Assail of two cities: Tehran and Beirut under attack
US President Donald Trump has encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq to launch attacks against Iran as the Middle East conflict widens.
unrest, conflicts and war
‘Disgusting’: returning Australians slam empty seats
The lucky few Australians arriving home from the Middle East have slammed the government for failing to fill most of the seats with desperate passengers.
Russia and Ukraine to swap a total of 1000 prisoners
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 200 prisoners of war on each side and will swap another 300 within the next day, officials say.
Trump warns Iran will be ‘hit very hard’ in new attacks
Iran is about to be "hit very hard", President Donald Trump says, as the US considers targeting new areas and groups "because of Iran's bad behaviour".
Russia, Ukraine swap 300 troops on second exchange day
Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war for the second time in two days.
Government ‘doing more’ to help bring Australians home
Efforts to assist Australians to return from the Middle East conflict are being stepped up by the federal government, with buses to cities with open airspace.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy marks milestone vowing to fight on
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has observed four years since Russia's full-scale invasion by declaring Ukraine "will do everything to secure peace and justice".
Sudan paramilitary forces kill at least 28 in Darfur
A doctors group says that Sudanese paramilitary forces have killed 28 people in an attack on a stronghold of a Darfur tribal leader
Europe vows to support Ukraine as war enters fifth year
Senior European officials have headed to Kyiv to mark the grim anniversary of the war with Russia, promising to continue their support for Ukraine.
Trump hails ‘golden age’ as US voters sour on economy
Donald Trump has broken the record for longest State of the Union speech as he claimed the US is "winning" under his leadership, even as his poll ratings slide.
Iran pushes back against Trump before nuclear talks
In the face of a major US military build-up and President Donald Trump's high-pressure rhetoric, Iran has warned against his "big lies" before talks in Geneva.
Aust diplomats’ families told to leave Israel, Lebanon
The families of Australian diplomats based in Israel and Lebanon have been told to leave as the security situation in those countries worsens.
Zelenskiy eyes Russia meeting after Trump phone call
Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he and Donald Trump have agreed another leaders' meeting should take place to seek an end to the war in Ukraine.
‘High likelihood’ of strikes trigger evacuation orders
Families of Australian officials in the Middle East have been told to leave the region as tensions escalate following a US military build-up near Iran.
US warns of Iranian threat ahead of nuclear talks
Iran and the US are set to hold the latest round of talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute amid a large-scale military build-up.
Four killed in boat attack ‘tried to infiltrate Cuba’
Cuba claims a speedboat that opened fire on soldiers was full of US-based Cubans bent on terrorism, but Washington doesn't want to take Havana's word for it.
US-Iran nuclear talks begin as military threat looms
Iran and the US have resumed talks considered the last chance to resolve their nuclear dispute and avert strikes on Iran from US forces massed in the Mideast.
Major Russian attack on Ukraine before talks with US
Hundreds of Russian drones and missiles have targeted Ukrainian homes and critical infrastructure, hours before talks on the war are due to begin in Geneva.
Talks with US make progress, resume Monday, says Iran
Iran says it will meet again with US negotiators in Vienna next week after having "serious talks about sanctions and nuclear issue" in Geneva.
Pakistan declares ‘open war’ as it bombs Afghan cities
Pakistan and Afghanistan have traded attacks in a dramatic escalation of tensions that threatens to spark a protracted conflict between the Islamic neighbours.
Next round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says the next round of peace talks with Russia will be held in March in Abu Dhabi
Pakistan, Afghan forces clash as diplomacy intensifies
Pakistan's strikes have hit Taliban military installations and posts in one of the deepest Pakistani incursions into its western neighbour in years.
Ghana troops killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine war
At least 55 Ghanaians have died fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says.
Israel’s top court allows NGOs to keep working in Gaza
Israel's top court will allow international aid groups to keep operating in the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories.
Trump on Iran: ‘Sometimes you have to use force’
US President Donald Trump says he is not happy with Iran, but still wants to make a deal with Tehran.
Trump urges Iranian people to rise up against regime
Israel and the US have launched a "pre-emptive" attack against Iran, plunging the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation.
Afghanistan fires at Pakistani jets over Kabul
Border skirmishes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated with the heaviest fighting in years raising fears of protracted conflict.
Israel strikes Iran again after killing supreme leader
The Middle East is in turmoil as Donald Trump issues a new warning to Tehran after Israeli and US strikes killed Iran's leader, prompting retaliatory attacks.
Kyiv says Russia accepted US plan for Ukraine security
Ukraine says Russia has agreed to a proposed Ukraine post-war security guarantee which commits the US and its European allies to act if Russia attacks.
Iranians celebrate as PM warns of limited assistance
There are limited options to rescue Australians in Iran, the prime minister warns, saying the safety of citizens is his top priority.
Israel closes Rafah border crossing into Gaza again
Israel has closed the border crossings with Gaza, including Rafah, a key entry point for getting humanitarian aid into the strip.