World politics
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South Korea
South Korea opposition leader stabbed in neck by man ‘wanting autograph’
Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 election, was attacked while surrounded by reporters and supporters. The assailant was arrested at the scene.
- by Hyonhee Shin
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Analysis
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What to expect around the world in 2024
Amid hope for less war and a better year, our correspondents take a look at the major issues they will be watching in their patch.
- by Eryk Bagshaw, Chris Barrett, Lucy Cormack, Rob Harris, Farrah Tomazin, Lia Timson and Matt Wade
‘Stars not aligning’: Quad summit in doubt for second year running
The elevation of the Quad had been a central feature of US President Joe Biden’s push to compete with China and it has also boosted Australia’s prominence on the world stage.
- by Matthew Knott
Giorgia Meloni named ‘Man of the Year’ by right-wing Italian newspaper
The Libero article was criticised by women’s rights activists who have accused the Italian prime minister of promulgating regressive views.
- by Josephine McKenna
Opinion
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The world seems to be spinning in reverse. Have we reached the end of progress?
It’s been another regressive year for the planet. Pessimism abounds – yet there are occasional shards of light.
- by Nick Bryant
Wars, Trump’s courtroom dramas and our new King: The world in 2023
From the Israel-Hamas conflict, China’s growing influence in the world, to the COP28 climate summit and beyond - our correspondents look back at the events that have shaped the world in the past year.
- by Eryk Bagshaw, Chris Barrett, Lucy Cormack, Rob Harris, Farrah Tomazin, Lia Timson and James Lemon
This president had a 30,000-strong Christmas card list. The writing began in May
A volunteer spent seven months addressing envelopes to everyone from the president’s favourite waiter to Queen Elizabeth.
- by Alex Schiffer
Special series
Behind the Headlines
A war raged outside and IS militants lurked in the darkness. Then our fellow Aussies turned on us
Heavy artillery was firing when two nervous American soldiers came to the tent with bad news. It’s a war zone story I’ve always itched to tell, and still infuriates me six years on.
- by Michael Bachelard
No Christmas lights or tree in Bethlehem as festivities are cancelled
The biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Christmas Eve after celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.
- by Melanie Lidman
Analysis
Russia-Ukraine war
Zelensky was the hero fighting ‘evil’. Now there is talk of ceasefire and capitulation
The Ukrainian leader’s aura is diminishing as he faces poor polling at home and speculation that allies want him at the negotiating table with Russia.
- by Rob Harris
UN resolution calls for Gaza aid but shies away from backing ceasefire
The United Nations Security Council has approved a toned-down bid to boost humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
- by Michelle Nichols