Russian drone strike on Kyiv kills two: local officials
Ukrainian officials say two people have been killed in a Russian drone strike on the capital Kyiv that also damaged buildings.
unrest, conflicts and war
Israeli air strike kills at least 10 in Gaza: medics
Medics say 10 people have been killed in Israeli military strikes on the Gaza encampment of Khan Younis.
Israeli strikes kill 67, Gaza head of police: medics
An Israeli military strike near Khan Younis targeting officials in the Gaza Strip's police department has killed 11 people, Hamas says.
Trump can be decisive in helping stop Putin: Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he hopes US President-elect Donald Trump can quickly establish contact with Russia.
Israel gives Houthis ‘final warning’ to stop attacks
Israel has made thunderous comments at the UN on the risk to Houthi militants if they continue missile attacks, warning Israel can hit any target in the region.
Australia scrambled defences to hijackers and bombers
Declassified cabinet papers show government officials raised the prospect of the prime minister ordering to shoot down commercial aircraft in a suicide attack.
Ukraine says it hit Russian oil depot in western region
The Ukrainian army has announced it struck an oil depot in Russia's Smolensk region that it says was used for military purposes.
Azerbaijan president points finger at Russia for crash
Azerbaijan's president says Russia accidentally shot down their passenger plane, killing 38, and then attempts were made to cover it up.
Syria’s de facto leader says vote could take four years
The leader of Syria's rebellion who is serving as the country's de facto leader says it might be another four years before a national election can be held.
Sudan army reports killing 460 paramilitary fighters
Sudan's army has reported killing at least 460 fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in an ambush in North Darfur.
Displaced Gaza newborn freezes to death, twin fights on
One 20-day-old twin froze to death and his brother is fighting for life after their makeshift tent in a central Gazan camp was hit with intense cold and rain.
Biden pledges billions to Ukraine in final weeks
Weeks before he is due to step down as US president, Joe Biden has pushed through close to $A10 billion of military and budget aid to Ukraine.
Israeli troops to stay in buffer zone inside Syria
Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border until another arrangement is found "that ensures Israel's security".
Gaza truce efforts intensify, Israeli strike kills 20
Israeli authorities have called on residents of al-Bureij camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip to leave, saying militants had fired rockets from the area.
France to host Syria summit, cautious on sanctions end
French Foreign Minister Jan-Noel Barrot says the new rulers of Syria will be judged "by their actions and over time" ahead of a summit on Syria in France.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy urges EU-US unity to stop Putin
President Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading for the joint help of the EU and the US to fight Russia amid fears Donald Trump could withdraw support for Ukraine.
Russia has no preconditions for Ukraine talks: Putin
Russia has no conditions for starting talks with Ukrainian authorities to end the war, President Vladimir Putin says
Israel bombards Gaza as ceasefire talks intensify
Mediators have managed to narrow some gaps on previous sticking points in a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, but differences remain.
Russian missile strike on Kyiv damages embassies
Six embassies including Argentina and Portugal's have been damaged in Russian missile strikes on Kyiv.
Ukraine strikes deep into Russia, miles from front line
Ukraine has hit a 1000km deep into Russian territory, a day after their hit on Russia's Kursk region killed six people, including a child.
Israeli strikes kill 17 in Gaza as hospital evacuated
The Israeli military says it has targeted Hamas militants hiding in a school in Gaza as it orders the evacuation of Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Israel orders hospital closure, docs fear for patients
Medics at a northern Gaza hospital are scrambling to rescue patients following an order from Israel to close down the facility.
Russian forces advance, capture two villages in Ukraine
Russian troops are moving through eastern Ukraine at the fastest rate since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Fears for Australian soldier captured in Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it is concerning news that an Australian citizen is reportedly being held hostage by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine.
Gaps have narrowed in Gaza ceasefire deal, sides say
A fresh bid by mediators to end the fighting in Gaza and release hostages has gained momentum, though sticking points remain between Hamas and Israel.
North Korea could send more troops to Russia: Zelenskiy
Ukraine says more than 3000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region while South Korea has a more conservative estimate.
Israeli parliament extends state of emergency
The Israeli parliament has extended the country's state of emergency until the end of 2025.
Aussie Cossack’s ‘attractive’ offer to seal prison swap
A perennial thorn in the Australian government's side has vowed to make it worth their while if he's sent to Russia in a swap for prisoner of war Oscar Jenkins.
Sudan’s war is ‘deepening and widening’ a famine crisis
A hunger-monitoring group says half of Sudan's population now face high levels of acute food insecurity as a result of the ongoing conflict.
Israeli strike on West Bank refugee camp, eight dead
At least eight people have died in Israeli raids on a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, in what it described as a counter-terrorism operation.
Christmas conditions sparkle for millions of Aussies
From the beach to the bush, Australians were treated to a day of sunshine on Christmas though it remains a time when many are doing it tough.