Israeli strikes push up Gaza death toll amid truce push
Israeli delegates have been dispatched to resume talks in Qatar brokered by mediators as Israel's army carried out air strikes across the Gaza Strip.
unrest, conflicts and war
Israeli strikes kill 30 in Gaza as talks set to resume
Israeli air strikes have killed at least 30 people in central Gaza, while air sirens sounded in Israel and negotiators were to resume stalled ceasefire talks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At least 17 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza: reports
The Israeli military has blown up residential blocks in Beit Lahiya and Jabalia as tanks shell parts of Gaza City and a refugee camp, Palestinian media reports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.