Civil war looming in Yemen; UN claims 50 have been killed in Yemen since Sunday; Moody's may downgrade Japan's credit rating; US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Asian tour to emphasise US military's commitment to the region; Japanese employment rate has risen; Karzai demands end to airstrikes; and more
Read MoreRobert Gates
World News Brief, Thursday April 28
UN denounces Syrian violence, but US discounts Libya-style intervention (+ analysis & multimedia); Italy and France look to close EU borders fearing Arab influx; Human rights abuses to be probed in Libya; Harvard lawyer elected to replace Dalai Lama; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 8
Qadaffi loyalists mount counteroffensive, retake towns; UN estimates 200,000 refugees have fled Libyan violence; Bahrain protesters beg US for support; Japanese PM refuses to resign despite losing foreign minister; Robert Gates considers longer mission in Afghanistan; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 1
Sanctions and international negotiations begin to support Libyan protesters (+ analysis); Medics say six dead in Oman rallies; Chinese authorities shut down talk of 'jasmine revolution'; US defence boss warns of land wars in Asia; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 12
Clinton heads to Yemen in secret trip (+ analysis); Brisbane evacuation as flood waters rise in Queensland; Afghan reconstruction boss resigns amidst incompetence claims; Pressure for Portugal bailout grows as Euro bank intervenes; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 29
Putin critic and oligarch convicted, drawing US condemnation and tipping Putin's return to power(+ analysis and Russia backgrounder); Double bombing in Iraq kills 17; African leaders tell Gbagbo to stand aside; South Korea president urges unity; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 9
Washington abandons efforts on Israeli settlements in Gaza; experts say Gaza move is good for Obama; China chided for not using influence with North Korea; Kevin Rudd blames US for release of secret info, not WikiLeaks; Robert Gates makes surprise visit to Afghanistan; Ireland on strict budget
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 16
Japanese central bank intervenes to weaken Yen, boost exports (+ analysis); Pentagon speeds up plans to cut $100 billion; Karzai could get bigger anti-corruption role; French senate bans burqa; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 11
Obama administration to cut billions from Pentagon budget; More than 700 die in Chinese landslide, millions displaced by flooding; 1200 civilians killed in Afghanistan so far this year; Hezbollah blames Israel for al-Hariri assassination; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 22
US Supreme Court intervenes in Guantanamo closure (+ analysis); Pakistan closes schools and universities fearing further attacks; Tensions in Japan-US military ties; Britain and France charter plane to expel refugees; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 7
Pentagon to teach US troops Afghan culture; Kim Jong-Il willing to rejoin Six-Party talks; Taliban: international aid not in "the interests of muslims"; Israeli leader cancels UK trip fearing arrest; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 28
US begins diplomatic push into Middle East; Mitchell in Syria to repair relations; Chinese steelworkers riot; Taliban violence resumes in Swat Valley, Honduran army backs down; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 8
US to cut war spending, "direct challenge to military-industrial complex"; China urges restraint towards North Korea; Thai protestors trap PM in hotel; Raul Castro meets US lawmakers; and more
Read MoreForgotten war heats up
Military leaders in Afghanistan are dramatically re-thinking their strategies, but the ministerial briefings given to the new government reveal little planning and even less urgency
World News Brief, Tuesday December 2
Hillary Clinton takes over at State, Robert Gates to remain at Pentagon as Obama names more cabinet members; where does Clinton stand on world issues?; Chinese manufacturing contracts; Protesters rally in Bangkok; Chavez wants power until 2021; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 23
Economic fears send share-markets tumbling in Asia and Europe; the long-term factors behind the credit crisis; North Korea accuses Japan of undermining nuke talks; India sends its first rocket to the moon; and more
Read More