Tag Archives: oceania

Polar blast across Europe sends temperatures plunging as low as -33 degrees

Britain and Europe have been gripped by a giant Arctic storm, triggering public safety alerts and transport chaos as temperatures plunge to -33C degrees in some parts.

The UK Met Office, the country's national meteorological agency issued a rare top-level red alert late on Thursday (Friday AEDT) for south-west England.

It also sent out a yellow alert for heavy snow and rain in northern England, Wales and the Midlands, with falls of up to 30cm expected in some areas.

LIVE UPDATES: Thousands flee homes as fires spread; Major heatwave to hit millions

Weather forecasters warned Storm Goretti sweeping in from the Atlantic Ocean would bring "violent gusts" of up to 160km/h in the county of Cornwall and the isolated Scilly Isles.

Residents are being warned to expect damage to buildings and homes, school closures, flying debris and power outages.

Meanwhile, several airports have been closed and flights cancelled due to the severe weather.

Birmingham Airport in the English Midlands suspended the use of its runway due to heavy snow, while the Channel Island of Jersey and Guernsey closed their airports.

READ MORE: Man jailed over hoax bombing campaign threatening London hospitals

Train travel has been severely impacted, with all services in Cornwall cancelled.

"This multi-hazard event will bring significant disruption to many," said Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office.

"This is a complex spell of severe weather."

Europe bracing for storm impact

Storm Goretti is expected to sweep into north-west Europe after it leaves the shores of the UK.

This week many countries have recorded frigid temperatures, snow and ice.

The severe weather disrupted services at one of the continent's biggest airports – Schiphol in the Netherlands, causing the cancellation of about 700 flights.

French media also reported disruption at a major airport.

Heavy snow forced the cancellation of about 100 flights at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport and a further 40 at the French city's smaller Orly hub on Wednesday, reports France24.

In the far north of Europe, the mercury plunged below -30 degrees.

The Finnish Meteorological Service recorded a mid-week temperature in northern Finland of -33 degrees.

Australian technology companies making it big on the world stage

CES is easily the biggest technology trade show in the world, with more than 140,000 industry experts and retail buyers flocking to Las Vegas to see what's new, what's innovative and what might make big sales across the world in the year ahead.

Alongside the biggest brands, such as Samsung, LG, Hisense and Sony, you'll also find small companies trying to make the big time, as well as some successful businesses trying to expand their market share across the world.

Here at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in 2026, 9News has found at least four Aussie companies doing just that.

READ MORE: Lego goes hi-tech in new Star Wars sets – no app or screen required

Espresso might sound like a shot of coffee, but in the tech world it's an Aussie business making ultra thin and portable monitors.

Operating out of Sydney and now with offices in Austin, Texas, Espresso's screens have become popular with content creators and other workers who do a lot of work on the go, either out and about or travelling.

They offer something light and genuinely portable that can fit in a backpack with your laptop, but also has a simple, slim stand to set up when you're working remotely. It's a game changer for many people.

During the CES, the company announced a new 15-inch model which is also its first model to come in multiple colours. It is launching first in the US, with an Australian launch expected in the coming months.

From selling online direct to consumers, to clinching a deal to showcase their products in JB Hi-Fi and now in Costco across the US, the company has a strong growth trajectory. A show such as CES exposes them to even more buyers from around the world.

READ MORE: The TVs of tomorrow: Ultra-thin designs and 130-inch monsters

RØDE started out as a premium microphone brand, manufacturing products in Sydney, it became the go-to brand for on-camera microphones in the YouTube boom.

Now in the social media generation, it has expanded its range to include small clip-on microphones used by content creators among many others.

The company has also expanded into audio and video podcast production, and at CES has been showcasing upcoming products in this space to content creators at the main convention hall.

That a company the size and scale of RØDE could come out of Australia in the first place is an achievement to be proud of, but even more so they still manufacture in Sydney is a "Made in Australia" badge of honour on show to the world at CES.

READ MORE: Boom in technology jobs across Australia

STM Goods started in the Sydney suburb of Bondi by a couple looking to make stylish and durable smartphone accessories. Today, it makes a huge range of accessories and backpacks among much more.

Its showcase stand at CES is the largest of all these Aussie companies, showing off its large range and colourful offerings, and using a well-worn conference trick of gifts at the stand to attract huge numbers and queues of people to the STM booth.

A show like CES and other global trade shows allows STM to find more retail companies across the world to sell its range and expand their global footprint and market share.

At the other end of the spectrum is Aussie start-up Strapsicle. Attending CES to showcase its new iPad mini case, Strapsicle makes a silicone case for iPads and Kindle e-readers that allows you to hold the device in the palm of your hand, making reading, drawing or interacting even easier.

Co-founder and chief executive Louise Rice said: "What started as an unfortunate incident in a moment of post-partum sleep deprivation, which led me to dropping my Kindle e-reader on my newborn son's head, has turned out to be one of the greatest accidents of all time."

"We're a small, scrappy start-up who is delivering a series of products for the most popular mobile devices in the world, as customers find not only tremendous convenience when using them to hold their device, but more importantly they're also finding overwhelming health benefits while using our straps, which is very rewarding to my partner and I."

Who knows, Strapsicle might be noticed at CES by a major retail brand from around the world and take the company to all new levels.

Trevor Long travelled to Las Vegas with support from Hisense, LG, Reolink, LEGO and Samsung.

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Brick hurled at Perth mum misses newborn by centimetres

A mum in Perth's northern suburbs is too terrified to leave her home, after being scraped up and shaken by an incident on her own driveway.

Traci Grimes says a teen riding an e-bike pelted a brick at her arm as she unloaded groceries while holding her baby.

The projectile missed the newborn by centimetres.

READ MORE: Police hunt man in WA after woman shot at rural property

Traci Grimes

"It could have killed him, honestly," Grimes told 9News.

"I'm so thankful it got me and not him."

The Clarkson mother-of-two has been caught in what police say is a surge in reckless street behaviour – with rocks and water balloons hurled at cars, homes smashed up and stunts filmed and posted online.

"They came back literally two seconds after we locked our big wooden door and hurled another big brick at our roller blinds," Grimes said.

"The thought of them probably roaming the street right now with their friends causing even more damage is the most upsetting part."

Traci Grimes

WA Police have launched a major crackdown on teens terrorising the area, with helicopters and drones being deployed.

Officers are also ramping up their street presence after the surge in violent incidents.

Joondalup detectives this week launched Operation Moorhead to crack down on dangerous behaviour linked to e-rideables.

Three teens have already been charged, and 11 e-rideables seized are set to be destroyed.

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Major beer change brewing in Australia after zero per cent sales explode

Exclusive: Sales for Australia's biggest independent non-alcoholic beer brand exploded over Christmas and the New Year – a clear indicator the country's appetite for zero per cent beverages is not waning.

Heaps Normal experienced its biggest two-month period of sales during November and December 2025 since its launch in 2020, with about a 25 per cent year-on-year growth recorded for its range of dry beverages.

Head of sales Johnny Tostevin told nine.com.au he expects the bumper festive sales period won't quite be matched in January even as alcohol-free New Year's resolutions kick in or during Dry July.

READ MORE: Bobbi is pleading with Australia Post for help after $4000 loss

Heaps Normal beer

"January will be a little bit down from there, but it's still been really strong, a lot stronger than what we'd find in the middle of winter in July," he said.

"We've definitely more than doubled over the last four years.

"We've seen some really, really steep, steep rises."

Heaps Normal had a huge 2025.

The zero-alcohol brand branched out to the UK and is stocked in over 170 British pubs and shops, with music superstar Robbie Williams joining as an investor.

Its products can also be found in thousands of pubs and retailers across Australia.

Tostevin said he's noticed the casual Australian drinker is now dabbling in a year-round sober-curious lifestyle.

Five years ago, non-alcoholic beer may have seemed like a fad.

Heaps Normal's extraordinary growth – it is now valued at over $60 million – is a testament to this cultural shift.

"It's reflective of the maturing consumer having that more balanced approach year-round," Tostevin added.

"The mindset of health and moderation has made it more acceptable for people to be thinking in [this] way."

READ MORE: Emergency warnings in parts of Victoria as fires rage amid record heat

Stock photo of beer

The national statistics prove that the non-alcoholic beverage market has become a wise and profitable place to operate.

DrinkWise said in 2024, 51 per cent of consumers drank – at least sometimes – zero-alcohol products, compared to 35 per cent in 2021.

And a recent Flinders University study also found Gen Z are nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers.

Heaps Normal has been joined by a fast-growing stable of brands competing in the non-alcoholic space.

READ MORE: How to cool down on a swelteringly hot night

The likes of Coopers Brewery, Asahi and XXXX have recently introduced non-alcoholic beer into their ranges.

But it is the more the merrier, according to Tostevin.

"The more great products that come out into the market, that build more and more faith in the category and help (get eyes on the category, it's great for everybody," he said.

"It shows it's not just a dusty old beer in the bottom corner of the fridge."

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Victorians on high alert as two blazes burn ahead of ‘catastrophic’ fire conditions

Rural Victorians are flocking to emergency relief centres in northern parts of the state as two major bushfires continue to wreak havoc across the landscape.

A fire that started near the Hume Freeway in Longwood, north of Seymour, has claimed livestock and multiple structures and spread across 3000 kilometres.

A second major blaze near Wodonga is spreading from Mt Lawson State Park in a south-easterly direction along the NSW border.

Catastrophic weather conditions tomorrow, including 90 km/h wind gusts and temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s, have fire authorities and the entire Victorian community on edge.

CURRENT EMERGENCY WARNINGS

  • Longwood fire – Longwood East, Upton Hill, Avenel, Locksley, Longwood, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Cathkin, Caveat, Dropmore, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Highlands, Killingworth, Ruffy, Terip Terip, Trawool, Whiteheads Creek, Yarck.
  • Walwa fire –  Bungil, Burrowye, Guys Forest, Koetong, Mount Alfred, Mount Alfred Gap, Thologolong, Beetoomba, Berringama, Bungil, Guys Forest, Koetong, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Tallangatta Valley.

Pictures uploaded to Facebook on the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade CFA page. This was the caption they put on the images: One Sassafras-Ferny Creek vehicle and crew was dispatched last night to help with the fires in the Longwood area. We ish them a safe and successful deployment.  Rest assured we have plenty in reserve to deal with any local incidents!

Authorities have warned lives are "likely to be lost" if residents don't heed warnings to evacuate under catastrophic fire conditions gripping large parts of the state.

The South West, Wimmera, Northern Country, and Northern Central districts will have a "catastrophic" rating, with the rest of the state's fire danger rating "extreme".

"If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost," CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.

"Leave bushfire risk areas early in the morning or tonight.

"Inform your family and friends what your plans are to leave, where you have gone and how they can contact you."

READ MORE: Tributes for 'beautiful' 16-year-old killed in quad bike crash

Longwood Bushfire

Those in impacted areas, including campgrounds, have been told to leave by 7am tomorrow.

Earlier today, Victoria's Acting Premier Ben Carroll issued a dire warning about what the state faced in the coming days, as crews battle multiple fires burning out of control.

"We are talking tomorrow of uncontrollable, unpredictable bushfires with a real risk of loss — loss of life and property," Carroll said.

"Catastrophic means catastrophic. Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world."

He urged people to comply with emergency services warnings and stay up to date.

"The best protection you can give your family is leaving early," he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Sarah Scully told Today that conditions in Victoria would deteriorate.

"Tomorrow is going to be a really peak fire danger day, with damaging winds across South Australia and Victoria and extreme to catastrophic fire dangers on the forecast," she said.

"We're expecting the next few days to continue to be really hot, and Melbourne's temperature goes up again to 41 degrees tomorrow, but then a strong cold front will finally flush that heat away."

Cooler temperatures are expected by the end of the weekend.

Up to 88 firefighters and about 70 aircraft, including a Black Hawk helicopter, are being deployed from NSW to assist crews on several fronts in Victoria.

READ MORE: Two charged, two more wanted after 'bonnet up' scam targeting elderly women

Longwood Bushfire

A total fire ban will be in place statewide, with hot, dry conditions and the risk of dry lightning.

"It will be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and fast-moving fires tomorrow," Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.

You can read the latest advice and warnings here.

Dry lightning spurs on bushfires

Forecast bands of dry lightning across the state have sparked mini fires surrounding the Walwa and Longwood fires, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan told 9News Melbourne.

Multiple small fires were also ignited by dry lightning in the eastern Gippsland region.

Firefighters and aircraft are also responding to uncontained fires north of Orbost.

Residents in Bete Bolong, Brodribb River, Corringle, Jarrahmond, Marlo, Newmerella, Orbost, Simpsons Creek, Waygara, Yalmy should motor conditions.

CFA chief officer Jaosn Heffernan.

"Earlier this morning I spoke of the potential of dry lightning and fire-driven thunderstorms and additional lightning, well unfortunately throughout the course of the day that has actually happened," Heffernan said.

"A series of fires that have just taken off and taken hold in the Eastern Gippsland region again as a result of that dry lightning band."

Another bushfire was sparked east of Orbost, within State forest near Cabbage Tree.

"Crews and aircraft have been deployed and support crews are on the way," Fire Forest Management Victoria said in an update.

"There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes."

Longwood fire consumes 3000km of bushland

Strong south-westerly winds are fanning flames north of Melbourne, sparking evacuation warnings for more than two dozen towns.

The Longwood fire has now spread across 3000 kilometres and is burning across bushland in a southeasterly direction.

More than 400 firefighters are working to control the fire as it trends towards Lake Eildon.

Residents in Avenel, Dropmore, Highlands, Ruffy, Tarcombe, and Upton Hill have been urged to take immediate shelter.

Those south of the fire zone, in Cathkin, Caveat, Dropmore, Fawcett, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Highlands, Kanumbra, Kerrisdale, Killingworth, Koriella, Merton, Molesworth, Tarcombe, Terip Terip, Trawool, Whanregarwen, Whiteheads Creek, Woodfield and Yarck should leave their homes immediately towards Seymour or Yea.

Residents in a large area east of the fire zone, including Euroa and Strathbogie, were told to evacuate just before 4pm as part of the blaze heads east towards Strathbogie State Forest and Bonnie Doon.

That area consists of Ancona, Barjarg, Boho South, Bonnie Doon, Creek Junction, Dry Creek, Euroa, Gobur, Gooram, Kanumbra, Kelvin View, Kithbrook, Lima East, Lima South, Maindample, Marraweeney, Merton, Sheans Creek, Strathbogie, Strathbogie North, Strathbogie South, Tallangallook, Too-rour and Woodfield.

Strong south-westerly winds are fanning flames north of Melbourne, sparking evacuation warnings for more than two dozen towns.

The fire is also heading south towards the Goulburn River and south-west towards Highlands Road.

A watch and act warning has been issued for Alexandra, Bonnie Doon, Devils River, Eildon, Fawcett, Howes Creek, Karralika Heights, Koriella, Lake Eildon, Maindample, Maintongoon, Mansfield, Snobs Creek, Taylor Bay, Thornton, Whanregarwen, Woodfield.

Residents there should prepare their belongings to leave the area.

The bushfire is expected to continue to extend in a south-easterly direction towards Lake Eildon, the CFA said.

Residents in Avenel, Caveat, Dropmore, Highlands, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Terip Terip, Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East and Upton Hill were this morning urged to leave immediately towards Seymour.

Around 12.20pm, locals still in the area were told to take immediate shelter indoors as the fire spread.

Residents in Cathkin, Dropmore, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Killingworth, Trawool, Whiteheads Creek and Yarck were told to evacuate.

READ MORE: Police slam 'reckless' thieves for cutting down fire danger warning sign

The Longwood fire continued to crawl through dry bushland overnight.

"It is recommended that you head towards Seymour or Yea. Do not leave in a northerly direction towards Longwood," the CFA warned.

The fire behaviour is expected to increase during the day and will affect communities south of the fire, VicEmergency warned.

The blaze has forced the closure of the Hume Freeway between Violet Town and Avenel.

Avenel-Longwood Road and Clarkes Road are open.

An emergency relief centre is open at Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre on Pollard Street in Seymour.

A community meeting will be held at the centre's basketball stadium at 6pm today.

Fire crews continue to battle the Longwood blaze from land and air.

Wiebusch said two "structures" so far had been confirmed destroyed in the Longwood fire.

The structures were spotted from the air in deep bushland but had not undergone a closer inspection.

Wiebusch said it was not yet certain whether the structures were homes.

They are the only confirmed property losses so far.

New warning for second fire

A new "leave immediately" warning has been issued for the Walwa fire, as the blaze threatens to surround dozens of towns in its path.

An emergency warning has been issued for Beetoomba, Berringama, Colac Colac, Crawford Crossing, Cudgewa, Guys Forest, Koetong, Lucyvale, McNamara Crossing, Nariel Creek, Nariel Gap, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Staceys Bridge, Thowgla Valley and Willow Crossing.

The Murray Valley Highway is restricted to local access between Granya Road and Annandale Road, and between Lucyvale Road and Cudgewa Valley Road.

It is closed between Annandale Road and Lucyvale Road.

Several road closures are in place around the perimeter of the Walwa fire.

Residents in Beetoomba, Berringama, Bungil, Guys Forest, Koetong, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Shelley, and the Tallangatta Valley were urged to evacuate at 2pm.

Spotting is expected to occur around Koetong and Shelley and properties could be impacted, according to the CFA.

Earlier today, locals in Bungil, Burrowye, Guys Forest, Koetong, Mount Alfred, Mount Alfred Gap and Thologolong were also urged to leave immediately.

Several emergency centres are open for community members seeking relief from the heat, including the Upper Murray Event Centre at the Corryong Football Oval and Tallangatta Memorial Hall.

The blaze has burnt through Mt Lawson State Park for days now, spreading across more than 1200 hectares of land.

It is now spotting ahead into the private land around the Burrowye area.

Residents north of the Burrowye Fire Station are told to go north on Guys Forest Road on the Murray River Road towards Corryong.

The Walwa fire continues to burn through Mt Lawson State Park.

Those south of the Burrowye Fire Station should go south on the Guys Forest Road towards Corryong.

Do not use Burrowye Road to go south to Koetong.

The Upper Murray Event Centre at the Corryong Football Oval is open for community members seeking relief from the heat.

Train services cancelled across the network

The fire danger in place in parts of Victoria tomorrow has seen the cancellation of V/Line services in the North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera districts.

All services on the Albury, Ararat, Bendigo, Echuca, Maryborough, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool train lines for tomorrow have been cancelled.

There will be no coach replacement services.

THE AGE NEWS March 4, 2024. Generic V/Line trains at Southern Cross Station. Photo by Paul Rovere

Coach services that pass through the affected fire districts, including the North Central, North Country and South West districts, will also not operate, even in areas not affected by fire.

All coach services for the Wimmera region that are scheduled to arrive and depart from Ararat and Ballarat stations, along with the Adelaide to Bendigo coach services, are also cancelled.

An extreme heat timetable will be in place across the network.

Passengers are advised to check the V/Line website for the latest travel information.

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Photographer reveals unseen photos of Jeffrey Epstein, 11 years after threats

An American photographer who was booked to capture Jeffrey Epstein for a story in 2015 has revealed how he received threats and intimidation to kill the piece.

Christopher Anderson has shared his experience and unseen images of the convicted sex offender from when he was assigned by New York Magazine to photograph him to accompany an article that was due to be published. 

"I didn't know much about him, other than the fact that he had heavy connections to powerful men," Anderson said in a social media post. 

READ MORE: 'I killed old mate': Prisoner admits killing sex offender in jail

An American photographer was booked to capture Jeffrey Epstein for a story in 2015, but he has only now revealed how he received threats and intimidation to kill the piece.

Anderson said Epstein wanted to meet before the photoshoot to negotiate buying the images after publication, as he did not want anyone to have them after they were published by the magazine.

He said a young woman with an Eastern European accent answered the door, who he later saw setting up a massage table in another room, followed by his private secretary, Lesley Groff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTLQwZ6jTLq/?hl=en&img_index=1

Anderson said Epstein offered him $US20,000, an arrangement which was greenlit by New York Magazine.

"It was all the money in the world to me at the time. I had a young family and lived basically month to month," he said.

"He wrote a personal check and handed it to me."

READ MORE: Eight people face double murder charges over alleged machete attack

An American photographer was booked to capture Jeffrey Epstein for a story in 2015, but he has only now revealed how he received threats and intimidation to kill the piece.

But their short-lived professional relationship took a turn several days later when the financier decided to pull out of the story.

Epstein called to demand the photos, Anderson said, but he refused to hand them over, saying they were not his until after publication.

"Then the threats started," he said.

READ MORE: ICE agents blocked doctor from helping shot Minneapolis woman

An American photographer was booked to capture Jeffrey Epstein for a story in 2015, but he has only now revealed how he received threats and intimidation to kill the piece.

Anderson claimed Epstein sent his bodyguard and driver Merwin, described as a "massive guy in a long black overcoat and black, leather gloves", to his studio to intimidate him.

He said it worked. 

"The magazine killed the story, too. So I cashed the check and Merwin came by again to collect the hard drive and make sure I didn't have any more copies of the photos," he said.

The photos were buried.

Until today, when Anderson found a copy on an old hard drive.

He has shared the six images on social media, which include framed photos of Richard Branson, Bill Clinton and Woody Allen, a black-and-white close-up and Epstein making a call at a desk behind a stuffed tiger.

READ MORE: 'Ripped of my identity': Bondi terror victim says name was changed in hospital

An American photographer was booked to capture Jeffrey Epstein for a story in 2015, but he has only now revealed how he received threats and intimidation to kill the piece.

One of the images contains a printed email on his desk of an exchange between Epstein and the UK royal government office concerning payment from a duke and duchess.

It is unclear which duke and duchess he is referring to.

However, former prince Andrew, who was the Duke of York, recently had his royal titles, duties and lodge stripped from him by his brother King Charles over renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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‘I’ve listened’: PM calls royal commission after Bondi Beach attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has buckled after weeks of intense pressure and called a Commonwealth royal commission after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

After reports began to emerge this afternoon he was considering the move, Albanese confirmed he will recommend the governor-general establish a national probe in a snap press conference this afternoon.

He said the inquiry would be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell and would examine antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia.

READ MORE: 'Ripped of my identity': Bondi terror victim says name was changed in hospital

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has buckled after weeks of intense pressure and opened a Commonwealth royal commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

"One of the reasons our nation is one of the oldest and strongest modern democracies in the world is because every Australian has the right to express their view, and as prime minister, I respect people's views, and I listen to them, I take the time to choose the right path, the course of action that will make a positive difference to our country," he said.

"I've repeatedly said that our government's priority is to promote unity and social cohesion, and this is what Australia needs to heal, to learn, to come together in a spirit of national unity and to go forward.

"It's clear to me that a royal commission is essential to achieving this."

The review into the effectiveness of federal agencies that is currently under way will be folded into the royal commission, but will still deliver an interim report as expected in April.

The planned NSW royal commission into the incident has been scrapped, following the announcement today.

The Commonwealth royal commission will cover four areas as set out in the terms of reference:

  1. Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism
  2. Making any recommendations to enforcement, border immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism, including through improvements to guidance and training within law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to respond to antisemitic conduct
  3. Examine the circumstances around the Bondi Beach terrorist attack aided by the Richardson review
  4. Make any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideological and religiously motivated extremism in Australia

Bell will be required to hand down her report before the first anniversary of the Bondi attack on December 14 this year. 

"This won't be a drawn-out process," Albanese said, after previously saying that royal commissions take years to hand down a report and only delay changes.

READ MORE: Bondi terror attack hero recounts his story in front of millions

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: General view of the memorial at Bondi Pavilion on December 21, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Life slowly returned to normal at Bondi Beach, with people from all walks of life still paying respects and tributes as raw grief and funerals gave way to quiet commemorations. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, i

Albanese had repeatedly knocked back calls from some of the families of the victims of the Bondi attack, members of his own party, the opposition and the Jewish community to open a federal royal commission, instead opting for more immediate action.

He is expected to recall parliament early sometime this month to introduce a range of reforms announced by the federal government, including a landmark gun buyback scheme, hate speech laws, a new offence targeting the radicalisation of children, and more powers for the home affairs minister to cancel or refuse visas if a person is suspected of promoting violence or hate or is associated with a terrorist organisation.

The prime minister fended off questions from reporters about his backflip today, reiterating that he has been working on a royal commission for weeks after listening to the calls and meeting with members of the Jewish community.

"I've engaged constructively regardless of some of the things that have been said. I haven't engaged in politics. I have been focused on outcomes. That's the first point," he said.

"The second is I've listened and, in a democracy, that's a good thing to listen to what people are saying."

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she would review the terms of reference, while criticising the appointment of only one royal commissioner and the delay in opening the national probe.

"Caving under pressure does not absolve this prime minister or his government of their failures," she said.

Albanese has assured that the royal commission would not prejudice the court process for the alleged lone surviving gunman, Naveed Akram, due to Bell's experience.

"I have confidence in the royal commission. It's one of the reasons why we chose someone who has a criminal law background, has been in senior positions in the Supreme Court and the High Court of Australia," he said.

"She's the most qualified person we could possibly consider."

Albanese will formally recommend Governor-General Sam Mostyn to establish the Commonwealth royal commission at an executive council meeting tomorrow. 

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Bondi terror attack hero recounts his story in front of millions

Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed al Ahmed has made another appearance in front of millions of American TV viewers, explaining what was running through his head as he tackled one of the alleged gunmen.

In a new interview on CNN, the 43-year-old said he wanted to protect people in danger and save as many lives as he could.

"I did it as I'm a human being," he said.

READ MORE: Bondi hero touches down in US for medical treatment

Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has spoken to CNN in the US.

"I get five shots, it's fine to save life. My blood for my country, Australia and for human beings around the whole world."

He appeared on US television with Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, the father-in-law of the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the attack.

The Syrian-born father was hailed a hero after vision of him wrestling and disarming the gunman went viral.

Ahmed, who was shot multiple times, is in the US receiving specialist treatment for his injuries.

The father-of-two was also the guest of honour at the annual Colel Chabad awards in New York.

READ MORE: Bondi terror attack victim Peter Meagher's brother sends out poignant message at funeral

Ahmed Al Ahmed told 9News he would risk his life to save others again.

Outside of the major Jewish gala, where he was honoured for his actions during the Bondi terror attack, Ahmed told 9News he would risk his life to save others again.

"I spilled my blood for Australia and humanity," he told 9News before the event.

"All human beings and I would do it anywhere in the world."

Earlier on the trip he joined leaders of New York's Jewish community, visiting the burial site of the late leader of the Chabad movement in New York.

Ahmed is now bound for Washington DC, where he hopes to meet the US President. 

Following the Bondi terror attack, Ahmed spent two weeks in St George Hospital in Sydney's south and underwent surgery for gunshot wounds.

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