Criticism as HK activists jailed in landmark trial
Almost 50 pro-democracy activists have been jailed in Hong Kong after a landmark national security trial that has drawn international condemnation.
unrest, conflicts and war
Ukraine hits Russia with US missiles on 1000th war day
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has set out what he calls a "resilience plan" for Ukraine during an address to parliament on the war's 1000th day.
US envoy says Israel-Hezbollah truce ‘within our grasp’
A United States envoy visiting Lebanon says he sees "a real opportunity" to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
US embassy in Kyiv shuts due to Russian attack threat
The US has shut its Kyiv embassy following warnings of an air attack amid Moscow's anger over President Joe Biden allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia.
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM, Hamas figure
International Criminal Court judges have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas figure Mohammed Deif.
US shuts Kyiv embassy as Ukraine decries ‘fake’ threats
A Ukrainian spy agency has accused Russia of spreading fake threats of missiles as the US embassy in Kyiv said it shut because of warnings about an air attack.
Tensions flare in Georgia’s separatist Abkhazia region
Protesters and police have clashed in the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia over a proposed pact that would allow Russians to buy apartments there.
Cholera blamed for beseiged Sudan town’s mystery deaths
Cholera is thought to be the cause of hundreds of deaths in a besieged town in Sudan's El Gezira state.
Iran will back Lebanon decision on Mideast ceasefire
Iran says it fully supports Lebanon and any decision it makes in ceasefire talks with Israel, adding it has no desire to "sabotage" a peace plan.
Zelenskiy says Scholz-Putin call opens ‘Pandora’s box’
Nearing 1000 days since the invasion, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says the call between German and Russian heads of state opened "Pandora's box".
Russia pounds Ukraine’s power grid in ‘massive’ strike
Ukrainians fear more damage to their hobbled energy system as Russia's first big missile attack in months prompts Poland to scramble its air force.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill six, officials say
Six people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a village in Lebanon's Baalbek region, the health ministry says.
Israeli strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah media head
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its media spokesman Mohammad Afif in an Israeli strike on a building in Beirut.
Biden administration is escalating Ukraine war: Kremlin
The US has given Ukraine permission to use its long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia, prompting a stark warning from Moscow.
Russia launches deadly attack on city, Ukraine’s grid
A strike on a building in the Ukrainian city of Sumy has killed 11 people and wounded dozens, as Russia launched a "massive" drone and missile attack.
Zelenskiy visits embattled Ukrainian frontline town
The Ukrainian front-line city of Pokrovsk has been visited by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy amid Russian advances.
Lebanon and Hezbollah accept US ceasefire proposal
Diplomatic efforts to halt conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have progressed, with the Iran-backed armed group and Lebanon agreeing to a ceasefire proposal.
Minister defends UN vote for Palestine resource rights
Australia shifted its longstanding position on Israeli responsibility for damage from an oil spill and voted to support Palestinian resource sovereignty.
Reports Trump, Putin spoke are ‘pure fiction’: Kremlin
A Kremlin spokesman has dismissed as "completely untrue" reports Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke in a recent call.
Ukraine rushes to reinforce east amid Russian advances
Ukraine's armed forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi says he has travelled inside Russia's Kursk region invaded by Ukrainian forces in August.
Air strikes hit Beirut as Israel rules out ceasefire
Smoke has risen over southern Beirut as Israel's forces carried out more strikes, and its government remains adamant its war against Hezbollah is not yet over.
Flight hit by gunfire, Haiti’s main airport shuts down
A passenger plane from the US was hit by gunfire as it tried to land in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.
Lebanon awaits truce plans after US envoy hints at hope
A White House envoy is allowing hopes of a ceasefire soon between Israel and Hezbollah, but Lebanon's Speaker says it's yet to see any new proposals.
Russia stages first missile attack on Kyiv in months
Russia has hit Kyiv with missiles for the first time in months, as the US assures NATO it will boost its support for Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office.
US wants extended pauses in fighting in Gaza: Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says extended pauses of fighting are necessary in the Gaza Strip for humanitarian reasons.
Ukraine ‘optimistic’ after US talks on hitting Russia
Ukrainian officials say they are hopeful they could be able to strike targets within Russia after talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Russia open to Ukraine peace talks if Trump starts them
Moscow is not hopeful US president-elect Donald Trump can deliver on his overnight peace promise, but says he is welcome to "try".
Seven die as militant’s car bomb accidentally explodes
At least two children and five suspected militants have died after a car bomb accidentally exploded in northwest Pakistan.
Israel hits Beirut suburb as US delivers truce proposal
A building has tumbled amid Israel's stepped-up bombing of Hezbollah-ruled southern Beirut, while the US has delivered a draft truce plan to end the conflict.
Israel sends rescue planes after attacks on soccer fans
Leaders of Israel and the Netherlands have condemned what they call antisemitic attacks on fans of soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Two thirds of verified Gaza dead women, children: UN
Israel has refuted claims 70 per cent of Gaza's war dead are made up of women and children, accusing Hamas of deliberately causing civilian harm.