Police are calling for more information.

The Australian government has thrown its support behind the United States' strike on ISIS terrorists in Nigeria.

President Donald Trump said that the US launched a "powerful and deadly" strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.

In a Christmas evening post on his social media site, Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

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https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/2004351717131903272

A Defence Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the US worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they had been approved by that country's government.

Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways "consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security".

Trump said the airstrikes were launched against Islamic State militants "who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians".

Residents and security analysts have said Nigeria's security crisis affects both Christians, predominant in the south, and Muslims, who are the majority in the north.

"Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria's values and to international peace and security," Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government supported the US-Nigerian cooperation on ISIS and the latest attack.

https://x.com/SenatorWong/status/2004385096791740739

"ISIS terrorises people around the world. Its extremist, violent ideology must be stopped," she said in a statement.

Smartraveller warns Australians to reconsider their overall need to travel to Nigeria due to the volatile security situation and the high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest.

The warning is elevated to"do not travel" in several parts of Nigeria, including Anambra, Borno, Delta, Niger and Kogi.

Nigeria is battling multiple armed groups, including at least two affiliated with the Islamic State — an offshoot of the Boko Haram extremist group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, and the less-known Lakurawa group prominent in the northwestern states like Sokoto where the gangs use large swathes of forests connecting states as hideouts.

Security analysts said the target of the US strikes could be the Lakurawa group, which in the last year has increasingly become lethal in the region, often targeting remote communities and security forces.

"Lakurawa is a group that is actually controlling territories in Nigeria, in Sokoto state and in other states like Kebbi," said Malik Samuel, a Nigerian security researcher at Good Governance Africa.

"In the northwest, there has been the incursion of violent extremist groups that are ideologically driven," he said, blaming the incursion on the near absence of the state and security forces in hot spots.

Nigeria's government has previously said in response to Trump's criticisms that people of many faiths, not just Christians, have suffered attacks at the hands of extremists groups.

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Trump ordered the Pentagon last month to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria to try and curb the so-called Christian persecution.

The State Department recently announced it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in killing Christians there.

And the US recently designated Nigeria a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Trump said the US defence officials had "executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing" and added that "our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper".

Nigeria's population of 220 million is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims.

The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough.

But attacks in Nigeria often have varying motives.

There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes.

The US security footprint has diminished in Africa, where military partnerships have either been scaled down or cancelled.

US forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any larger-scale military intervention in Nigeria.

Trump has nonetheless kept up the pressure as Nigeria faced a series of attacks on schools and churches in violence that experts and residents say targets both Christians and Muslims.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted yesterday night on X: "The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end."

Hegseth said US military forces are "always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas" and added, "More to come…Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation" before signing off, "Merry Christmas!"

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Pillans Rd Bike Track closure is on hold, as the council decides its fate.

All swim sites in the areas have been flagged by officials as unsafe to use.

Sailors battling it out in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race performed a special honour to the 15 people killed in the Bondi shooting.

All 129 yachts were set to scatter rose petals off the stern of their boats as they passed Bondi Beach south of Sydney Harbour.

One retired before the race started.

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The tribute was outlined during the Compulsory Race Briefing by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore, Sam Haynes, organisers said.

"The tribute that we mentioned for the tragic events in Bondi has been very well received by the Jewish community, but also internationally recognised worldwide, and obviously here in Australia," Haynes told the assembled fleet.

He said Mr Roses supplied petals for crews.

"For many competitors, the moment will provide a pause for reflection early in a race more commonly associated with speed, rivalry and endurance," organisers said.

"Just hours after the start, as spinnakers are hoisted and the fleet accelerates south, the scattering of petals will briefly shift attention away from tactics and weather to remembrance and solidarity."

It's the 80th year of the Boxing Day race, which sees crews battle it out over 628 nautical miles from Sydney in NSW to Hobart in Tasmania.

The race started just after 1pm.

Sailors have been placed on high alert, with officials warning of likely injuries during what is predicted to be a treacherous first night at sea.

Someone in Adelaide has ended their year $20 million richer and may not know it yet after hitting the jackpot in last night's Powerball draw.

The mystery ticketholder holds the only division one winning entry in last night's Christmas Day Powerball draw across Australia.

The lottery prize is the equal largest in South Australia this year.

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Officials from The Lott are still waiting for the ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward.

The winning entry was purchased at Colonnades Lotto Kiosk on Beach Road at the Noarlunga Centre.

The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said he hopes the winner comes forward and collects their winnings soon.

"Our elusive winner is likely oblivious to the fact they became a multi-millionaire on Christmas Day," he said.

"We're encouraging anyone who purchased a Powerball ticket from Colannades Lotto Kiosk to check their tickets today.

"Just imagine how exhilarating it would be to discover you won a prize of this magnitude on Christmas Day.

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"Your plans for the New Year and beyond could be upgraded instantly!

"Make sure you check your tickets, and if you discover you are holding the winning ticket, contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the prize claim process."

The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1545 were 7, 23, 29, 20, 11, 16 and 17.

The all-important Powerball number was 17.

The only division one winning entry in Powerball draw 1545 was the ticket from South Australia.

The Lott's division one winning tally has now reached 419 so far this year, including 36 won by South Australia Lotteries customers.

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Three kayakers and two paddle boarders have been rescued from waters across Victoria's coastline in three separate incidents on Christmas Day.

Police were first called to Corinella jetty, near French Island, off the Mornington Peninsula following reports three kayakers were in trouble about 2.10pm.

A mother and her two teenage daughters were trying to retrieve an adrift kayak when the current and strong winds swept them into Western Port Bay, police said.

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The women, who were all wearing life jackets, ended up in the water about a kilometre from the shoreline.

They were winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after police spotted them in the water.

Around 3pm crews were called to Lake King in Paynesville, East Gippsland to help another kayaker in trouble.

Witnesses said they saw a 41-year-old man struggling before his kayak rolled, hours earlier.

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The Air Wing spotted the Hoppers Crossing man and dropped a smoke marker highlighting his location, where he was picked up by the coast guard.

He was returned to shore unharmed.

On the other side of the state, police were called to a caravan park jetty in Port Arlington around 3pm, where a pair of paddleboarders had set out two hours earlier.

A family member called Triple-Zero after the 51-year-old woman and 17-year-old boy failed to return.

A search was launched with local police units, Air Wing, Life Saving Victoria and Queenscliff Coast Guards all trying to find them.

Air Wing officers spotted them lying on their boards and waving near Wyndham Harbour about 6.20pm, more than 10 kilometres from where they set off.

The pair were cold and exhausted but otherwise uninjured.

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NSW Police warned they will have "zero tolerance" for anyone threatening to protest ahead of a planned "bashing day" at the place where race-fuelled riots happened 20 years ago.

Alleged organiser Ryder Roy Shaw, 20, is facing court over a "violent call to action" for protesters to rally at Cronulla Beach, south of Sydney, after the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach.

Police say they are aware of tomorrow's plan and reminded the public that unauthorised gatherings are restricted under new state laws that were rushed through this week.

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Acting Assistant Commissioner Brendan Gorman said police will have no tolerance.

"Everyone in NSW deserves to be safe and feel safe," he said.

"Now is not the time for any behaviour that will cause division in our community."

Officers will be patrolling the beach to respond to anyone who incites violence or hatred, commits violent offences, or participates in anti-social behaviour, harassment or intimidation, he said.

"Action will be taken against anyone who engages in criminal activity that is motivated by hate," Gorman said.

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The new law allows Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon to make a declaration restricting unauthorised public gatherings for 14 days following a terrorism incident.

His declaration started on Wednesday and will remain in place until January 7.

Police can issue move-on directions and force people to remove face coverings.

Premier Chris Minns told reporters this week that anyone seeking to stir racial hatred, violence or division in the community would be met by police.

"There is zero tolerance for it right now," he said.

Anyone who is a victim or witness hate crime is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.

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