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Bondi shooting families demand national probe into Australia’s ‘rise in antisemitism’

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Bondi shooting families demand national probe into Australia’s ‘rise in antisemitism’


The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with candlelights in Sydney on Dec 21, 2025, as part of a national day of reflection honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. — AFP
  • Albanese backs NSW-led commission, resists federal probe.
  • Minister warns national inquiry could amplify worst voices.
  • Families call federal response not nearly enough.

SYDNEY: Families of victims killed in the Bondi Beach mass shooting called Monday for an independent national inquiry into antisemitism in Australia and alleged failures in policing, intelligence and policy, they say, enabled the attack.

Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and wounding dozens in what authorities have described as an antisemitic terrorist attack.

Seventeen families, in an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urged him to “immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia” and examine “law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre”.

“We demand answers and solutions,” the families wrote.

“We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.”

Albanese has resisted calls for a federal inquiry, citing a need for urgent action rather than waiting “years for answers”.

“We need to get on with any changes that are required,” he told reporters Monday.

“I have nothing except sympathy for those families. My job, as prime minister, is to look at how we build unity, how we build social cohesion, how we do what the nation needs at what is a very difficult time.”

Albanese said last week that a New South Wales-led royal commission — where the shooting occurred — would suffice and promised full support.

Canberra has flagged a suite of reforms to gun ownership and hate speech laws, as well as an inquiry into police and intelligence services.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke warned Monday that a national royal commission could give “some of the worst statements and worst voices” a platform to relive “the worst examples of antisemitism over the last two years”, which he said was not in the interest of unity or national security.

But the families of those killed at Bondi Beach said the federal government’s response is “not nearly enough”.

“We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents. Our loved ones were celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe,” the letter said.

“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

The families said the rise of antisemitism was a “national crisis”, adding the “threat was not going away”.

“We need strong action now. We need leadership now. You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.”

One of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the attack. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998.

His 24-year-old son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody facing multiple charges, including terrorism and 15 murders, as well as committing a “terrorist act” and planting a bomb with intent to harm.





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Karachi Kings win toss, opt to bowl first against Multan Sultans

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Karachi Kings win toss, opt to bowl first against Multan Sultans


Karachi Kings captain Moeen Ali and his Multan Sultans counterpart Ashton Tunner present for toss in PSL match National Bank Stadium in Karachi on April 19, 2026. — Screengrab

Karachi Kings won the toss and decided to bowl first in the 28th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

The Sultans, led by Ashton Turner, are placed third on the points table, having secured four wins from their six matches so far in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Kings sit seventh with an even record, winning three and losing three in six games.

Squads

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Jason Roy, Haroon Arshad, Reeza Hendricks, Ihsanullah and Rizwanullah.

Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail and Atizaz Habib Khan.


This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.





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Prince Harry corrects blunder before peace with King Charles suffers again

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Prince Harry corrects blunder before peace with King Charles suffers again


Prince Harry appeared to have to made an interesting choice of words which seemed to have landed him trouble with his father King Charles, especially amid talks for a truce.

During his four-day visit to Australia where he took on several engagements in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Harry spoke about parenting during an event hosted by Movember charity which sounded like it was he was taking a dig at his cancer-stricken father amid strained relationship.

Harry had said that as parenting is evolving over time, the children are an “upgrade” of their own parents.

“Not to say that I upgraded my dad or that my kids upgraded me, but the kids that we bring up in today’s world need to be upgraded,” he quickly added.

“There’s no judgment, there’s no blame, there’s no pointing the finger. The reality is that – however you are parenting – that is a personal experience to you, you are going to want to improve on that.”

Even though there had been a lot of backlash for Harry, royal expert Jennie Bond explained that it was not a “deliberate comparison” between himself and King Charles. Hence, he cleared the air immediately “knowing that some people might seize on them as a criticism”.

Bond claimed that Harry’s language was a “tad clumsy” but it was not a snub to Charles.

“I think he just meant that he wants to be the best father possible and to equip his children for this fast moving, fast changing modern world,” she pointed out.

“It’s pretty much what every parent wants for their offspring, and I think the King would have understood what Harry meant.”





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Charlize Theron reflects on traumatic family tragedy from teenage years

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Charlize Theron reflects on traumatic family tragedy from teenage years
Charlize Theron reflects on traumatic family tragedy from teenage years

Charlize Theron talked openly about one of the most painful memories of her life.

The star shared details about the night when her mother shot and killed her father in self defence when she was just 15 years old.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Charlize described the moment in simple but emotional words, sharing that she still remembers it very clearly even after so many years.

The actress and producer continued saying that the night started like any normal evening when she and her mother returned home from a movie, only to find their house locked with heavy steel doors because of the violent environment they were living in at the time.

She recalled how fear was already part of their daily life and how things felt different that night.

While driving back home, the 50-year-old star even told her mother she felt they should leave, something she never said before.

The Monster actress went on to add that her father later broke into the house and began firing shots through the doors, creating a terrifying situation.

She and her mother hid in a bedroom, holding the door shut as bullets hit around them but somehow they were not injured.

She shared that her mother made a split second decision to protect them, which led to the tragic outcome.

Charlize said speaking about it helps her heal and also helps others feel less alone.





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