Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed has met with former Prime Minister and current Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd in the latest engagement on his trip to the US.

The 43-year-old joined Rudd and Rabbi Yehoram Ulman in a Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer in New York on Friday.

Schumer, a Senate minority leader and the first Jewish person to serve as majority leader during the Biden administration, praised al-Ahmed for his heroism during last month's terror attack at Bondi Beach.

LIVE UPDATES: Town in rubble amid search for missing man, woman and child

The Syrian-born father was widely praised after vision of him wrestling and disarming the gunman went viral.

"Thank you for your bravery," Schumer said.

"You've helped bring us together, not apart and that's so important."

Ahmed described the opportunity to meet Rudd as "a great honour" on social media.

READ MORE: Companies hiring thousands of Aussies plot a $300b behemoth

During the exchange, the two spoke about Ahmed's recovery and the moment he wrestled the gunman.

"The best country in the world, I'm an Aussie and I put my blood to my country," Ahmed told Rudd.

Rudd told Ahmed he did an "extraordinary thing" and Australia loves him for it.

"Your image went out across the world," Rudd said.

"We love you, you're a good bloke."

Ahmed touched down in the US earlier this week for medical treatment.

He has since attended a major Jewish gala in New York and visited the burial site of the late leader of the Chabad movement with leaders of the city's Jewish community.

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As temperatures continue to soar with heatwave warnings issued over a broad part of the nation, some areas are set to face their hottest day in over half a decade.

Temperatures are set to rise past 40 degrees over more than 3500 kilometres of Australia, extending from Victoria's south to Western Australia's Pilbara district, Weatherzone said.

Although the weather is standard for Australia's north west during this time of year, parts of the south east are on pace to experience their hottest day since the Black Summer bushfires today.

READ MORE: Fresh evacuation orders for dozens of towns ahead of 'catastrophic' fire conditions

Melbourne is expected to hit 43 degrees this afternoon, which would be the city's hottest day in over five years. 

The intense heat will continue with Mildura in Victoria's north west forecast to reach 45 degrees, and Renmark in South Australia slated to hit a scorching 46 degrees.

The extreme weather is set to pose a risk to health and infrastructure across the nation's southeast as people are being urged to take necessary safety measures, as the heat is set to continue throughout the weekend.

The intense, dry, and windy conditions have resulted in catastrophic fire warnings in Victoria's Wimmera, North Central, Northern Country and South West districts.

READ MORE: Health officials urge NSW residents to prepare for weekend heatwave

Extreme fire danger is also forecast in other parts of Victoria, as well as in parts of New South Wales, south and large parts of South Australia. 

Winds may also result in thunderstorms that are likely to produce little to no rain across parts of Victoria on Friday, causing a potential fire risk as they pass through.

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A federal immigration operation in Minneapolis turned deadly this week when a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good during a confrontation involving her vehicle.

Mobile phone video captured the shooting, which federal officials claimed was an act of self-defence but that the city’s mayor described as “reckless” and unnecessary.

Video shows an ICE officer approaching Good’s SUV stopped in the road as the vehicle begins to move forward.

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

Another ICE officer standing in front of it draws his gun and fires at close range as he jumps out of the way.

Here's what to know about US regulations on using deadly force in these situations.

When can officers fire at a moving vehicle?

There is no universal training standard for US law enforcement.

But most police departments and federal guidance bar shooting at a moving vehicle unless the driver poses an imminent threat of deadly force beyond the car itself.

Why are shootings at vehicles restricted?

Experts say firing at a moving car is one of the riskiest forms of lethal force, increasing the chance of stray gunfire or a loss of vehicle control that can endanger bystanders.

Are officers expected to move out of the way?

Yes. Justice Department policy says deadly force is allowed only when no reasonable alternative exists, including stepping out of the vehicle’s path.

READ MORE: Telling royal email printed on Jeffrey Epstein's desk in new unseen photos

Can officers use deadly force just to stop or arrest someone?

No. Policies generally state officers cannot use deadly force solely to arrest someone or to disable a fleeing vehicle if the person does not pose an immediate threat.

Do federal immigration agents follow different rules?

Not fundamentally.

ICE and other federal officers operate under similar Justice Department guidance limiting gunfire at vehicles, although federal agents have added legal protections when acting within their official duties.

What is ICE's policy?

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, allows deadly force only when an officer reasonably believes someone poses an imminent threat of death or serious injury.

Who investigates these shootings?

Federal agencies conduct internal reviews, and state and local authorities may also pursue criminal investigations.

Federal agents are not immune from prosecution if they act outside their authority.

The FBI is leading the investigation into the Minneapolis shooting.

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.

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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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

"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."

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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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

"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

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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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.

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

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

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.

"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.

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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Department of Conservation staff and Project Jonah NZ members are on the scene.

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

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

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

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

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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