Israel denied obstructing entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip but UN human rights office says manner it has conducted hostilities could be war crime Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva has responded to earlier comments by the spokesperson for UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk. Jeremy Laurence had said “The extent of Israel’s continued restrictions on entry of aid into …

More than 60 people have been killed and 145 wounded when camouflage-clad gunmen fired automatic weapons on concertgoers near Moscow with Islamic State claiming responsibility for what was one of the deadliest attacks on Russia in decades. Gunmen sprayed civilians with bullets just before Soviet-era rock group Picnic was to perform to a full house at the 6200-seat the Crocus …

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians are “sending support and strength” to Princess Catherine after her announcement she is receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer. “My thoughts, and those of Australians, are with the Princess of Wales and her family following the news of her cancer diagnosis,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday. Mr Albanese said the …

Tasmanians are going to the polls today in an earlier election that will almost certainly result in a hung parliament and do little to end the instability that has marked previous sessions. Australia’s only Liberal government is chasing a record fourth successive term, while Labor is aiming to return to power after 10 years in opposition. Saturday’s election is being …

Former leader of the free world Donald Trump has lashed out at former prime minister Kevin Rudd, characterising him as “not the brightest bulb”. In an interview with former far right British politician Nigel Farage on London’s GB News channel, the second-time presidential hopeful responded to years-old comments made by Rudd. Prior to his appointment as US ambassador, Australia’s 26th …

Western governments have lined up to condemn Vladimir Putin’s landslide election victory as unfair and undemocratic, but China, India and North Korea congratulated the veteran Russian leader on extending his rule by a further six years. The contrasting reactions underscored the geopolitical fault lines that have gaped wider since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, triggering …

Supermarkets that steamroll their customers and suppliers could be stripped of investments and properties under proposed laws. The Greens will push divestiture powers in the Senate this week, allowing the government to step in and break up food retail giants. The Nationals and some independents are also calling for such “big stick” laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled it …

Muslim voters are turning against the Labor government over its stance on the war in Gaza, new polling has revealed, as a video released on social media shows Labor frontbencher Anne Aly being harassed by pro-Palestinian activists. Five months into the conflict, polling group Redbridge ran two focus groups with 18 people from the Arabic and Turkish communities in the …

Exclusive: 12 prominent organisations sign open letter criticising lack of humanitarian access Twelve of Israel’s most prominent human rights organisations have signed an open letter accusing the country of failing to comply with the international court of justice’s (ICJ) provisional ruling that it should facilitate access of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The court in The Hague made a number of …

Optus – or at least a significant share of it – could be offloaded to a private equity firm in a deal worth up to $18 billion. Singtel, the company’s Singapore-based owner, is reportedly discussing a sale of Australia’s second-largest telco with Canadian asset manager Brookfield – a move that, if it goes through, could spark a price war that would …