US urges push to get Gaza truce deal over ‘finish line’
US officials are urging Israel and Hamas to agree on a deal for a truce in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages within the next two weeks.
unrest, conflicts and war
Fighting rages in Russia, Kremlin claims Ukraine gains
Russian forces say they have captured the stronghold of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine as officials in Kyiv push a new offensive inside Russia's Kursk region.
Hamas and Israel wrangle over talks amid Gaza strikes
A renewed push is under way to reach a ceasefire in the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas, and return Israeli hostages who were taken to Gaza.
Syria to hike public sector pay by 400 per cent
Syria's caretaker government is set to hike public sector wages by 400 per cent in a bid to boost efficiency and accountability.
Kyiv security guarantees depend on US: Zelenskiy
Ukrainians are counting on US President-elect Donald Trump to force Russia to end its war after he takes office, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says.
Russian attack hurts three in Sumy region: Ukraine
Ukraine's military has accused Russian forces of shelling a residential building in the Sumy region, leaving two children and an adult injured.
Deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza as ceasefire talks begin
Mediators have started new ceasefire talks in Qatar as medics say two strikes on Gaza City have killed at least 17 Palestinians.
Two killed on either side of Ukraine-Russia border
Ukrainian and Russian authorities have reported two deaths from attacks on both sides of the border.
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.
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.