Australia

Alleged Bondi Beach gunman makes first court appearance

Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges over the December 14 attack, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, and a terror offense.

A mourner lights candles as people gather around floral tributes outside Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on December 17, 2025, to honour victims of the Bondi Beach shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2026.

UK's Starmer seeks greater powers to regulate online access

The USS Vermont (SSN-792), a US Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, arrives at HMAS Stirling naval base in Perth on October 29, 2025. The USS Vermont arrived for a Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), marking progress under the AUKUS partnership.

Australia invests $2.76 billion on shipyard to deliver for nuclear-powered submarines

'We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.’ President Isaac Herzog used his trip to Australia to act as Israel’s comforter-in-chief for the stricken community after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December.

President Isaac Herzog brings Israel’s embrace to Australian Jews as protests rage outside


Song honors Bondi attack hero: Jewish musicians from Sydney in praise of Ahmed al-Ahmed

While initially trying to care for their family from afar, the tragedy prompted Simmon and Tuvel to channel their grief into a song, hoping that it reaches Ahmed.

Sydney musicians pay tribute to Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed Bondi Beach shooter.

Australian defense department chief to replace Kevin Rudd as US ambassador

Australian PM Anthony Albanese appointed Defense Department chief Greg Moriarty as the next ambassador to the US after Kevin Rudd said he would step down early, following Trump's criticism.

Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty during the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee at Parliament House on March 24, 2021 in Canberra, Australia; illustrative.

Three people shot dead in Australia's New South Wales, police say town in lockdown

Two women and one man have died, and another man has been taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition, the New South Wales Police said.

(Illustrative) Australian police patrol in central Melbourne, Australia, December 22, 2017.

Australia's Albanese: 'I am deeply and profoundly sorry' for Bondi Beach massacre

"Today is an opportunity for us to remember and pay respect to the 15 lives," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Thursday.

People stand near flowers laid as a tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.

Human hand outline may be oldest rock art in the world, researchers say

The 67,800-year-old reddish-colored stenciled image has become faded over time and is barely visible on a cave wall, but nonetheless embodies an early achievement of human creativity.

THE FAINT image of a hand stencil, a negative outline of a human hand created by placing a hand against a rock wall surface and spraying pigment paint around it, that has been dated to 67,800 years ago, in a limestone cave called Liang Metanduno on Muna.

Australia passes toughest hate crime laws in country's history, despite significant opposition

The Combating Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 expands and strengthens Commonwealth criminal offences to address the spread of hatred and extremism.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a press conference following a shooting at Bondi Beach, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, December 14, 2025.

Mark Dreyfus honors victims of Bondi Beach massacre with Mourner's Kaddish in Australian Parliament

In a moving tribute, Mark Dreyfus recites the Mourner’s Kaddish for victims of the Bondi Beach attack, urging action on hate speech and gun reform.

Mark Dreyfus speaks in Parliament House on Jan. 19, 2026 in Canberra, Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled parliament early, with a number of key pieces of legislation on the agenda, including the tightening of gun control laws.

Britain considers range of measures to protect children online, including social media ban

The government did not mention a particular age limit, but said it was exploring a ban "for children under a certain age."

Social media.

Dozens of Australian east coast beaches closed after four shark attacks in two days

"If you're thinking about going for a swim, think of going to a local pool because at this stage, we're advising that beaches are unsafe," said Steven Pearce, executive chief of Surf Life Saving NSW.

A lifeguard patrols North Steyne beach as beaches are closed after recent shark attacks, in Sydney, Australia, January 20, 2026.

Australia's lower house of Parliament toughens up on gun laws in wake of Bondi Beach shooting

The bill, which was opposed by conservative lawmakers, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 96 to 45 and will now go to the Senate.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns speaks during a condolence motion following the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in the Legislative Assembly at Parliament House in Sydney, Australia, December 22, 2025.