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Middle East tensions
Australia joins US in plea for immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
Anthony Albanese has joined world leaders calling for an immediate 21-day ceasefire in Israel’s conflict against militant group Hezbollah.
- by Matthew Knott
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‘We’ve stuffed it’: Kokoda Track shut indefinitely, leaving tourists high and dry
Local authorities are scrambling to find a solution to reopen the popular trail, which would usually be in the midst of one of its busiest periods of the year.
- by Matthew Knott
Back to Camelot: Caroline Kennedy set to leave Australia in months
After a long stint surfing, racing cars and hosting power brokers, the US ambassador is wrapping up and getting ready to head home.
- by Matthew Knott
Penny Wong: ‘Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza’
In a strengthening of her language, Wong said: “Civilians are being killed by Israeli strikes and it is women and children who are paying the highest price.”
- by Matthew Knott
Australians urged to leave Lebanon as government won’t be able to help them all
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the number of Australians now in Lebanon who may require assistance during a full-blown war is “beyond the capacity of the government”.
- by Matthew Knott
‘Zomi’s death cannot be in vain’: Australia leads push to protect Gaza aid workers
The family of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, who was killed by Israeli drone strike in Gaza earlier this year, backed Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s initiative.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Ex-Mossad and CIA agents astounded at sophistication of pager attack
But some “think we are closer to a regional war than we have been at any time in the last 11 months”.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Russia-Ukraine war
Australia has mothballed a $550m tank fleet. Ukraine would like a word
Bought for $550 million in 2004, the 59 tanks weigh 63 tonnes each and are equipped with cannons and machine guns.
- by Matthew Knott
Mass pager attacks ‘a terrifying violation of international law’
UN legal experts say international law prohibits the use of booby traps, a category that could include modified civilian pagers.
- by Matthew Knott
‘We wanted to vote yes’: Australia expresses regret over UN Palestine vote
Australia’s UN ambassador has insisted that, despite Australia’s vote, it is only a matter of time until an independent Palestinian state is recognised.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Russia-Ukraine war
Ukraine fury as Australia offloads military gear on ‘military eBay’
Ukrainians are dismayed that retired Defence Force cargo trucks, troop carriers and inflatable boats are on sale online when they could be sent to the front.
- by Matthew Knott