As Christmas lights return to Bethlehem, Palestinians look for hope
As the ceasefire in Gaza enters its second month, the Palestinian city revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus holds a ceremony to light up a 20-metre tree at the edge of Manger Square.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-07/christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony-in-bethlehem-2025/106111514
#UnrestConflictandWar #Christianity #WorldPolitics #Religion
Overnight fire exchange at Afghan-Pakistan border kills five civilians and wounds eight
Each side has blamed the other for triggering the clash in violation of a tenuous two-month ceasefire, with the clashes lasting until dawn Saturday.
Trump's new security strategy warns Europe faces 'civilisational erasure'
By Andrew Thorpe
The Trump administration releases a document saying its goal is to "help Europe correct its current trajectory", adding that it faces "civilisational erasure" due in part to "mass migration".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-06/trump-warns-europe-faces-civilisational-erasure/106109888
#WorldPolitics #DefenceandNationalSecurity #ForeignAffairs #UnrestConflictandWar #GovernmentandPolitics #AndrewThorpe
Europe faces obstacles in preparing for Russian aggression
By Laura Tingle
When it comes to weaponry, Russia has strength in manpower despite Ukraine's early technological edge while Europe's arms production efforts are running into infrastructure hurdles.
#UnrestConflictandWar #WorldPolitics #DefenceForces #DefenceandNationalSecurity #GovernmentandPolitics #Army #ForeignAffairs #LauraTingle
Hezbollah refuses to disarm while Israel continues bombing Lebanon
By Eric Tlozek and Cherine Yazbeck
Lebanon's government says it is trying to disarm militant group Hezbollah, but there are fears of sparking an internal conflict.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-06/hezbollah-refuses-to-disarm-as-israel-bombs-lebanon/106105328
Israel-aligned anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed
By Matthew Doran
Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab, whose anti-Hamas group had been supported by Israel, has been killed after an attack in southern Gaza.
Hegseth's use of Signal app posed risk to US personnel, watchdog finds
A report by the Pentagon watchdog concludes US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated Pentagon policy by using his personal device for official business and recommends better training for all Pentagon officials.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-04/hegseths-use-of-signal-posed-risk-to-us-personnel/106099946
#SecurityIntelligence #UnrestConflictandWar #WorldPolitics #DefenceandNationalSecurity #DefenceForces
Here's what experts say about the Russia–Ukraine peace process
By Patrick Martin
After a flurry of meetings, Russia's war in Ukraine continues. So where is the peace process at?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-04/russia-ukraine-war-peace-process-explainer/106099444
#UnrestConflictandWar #WorldPolitics #TerritorialDisputes #PatrickMartin
EU proposes using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine
Belgium is pushing back on a European proposal to use frozen Russian assets to help financially support Ukraine.
West Bank attacks escalate during olive harvest
Palestinian villagers are living in fear, saying that at any time, armed Israeli settlers could descend on them and cause trouble.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-03/settler-outposts-spread-among-west-bank-villages/106096384
Thousands gather in Gaza to celebrate 54 couples finally getting married
By Matthew Doran and Sami Sockol
Thousands of Palestinians turn out in Gaza's Khan Younis to celebrate the wedding of 54 couples who had been unable to tie the knot during Israel's bombardment of the strip.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-03/mass-gaza-wedding-54-couples-marry-after-two-years/106094528
#Marriage #UnrestConflictandWar #HumanInterest #MatthewDoran #SamiSockol
Israel wants new buffer zone between Syrian areas it occupies and Damascus
By Matthew Doran
Benjamin Netanyahu demands Syria establish a "demilitarised zone" between the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and capital Damascus, as part of any possible peace deal with the new Syrian government.
#TerritorialDisputes #UnrestConflictandWar #WorldPolitics #MatthewDoran
Who Venezuela's key allies and opponents are in the face of a US conflict
By Luke Cooper
As the United States mounts pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, nations in the Caribbean, South America and across the world are revealing where their support lies.
New satellite images show scale of China's Philippine Sea flotilla
By Stephen Dziedzic
Private firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence says it has used satellite technology to track down the People's Liberation Army Navy task group.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-02/china-ship-flotilla-philippines-defence-force/106092522
#FederalGovernment #GovernmentandPolitics #ForeignAffairs #FederalParliament #Navy #UnrestConflictandWar #WorldPolitics #SecurityIntelligence #StephenDziedzic
PNG calls for 'buffer zone' with Indonesia amid concerns over West Papua conflict
By Marian Faa and Stephen Dziedzic
Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia have started holding annual defence ministers meetings to build trust and boost military cooperation, while PNG proposes building a 10km-wide demilitarised "buffer zone" along its border with Indonesia.
#ForeignAffairs #WorldPolitics #GovernmentandPolitics #UnrestConflictandWar #FederalGovernment #DefenceandNationalSecurity #MarianFaa #StephenDziedzic
Rubio says Ukraine peace talks productive but work remains
Marco Rubio says he expects the talks between US and Ukrainian officials on Sunday about finding a peace deal with Russia to yield progress in ending the war.
'Big message of hope': Lebanese welcome Pope Leo as peacemaker
By Eric Tlozek and Cherine Yazbeck
As Pope Leo visits Lebanon, many locals hope he will bring peace to the region, viewing the visit as a message of solidarity.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-01/lebanese-hopeful-pope-leo-will-bring-peace/106084524
#Religion #Christianity #WorldPolitics #UnrestConflictandWar #EricTlozek #CherineYazbeck
Ukraine attacks two Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tankers in the Black Sea
Naval drones could be seen speeding towards hulking tankers followed by powerful explosions that caused fires on the vessels.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-30/ukraine-attacks-two-russian-oil-tankers-black-sea/106084470
Breaking: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu formally asks to be pardoned from corruption charges
By Basel Hindeleh and Sami Sockol
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally asked for a pardon from President Isaac Herzog relating to corruption charges against him.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-30/israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-asks-for-pardon/106084498
#WorldPolitics #Corruption #Courts #UnrestConflictandWar #BaselHindeleh #SamiSockol
Rubio, Witkoff to meet Ukraine delegation, US official says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida for talks on a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, a senior US official says.
