Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conceded that the centre-left opposition could win next week's general election and appealed to voters not to take the chance with national security.
On the road to Walgett a sign welcomes visitors: "Farming is not a way of life, it keeps everyone alive." But with drought taking a heavy toll on the region, farming has become a battle for survival.
Several big Asian phone companies launched new high-end smartphones and other wireless gizmos, hoping to challenge US giant Apple in a big year for wireless gadgets.
Prince William was due to arrive in Japan for his first visit to a country that adores the British Royal family and was smitten with his late mother, Diana.
A worrying number of Australian women are heading to Iraq and Syria to become so-called Islamic State group "jihadi brides", Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was on Tuesday accused of "scapegoating" an entire community and inciting "ill-feeling" after telling Muslim leaders to do more to combat extremism.
Australia was clearing up after two severe cyclones left a trail of destruction, wrecking hundreds of homes and cutting electricity to tens of thousands.
Denouncing a business-as-usual approach to Syria, UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for urgent action to lift sieges on civilians and to end barrel bomb attacks.