Thousands of Palestinians sheltering in southern Gaza have rushed to the north in the hours since the ceasefire began, hopeful it will hold long enough for them to return home. “We are very happy. We are celebrating our loved ones. We’re going to see our loved ones and our neighbours,” Wissam Al-Durra, 23, told the ABC. He said he was …

This is not a peace plan — it’s a temporary ceasefire. The bombing will hopefully stop and, three days later, Israeli hostages will be handed to the Red Cross and taken out of Gaza, ending 738 days in captivity. Aid is supposed to surge into the strip, finally allowing Palestinians more food, clean water, medicine and shelter. The Israeli military …

US President Donald Trump says he will impose an additional 100 per cent tax on Chinese imports from November 1 or sooner, depending on “actions or changes taken by China”. The move could raise tariff rates close to the levels that fanned fears of a steep recession and financial market chaos earlier this year. It has sent markets and relations …

The internet seems unamused with a bizarre selfie of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump taken during a quick catch-up in New York. Albanese posted the picture to social media after snatching a moment with Trump at the US president’s welcome reception for world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly. The prime minister and Trump came …

Australians wanting to buy their first home are about to find that already-tricky task even more difficult, with house prices set to rise by as much as $154,000 by the end of next year. Westpac has forecast that dwelling prices will increase by 6 per cent this calendar year before a further 8 per cent hike in 2026, thanks in part …

US President Donald Trump has not included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his 24-hour itinerary in New York for the UN General Assembly. Trump’s diary announcement all but confirms the two leaders will not have their first face-to-face meeting while Albanese in the US. However, Albanese has been invited to a “welcome reception” hosted by Trump for more than 100 …

Australia and Papua New Guinea’s military forces will become “totally integrated” as part of a landmark defence treaty between the two nations, the ABC can reveal. The major security agreement is expected to be signed on Monday, the day before Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny …

The head of the authority that issues permits for working with children in New South Wales has been sacked after intervening to lift a ban despite a significant conflict of interest. Steve Kinmond was removed as the children’s guardian on after an inquiry found he failed to disclose his frequent contact with a person whose interim bar he overturned. The …

A former top Pentagon official has urged Australia to give the United States more “concrete” commitments on how it would deploy Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines in the event of war, as the Defence Minister Richard Marles arrives in Washington DC for high level meetings with the Trump administration. Abraham Denmark — who served as senior AUKUS advisor to former US …

Australia’s navy will begin operating long-range lethal underwater drones from January next year, after the government confirmed it will spend $1.7 billion to locally build a fleet. The drones, known as “Ghost Sharks”, will be capable of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations. As the United States reviews the $368 billion AUKUS defence pact, which will enable Australia to acquire …