Middle Eastern Headlines at 9:26 p.m. GMT
Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah
Latest stories
CNNWhat the Syrian rebellion could mean for the balance of power in the Middle East
Western and Arab states, as well as Israel, would like to see Iran’s influence in Syria curtailed, but none wish for a radical Islamist regime to replace Assad.
- CNN
Chinese fishing vessel under control of suspected pirates off Somali coast, EU naval force says
A Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia has come under the control of alleged pirates, a European Union anti-piracy force operating in the area said Thursday.
- CNN
Israeli military kills four doctors in raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, eyewitnesses say
Four doctors were killed at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in besieged northern Gaza on Friday, after Israeli forces stormed the compound, killing and injuring dozens of people in areas surrounding the facility, eyewitnesses told CNN.
- CNN
Syrian rebel leader says goal is to ‘overthrow’ Assad regime
The goal of Syria’s rebel coalition, as it wrests another major city from government control this week, is ultimately to overthrow authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant leader of the main group driving the country’s armed opposition.
- Australian Associated Press
Israel raps Australia on knuckles for flip on UN vote
Israel's top diplomat in Australia has downplayed criticism by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office over Australia's support for a UN vote.
- NewsWire
Moment ‘firebomb’ rips through synagogue
Footage has captured the horrifying moment a Melbourne synagogue went up in flames after a “suspicious” fire was lit.
- Euronews
Georgians vow to continue protests 'until victory' as unrest continues for ninth night
Police have reportedly resorted to more heavy handed tactics in a bid to clamp down on the unrest with more than 400 protesters, including opposition leaders and activists, detained and more than 100 people treated for injuries.View on euronews
- Australian Associated Press
Mix of quiet sorrow and anger over synagogue attack
A member of a Jewish community targeted in a firebomb attack says the damage to the Adass Israel Synagogue is a cause of great anguish.
- Sky News
Rebel forces 'reach Damascus suburbs' as protesters topple statue on outskirts
Syrian rebels have reportedly reached the suburbs of the capital Damascus as their lightning offensive threatens to end Bashar al Assad's 24-year rule. The group called for the downfall of Mr Assad and headed to government buildings in the heavily policed area of the city. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents are now active in three Damascus suburbs, including Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya - making it the first time they have reached the outskirts of the city since 2018, when government forces recaptured the area after a years-long siege.
- HuffPost
Is Assad's Rule In Syria At Risk Of Collapse?
Alone and broke against a renewed insurgency, Bashar Assad's hold on power faces its stiffest test in a decade.
- NewsWire
‘PM, how did you let it get to this?’
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Indigenous trailblazer Nova Peris have posed a brutal question to the prime minister after Friday’s synagogue attack.
- PA Media: UK News
Mother and daughter who ‘terrorised’ neighbours with campaign of abuse jailed
Susan Chen, 61, and her solicitor daughter Linda Lu, 35, were jailed for five-and-a-half years on Friday for their ‘malicious’ behaviour.
- Evening Standard
Actress Miho Nakayama found dead in bathtub aged 54 just hours before performance
Nakayama’s team said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ by her death
- Yahoo Finance AU
Commonwealth Bank customers expose cash access issue for all Australians: 'Shut account with $33,000'
Steve was furious when he was asked a few questions about what he planned to do with his money.
- BuzzFeed
"It's Overused And Overhyped": People Are Sharing The "Popular" Home Upgrades That Are Getting WAY Out Of Hand In 2024
"Speaking as an architect here, for the love of god, too many people think it’s acceptable to do this..."
- The Independent
Trio arrested after two kids locked in ‘bug-infested’ home found begging for help from broken window
The two boys, ages 4 and 5, had been locked inside the cockroach-infested, ‘filthy’ bedroom since 2023, police say
- NewsWire
‘Outrage’: Albo ripped over Synagogue comments
A prominent Jewish commentator has been left outraged over the Prime Minister’s comments after the synagogue fire in Melbourne, calling out his “lack of leadership”.
- InStyle
Zara Tindall’s Velvet Pantsuit Is Quite Daring for a Working Royal
She's giving the gift of bold style this Christmas.
- Yahoo Sport Australia
Alex de Minaur's surprise move ahead of awkward showdown with girlfriend Katie Boulter
Alex de Minaur has made a huge claim ahead of next year's Australian Open. Find out more here.
- The Hill
Trump on Syria conflict: ‘This is not our fight’
President-elect Trump heavily criticized Syrian rebels for their move to overtake the city of Damascus on Saturday, but emphasized that this was not America’s fight. “Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they…