Unrest, Conflict and War

Islamist fighters were approaching a major Syrian city on Friday as part of a rapid offensive, while Kurdish fighters began seizing territory in the country's east.

Police are hunting for two masked men accused of setting the blaze at a Melbourne synagogue as leaders condemn the anti-Semitic attack. 

Syrian rebels have taken the city of Hama in another massive blow for the President and the army. 

The International Criminal Court in The Hague wants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested for alleged war crimes in Gaza. But international justice works differently to other forms of justice—it relies on everyone opting in. More than 20 years into its existence the court is yet to convict any world leaders of anything. As the first fugitive from the ICC who is also an ally to Western countries like Australia and France, this case is one that could make or break the court itself. So what does that mean for Netanyahu and his allies? And what does it mean for the idea that there are some crimes that go beyond borders, committed against humanity itself.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unequivocally condemned the shocking incident in Melbourne where a synagogue was set on fire.   

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the "hateful, violent attack" on a Jewish synagogue in Melbourne.

South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik tells parliament that he and other politicians will fight to prevent martial law if President Yoon Suk Yeol declares it again.

Rebel factions are sweeping southward toward the city of Homs. That could cut off the capital Damascus from the sea and north of the country.

Vika Zadnipryana and Nastia Shadura became amputees when Putin's Russian military hit their homes with missiles. They struck up a friendship while recovering in a hospital, which was also dealing with the aftermath of a deadly strike. 

Rebels entered the city of Hama, a key strategic city, dealing a new blow to Syrian President Bassar al-Assad and allies Iran and Russia.

Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after Islamist rebels made the biggest breakthrough in years against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Amnesty International has released a 300-page report accusing Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. 

Ukraine says the body of a mayor captured by Russian forces at the start of their invasion has been returned, while its security service has detained a 16-year-old girl accused of helping Moscow orchestrate an air strike.

A new 300-page report alleges Israel has and continues to undertake acts of genocide against Palestinian people in Gaza.

Vision released by the Coalition for Change party shows Nika Gvaramia being carried by the arms and legs by several men and thrown into a car.

The leader of Georgia's opposition Coalition for Change party Nika Gvaramia has been detained by police during protests against the country's government.

The Israeli military has said it would not have conducted air strikes in southern Gaza in February had it known the six Israeli hostages were being held nearby.

An ABC NEWS Verify investigation has found advertisements linking the UN's aid agency in Palestine, UNWRA, with Hamas on Australian websites. It's part of a global ad campaign to discredit the agency. 

Islamist rebels have been advancing through large swathes of the country's north-west in the past week, threatening the rule of Syria's long-time president, Bashar Al-Assad.

A political divide has deepened after Australia voted to end Israel's presence in occupied Palestinian Territories at the United Nations.