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.
unrest, conflicts and war
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.
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.
Russian missile strike on Kyiv damages embassies
Six embassies including Argentina and Portugal's have been damaged in Russian missile strikes on Kyiv.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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".
Brussels summit may discuss foreign troops: Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says an international meeting in Belgium could discuss the deployment of foreign soldiers in Ukraine.
Gaza ceasefire bid intensifies, Israeli strikes kill 16
A Gaza Strip ceasefire deal involving Hamas and Israel could be signed within days, sources say amid talks in the Middle East.
Israeli strikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza: medics
An Israeli air strike on a house in a suburb of Gaza City has killed 10 people and destroyed the building and damaged nearby houses, medics say.
Australian destroyers to join UK show of force
Two Australian navy destroyers will take part in exercises with a British carrier strike group that will be deployed to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
Assad gives account of last hours before leaving Syria
Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad says in a statement attributed to him that he did not plan to leave the country but Russian forces transported him.
Russia volunteers turn the tide of Ukraine war: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin says about 430,000 men signed up voluntarily to the army this year, resulting in "a turning point" on the frontline in Ukraine.
‘Ukrainian’ drone attack targets Chechnya in Russia
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says three Ukrainian drones have attacked the Russian city of Grozny.
Christians attend services, schools reopen in Syria
Christians have attend church services in Syria in a test of the country's new Islamist rulers' promise to protect minorities.
Israel carries out air, ground attacks in Gaza Strip
Israeli air and ground attacks in the northern part of the Gaza Strip have left dozens of militants dead while others have been captured, the army says.
Russia deploying more North Korean troops: Zelenskiy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is deploying more North Korean troops to repel the Kursk incursion.
Israeli troops kill 20 in strikes on Gaza, medics say
At least 20 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza as a school sheltering displaced Palestinians is attacked, medics say.
Syrian schools reopen after upheaval that ousted Assad
Foreign powers and neighbours are weighing their stance on Syria's new rulers as schools reopen for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.