AM

A mercy flight brings relieved Australians back from the Middle East but thousands more face a nervous wait to get home.

Donald Trump confirms a 'substantial attack' on a meeting of Iranian leaders gathering to elect a new Supreme Leader.

Donald Trump warns Iran the 'big wave' is coming as the conflict widens with Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire.

Iran launches attacks across the Middle East as it vows retribution for the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Nine childcare services that failed to lift standards by the federal government's deadline are now in a process that could end with their taxpayer funding being cut.

A security scare at the Prime Minister's Canberra home - the Lodge - thrusts a controversial Chinese spiritual group into the spotlight - what is Falun Gong and why does Beijing not like it?

Family members of an Australian woman with Islamic State-links, who's stuck in Syria, beg for their sister to be allowed home.

Former British Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson arrested over his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein as Anthony Albanese backs removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

One of the nation's top gynaecologists accused of performing unnecessary surgery on women.

The King's brother released from custody, after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Is blocking Australians with Islamic State-links from ever returning home creating an even bigger security threat?

Angus Taylor's unveiled his frontbench - trumpeting the number of women on it but will voters be impressed?

A group of Australians with Islamic State links attempt to flee Syria and return home.

The Liberal's new-look leadership team outlines a policy agenda light-on-detail ahead of its massive task of saving the party from disaster.

Liberals MPs and Senators determine the future of the party with a leadership showdown, as the party is poised to dump its first female leader, Sussan Ley.

Liberal frontbencher Angus Taylor has quit shadow cabinet, leaving the party in disarray and the possibility of a spill motion.

More arrests as protests against the Israeli President's visit continue with the Prime Minister calling for those involved to 'turn the temperature down'.

Criticism of police tactics as violence erupts at a protest against visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The Coalition's back together but with another disastrous opinion poll is Sussan Ley time as Liberal leader running out?

Indigenous leaders and organisers of the Perth Invasion Day rally are renewing calls for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism to be expanded and cover "all forms of racism and far right extremism.

Donald Trump pulls hundreds of Federal agents out of Minneapolis.

Households and businesses set to feel the sting of higher interest rates as Jim Chalmers vows to tame inflation.

A lot of nervous households out there with persistent inflation putting pressure on the Reserve Bank to hike rates today.

One Nation surges ahead in the polls as the Nationals' David Littleproud faces a leadership challenge.

It's crunch time for a major hospital funding deal, with state, territory and federal leaders to meet later today to try resolve a stoush over the five-year health plan.

Victorian communities nervously wait for news about their homes, as fires continue to burn throughout the state.

Donald Trump strikes a more conciliatory tone - even contradicting his officials - as the backlash grows over the killing of two Americans on the streets of Minneapolis.

Israel recovers the body of the last Hamas hostage in Gaza.

An Astronaut on a mission to get children interested in science and maths named Australian of the Year.

The political ramifications of the Coalition's divorce are still unfolding, with the futures of both the Liberal and National party's leaders - and the union itself - are uncertain.

The Coalition in disarray after a raft of Nationals quit the shadow front bench.

Contentious hate laws and gun reform pass parliament, Senator Penny Wong joins Isabella Higgins to discuss the changes.

Has the Albanese Government finally secured support to pass hate speech and gun reforms?

Federal Labor under pressure to salvage its hate law and gun reforms at a special parliamentary sitting

Is Donald Trump cooling on his threats to attack Iran?

The Government's now facing a tough job getting its new hate speech and gun laws through parliament - the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke speaks to AM.

Donald Trump is urging Iranians to keep protesting as the theocracy escalates its brutal crackdown.

Pushback from the Opposition and Independents as the Government tries to get new hate speech and gun control reforms through parliament.

Fire crews battling huge bushfire fronts across Victoria as scorching temperatures and strong winds fuel some of the worst conditions seen since the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

Jewish community leaders welcome the Prime Minister's decision to call a national Royal Commission into anti-Semitism and social cohesion.

Better than expected inflation figures arrive but economist are warning interest rate hikes might still come this year.

Is the Prime Minister on the brink of calling a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack?

Nicolas Maduro and his wife plead not guilty to narco trafficking charges with the deposed leader defiantly declaring he's still President of Venezuela.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sits in a New York prison cell as Donald Trump warns the country's new leaders to co-operate.

At least forty people have died in a fire at a New Years Eve party in the Swiss alps, and an Australian is among the injured.

Australians defiant against terror - flocking to Sydney Harbour to watch the spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the New Year.

Thousands of Police will be deployed on the streets of Sydney tonight as a nervous city gets ready to usher in a New Year.

Anthony Albanese refuses to buckle to pressure to call a Royal Commission into Australia's worst terror attack.

'The makings of a deal' Donald Trump says progress made in getting Russia and Ukraine to agree to peace

Police are investigating an apparent arson attack targeting the Jewish community in Melbourne after a vehicle bearing a 'Happy Chanukah' sign was set on fire.