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.
unrest, conflicts and war
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israel detains 240 including medics after hospital raid
The World Health Organization says it is "appalled" by Israeli raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
Lebanon returns 70 officers and soldiers to Syria
About 70 Syrian officers and soldiers were detained by Lebanese officials after entering the country illegally.
Putin apologises for ‘tragic’ Azerbaijan plane crash
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologised for the "tragic incident" which resulted in the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in Russian airspace.
Israel detains director of hospital in northern Gaza
The director of one of Gaza's last functioning hospitals has been detained by Israeli forces, Palestinian officials say, after troops stormed the facility.
Mass North Korean troop casualties on Ukraine frontline
Some 3000 North Korean troops are reported to have been killed on the frontline in Ukraine, as fighting continues.
Uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs
Syria's new rulers are scrambling to impose order as security forces checked IDs and searched cars in Homs, a day after protests erupted in gunfire.
Russian drone attack kills two in Ukraine’s Donetsk
A Ukrainian town in Donetsk on the front lines of the war has been hit with Russian drones, which struck a multi-storey apartment building, killing two people.
Israel loosened rules at start of Gaza war: NYT
Israel changed its rules of engagement at the start of the Gaza war to allow commanders more flexibility to order attacks on targets despite civilian risks.
Houthis fire missile at Israel after Yemen airport hit
Houthi rebels have retaliated to Israel's airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa International Airport, described by the UN as alarming.
Biden condemns Russian Christmas Day attacks in Ukraine
Ukrainians have been hit by blackouts and left without heating after Russia's Christmas Day strike on the country's power infrastructure.
Clashes between Syria’s new regime and Assad loyalists
Clashes between the Islamists who overthrew the Assad government in Syria and supporters of the former president have killed 14 insurgents and wounded others.
Russia looking into alleged capture of Aussie mercenary
Moscow officials are seeking to verify reports the Russian army may have captured an Australian citizen fighting with Ukrainian forces.
Baby freezes to death in Gaza as ceasefire talks stall
A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war
Gaza war overshadows Bethlehem midnight mass
The Catholic Church's highest representative in the Holy Land, has told Palestinians in Gaza they are not alone, during a Christmas mass.
Energy systems hit in Christmas Day attack on Ukraine
Ukrainian officials say Russia has used Christmas Day to attack the country's energy systems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israeli parliament extends state of emergency
The Israeli parliament has extended the country's state of emergency until the end of 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.