Foreign relations
Australia joins 142 nations in backing Palestinian statehood in UN vote
In a day of high emotion at UN headquarters, Israel’s UN ambassador theatrically inserted a miniature copy of the charter into a transparent paper shredder.
- by Matthew Knott and Rachel Clun
Latest
Analysis
UK politics
One more time, with feeling: The reinvention of David Cameron
The former British prime minister’s shock return to politics was cynically received by the public. Now he’s got less than a year to rewrite his legacy.
- by Rob Harris
‘China played like a backbencher’: Xi’s self-serving push for peace in the Middle East
China is playing a calculated strategic game in the Middle East, positioning itself as a peace-brokering alternative to the US while having no real skin in the game, experts say.
- by Lisa Visentin
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Hamas says it accepts ceasefire deal while Israel claims operations continue
Potential ceasefire talks come as Australia is preparing to cast a potentially controversial vote on whether to admit Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
- by Matthew Knott and Reuters
Exclusive
Pacific diplomacy
Australian officials ‘pulled out all the stops’ to halt China-PNG policing deal
The revelation about the proposed policing deal, discussed before Anthony Albanese visited PNG, underscores Beijing’s determination to gain a security footing in the Pacific region.
- by Matthew Knott
Canadian police charge three with murder of Sikh leader, probe links to Indian government
The Canadian prime minister previously cited evidence of India’s involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, prompting a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi.
- by David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil
Bob Carr to sue NZ foreign minister for calling him a ‘Chinese puppet’
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is facing calls to step down after he attacked Bob Carr for calling AUKUS “fragrant, methane-wrapped bullshit”.
- by Matthew Knott
Pro-China Solomons leader Sogavare steps down after ‘awful’ election result
Manasseh Sogavare, who alarmed Australian officials by aligning his nation closer to Beijing, will not run for another term as Solomon Islands prime minister.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
China relations
Australia pays controversial Chinese company millions for Nauru’s new port
Despite a patchy track record, including allegations of bribery, the Beijing-backed company is delivering a major project for the tiny Pacific nation, which is a major focus in the competition for influence in the region.
- by Nick McKenzie
Exclusive
Russia-Ukraine war
Marles prepares to visit Ukraine as Labor MPs call for embassy reopening
Richard Marles would be the first government minister to visit Ukraine since Anthony Albanese travelled to Kyiv in July 2022 and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- by Matthew Knott
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Albanese says the entire world wants a two-state solution. But do Israelis and Palestinians?
Well-meaning global manoeuvring on a two-state solution is occurring in isolation from the people whose views matter most.
- by Matthew Knott