Today
Over 100 container ships reroute as US weighs Red Sea response
Insurance premiums are surging for those who do cross the Red Sea, freight rates are up and so are oil prices – all potential factors for more inflation.
- Stefan Nicola
Hamas leader visits Egypt amid intensive talks on new ceasefire
Ismail Haniyeh, who usually lives in Qatar, typically wades publicly into diplomacy only when progress seems likely.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Dan Williams
Yesterday
- Analysis
- Middle East tensions
National security wolves howl at moon over Red Sea warship
Cries of outrage over the decision not to deploy to the Middle East are obscuring questions about Australia’s basic defence capabilities.
- James Curran
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Houthi rebels ignored for 10 years who threaten global trade
Gulf experts say the West may have underestimated the power of the Iran-backed militant group.
- James Rothwell and James Crisp
Street fighting rages in Gazan city as UN delays vote again
Khan Younis residents reported intensifying gun battles on Wednesday between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces in the centre and eastern districts of the southern city.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud
ABC cuts Q+A schedule by 40pc in 2024
After a tumultuous year involving the departure of host Stan Grant and contentious discussions about Israel and Gaza, the show has been cut to 24 episodes for next year.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Shares hit a high; Trump not eligible; 2023 good and bad
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Israel ready to pause fighting again for more hostages
Israeli President Isaac Herzog told ambassadors from around the world the country is prepared to agree to a pause in exchange for more hostages.
- Gwen Ackerman
This Month
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The political establishment isn’t backing the Palestinians
An anti-Israel petition for politicians secured only 215 signatures, mostly minor figures, demonstrating support for the Jewish state in political circles.
- Aaron Patrick
US envoys work for new hostage deal as Israeli barrage continues
US officials have repeatedly expressed concern about the large number of civilian deaths in Gaza. Still, there is no sign yet that a shift in the war is imminent.
- Tara Copp, Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy
RBA considered rate rise; Oil, gas surge; WFH’s new phase
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
More than 100 members of this Gaza clan have been killed in war
Family trees have been dismembered, and whole branches obliterated, since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7.
- Vivian Yee and Iyad Abuheweila
Israel opens aid crossing to Gaza, steps up bombardment
Two security sources from Egypt said Israel and Hamas were open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, though disagreements remained on how it would be implemented.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ibrahim Abu Mustafa and Emily Rose
‘Billion-dollar’ floods; $1.2b Link buyout; Wild end to 2023?
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
These are the factors complicating investment decisions in 2024
Economic reality in 2024 is likely to be far less binary, and much more nuanced, than many market participants and policymakers believe.
- Rana Foroohar
Israeli soldiers killed hostages as they held white flag
Anger over the mistaken killings is likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to renew negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the captives.
- Julia Frankel, Najib Jobain and Samy Magdy
Israeli military shoot and kill three Gaza hostages by mistake
The military said the hostages were killed during combat with militants in Gaza and expressed its condolences to the families.
- Updated
- Najib Jobain, Jack Jeffery and Julia Frankel
Shipping giants halt Red Sea route in blow to global trade
Maersk, the world’s second-biggest container shipper, and Hapag-Lloyd will not use the vital trade route after missile attacks made it unsafe for vessels.
- Updated
- Alaric Nightingale and Sanne Wass
Miles named Qld premier, adds five new ministers
Steven Miles says the five new ministers are young, energetic, and “ready to deliver a fresh approach”; the cost of the North East Link in Melbourne is predicted to cost $26.1 billion. Here’s how the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing and Lois Maskiell
Rate cuts in sight; Fortescue hits record; Di Pilla’s big plan
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
