Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday promised to introduce measures aimed at banishing what he called “the evil scourge” of antisemitism from his country.

The pledge comes after Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Jewish festival at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.

The attack on the celebration for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah killed 15 people, with one of the father-son gunmen also shot dead.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a funeral in Sydney for a 10-year-old girl who was gunned down in the Bondi Beach attackImage: Saeed Khan/AFP

Albanese’s remarks come as his government faces renewed allegations of having done too little to combat antisemitism in the past years.

Australia has seen a marked rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel and the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip. 

What measures has Albanese proposed?

Speaking to reporters, Albanese said: “Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge.”

He conceded that “more could have always been done” to prevent such attacks.

Albanese announced “a package of legislative reforms to crack down on those who spread hate, division, and radicalization.” 

Among the measures he mentioned were:

• Introducing new powers to target extremist preachers
• Refusing or canceling visas for people who promulgate hate speech
• Making ‘serious vilification’ based on race a federal offense
• Development of a regime for listing organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech 

In the wake of the attack, Australian leaders have already agreed to tighten gun laws that allowed one of the two attackers to own six guns.

Although the country drastically reformed its gun laws after a 1996 deadly shooting in the state of Tasmania, there has been a steady rise in the number of privately owned firearms since then.     

Over 2 million Australian dollars raised for Bondi Beach hero

Al-Ahmed has been praised as a hero after tackling one of the gunmen, saving livesImage: Australian Prime Minister Office/AP Photo/picture alliance

Meanwhile, a crowdfunding campaign for Ahmed al-Ahmed, a bystander who tackled one of the gunmen and wrested his weapon from him, has raised more than 2.3 million Australian dollars ($1.5 million/€1.3 million) in donations.

The Syrian-born Al-Ahmed was hospitalized with several injuries that needed surgery after his courageous actions, which were captured in a video that has been viewed millions of times around the world.

He is expected to face a long road to recovery from his injuries, which he is believed to have sustained when the other gunman fired on him.

As a legal resident of Australia, he will not have to pay large medical bills under the country’s universal health care system.

Edited by: Farah Bahgat

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The families of seven victims of Sunday’s fatal Bondi Beach shooting released heartbreaking statements about their loved ones on Thursday, expressing profound grief and sharing touching memories.

The deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left at least 15 dead. Authorities have identified the assailants as a father-son duo, and believe the attack was inspired by ISIS.

The father was killed on the scene, while the son was shot by police and taken for medical care. He has been slapped with dozens of charges, including 15 counts of murder.

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors, who was killed in the Bondi Beach attack on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)

POGANY FAMILY

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors.

“Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives,” her family wrote. “Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world.”

Pogany came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son and brother, her family said, and she became a “proud” Australian citizen in 1972.

‘WE WARNED THEM’ JEWISH LEADER SAYS AFTER BONDI BEACH TERROR ATTACK THAT KILLS 15

“She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people,” her family stated. “Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.

“Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.”

Pogany’s family added, “Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.”

Adam Smyth, 50, father of four children, was killed during the attack at Bondi Beach.

SMYTH FAMILY

Adam Smyth, 50, was a father of four children and husband to Katrina. His family said the couple was walking on Bondi Beach Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the attack.

“No words can describe the pain of our loss,” Smyth’s family wrote. “Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special.”

Smyth loved many sports clubs, including the English Premier League football team Liverpool.

“We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable,” his family wrote, adding, “You’ll never walk alone.”

Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed during the Bondi Beach shooting on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)

GURMAN FAMILY

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple who confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming the assailant before he grabbed another rifle and killed them.

The couple was going to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January and were going to mark Sophia’s birthday just days after the attack, “a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend,” the Gurman family wrote.

“Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others,” they wrote. “Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.”

They added, “We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.”

ELKAYAM FAMILY

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was playing football at Bondi Beach and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles.

“During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to run away,” Elkayam’s family wrote. “He was murdered because he was Jewish.”

Elkayam played football at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia.

SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was killed on Dec. 14 during the attack at Bondi Beach.

“Dan loved life – fully and intensely,” his family stated. “He traveled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.”

Elkayam’s family said his smile “could light up any room” and was someone “who truly wanted to do good in the world.”

“It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread,” his family stated. “He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy — in his name.”

Boris Tetleroyd, who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting, was remembered by his family as a “gentle man.” 

TETLEROYD FAMILY

Boris Tetleroyd “was loved by everyone he met,” his family said.

“He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana,” they continued. “He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Tetleroyd’s family added that he was a “gentle man” and “gifted musician.”

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine killed in the Bondi Beach attack. (NSW Police)

KLEYTMAN FAMILY

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. He was celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach with his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, who is also a Holocaust survivor, when the shooting began.

“He was a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit,” his family wrote, adding that he was also “very stubborn.”

Kleytman “survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck” and worked as a civil engineer and estimator, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.

His family said he died “doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights.”

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“The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come,” his family added.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

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Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

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Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

Jake and Romy Reiner, the children of Hollywood movie director Rob Reiner and his photographer-producer wife Michele Singer Reiner, issued a statement Wednesday in the wake of their parents’ deaths, according to The New York Times.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” the statement reads. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

Nick Reiner, the couple’s middle child, made his first court appearance Wednesday morning after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.

The 32-year-old, who is being held without bail, briefly appeared in court but did not enter a plea. His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, said it was “too early” and requested that his arraignment be moved back. He will appear in court again on January 7, 2026.

It has emerged that Romy, 27, was called to her parents’ house Sunday afternoon by the couple’s massage therapist after there was no answer at the Los Angeles estate, whereupon she found her father’s body, The New York Times said.

Jerry Seinfeld says Rob Reiner had a crucial role in saving his career

Here’s another warm tribute to Reiner from the stand-up legend, who says his classic sitcom Seinfeld may never have happened without the director and his production company Castle Rock Entertainment.

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 10:00

‘They were a special force together’: Rob and Michele Reiner’s friends honor their love of film and country

Some of Rob and Michele Reiner’s closest friends, including actors Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David, have released a statement mourning the couple and celebrating their love of film and country.

The group said in a statement first released to The Associated Press: “Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller.

“There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary, he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.”

It continued: “His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant.”

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 09:30

Tribute: Rob Reiner was joy personified – and his movies were warm hugs

As the creative force behind film classics including When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me and The Princess Bride, the filmmaker proved himself an expert in creating astonishingly kind and humane cinema.

His death is a shocking, senseless end to a remarkable life, writes Adam White.

Rob Reiner was joy personified – and his movies were warm hugs

As the director behind classics including ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘The Princess Bride’, the filmmaker proved himself an expert in creating astonishingly kind and humane cinema. His death is a shocking, senseless end to a remarkable life, writes Adam White

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 09:00

Family friends said argument between Reiners hours before killing was ‘overblown’ as they provide new details on shocking murder

Nick Reiner, the youngest son of Hollywood director Rob and photographer Michele Reiner, appeared briefly in a Los Angeles court Wednesday morning after being charged with the murder of his parents.

The 32-year-old was arrested Sunday night after allegedly stabbing his parents to death in their Brentwood home. He did not enter a plea, but, if convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Reiner’s struggles with addiction were well-known, as were the lengths his parents went to in order to help and support him throughout their lives.

On the night before their deaths, guests at an A-list party recalled Rob Reiner chastising his son over his behavior – though accounts now differ as to how severe the argument were.

Mike Bedigan18 December 2025 08:30

Watch: Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

Police have revealed where the bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found.

Officers discovered the couple in their bedroom, inside their Los Angeles estate.

Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 07:30

Jake and Romy Reiner release statement honoring parents: ‘They were our best friends’

Jake and Romy Reiner released a statement Wednesday addressing their parents’ deaths, according to The New York Times.

Their brother, Nick Reiner, briefly appeared in court today after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths. He did not enter a plea, and his arraignment has been postponed to January 7.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends,” Jake and Romy Reiner said.

“We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave,” they added.

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 06:00

What is the ‘special circumstance’ added to Nick Reiner’s charges?

Nick Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder Tuesday in connection with his parents’ deaths.

These counts include a “special circumstance of multiple murders,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

Special circumstances typically elevate the level of punishment, according to the California law firm Eisner Gorin LLP.

In California, a person convicted of first-degree murder without a special circumstance could face 25 years to life behind bars.

But when a special circumstance is added, someone convicted of first-degree murder could be sentenced to death, or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Hochman confirmed Tuesday that Reiner, if convicted, could face a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. However, no decision has been made about whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, he noted.

A courtroom sketch shows Nick Reiner wearing handcuffs and a blue protective vest during his brief court appearance (Reuters)

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 04:30

Watch: Nick Reiner makes brief court appearance

Nick Reiner made a brief appearance in court Wednesday.

His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, asked the judge to postpone his arraignment. Jackson then gave a brief statement to reporters outside the courthouse.

Reiner is expected to appear in court again on January 7.

Nick Reiner’s attorney describes ‘complex and serious issues’ in case

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 03:00

Rob Reiner’s final film delayed

However, Variety reports that the planned theatre and IMAX release has now been postponed indefinitely. A source told the publication that distributors Bleecker Street will wait until “the best path forward is decided with those closest to Rob and his family.”

Kevin E G Perry18 December 2025 01:30

Behind the Headlines: The tragic truth about Rob Reiner’s son Nick and how his parents desperately tried to help him

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.

He has struggled with drug addiction since his teen years.

Katie Rosseinsky explores how the Reiners helped their son, and the heartbreak the family has endured:

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 00:00

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NEED TO KNOW

• Erick Joseph Kristianson was convicted of 23 felony counts involving abuse of minors, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said
• Prosecutors said 10 girls between the ages of 9 and 16 were victims while Kristianson worked as a cheer coach and camp counselor
• Kristianson is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2026, and faces a maximum possible sentence of 165 years to life in prison

A California jury convicted a former cheerleading coach of 23 felony counts involving the abuse of 10 girls — some as young as 9 — in a case tied to years of alleged misconduct within youth cheer programs.

Erick Joseph Kristianson, 46, of Antioch, Tennessee, was convicted Monday, Dec. 15 in Santa Ana of eleven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts upon a minor under age 14 years of age, four felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts upon a child age 14 or 15, six felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor under 18 and two felony counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object of a minor under 16, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

The district attorney’s office said Kristianson collectively abused ten girls in Orange County between 2002 and 2006 while working as a competitive cheerleading coach at Magic All-Stars, as an assistant cheer coach at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo and as a counselor at a South Orange Couny YMCA sleep-away camp in 1999 and 2000.

According to the district attorney’s office, the victims ranged in age from 9 to 16 — two of the girls later reported that they stopped cheerleading after the abuse but did not come forward at the time due to fear and embarrassment.

Volusia County Jail

According to the release, many of the victims came forward in 2022 after Kristianson was arrested in Daytona Beach, Florida, on suspicion of masturbating on camera to three children between the ages of 11 and 13 and touching the private parts of another 13-year-old girl — all his students at the Champion Elite Legacy cheer club where he coached at the time.

The district attorney’s office said that after news coverage of that Florida arrest, one Orange County victim contacted investigators and reported that Kristianson, her cheer coach at the time, began molesting her when she was 14.

The victim reported that he would meet her during school lunch and take her to his home or the beach, where the conduct continued until she was 15, per the release.

The district attorney’s office said Kristianson also routinely took other girls he coached to non-cheer-sanctioned events and to his home, where he would molest them. 

Kristianson was arrested in Fargo, North Dakota, in 2023 on a felony warrant related to the Orange County case and extradited back to Southern California to face prosecution, the district attorney’s office said.

In August 2022, Kristianson was arrested in Kansas on a warrant and extradited to Florida to face charges for allegedly exposing himself during a FaceTime call with three teenage girls, according to the district attorney’s office. The news release said he posted a $300,000 bond and was released without restrictions on leaving the state.

Donald Miralle /Sports Illustrated via Getty 

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 19, 2026, at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The district attorney’s office said he faces a maximum possible sentence of 165 years to life in state prison.

PEOPLE has reached out to Kristianson’s attorney for comment.

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By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 02:00 EST, 18 December 2025 | Updated: 04:28 EST, 18 December 2025

Heavily-armed tactical officers dressed in camouflage were seen arresting a group of males in southwest Sydney, as part of a dramatic counter-terrorism operation.

Images showed several officers standing over the group of five men at the intersection of George and Campbell streets, in Liverpool, at about 5pm on Thursday.

It’s understood the group were travelling to Bondi Beach when their vehicle was rammed and stopped by officers from the NSW Counter Terrorism unit and the Police Public Order and Riot Squad.

‘A police operation is underway on George Street, Liverpool,’ NSW Police said in a statement.

‘There is no ongoing risk to the community. 

‘Further information will be available later today.’

A pair of 4WDs at the scene appeared to have crashed into the front of a white hatchback.

Stunned witnesses reported seeing a police LandCruiser ram a white Hyundai with Victorian number plates, which was carrying the men.

Tactical officers arrested a group of men in Liverpool

NSW Police issued an alert to stay out of the area at about 5pm on Thursday

A white hatchback was rammed by undercover police 4WD vehicles

Five men were arrested at intersection of George and Campbell streets

Heavily armed officers at the scene

It’s understood Counter Terrorism, NSW Police Public Order and Riot Squad officers were present

One of the men was taken from the scene in a gurney

One of the men was taken from the scene on a gurney. 

A sixth man was arrested by police in a nearby laneway. 

Businesses surrounding the incident, including a medical centre, have been locked down.

More to come… 

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Dramatic moment heavily-armed police in camouflage swarm a group of men travelling to Bondi Beach as part of mystery counter-terrorism operation

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Meghan Markle took to Instagram to share a picture of her husband Prince Harry playing polo in the snow in Aspen – and captioned the snap with a three-word remark



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Australia has announced tougher laws on hate speech in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, are suspected of opening fire on crowds of more than 1,000 people as they celebrated Hanukkah in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences over the attack that killed 15 people in the nation’s worst massacre in almost three decades.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Krissy Barrett also confirmed further searches would take place in the coming days.

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Gunmen ‘must never have had love’

The proposed measures include increased penalties for promoting violence, the creation of a new aggravated hate-speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence, and the development of a regime to list organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech that promotes violence or racial hatred.

Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while two police officers were also non-fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire.

Read more:
Inside Philippines hotel used by gunmen before mass shooting
Relative of youngest victim of shooting hits out at attackers

The first funerals of the Bondi Beach victims took place on Wednesday, including that of London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger.

On Thursday, hundreds of mourners bearing bright bouquets gathered in Sydney for the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, who was enjoying a petting zoo at the festivities on Sunday just before she was gunned down.

Image:
People add to a floral tribute outside Bondi Pavilion on 18 December Pic: AP

Ms Barrett said at a press conference on Thursday the New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team would execute further search warrants to support the investigation.

“There is a lot of material to be examined, and the AFP continues to work with both domestic and international partners to build a more complete picture of the movements and who the alleged offenders had contact with, both in Australia and offshore,” she said.

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Bondi: How people hid in a church

Prime minister Anthony Albanese announced his government would work on a series of legislative reforms in a bid to clamp down on those who “spread hate, division and radicalisation”, adding there was “no place in Australia for antisemitism”.

“We have seen a series of appalling attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community,” he said.

“That culminated, on Sunday, in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen.”

“It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more,” Mr Albanese added.

Ms Barrett also confirmed the Australian Federal Police would continue to investigate “hate preachers”.

Image:
Family carry the coffin following a service for Bondi Beach mass shooting victim 10-year-old Matilda, on 18 December: Pic: AP

It comes after Mr Albanese vowed to introduce tougher gun-control measures following the attack.

Naveed Akram remains under armed guard in hospital, having emerged from his coma on Tuesday afternoon.

Along with the murders, he is accused of 40 counts of causing wounding/grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, discharging a firearm intending to cause grievous bodily harm, a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol and placing an explosive in/near a building with the intent to cause harm.

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Funerals begin for Bondi victims

Mr Albanese said a special 12-month taskforce would be set up, and the nation’s home affairs minister would be granted new powers to cancel or refuse visas for people who spread hate and division in Australia, or who would do so if permitted to enter the country.

NSW Health confirmed 16 people were still receiving care in the wake of the attack on Thursday afternoon local time.

Two people are still in a critical condition, while three people have been listed as “critical but stable”.

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Despite Trump claim of ceasefire, no end on horizon to latest round of conflict recently reignited by border skirmish.

Published On 18 Dec 202518 Dec 2025

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Cambodia’s defence ministry has accused Thailand’s military of bombing the casino hub of Poipet, a major land crossing between the two nations, which are engaged in renewed clashes along their border.

The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that Thai forces had “dropped 2 bombs” in the municipality of Poipet, located in the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey, at about 11am (04:00 GMT) that morning.

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At the time of reporting, Thailand had not yet confirmed the strike on the bustling casino hub, which is popular with Thai gamblers.

The interior ministry said this week that at least four casinos in Cambodia have been damaged by Thai strikes.

Renewed fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours this month has killed at least 21 people in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, while displacing about 800,000, officials said.

Thailand said on Tuesday that between 5,000 and 6,000 Thai nationals remained stranded in Poipet after Cambodia closed its land border crossings with its neighbour.

Cambodia’s interior ministry said the border closures were a “necessary measure” to reduce risks to civilians amid the ongoing combat, adding that air travel remained an option for those seeking to leave.

Truce denial

Five days of fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in July killed dozens of people before a truce was brokered by the United States, China and Malaysia, and then broken within months.

United States President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly intervened in the longstanding conflict this year, claimed last week that the two countries had agreed to a new ceasefire.

But Bangkok denied any truce had been agreed upon, and fighting with artillery, tanks, drones and jets has continued daily since a border skirmish earlier this month caused the latest round of conflict.

The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800km (500-mile) border and a smattering of ancient temple ruins situated on the frontier.

Each side has blamed the other for instigating the renewed fighting, claiming self-defence, while trading accusations of attacks on civilians.

China said it was sending its special envoy for Asian affairs to Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday for a “shuttle-diplomacy trip” to help bridge the gaps and “rebuild peace”.

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BP’s board has appointed its first female chief executive in a move to revive the oil company’s fortunes, after ousting Murray Auchincloss less than two years into his role.

In an unexpected leadership shake-up, Auchincloss will step down as chief executive with immediate effect, but remain in an advisory role until the end of next year.

Auchincloss will be succeeded by Meg O’Neill, a former ExxonMobil executive and the head of the Australian oil company Woodside Energy. Carol Howle, BP’s head of trading, will run the firm until O’Neill takes up the top job in April.

The incoming oil boss will be BP’s first female chief executive in its 116-year history, and the first woman to head any of the world’s top five oil companies. Her appointment also marks the first time BP has hired an outsider for the top job.

The surprise appointment of BP’s third chief executive in five years emerged just weeks after BP appointed Albert Manifold to chair the board. Manifold replaced Helge Lund who presided over the oil company’s failed attempt to adopt a green energy agenda.

The shake-up will be taken as a sign that the British oil firm is seeking a renewed push to improve its business, with its shares and earnings lagging behind competitors such as ExxonMobil and Shell for years as it pursued green energy projects at the expense of growing its oil and gas production.

BP’s green strategy was set by its previous boss, Bernard Looney, who was appointed by Lund in 2020 to transform the business into an integrated energy company. However, the transition was undermined by a rise in global oil and gas prices, as well as the shock departure of Looney in 2023.

Looney was dismissed and denied more than £32m in pay and share awards after admitting he had failed to fully disclose to the board a series of personal relationships with his colleagues.

Auchincloss blamed the company’s “misplaced” optimism over the speed of the energy transition earlier this year and promised shareholders he would “fundamentally reset” BP by slashing billions in planned renewable energy initiatives and shifting its focus back to traditional oil and gas.

He had been under pressure since the feared New York hedge fund Elliott Investment Management took a stake in the company earlier this year. Elliott was pleased with O’Neill’s appointment, according to a source familiar with its thinking cited by the Financial Times.

Auchincloss will leave the company on Thursday. BP had not publicly announced a search process for his successor before it announced his departure late on Wednesday evening.

Manifold said: “Progress has been made in recent years, but increased rigour and diligence are required to make the necessary transformative changes to maximise value for our shareholders.”

O’Neill, who has headed Woodside since 2021, previously spent 23 years at ExxonMobil. Under her leadership, Woodside merged with BHP Group’s petroleum arm to create a top 10 global independent oil and gas producer valued at $40bn (£30bn) and doubled Woodside’s oil and gas production.

“With an extraordinary portfolio of assets, BP has significant potential to re-establish market leadership and grow shareholder value,” said O’Neill.

“This is clearly a high-profile hire, and probably some of the change that BP shareholders have been looking for,” said Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners.

Biraj Borkhataria, an analyst at RBC, said: “It is a little surprising to see the chairman willing to make a major change in such a short period of time, given he has little direct oil and gas experience. That said, with the activist in the shares, it felt like this move was more of a ‘when, not if’.”

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “With the sector facing pressure, consolidation is the talk of the town, but BP is most frequently seen as prey rather than the hunter.

“Rival Shell has distanced itself from takeover speculation, but there are other potential suitors. O’Neill may have a fight on her hands to ensure BP’s not sold for a song, and to keep a seat at the table if it were to join forces with a competitor.”

Earlier this year, O’Neill suggested at a gas industry conference that young people who take an ideological stand against fossil fuels are hypocrites for ordering cheap online consumer goods “without any sort of recognition of the energy and carbon impact of their actions”.

Liz Westcott, who leads Woodside’s Australian operations, has taken over as its acting chief executive.

BP shares rose 1% in early trading on Thursday morning.

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Paul KirbyEurope digital editor

Ukrinform/NurPhoto

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is yet to be convinced that the money held in Belgium should be loaned to Ukraine (file pic)

European Union leaders are gathering for a Brussels summit where a momentous decision will be taken on whether to loan Ukraine tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund its military and economic needs.

Most of Russia’s €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) worth of assets in the EU are held by Belgium-based organisation Euroclear, and so far Belgium and some other members of the bloc have said they are opposed to using the cash.

Without a boost in funding, Ukraine’s finances are set to run dry in a matter of months.

One European government official described being “cautiously optimistic, not overly optimistic” that a deal would be agreed. Russia has warned the EU against using its money.

It has filed a lawsuit against Euroclear in a Moscow court in a bid to get its money back.

The Brussels summit comes at a pivotal moment in the war and and all eyes are on Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who told the Belgian parliament on Thursday: “I haven’t yet seen any text that would persuade me to change Belgium’s position”.

US President Donald Trump has said a deal is closer than ever to end the war – which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

US and Russian officials are due to meet in Miami this weekend for further talks on a peace plan, a White House official told the AFP news agency. It is thought Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev will talk to Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, days after they met Ukrainian and European leaders in Berlin.

Russia has not yet responded to the latest peace proposals, but the Kremlin has stressed that plans for a European-led multinational force for Ukraine supported by the US would not be acceptable.

President Vladimir Putin made his feelings towards Europe clear on Wednesday, when he said the continent was in a state of “total degradation” and that “European piglets” – a derogatory description of Ukraine’s European allies – were hoping to profit from Russia’s collapse.

Alexander KAZAKOV/POOL/AFP

Those in favour of loaning Ukraine the money believe it will help deter Putin from continuing the war

The European Commission – the EU’s executive arm – has proposed loaning Kyiv about €90bn (£79bn) over the next two years – out of the €210bn of Russian assets sitting in Europe.

That is about two-thirds of the €137bn that Kyiv is thought to need to get through 2026 and 2027.

Until now the EU has handed Ukraine the interest generated by the cash but not the cash itself.

“This is a crunch time for Ukraine to keep fighting for the next year,” a Finnish government official told the BBC. “There are of course peace negotiations but this gives Ukraine leverage to say ‘we’re not desperate and we have the funds to continue fighting’.”

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says it will also ramp up the cost of war for Russia.

Russia’s frozen assets are not the only option on the table for EU leaders. Another idea, backed by Belgium, is based on the EU borrowing the money on the international markets, using the EU budget as a guarantee.

However, that would require a unanimous vote and Hungary’s Viktor Orban has made it clear he will not allow any more EU money to help Ukraine.

For Ukraine, the hours ahead are significant and President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the EU summit.

Ahead of the Brussels meeting, EU leaders were keen to stress the momentous nature of the decision.

“We know the urgency. It is acute. We all feel it. We all see it,” von der Leyen told the European Parliament.

EPA

Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that two choices were on the table for EU leaders

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has played a leading role in pushing for the Russian assets to be used, telling the Bundestag on the eve of the summit it was about sending a “clear signal” to Moscow that continuing the war was pointless.

EU officials are confident they have a sound legal basis to use the frozen Russian assets, but so far the Belgian prime minister remains unconvinced. His defence minister Theo Francken warned ahead of the talks that it would be a big mistake to loan the Euroclear cash.

Hungary is seen as the biggest opponent of the move and, ahead of the summit, Prime Minister Orban and his entourage even suggested that the frozen assets plan had been removed from the summit agenda. A European Commission official stressed that was not the case and it would be a matter for the 27 member states at the summit.

Slovakia’s Robert Fico has also opposed using the Russian assets, if it means the money being used to procure weapons rather than for reconstruction needs.

When the pivotal vote does finally take place, it will require a majority of about two-thirds of member states to go through. Whatever happens, European Council President António Costa has promised not to go over the heads of the Belgians.

“We’re not going to vote against Belgium,” he told Belgian public broadcaster RTBF. “We’ll continue to work very intensively with the Belgian government because we don’t want to approve something that might not be acceptable for Belgium.”

Belgium will also be aware that ratings agency Fitch has placed Euroclear on a negative watch, partly because of “low” legal risks to its balance sheet from the European Commission’s plans to use the Russian assets. Euroclear’s chief executive has also warned against the plan.

“There are many hiccups and obstacles of course still on the way. We have to find a way to respond to Belgium’s worries,” the Finnish official added. “We are on the same side as Belgium. We will find a solution together to make sure all the risks are checked as much as they can be checked.”

However, Belgium is not the only country to have doubts, and a majority is not guaranteed.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has told Italian MPs she will endorse the deal “if the legal basis is solid”.

“If the legal basis for this initiative were not solid, we would be handing Russia its first real victory since the beginning of this conflict.”

Malta, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic are also said to be unconvinced by the controversial proposals.

If the deal is passed and the Russian assets are given to Ukraine, the worst-case scenario for Belgium would be one in which a court would order it to hand the money back to Russia.

Some countries have said they would be prepared to provide billions of euros in financial guarantees, but Belgium will want to see the numbers add up.

At any rate, Commission officials are confident that the only way for Russia to get it back would be by paying reparations to Ukraine – at which point Ukraine would hand its “reparations loan” back to the EU.

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