk on Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is open to talks about the future of Ukraine.
North Korea fires second ballistic missile, condemns US
South Korean and Japanese officials say North Korea has fired what appears to be a long-range ballistic missile, its second aggression in less than 12 hours.
Israel in fresh strikes on Gaza as UN nears vote on aid
Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza, countering raised hopes of a new ceasefire deal and the opening of a border crossing for aid.
Ukraine general criticises firing of recruitment chiefs
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's decision to fire regional military draft office heads in August.
RSF enters Sudan aid hub city where many were displaced
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces say they have entered Wad Madani, a city southeast of Khartoum that had taken in many displaced people.
Israel pounds Gaza, Houthis vow more Red Sea attacks
As more vessels are attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, Israel has reiterated the war will not stop until all it's hostages are freed.
Defence chief to join US talks on Red Sea security
Australia will be represented at a virtual meeting hosted by the US to discuss security in the Red Sea and moves to prevent rebels attacking ships.
US announces mission to counter ship attacks in Red Sea
The US and a host of other nations are creating a force to protect ships in the Red Sea that have come under attack from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Houthi Red Sea attacks force rerouting of vessels
Attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemeni Houthi rebels have prompted the United States and its allies to discuss a task force to protect routes in the area.
Gradual transition to new Gaza operation phase: Israel
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has told Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant that Israeli forces could be "more precise" in their strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Plea for cool heads in Australia as war rages in Gaza
The prime minister is calling on Australians to engage with each other peacefully as tensions simmer over conflict in the Middle East.
Israeli forces launch strikes across the Gaza strip
Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza, countering raised hopes of a new ceasefire deal, and the opening of a border crossing for aid.