Topic: The Sydney Morning Herald

Terrorism & Security Amid Palestinian protests, Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel

The rocket launch ended a cease-fire with Israel. Palestinian Authority President Abbas faces powerful voices who say another uprising may be the only way forward after days of large protests.

Sinkhole swallows building complex in China

Sinkhole swallows building: An enormous sinkhole opened up beneath a building complex in China's southern city of Guangzhou Tuesday, swallowing five shops and one building. 

Terrorism & Security Afghanistan war: More insider attacks hand Australia worst casualties since Vietnam

Five Australian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan yesterday and today, including three apparently murdered by Afghan Police forces.

Terrorism & Security Days after woman executed, Karzai asks Taliban to enter politics

Afghanistan's President Karzai encouraged the Taliban to disarm and join the political process. His police, meanwhile, have been blaming the group for the public execution of a woman.

Global News Blog Is Kim Jong-un's mystery lady signaling a shift for North Korea?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently been photographed with an unknown woman, causing international buzz.

Assange gets surprise chance to fight another day (+video)

Julian Assange's lawyer won a two-week reprieve to review today's decision by Britain's Supreme Court to deport the WikiLeaks boss to Sweden.

Backchannels Why Israel is even less likely to strike Iran now

Obama appears to be hemming in Israel at every turn. Case in point: A report in which unnamed US officials allege that Israel has obtained access to bases in Azerbaijan, on Iran's border.

Terrorism & Security No jail for marine? Haditha massacre verdict stuns Iraqis.

Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich will receive only a demotion to the rank of private for involvement in the 2005 killings of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha.

Australia's ash cloud woes, by the numbers

The ash cloud from the June 4 eruption of a Chilean volcano is drifting over Australia for a second time, grounding flights and further choking tourism and airline industries that are already suffering.

Australia takes on the last frontier of cigarette packaging

Australia is proposing the most drastic government attempt yet to reduce smoking, requiring cigarette companies to package their brands in an unappealing drab olive wrapper.

Australia floods pose a political test not all pass

While Prime Minister Gillard has been criticized for her response to the Australia floods, Queensland Premier Bligh has struck the right note of strength and emotion.

After the Australia flooding, talk of how to rebuild Queensland begins

For a country that only recently passed through a decade-long drought, talk of flooding management has long seemed a little out of place. Not anymore.

Australia braces for fresh wave of flooding in Brisbane

Brisbane prepares for fresh flooding and another town recovers from an 'inland tsunami,' as Australia waits for a reprieve from weeks of rain and flooding.

Iran is not a rogue state, says Australia in WikiLeaks cable

In cables published today, Australia says the US should not see Iran as a rogue state, rather that Australian officials believe that Tehran sees a "grand bargain" with America as its best way to ensure national security.

14-year-old Dutch sailor Laura Dekker sets sail – despite growing controversy

Laura Dekker set sail from Portugal Saturday in a bid to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

Opinion: A good example of Obama's warning about the media focusing on 'sexier' stories

The media do damage by playing up every hint of conflict to produce “sexier” stories. Recent coverage of a Southern Poverty Law Center report on 'hate groups' proves the point.

Kenya police mistakenly release Australia terror suspect

Kenya police say they have 'mistakenly' released an alleged member of Somalia insurgent group Al Shabaab who is wanted on terrorism charges in Australia.

Australia opens war crimes probe into Indonesia killings

It is revisiting the 1975 deaths of the 'Balibo Five' journalists as a film about them is released across Australia. Indonesia has long said they died in a cross-fire.

Twitter users first to break news of Jakarta bombings

The quick response underlines the rising profile of the social media site as it becomes a breaking news source.

Best job in the world filled? No worries, mate.

A British charity worker will earn $112,000 to babysit and blog about a tropical Australian island for six months.

Australia cites China, India, as reasons for a major military buildup

Prime Minister Rudd proposes $72 billion in new spending. US military can't protect it, say analysts.

Turn out the lights? Not everyone's on board Earth Hour

Report: Climate protests rising

The Worldwatch Institute reports that climate protests are escalating worldwide, as more and more people join movements to block the construction of coal-fired power plants and pressure their governments to mandate greenhouse-gas-emission caps.

Warnings issued ahead of Bali bombers' execution

The Indonesian men who were convicted of killing 202 nightclubgoers have called for revenge attacks against Westerners.