Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox

Get our free Inside Washington email

Get our free Inside Washington email

White House staff updated the so-called “Presidential Walk of Fame” Wednesday by adding lengthy descriptions of each former president, in rhetoric that aligns with President Donald Trump’s – such as calling former President Joe Biden “the worst President in American History.”

As part of the president’s ongoing effort to customize the White House to his liking, Trump set his well-known opinions of each former president in stone by adding plaques underneath the portraits that now hang along the colonnade.

But rather than neutrally describing each president, Trump chose to invoke more color – claiming former President Barack Obama is “one of the most divisive political figures” and asserting former President Ronald Reagan “was a fan.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind. As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.”

“Sleepy Joe was, by far, the worst President in American History,” the plaque underneath Biden’s portrait, which is an autopen as opposed to his official portrait, reads. “Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States.”

open image in gallery

The plaque underneath a photo of an autopen brands Biden ‘by far, the worst President in American History’ (AP)

As part of Obama’s description, the White House wrote: “As President, he passed the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act, resulting in his party losing control of both Houses of Congress, and the Election of the largest House Republican majority since 1946.”

For former President Bill Clinton, the White House attributed his legislative successes to “Republicans in Congress,” and boasted that Trump terminated the North American Free Trade Agreement, the trade deal struck under Clinton. The White House also included a line about how Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election in Bill Clinton’s description.

However, some former presidents, more aligned with Trump on policies, such as Reagan, receive more of a doting description.

For Reagan, the White House wrote: “Known as ‘The Great Communicator,’ he was re-elected in a landslide in 1984, and left office with high approval… He was a fan of President Donald J. Trump long before President Trump’s Historic run for the White House. Likewise, President Trump was a fan of his!”

open image in gallery

The White House’s description of Reagan claims the former president ‘was a fan of President Donald J. Trump before President Trump’s Historic run for the White House’ (AP)

Under former President Richard Nixon, the description claims Nixon had “one of the greatest political comebacks in American History” and “won the largest popular vote victory in American History.”

The White House seemingly gave props to former President Gerald Ford in his description for issuing a “brave Pardon to Richard Nixon.”

The new plaques are part of the White House’s “Wall of Fame” – a once-blank wall outside the West Wing that now hangs portraits of every president in order of office. The only one exempt is Biden, whose portrait was replaced with a photo of the autopen – a reference to the claims by Republicans that Biden staffers utilized the device in the former president’s place.

open image in gallery

On the ‘Presidential Wall of Fame,’ the White House offered praise of Nixon and called Ford’s pardon ‘brave’ (AP)

Since returning to the White House in January, the Trump administration has used its prominence to “troll” the opponents of Trump through social media, speeches and other means.

The new “Wall of Fame” plaques appear to be the latest format for the administration to lash out at specific former presidents or policies that do not align with the current president.

open image in gallery

The White House included a line about Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, losing the 2016 presidential election to Trump in former President Bill Clinton’s description (AP)

Under former President George W. Bush, the White House included lines such as: “President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security, but started wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which should not have happened;” and “Shortly before the end of his Administration, a Global Financial Crisis and major Recession took place.”

But to describe former President George H. W. Bush, the White House only included his accomplishments.

open image in gallery

White House ‘Wall of Fame’ plaques for former Presidents George H. W. Bush (left) and George W. Bush (right) contain different representations of the father and son as leaders (AP)

Former President John F. Kennedy’s plaque acknowledges the “failed Bay of Pigs Invasion,” and former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s says “discontent over the Vietnam War led to National unrest and greatly damaged his Presidency.”

To describe Former President Jimmy Carter, the White House listed mostly negative events such as the Iran hostage crisis, inflation, the spread of Communism, the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan and more. But the description ends by acknowledging Carter did “wonderful things for Humanity” after leaving office.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, no stranger to mocking Trump online, slammed the stunt.

“Inflation is up. Unemployment is up. Grocery prices are up. Electricity costs are up. And Donald Trump is spending his time doing this bull***t,” he wrote on X.

Retired US Army General Barry R McCaffrey also took to X to share his disbelief.

“Appalling. Embarrassing. Juvenile. Something very wrong here,” he wrote on X.

SOURCE PAGE

Nice pajamas are wildly underrated in my book. We spend basically a third of our lives in them after all, which means they should feel and look good. The best pairs I own have a relaxed, breathable fit with soft material that doesn’t bunch up when I toss and turn during the night. They’re the quiet MVP of my bedtime routine that makes climbing into bed feel even more enticing. 

Gwyneth Paltrow gets it. On Instagram, she showed off her $252 navy jaguar-print pajama set by Desmond & Dempsey while cooking breakfast. Her exact pair is on sale at both Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s but practically sold out in every size. The good news? We were still able to track down her exact pair on sale with plentiful stock, as well as several under-$50 styles inspired by Paltrow that have a similarly polished, expensive look and feel.

Gwyneth Paltrow-Inspired Luxe Pajama Sets

Desmond and Dempsey Jag Navy Long Pyjama Set, $202 at checkout

Desmond & Dempsey

Paltrow’s exact pjs have a tailored look with a relaxed fit. They’re 100 percent organic cotton with a notched collar and button-down front. The pants have deep pockets for stashing your phone or lip balm. And, as proven by Paltrow, they’ll make you look pulled together, even when you’re flipping omelets in the kitchen.

Brosloth Satin Pajama Set

Amazon

This similar pajama set is silky-soft and has a relaxed drape that feels cool and breathable. The V-neck button-down comes with elastic-waist bottoms for extra comfort. A shopper raved that the set “feels luxurious” and “looks expensive,” while another called them “very luxurious for a low price.”

Sheshow Cheetah Navy Satin Pajamas

Amazon

This classic set of cheetah print pajamas was described by a reviewer as looking and feeling “way more expensive than they are.” They added that the silky feel of the set is “super comfortable” and they “fit perfectly.”

Thankfully, you don’t need a Goop-level budget to channel the Oscar winner’s luxe pajama style. Keep scrolling for more rich-looking sets that feel splurge-y but ring in under $50.

Ekouaer Striped Satin Pajama Set

Amazon

Nordstrom Classic Cotton Pajamas

Nordstrom

Nordstrom Rack Tranquility Pajama Set

Nordstrom Rack

Escalier 3-Piece Silky Floral Pajama Set, $31 with coupon

Amazon

Auden Cozy Ribbed Notch-Collar Pajama Set

Target

SOURCE PAGE

By NICHOLAS COMINO, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 19:50 EST, 17 December 2025 | Updated: 20:27 EST, 17 December 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled major reforms to combat hate speech, division and radicalisation following the Bondi Beach terror attack. 

Speaking from Canberra on Thursday, Albanese announced that the National Security Committee has approved five sweeping changes to address hate-driven violence in Australia.

The measures include a new aggravated hate speech offence targeting preachers and community leaders who incite violence, as well as tougher penalties for hate speech that actively encourages violent acts. 

Hate will also become an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment, ensuring offenders face stiffer consequences.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will lead the push for stronger federal hate crime laws, including the creation of a new vilification offence, a longstanding demand from Australia’s Jewish community.

As part of the reforms, Burke will be granted expanded powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals spreading anti-Jewish hate, while a new system will be introduced to formally list and target extremist groups, such as Islamist organisation Hizb-ut Tahrir.

UNSW chancellor David Gonski has been appointed to a 12-month taskforce alongside anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal to address rising anti-Semitism across Australian universities.

Australians are ‘shocked and angry,’ Albanese said.

New laws to crackdown on hate preachers and antisemitism were announced on Thursday

‘I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge. Much more.’

Among the new laws, aggravated hate speech offences will be aimed at religious and community leaders who promote violence. 

Penalties for hate speech that encourages violence will be sharply increased, sending a firm message that incitement will no longer be tolerated.

Courts will now treat hate as an aggravating factor when sentencing for crimes related to online threats and harassment, leading to stricter punishments.

A formal framework will be established for publicly listing organisations whose leaders incite racial hatred or violence, effectively naming and shaming extremist groups. 

In addition, a narrowly defined federal offence for serious racial vilification or advocating racial supremacy will be introduced to close current legal gaps.

Burke will also be given more powers to cancel and reject visas for those advocating hatred. 

Burke said he would prioritise tackling hate preachers who spread extremist Islamic views.

Krissy Barrett (pictured) said officers are investigating hate preachers promoting violence

‘We have seen vision of hate preachers and we are shocked that it is happening in Australia,’ he said.

‘It is not representative of what people are expecting and are not representative of the Muslim community.’

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett revealed officers are already investigating leaders promoting violence.

‘The AFP has ongoing investigations into people who have been described as hate preachers,’ she said.

‘These individuals who spew hatred and cause fear are on my radar, and I have had the counter-terrorism and special investigations command reviewing information and other material in relation to these individuals since I became the commissioner.’

Albanese hit back at criticism that his government failed to protect Jewish Australians after the October 7 terror attack in Israel. 

‘There is always more that can be done, always,’ he said. ‘It’s clear there’s more to do, and beyond these announcements, we will do even more.’ 

Albanese stopped short of confirming whether Parliament will be recalled before its scheduled February sitting to fast-track the new laws. 

Share or comment on this article:
Anthony Albanese’s huge announcement to change Australia forever after Bondi Beach attack

SOURCE PAGE

Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, is accused of killing two schoolgirls with poisoned chocolate-covered raspberries in Colombia – and was rescued from the River Thames after fleeing her home country

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Gerard Couzens News Correspondent

00:09, 18 Dec 2025

Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, is accused of poisoning two schoolgirls in Colombia

A businesswoman accused of killing two schoolgirls in Colombia with poisoned raspberries has been found hiding in London after her Buxton water bottle gave her location away.

Zulma Guzman Castro was rescued from the River Thames near Battersea Bridge early on Tuesday morning after being named in her homeland as the alleged killer of Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero.

An Interpol Red Notice had been issued for the 54-year-old after she was linked to the delivery of the dessert, which was laced with heavy metal thallium. Castro is expected to face extradition proceedings when she is deemed fit to travel.

An Interpol Red Notice was issued for the 54-year-old’s arrest(Image: Interpol)

Ms Guzman Castro was accused of killing the schoolgirls in a likely “act of vengeance” after an affair with Ines’ dad Juan de Bedout. She denies any involvement in her deaths – but over the weekend she raised suspicions in her homeland she might be in the Britain by constantly drinking from a bottle of Buxton mineral water during an exclusive interview with Colombian news outlet Focus Noticias.

Newspaper El Tiempo was one of the first to pick up on the fact that the water bottle could offer a clue to her current whereabouts, and a source said: “The bottle of water she drank from was Buxton Natural Mineral Water, a reputed product which is mainly commercialised in the UK, although it can be purchased online.”

“The size of the bottle she was drinking are sold in street shops, which would indicate Guzman is in an apartment or house and not in a hotel.”

Investigators are said to have followed this up, ruling out the earlier line of enquiry which suggested she was in Argentia, where she initially fled. The businesswoman, who founded a car-sharing firm called Car-B, admitted to having an affair with the girls’ dather Juan de Bedout in her Focus Noticias interview, as well as confessing she had put a GPS tracker on his car.

A picture of Castro standing in front of a car(Image: Youtube/Autos Rodando)

She said: “Regrettably I was his lover for many years, more than six. The relationship with him was basically clandestine and we would see each other in my house or elsewhere in Bogota. Our relationship ended at the beginning of 2020.”

Confirming she had tried to track his movements, she added: “I committed an error many years ago. Precisely when I was in a relationship with Juan, out of jealousy and because I was entangled in all the lies, he challenged me, saying that I wasn’t capable of knowing where he was hiding.

“I told him that I was capable, and that’s when I looked for a way to put the GPS in the car.”

Denying any involvement in the schoolgirls’ poisoning, she said: “I am a mother, and that must be unbearable pain, and I understand that for that reason they want to find the culprit and use all possible means to do so, but I am not that culprit.”

“The strategy is clearly to completely destroy me before any legal proceedings, to destroy my image and give a version that would destroy me without any trial, without any guarantee of a fair trial at this time.”

Colombian authorities have made a request to the UK for her capture and it is understood a warrant was issued by Westminster Magistrates Court for her arrest earlier this week.

She was rushed to hospital yesterday after being rescued from the Thames near London Bridge, with rescuers said to have lit up the river with searchlights before locating her.

A Met Police spokesman said of yesterday morning’s rescue: “Police were called at 06:45hrs on Tuesday, 16 December to reports of a woman in distress on Battersea Bridge.

“The Met’s Marine Policing Unit recovered a woman in her 50s from the water at 07.14hrs and she was taken to hospital, where her injuries have since been deemed not life-threatening or life-changing.”

SOURCE PAGE

EU leaders will meet in Brussels today to try to agree the release of €210bn (£184bn) to help fund Ukraine’s war with Russia.

The money, which comes from Russian assets frozen after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is mostly held in the Belgian-headquartered clearing house, Euroclear.

The money is seen as vital to Ukraine’s ability to keep fighting, because the country faces bankruptcy in early 2026 if it doesn’t receive more international assistance. That means Kyiv would no longer be able to pay soldiers, police and civil servants or buy weapons to defend itself.

Latest updates on Ukraine war

Image:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Pic: Reuters

Last night, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to brief the EU leaders today, wrote on X: “The result Europe produces – must make Russia feel that its desire to continue the war next year is pointless, because Ukraine will have support. This rests entirely with Europe.”

The Belgian government has so far prevented the move amid fears it will expose the small country to Russian legal action in the future.

The EU is racing to find solutions to Belgium‘s concerns, including passing an emergency bill that secures the sanctions against Russia indefinitely, superseding the need to renew them every six months and thereby insulating it from veto votes from Russian-leaning EU member states like Hungary and Slovakia.

Belgium also wants guarantees that all EU members will share any financial cost of Russian action against it.

Share

Starmer tells Abramovich to pay £2.5bn

Why the push to use Russian assets?

The US, which has so far given billions of dollars to Kyiv, is losing interest under Donald Trump and can no longer be relied upon for financial support.

Previously, the EU had been giving the interest generated from the frozen assets to Ukraine, but was worried it might destabilise the Eurozone economy if it touched the assets itself.

That has changed, however, as Ukraine’s need has become more acute and fears over Russia’s wider imperialist ambitions have grown in recent months.

This unlocking of seized Russian assets is also being seen as a way to buy Brussels more leverage in peace negotiations, as well as reducing Kyiv’s dependency on Washington.

Read more:
South Africans fighting for Russia
Russia trying to ‘bully’ UK and allies

Image:
Friedrich Merz. Pic: Reuters

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has been leading the campaign to release the funds, warned that “Europe would be severely damaged for years” if they fail to pass the vote and “this step is not about prolonging the war but about bringing the war to an end as soon as possible”.

In short, the consequences of using the frozen assets are now considered less risky than the consequences of not taking this action.

What’s at stake?

Trump wanted the money to be invested in two US investment funds, something the EU rejects. The US president has recently been scathing of European leaders, and the EU sees Thursday’s meeting as an opportunity to show its strength and unity.

In theory, the EU could pass the policy by majority vote, thereby sidelining the Belgian government, but officials are reluctant to go down this path for fear of alienating Belgium and causing a diplomatic rift in the alliance.

Much is riding on the meeting. If the EU fails to pass the vote, its credibility will take a severe blow. It will likely become even more irrelevant in peace talks, and Vladimir Putin might look to take advantage of a divided Europe.

SOURCE PAGE

blinking-dotLive updatesLive updates,

Trump is also set to preview his 2026 priorities during Oval Office ‘address to the nation’.

Published On 17 Dec 202517 Dec 2025

Click here to share on social media

share2

Share

SOURCE PAGE

Nardine Saad,Los Angeles and

Regan Morris,Los Angeles

Watch: “Quite an occasion” – BBC reports from Nick Reiner’s first court appearance

Children of slain Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner are speaking out for the first time after their deaths and the arrest of their brother, Nick.

Jake and Romy Reiner said in a statement on Wednesday that they are experiencing “unimaginable pain” after the “horrific and devastating loss”. They did not directly address the allegations against their brother.

Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday and waived his right to enter a plea to two charges of first-degree murder.

The couple were found dead on Sunday in their Los Angeles home. The county’s medical examiner on Wednesday said they died in a homicide by multiple sharp force injuries.

Nick Reiner was taken into custody Sunday night and charged with murder on Tuesday.

“The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience,” Romy and Jake Reiner said in a statement provided to CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner. “They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

“We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life,” they added.

The siblings also asked for privacy “and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave”.

Family representatives did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Reuters

At the hearing in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, prosecutors and Mr Reiner’s defence team agreed to delay his arraignment until 7 January, when he will once again have the opportunity to enter a plea.

As he appeared in court, Mr Reiner said only “yes, your honour” when asked by Judge Theresa McGonigle if he understood that he has the right to a speedy trial.

The judge earlier ordered the assembled media – who gathered outside the courthouse hours prior to the hearing – not to film the defendant, who was wearing a jail suicide-prevention smock.

Media inside the courtroom could not see Mr Reiner during the brief hearing because he was sitting in a corner out of sight, but glimpses afterward revealed his face was blank, and his arms bare and shackled.

He was initially slated to make a court appearance on Tuesday but had not been medically cleared to do so, his lawyer and prosecutors said.

His lawyer, Alan Jackson, told reporters outside court that there were “complex and serious issues” in the case that needed to be worked through in the coming weeks.

“We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward,” Mr Jackson told reporters.

“Not with a rush to judgement, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity, and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves,” he said.

The delay in Mr Reiner entering a plea could be designed to allow time for a psychiatric evaluation, one criminal defence lawyer told the BBC after the hearing.

“The psychiatric evaluation is generally done before arraignment to see if he is even fit to stand trial,” Seth Zuckerman said.

Getty Images

Nick Reiner (right) is accused of killing his parents

Until the next hearing on 7 January, Mr Reiner will remain in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.

If he pleads not guilty, he could be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors have said no decision has been made yet about whether the death penalty will be pursued.

Rob Reiner directed a handful of iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city,” LA Police Department chief Jim McDonnell said.

With additional reporting from Sakshi Venkatraman

SOURCE PAGE

NEED TO KNOW

• Lisa Rinna opened up about the relationship between her daughters, Amelia Gray and Delilah Belle Hamlin, on the Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang podcast
• The Bravo alum said that the siblings, who are three years apart in age, experienced an “uncomfortable” period in their relationship
• “Those girls can fight,” Rinna explained of her children, whom she shares with Harry Hamlin

Lisa Rinna is sharing insight on her family’s dynamic.

Appearing on the Dec. 17 podcast episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the former Bravo star, 62, looked back on the ups and downs in her daughters Amelia Gray and Delilah Belle Hamlin’s relationship.

When asked by co-host Matt Rogers if the siblings — who are both models and are three years apart in age — remain close, Rinna said they are now, but they “weren’t for a minute.”

Delilah Bell, Amelia Gray and Lisa Rinna at a Frame event on Nov. 18, 2025.

Presley Ann/Getty 

“Those girls can fight,” said the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum. “Girls can love and then hate each other. We went through a couple of years and woo, very uncomfortable, but now they’re very close.”

Rinna added that now, Amelia, 24, and Delilah, 27, are “super supportive of each other in this business that they’re both in.”

A rep for Amelia and Delilah did not return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Reflecting on how she and husband Harry Hamlin raised their children, Rinna said that “whatever we did, because we really don’t know what we did, we turned out some kind human beings.”

That being said, the Hamlins have been nothing but a united front recently. Over the years, the duo have shown that there’s nothing but love with their joint red carpet appearances. From attending Fashion Week to premieres together, the sisters have shown that they’re a fashionable force to be reckoned with.

Amelia Gray, Lisa Rinna and Delilah Belle at the 2024 Daily Front Row Fashion Awards.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Elsewhere in the interview, Rinna talked about how “challenging” the beginnings of her relationship with Hamlin, 74, was and how they continue to work on their marriage 28 years after tying the knot.

“He’s always been hot and that’s always helpful. When you have two people that are attracted physically, it’s helpful because down the line, you start to devalue people. That’s what happens in a relationship. So we’re very cognizant of that, like if that starts to feel like it’s happening,” she said.

“We’ll go to therapy, we work on it because it’s not easy,” she continued, adding that at the moment she and Hamlin are attending sessions. “We both were like, ‘Let’s do it right now. We’ve grown in separate directions doing a lot of things, we need to come back together, and we’re not afraid to do that.”

SOURCE PAGE

Heartbreaking footage has emerged of the final moments of a 10-year-old girl and a prominent rabbi celebrating Hanukkah before they were killed at Bondi Beach. 

British-born Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, and Matilda were among the 15 innocent people killed in the deadly attack in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Sunday. 

The attack at Sydney’s most iconic tourist destination unfolded as hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event just before 7pm. 

Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid stood on a pedestrian footbridge and allegedly opened fire with military-grade weapons into the crowds of families, locals and beachgoers. 

Matilda, who was the youngest victim, was enjoying face painting and a petting zoo at the festival with her parents and younger sister. 

At the event, rabbi Schlanger was performing the Jewish rite of tefillin for many of the men in attendance. 

Laying tefillin is a Jewish ritual typically reserved for adult males, which involves wrapping two small black leather boxes, containing Torah scrolls, around the arm and the head. 

In a video shared to social media, rabbi Schlanger can be seen performing the ritual on Matilda’s dad as the little girl watched on in the moments before they were killed. 

In a video shared to social media, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, performed the Jewish ritual of tefillin on Matilda’s dad as the little girl watched on in the moments before they were killed

The footage showed rabbi Schlanger wrapping the tefillin around the dad’s arm and then his head, while Matilda watched on and danced in her yellow dress.  

‘On that day you told me “Don’t let anyone do tefillin for you, wait for me”, thank you my friend. R.I.P Eli,’ the video caption read. 

Social media users flooded the comments sharing touching tributes for Matilda and rabbi Schlanger. 

‘My heart feels so heavy watching this. A little girl, just 10 years old, and another life they had no idea that in a single moment, everything could change. Life is so unpredictable and fragile. Truly heartbreaking,’ one person wrote. 

‘Oh my dear god. This is so sad and heartbreaking to watch knowing what was about to unfold,’ a second person commented. 

‘Shattered by the loss of these beautiful souls,’ a third person chimed. 

A fourth added: ‘Eli and Matilda will be dancing in the sky. Sorry our country failed you. Sorry for the loss of your daughter and friend. 

‘Our hearts break with you. Our country should have been a safe haven for you all’. 

Matilda, who was the youngest victim, was enjoying the Hanukkah celebration with her parents and her little sister

The little girl enjoyed face painting and a petting zoo at the event in the moments before she was killed

Matilda will be farewelled at Chevra Kadisha in Wollahra at midday on Thursday, followed by a burial at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.  

‘Family, friends, and community members are welcome to join us as we come together to honour and remember Matilda Bee, and to support one another during this difficult time,’ Chabad of Bondi posted.

‘Please allow extra time to arrive and follow all directions from police, security, and event staff.’

A second memorial will be held at Matilda’s school in La Perouse on Friday.

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, and Tibor Weitzen, 78, will also be farewelled on Thursday. 

Matilda’s parents broke down while addressing a large crowd at a memorial in Bondi on Tuesday night.

‘Her name was Matilda because she was our first Australian,’ her father Michael said.

‘We came here from Ukraine … and I thought that Matilda is the most Australian name that can ever exist. So just remember the name, remember her.’

Matilda’s parents broke down while addressing a large crowd at the memorial outside the Bondi Pavilion

Pictured, Matilda’s grandparents grieved at the floral memorial

Flowers, toys, touching tributes and a portrait of Matilda were laid at the memorial in her honour 

Her grief-stricken grandparents and family members attended the memorial site, laying flowers and a portrait of Matilda on the ever-growing pile of tributes. 

Rabbi Schlanger was farewelled at a packed funeral service at Chabad synagogue in Bondi on Wednesday. 

The father-of-five died shielding his family when the two men opened fire into the crowd. 

His wife, Chaya, was grazed by a bullet and released from hospital on Monday, while their two-month-old baby was struck in the leg by shrapnel during the terror attack. 

As of Thursday, their baby remains at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick in a stable condition.  

Before the service on Wednesday morning, police cordoned off Wellington Street, lining the route as mourners filled the packed Chabad synagogue in Bondi, with many forced to wait outside.

Chief Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Rabbi Schlanger’s father-in-law, was overcome with grief and sobbed uncontrollably as his casket was lifted from the hearse.

Mourners were seen embracing outside – one had an Australian flag around her shoulders, while another broke down in tears and blamed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong for the massacre.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, died shielding his wife and their five children during the terror attack

Rabbi Schlanger’s wife was grazed by a bullet and released from hospital on Monday, while their two-month-old baby was struck in the leg by shrapnel during the terror attack (pictured, rabbi Schlanger with his family)

Mourners can be seen crying over Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s casket before the funeral

Chief Rabbi Yehoram Ulman broke down in tears as the coffin of his son-in-law arrived at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue

Rabbi Ulman gave a heartbreaking eulogy to the packed synagogue, becoming overwhelmed with emotion at several times throughout.

The service began with the rabbi saying: ‘We are crying in unbearable pain… in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack perpetrated in our city… we mourn the loss of every precious life.’

He added: ‘When those animals who look like humans try to destroy us, they try to make us dormant.

‘They want us to never go to Bondi Beach again because this is what’s happened, but that’s not the answer.

‘Eli lived and breathed this idea – we can never allow them to not only not succeed, but every time they try something, we become greater and stronger.’

He pledged to continue celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, which has been a regular event for 31 years, with Rabbi Schlanger involved for the last 18 years. 

Alleged gunman Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offences at his hospital bedside on Wednesday.

They include 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.

Alleged gunman Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offences at his hospital bedside including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder

Akram was also charged with one count of committing a terrorist act, one count of discharging a firearm in public, one count of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol, one count of placing an explosive in or near a building, with intent to cause harm.

He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief bedside court hearing and the case was adjourned until April.

His 50-year-old father, Sajid, died at the scene after being shot by police.  

Thirteen of the 15 victims have now been identified. 

Other victims included Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, French national Dan Elkayam, 27, Wellington Street synagogue assistant Reuven Morrison, Slovak citizen Marika Pogany, 82, retired NSW Police detective sergeant Peter Meagher, 61, Edith Brutman, Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, and Soviet immigrant Boris Tetleroyd.

SOURCE PAGE

In a letter to be opened in case of his death, Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, who died in Ukraine, said he was ‘doing what he believed in’ for his ‘country, democracy and freedom in this world’

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter

23:20, 17 Dec 2025

Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, died in a ‘tragic accident’ in Ukraine (Image: MOD / SWNS)

A British paratrooper killed serving in Ukraine said he ‘went out doing what I trained to do’ in a heartbreaking letter he wrote in case of his death.

Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in west Oxfordshire in an emotional ceremony on Wednesday after he died in what the Ministry of Defence called a “tragic accident” last week. He had been helping Ukrainian forces test “a new defensive capability” away from the front lines.

An extract from a letter written by L/Cpl Hooley to be opened in the event of his death said “don’t remember me with sadness and loss” because he died “doing what I believed in”. The letter, shared at the request of his family, said: “If you are reading this, it means I didn’t make it home.

Lance Corporal was repatriated at RAF Brize Norton (Image: PA)

“Please don’t let that be the thing that breaks you. You know I was doing what I believed in as well as loved, with people I respected, and for reasons that matter to me, my country and democracy and freedom in this world. “I was proud of what I was doing. Don’t remember me with sadness and loss. Be proud. I went out doing what I trained to do, what I chose to do, and I had all of you in my heart the whole way.”

Content cannot be displayed without consent

A private, family-only ceremony was held at Brize Norton before L/Cpl Hooley’s body was carried past Carterton Repatriation Memorial Garden. People paid their respects along the route, some in tears, and members of the armed forces and police also turned out to honour the soldier.

A picture of crowds lining the streets as the funeral car goes past(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

Mourners gathered at the garden, designed by the Oxfordshire community as a space for people to honour fallen military personnel. Lance Corporal Hooley, who was due to be promoted to corporal rank next month, was killed as he observed Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.

He was due to be promoted to corporal rank next month(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

The Parachute Regiment soldier, who had previously been deployed to Afghanistan, Africa and eastern Europe, was described by senior officers as “the glue” and “the laughter within his team”, and someone who had “a deep kindness and genuine time for everyone”.

The government has previously acknowledged that a “small number” of military personnel are in the country, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces. The presence of paratroopers in Ukraine had not previously been disclosed by the Government until L/Cpl Hooley’s death.

SOURCE PAGE