分类: society

  • BBC reports from Bondi gunmen’s suburban house

    BBC reports from Bondi gunmen’s suburban house

    BBC News Australia correspondent Katy Watson has conducted a field report from the suburban residence of the perpetrator behind the recent Bondi Junction mass shooting. The property, located in the Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg, represents a critical piece of the investigative puzzle as authorities work to understand the circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

    The visit to the attacker’s home provides contextual background to the developing story, offering potential insights into the gunman’s living conditions and personal environment. Such forensic examinations of a perpetrator’s residence often yield valuable information for psychological profiling and motive determination.

    This development comes amid ongoing police investigations into the shooting that shocked the nation. The BBC’s on-ground reporting from the actual location connected to the attacker adds a significant dimension to the comprehensive media coverage of this devastating event, helping the public understand the full scope of the tragedy beyond the immediate crime scene.

  • 2 stabbed at entertainment complex in southern Japan, police arrest a 30-year-old suspect

    2 stabbed at entertainment complex in southern Japan, police arrest a 30-year-old suspect

    Japanese authorities in Fukuoka have apprehended a 30-year-old male suspect following a violent incident at a pop culture entertainment venue that houses the renowned female idol group HKT48. The attack occurred on Sunday, resulting in two individuals sustaining non-fatal injuries.

    According to Fukuoka police reports, the suspect allegedly assaulted a 44-year-old male employee with what witnesses described as a kitchen knife, striking him in the chest. The confrontation reportedly began when the employee encountered the suspect in a restricted area and instructed him to leave. While authorities have made an arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, they have maintained discretion regarding potential motives and specific details of the ongoing investigation.

    Japanese media outlets, including Kyodo News, provided additional context indicating a second victim—a 27-year-old woman—was stabbed in the back within an elevator hall as the perpetrator attempted to flee the scene. Both injured parties received prompt medical attention and are expected to recover from their wounds.

    In response to the security breach and ensuing violence, HKT48 management immediately canceled a scheduled fan event that evening. The incident has drawn significant attention due to Japan’s generally low violent crime statistics and stringent weapon control regulations. Nevertheless, this event joins a concerning pattern of notable knife-related attacks and improvised explosive incidents that have emerged in recent years, challenging the nation’s reputation for public safety.

  • Saudi authorities arrest expat for ‘indecent acts’ at massage centre

    Saudi authorities arrest expat for ‘indecent acts’ at massage centre

    Saudi law enforcement officials have apprehended a foreign national following allegations of immoral conduct at a body care establishment in Riyadh. The arrest operation, conducted on December 14, 2025, was executed through coordinated efforts between Riyadh Police and the General Directorate of Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking.

    Authorities confirmed the individual was taken into custody for engaging in activities deemed contrary to established public morality standards. Following initial detention procedures, the case has been formally transferred to the Public Prosecution office for judicial review and potential criminal proceedings.

    Concurrent with the arrest, municipal regulators imposed administrative penalties against the wellness facility where the incident occurred. The establishment now faces sanctions under local business regulations, though specific details regarding the nature of violations or imposed penalties remain undisclosed.

    This enforcement action demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to maintaining social order and upholding conservative moral values within commercial establishments. The case emerges amid the nation’s broader transformation under Vision 2030, which balances economic modernization with preservation of traditional cultural norms.

    Legal analysts note such cases typically involve violations of public decency laws, which can carry significant penalties including fines, imprisonment, and potential deportation for foreign nationals convicted of moral offenses.

  • Their diamond-rich land in South Africa was taken. Now they want it back

    Their diamond-rich land in South Africa was taken. Now they want it back

    Along South Africa’s northwestern coastline, a stark environmental and economic divide tells the story of the Nama people’s century-long struggle. The journey from Cape Town to the Namibian border reveals breathtaking natural vistas gradually giving way to a pockmarked lunar landscape—visible scars from decades of diamond extraction that generated hundreds of millions in wealth, yet left indigenous communities in persistent poverty.

    The Nama people, descendants of the region’s original Khoi and San inhabitants, have faced systematic displacement since European colonization. Their ancestral lands around the Orange River were annexed in the mid-19th century, with forced removals intensifying following the 1920s diamond rush. Despite a landmark 2003 Constitutional Court victory recognizing their inalienable land and mineral rights, the community remains trapped in what leader Martinus Fredericks describes as ‘hand-to-mouth existence’ with sky-high unemployment.

    The court ruling should have been transformative. Instead, a controversial 2007 agreement between state-owned miner Alexkor and the Richtersveld Communal Property Association (CPA) allocated 51% of mineral rights to the company and 49% to the community. Fredericks maintains this arrangement was made without proper community consent, and two decades later, residents report seeing no benefits from diamond wealth extracted from their land.

    Alexkor contends it has transferred approximately 240 million rand ($14 million) to community entities, but acknowledges through current chairperson Dineo Peta that ‘the community has not received the full economic benefit of the operations,’ blaming previous management’s ‘maladministration and malfeasance.’ A state capture investigation revealed corruption within the company, though no convictions have resulted.

    Parliamentary hearings recently revealed that over 300 million rand ($17.6 million) intended for community development remains unaccounted for, with lawmakers describing the CPA as ‘dysfunctional.’ The association failed to respond to BBC inquiries regarding the missing funds.

    Beyond financial concerns, environmental degradation poses another crisis. Abandoned mines dot the coastline with minimal rehabilitation, despite legal obligations. Mining giants Trans Hex and De Beers maintain they fulfilled their responsibilities before selling sites, though De Beers committed 50 million rand toward rehabilitation in recent sale agreements.

    Fredericks has now initiated legal proceedings against the CPA, seeking to reclaim authentic community representation. ‘A Nama people cannot be a Nama people without control of Nama land,’ he asserts, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between identity and territory that continues to drive their fight for restorative justice.

  • Bondi beach was a laid-back haven before a mass shooting horror unfolded

    Bondi beach was a laid-back haven before a mass shooting horror unfolded

    SYDNEY — The iconic Bondi Beach, a symbol of Australia’s carefree coastal lifestyle, became the scene of horrific violence on Sunday evening when gunmen opened fire on families attending a Hanukkah celebration. The attack, which authorities describe as a targeted antisemitic assault, left multiple casualties and has profoundly shaken the nation’s sense of security.

    The evening began as a typical summer gathering at Australia’s most famous beach, with thousands enjoying the warm weather and sunset views. The ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event had drawn diverse families with children’s activities, ice cream, and entertainment. Without warning, the festive atmosphere shattered as sustained gunfire erupted, sending panicked crowds fleeing across the sand, abandoning belongings in their desperate search for shelter.

    Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of terror and heroism. Rebecca, a 33-year-old mother who withheld her surname for security reasons, recounted shielding her five-year-old son beneath a table while praying for their survival. She described watching a man shot fatally beside her and an elderly woman unable to take cover being targeted. The gunfire continued for approximately seven minutes according to audio evidence captured from nearby accommodations.

    The attack represents Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that prompted sweeping gun reform. Authorities confirmed the recovery of six legally owned firearms from the primary shooter, a 50-year-old man fatally shot during the incident. His 24-year-old son remains hospitalized under police guard. Both perpetrators targeted Jewish attendees specifically during the holiday celebration, according to official statements.

    In the aftermath, stories of extraordinary bravery emerged alongside the grief. Local fruit vendor Ahmed al Ahmed was captured on video disarming one attacker, while Bondi’s famous surf lifeguards rushed toward the danger with medical kits rather than fleeing. The normally vibrant beach stood eerily quiet on Monday, with abandoned picnic items still scattered across the grass where families had gathered moments before the violence.

    The attack has ignited national conversations about rising antisemitism, gun control, and public safety. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the targeted violence against the Jewish community, while local residents expressed both shock and determination to resist responding to hatred with further division. The tragedy strikes particularly hard at Bondi’s identity as both a multicultural gathering place and the heart of Sydney’s Jewish community, coming just months after a separate deadly attack at nearby Bondi Junction.

  • How Bondi Beach shooting unfolded minute by minute

    How Bondi Beach shooting unfolded minute by minute

    A detailed forensic reconstruction of Australia’s most devastating mass shooting event in nearly thirty years has been assembled through meticulous analysis of verified video evidence and eyewitness accounts. The incident, which unfolded at the iconic Bondi Beach, is being examined minute-by-minute to provide a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of events.

    Correspondent Joe Inwood has synthesized multiple sources of footage to create a definitive chronology of the tragedy. The analysis reveals critical moments from the initial onset of violence to the emergency response, providing unprecedented clarity on how the situation developed in real time. This verified timeline serves not only as a crucial investigative tool but also addresses public need for accurate information amidst widespread speculation.

    The reconstruction highlights the responses of both law enforcement and civilians during the crisis, documenting how ordinary beachgoers became first responders in the critical moments before professional help arrived. The verified footage provides insights into the shooter’s movements, the patterns of victims seeking safety, and the eventual intervention by authorities that ended the threat.

    This minute-by-minute breakdown represents one of the most thorough examinations of a mass shooting event in Australian history, offering valuable insights for both investigators studying the tragedy and policymakers considering future preventive measures. The analysis underscores the challenges of managing public safety in open environments while honoring the victims through factual documentation rather than sensationalized reporting.

  • Praise for Lebanese-Australian man who tackled Bondi Beach shooter

    Praise for Lebanese-Australian man who tackled Bondi Beach shooter

    A Lebanese-Australian fruit shop owner is being hailed as a national hero after confronting and disarming a gunman during a terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach that left multiple casualties. Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, sustained two gunshot wounds while courageously tackling the assailant during Saturday’s violent rampage that authorities have classified as an antisemitic terrorist act.

    Eyewitness footage captured the moment al-Ahmed, who had no prior firearms training, maneuvered behind the attacker and applied a headlock before wresting the shotgun away. Despite his injuries, the civilian hero managed to aim the weapon at the retreating gunman before securing it against a tree. He was subsequently transported to a medical facility for treatment of his wounds.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised al-Ahmed’s actions as “the pinnacle of Jewish heroism,” while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the intervention as “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen.” Minns further stated that numerous lives were undoubtedly saved due to al-Ahmed’s bravery.

    The attack occurred during the “Hanukkah by the Sea” event, resulting in emergency services transporting at least 29 victims to area hospitals. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence as a targeted antisemitic assault on the Jewish community during what should have been a joyful religious celebration. One alleged perpetrator was killed at the scene while another remains in critical condition. Law enforcement officials additionally discovered improvised explosive devices in a vehicle connected to the deceased attacker.

    King Charles III, Australia’s head of state, expressed horror at what he termed “a horrific antisemitic terrorist attack against Jews.” The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full scope of the tragedy and identify all responsible parties.

  • ‘Everyone says it’ll never be me’ – Brown University student on surviving two mass shootings

    ‘Everyone says it’ll never be me’ – Brown University student on surviving two mass shootings

    For Mia Tretta, a 21-year-old Brown University student, the chilling alert of an active shooter on campus was a devastating echo of a past nightmare. As she studied for finals in her Rhode Island dorm, the university-wide warning triggered traumatic memories of the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California, where she was critically wounded and her best friend was killed.

    Tretta, now advocating against gun violence, described to the BBC how the recent lockdown shattered her hard-won sense of security. Her journey to an Ivy League school on the opposite coast was a conscious effort to escape the haunting reality of gun violence. ‘Everyone always tells themselves it’ll never be me,’ she stated, a belief she herself held until she became a victim—not once, but twice.

    The physical and psychological scars from Saugus remain profound. Tretta endured over a week of hospitalization, multiple surgeries for nerve damage and a perforated eardrum, and still carries bullet fragments in her stomach. This latest incident has reignited a complex mix of fear, confusion, and anger, solidifying her view that mass shootings are a national epidemic indiscriminate of community or personal history.

    Her experience is tragically not unique among her generation, who have grown up with active shooter drills as a routine part of their education. This point was underscored by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, who recounted a conversation with a wounded student from the Brown incident. The student expressed that high school drills had, sadly, provided crucial preparation for the real-life event—a statement the mayor found simultaneously hopeful and profoundly tragic.

    Despite the lifted lockdown, a heavy police presence lingered around campus, a stark reminder of the shattered illusion of safety. One departing student summarized the collective sentiment, calling Brown a ‘perfect bubble’ that had now been irrevocably broken. Tretta’s story, including her 2022 White House address on gun reform, stands as a powerful testament to a generation demanding that mass shootings cease being accepted as an unavoidable American reality.

  • Heavy rains in UAE: Food deliveries delayed amid unstable weather

    Heavy rains in UAE: Food deliveries delayed amid unstable weather

    The United Arab Emirates is experiencing significant disruptions to food and grocery delivery services as unstable weather conditions persist across the country. Multiple delivery platforms including Talabat, Deliveroo, and Careem have implemented safety measures that include pausing services in affected areas and warning customers of extended wait times.

    Heavy rainfall and dropping temperatures prompted delivery companies to prioritize rider safety over service continuity. Talabat issued an in-app advisory announcing temporary delivery pauses, while Deliveroo notified customers that they might encounter limited restaurant options and extended delivery windows. The companies have implemented geographic restrictions in severely affected areas and empowered riders to assess local conditions and temporarily suspend operations if they perceive driving risks.

    The National Centre of Meteorology has forecasted continued unstable weather throughout the week, with temperatures expected to drop to 13°C. The meteorological authority has issued public guidelines urging residents to exercise caution during this period of adverse weather conditions.

    Observers noted dozens of delivery riders stationed along Mohammed Bin Zayed Road during mid-morning hours on Sunday, highlighting the practical impact of weather-related safety measures on delivery operations. Companies have committed to resuming normal service patterns once weather conditions improve and safe driving can be assured.

  • How a Palestine Action hunger striker was left on her cell floor

    How a Palestine Action hunger striker was left on her cell floor

    A major medical negligence scandal has erupted at HMP Bronzefield prison concerning Qesser Zuhrah, a Palestine Action-affiliated detainee now on her 41st day of hunger strike. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Zuhrah was left immobilized on her cell floor for hours while experiencing severe chest pains, dizziness, and breathing difficulties, with prison staff repeatedly refusing urgent medical requests.

    The crisis began when Zuhrah contacted friend Niamh Grant at 8:30pm reporting alarming symptoms including radiating chest pain, shortness of breath, and shaking limbs. Despite repeatedly buzzing for assistance and begging for an ambulance, prison medical staff allegedly ignored her deteriorating condition. A prison officer instructed her to wait until the night nurse’s shift began at 11pm.

    Although a nurse eventually conducted basic vitals and an ECG test around 10:30pm, she disappeared for hours without returning with results. When Zuhrah desperately buzzed again around 12:30am pleading ‘Can you ring an ambulance? I’m scared,’ staff reportedly hung up on her. For several critical hours, friends listened helplessly via phone as Zuhrah struggled to breathe, fearing for her life.

    The nurse finally returned at 2am, asserting that ‘you don’t decide if you go to hospital, I do.’ Despite multiple NHS doctors, lawyers, and even MPs attempting to intervene throughout the night, prison staff systematically refused assistance and updates. It wasn’t until 9:30am the next morning, after Zuhrah lost consciousness, that authorities finally called an ambulance.

    Adding to the controversy, the prison failed to notify Zuhrah’s next of kin about her hospitalization as promised. She was discharged that evening at 8:30pm without diagnosis or test results, though witnesses overhead ambulance staff discussing concerning ECG findings from hours earlier.

    The incident has triggered political repercussions, with Justice Secretary David Lammy facing mounting pressure from multiple MPs who have written demanding urgent intervention. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle condemned Lammy’s lack of response as ‘totally unacceptable.’ On Friday, activists sprayed the Ministry of Justice building with red paint protesting the government’s handling of eight hunger strikers whose lives they claim are ‘in imminent danger.’